Blog

Keeping Your Glass Half Full: Blooming Tree Q2 Virtual Lunch Webinar Recap

July 8, 2026

Despite political and economic uncertainty and elevated market valuations, the glass remains “half-full” regarding long-term investments.We started the Blooming Tree Wealth Management Q2 Virtual Lunch Webinar by taking a look at the JPMorgan Guide to the Markets. With the S&P 500 crossing over 7,500 at the end of May and remaining over 7,250 throughout June, it’s hard to be anything other than pleased with recent gains.The S&P 500 has gained roughly 8% year-to-date, eve

Takeaways from LPL's 2026 Midyear Outlook

July 7, 2026

The LPL Midyear Outlook is here! Let's talk about our initial takeaways.

BTWM Q2 Webinar Preview: Join Us Thursday, May 21 at Noon Central

May 19, 2026

As of 5/11, the S&P 500 has crossed over 7,400! Things are great, or are they? Let's talk about it during the BTWM Q2 Virtual Webinar.

You Don’t Wash Rentals: Why Ownership Matters

May 5, 2026

A key highlight of a recent BTWM Virtual Webinar was special guest Ben Cohen of CNL, who offered a valuable perspective on private equity.

Washing Rental Cars and Focusing On What You Can Control

March 20, 2026

Read the full recap of the BTWM Q1 Webinar, held February 12 here.

Identifying Tomorrow’s Market Leaders & Key Market Insights Webinar Recap

January 6, 2026

The Blooming Tree Wealth Management Q4 Virtual Lunch Webinar welcomed special guest Chance Hardy of AllianceBernstein, who shared timely insights on shifting market leadership, technological disruption, and how to identify potential disruptors.

BTWM Q4 Webinar Preview & Special Guest Announcement

November 3, 2025

Breakthrough T1D Central Illinois Event Recap

October 15, 2025

The weather was warm, and spirits were high during this past Saturday's Breakthrough T1D walk in East Peoria. The entire Blooming Tree team is very proud of Lennan O'Connell, who participated in his first Breakthrough T1D walk. The Central Illinois Breakthrough T1D walk, which featured hundreds of walkers impacted by Type 1 Diabetes, raised over $200,000, with the Lennanators team raising over $3,000.

BTWM Q3 Virtual Lunch Webinar Recap

September 17, 2025

A full recap of the Q3 Blooming Tree Wealth Management Virtual Lunch Webinar. Covered topics included the rise of AI, predicting the (near) future, rebalancing your portfolio, and more.

“I’m Receiving an Inheritance—What Should I Do?” Steps to Make the Most of It

August 5, 2025

Are you receiving an inheritance? Here are several steps to take to make the most of this gift while honoring the legacy of a loved one.

Don’t Just Own “Stocks”—Own Great Companies

July 2, 2025

"The stock market is a giant distraction from the business of investing." - John C. Bogle The stock market can feel like a roller coaster, noisy and filled with conflicting advice. From news headlines to social media...

Looking Back to Look Forward: Q2 BTWM Virtual Lunch Review

June 3, 2025

A recap of the Blooming Tree Wealth Management Q2 Virtual Lunch Webinar led by Blooming Tree's Ryan O'Connell.

Six Retirement Planning Mistakes to Avoid

May 24, 2025

Mistakes happen, but many of them can be avoided. No hockey player has ever scored every shot they've taken, and no Financial Advisor has ever been right about every stock, mutual fund, or bond they've recommended. Long story short, we all make mistakes. But we can turn the tables on a mistake by turning it into a valuable lesson we learn from.

Six Retirement Planning Mistakes to Avoid

May 24, 2025

Mistakes happen, but many of them can be avoided. No hockey player has ever scored every shot they've taken, and no Financial Advisor has ever been right about every stock, mutual fund, or bond they've recommended. Long story short, we all make mistakes. But we can turn the tables on a mistake by turning it into a valuable lesson we learn from.

Discussing Change, Tariffs, Pullbacks, & More: BTWM Q1 Virtual Lunch Webinar Qui

March 18, 2025

America is in a period of change, and these changes make it nearly impossible to discuss the economy without mentioning politics in some way, shape, or form.With clients on both sides of the aisle, I have to carefully navigate talking about issues connected to politics. When it comes to my personal standing on politics, I’m a capitalist. Regardless of what party is in the White House, I root for the economy...

Four Questions to Answer on the Ice or in the Stock Market

February 19, 2025

At the height of hockey season, I was recently reminded of the emotional swings that come with youth sports, both for players and coaches. Leads evaporate, comebacks fall short, and the thrill of a victory is quickly soured by defeat. Whether on the ice or in the stock market, here are four questions I encourage you to ask yourself to evaluate your process and overall approach.

Improving Your Standard of Giving to Close the Income Equality Gap

February 3, 2025

As the income inequality gap continues to grow, what can we do? Ryan O'Connell shares his approach to increasing his standard of giving.

Charging into 2025: Q1 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar Preview

January 27, 2025

Each year offers a fresh start. That start has been much like the end of 2024 for the stock market. After a series of wild swings, the Nasdaq crossed over 20,000 for the first time in December. While we have yet to cross back over 20,000, volatility remains high, and what lies ahead, from rate cuts to rate hikes, is anything but certain.

When Choosing an Advisor, Investment IQ is A Starting Point

January 8, 2025

When you need help, where’s the first place you turn? If you’re like me, you probably start with family. The help and advice you receive from family members won’t always immediately solve your problem, but it can serve as a starting point. Where many future retirees go wrong is believing that investment knowledge qualifies someone to serve as their Financial Advisor. “My cousin invests in stocks.”Not everyone who drives a car will become a NASCAR driver, a

Giving Season Thoughts & Non-Profits Close to My Heart

December 20, 2024

The end of the year is a special time for many, including my family and I. We celebrate the holidays together, participate in countless activities, give each other gifts, and spend time with our extended family. This time of year is not enjoyable for all.

5 Lessons John Wooden Taught Me About Coaching and Life

December 3, 2024

"On the edge of a small wooden shelf at the University of Illinois library, I found my first coaching mentor." In this short blog post, BTWM's Ryan O'Connell discusses lessons he learned from Coach John Wooden.

Investing, Politics, and Catching Up to the Magnificent 7: BTWM Q4 Virtual Lunch

December 3, 2024

The largest group of attendees to date joined me and two special guests for the BTWM Q4 Virtual Lunch Webinar on Thursday, November 14. Walt Czaicki, Strategist and AllianceBernsteain Quarterly Capital Markets Outlook author, and Regional Director Michael Cheskis took time out of their busy schedule to discuss the election and its historical impact on the stock market. Based on past results in the market after an election...

Question: What Industries Are You Watching?

November 18, 2024

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only Financial Advisor who’s constantly asked the question, “What industries or stocks are you watching?” However, I try to take a unique approach to answering this question.

BTWM Q4 Webinar Preview: Special Guests Discuss the Election’s Impact

November 8, 2024

As interest rate cuts continue, the election's over, and we're less than 60 days away from the new year, it feels like the perfect time to start looking ahead. On Thursday, November 14 at noon (Central), Ryan O'Connell will host the BTWM Q4 Virtual Lunch Webinar. Read more here!

How My Mother Inspired Me to Become A Financial Advisor

October 29, 2024

My mother's dedication to our family and work ethic helped me understand what it meant to take care of a family and serve others. Read more about her impact on why Ryan O'Connell became a Financial Advisor here.

Ryan's Love for Coaching & How It Translates to Being a Financial Advisor

October 14, 2024

Saying Blooming Tree's Ryan O'Connell loves hockey is an understatement. His quest for more ice time as a collegiate hockey player led him into coaching.

Retirement Planning: Tailored Vs. Trailblazing

October 3, 2024

A rising trend is the use of the words "creative" and "unique" regarding building retirement portfolios. The promise of a trailblazing retirement strategy seems to be becoming more and more popular. There's a big difference between a tailored and trailblazing retirement portfolio. In my experience...

What the VIX Index Tells Us About the Economy

September 23, 2024

When the VIX Index rises, volatility is increasing, and the stock market is less predictable. When volatility is above it’s usual levels, we can expect a wider range of highs and lows. We discuss the VIX Index and what an increase in volatility means for you and your retirement account in today's post.

With Rate Cuts Coming, What Does That Mean for Your Portfolio?

September 8, 2024

The current Fed interest rate, which is approximately 5.25% - 5.50%, is at its highest since late 2000 and early 2001. Rate cuts are coming, but what does this mean for your investment portfolio?

Question: What Should I Do About the Election?

August 28, 2024

Are you ready for November? The upcoming election was a popular topic during the BTWM Q3 Virtual Lunch Webinar. One of the questions I’ve been asked several times during the last quarter is, “What should I do about the election?” Let's talk about it!

Trading Dollars for Dimes: Let’s Talk About Stock Splits

August 23, 2024

A rising trend in blue chip companies splitting shares of their stock has investors wondering if this is an opportunity worth taking advantage of. Blooming Tree's Ryan O'Connell shares his opinion on stock splits in today's blog post.

Is a Recession Lurking? Where Are We Headed? Q3 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar Recap

August 17, 2024

Is a Recession Lurking? We are talking about in during the Q3 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar recap.

Join Us in November for the Q4 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar

August 12, 2024

Let's look ahead to Q4. The last BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar of the year will take place on November 14 at noon. Join us for a discussion on the market, presidential election, potential rate cuts, and more!

Is A Storm Coming? Uncertainty and Your Portfolio: Q3 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar

August 1, 2024

There are less than 100 days until the election. Is a storm coming? Let's talk about it in our Q3 Webinar preview. Join us on August 8 at noon Central for an update on the current state of the market, to have your questions answered, and for a look at how the election may or may not impact your retirement plan.

Looking Beyond Uncertainty: Q3 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar Preview

June 17, 2024

The election is right around the corner, and so is the Q3 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar. Join Ryan O'Connell on 8/8 at noon. Learn more in this short preview.

What’s the Best that Could Happen? Q2 Virtual Lunch Webinar Recap

June 17, 2024

Each quarter, Blooming Tree Wealth Management hosts a cost-free webinar open to everyone. On Thursday, May 9, we held the BTWM Q2 Virtual Lunch Webinar, and asked attendees to submit questions via email and chat. One of three questions we received was, what's the worst that could happen? Let's explore!

How to Overcome Temporary Ups and Downs in Your Retirement Account

June 4, 2024

How are meetings with your Financial Advisor? Are they full of mystery, excitement, and planning drastic changes to your holdings and overall strategy? Let's hope not. Frequent changes in a retirement account are a sign of watching the scoreboard and accepting rumors as facts prematurely. The scoreboard is your total account balance, and while all investors and Financial Advisors aim to increase this total balance over time, tracking it constantly is a recipe for anxiety...

Should Election Results Impact My Retirement Investment Plan?

May 19, 2024

There's an election around the corner, are you going to change your investment plan based on who wins? Take a deep breath and a step back from making any impulsive decisions, and let's dive into what the outcome may mean for investor sentiment.

Inflation: Who’s Behind the Wheel?

May 7, 2024

From 2012 to 2020, inflation never reached or exceeded 3% in any given month. From 2021 to 2023, inflation has been at or higher than 3% in all but three months. Let's discuss what's driving inflation.

Q2 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar Preview: Is “Missing Out” on New Highs a Myth?

April 10, 2024

The Q2 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar is just around the corner, and we hope you'll join us on 5/9. Read more about what to expect here!

3 Quick Steps to Take If Starting Late for Retirement

April 9, 2024

Do you feel like you're starting late for retirement? Don't worry. Take a deep breath, and start planning out your steps to get closer to a plan you can work from to comfortably retire. Here are a few steps to consider that may help you get started.

What is a Comprehensive Retirement Plan?

April 3, 2024

Blooming Tree Wealth Management prides itself on providing comprehensive retirement plans, but what is a comprehensive retirement plan? We explore in this post!

3 Reasons the Market is Outperforming Expectations

March 5, 2024

In 2023, the market outperformed expectations. During the Q1 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar, Ryan O'Connell discussed several reasons the market surprised us last year. This included three main drivers. Read more and join us for our next Virtual Lunch Webinar in May!

Q1 2024 Webinar Recap: What You Can Expect this Year

February 19, 2024

How did 2023 treat your investment portfolio? Let's talk about the market and what you can expect in 2024. In this post, we recap the Q1 Blooming Tree Wealth Management Virtual Lunch Webinar, hosted in early February by BTWM's Ryan O'Connell.

What an Increase in Volatility Means for Your Retirement Portfolio

January 30, 2024

2024 is an election year, meaning the chances of volatility playing a significant role in our portfolios over the next 8-10 months are high. Let's discuss what this could mean for your retirement account.

2.0.2.4: Q1 BTWM Virtual Webinar Preview, 2/8 at Noon

January 22, 2024

2023 was the year of the most anticipated recession we never had. Despite a consensus that a recession, even if a mild one, was inevitable, we escaped 2023 on a positive note with the market ending strong. What does this mean for 2024? Let's talk about it.

Answering Three End-of-the-Year Questions from Investors

December 16, 2023

At the conclusion of the Q4 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar (read a brief summary here), Ryan O'Connell answered three questions from the community. Here is a recap of those questions and Ryan's answers.

Gaining from Giving: Why Donating Your Required Distribution Could Help

November 21, 2023

While discussing end-of-the-year strategies during the Q4 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar, Ryan O'Connell shared how some investors may be able to fulfill a requirement while making a big difference for their favorite nonprofit organization.

Q4 Webinar Recap: Are Fixed Income Assets Worth Considering?

November 16, 2023

Here's a brief recap the Q4 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar. We discussed tax harvesting, fixed income assets, and more.

EOY Tips: Tax Harvesting 101

November 8, 2023

2023 is coming to an end. Are you prepared? To help you make the most of your year as you continue to build and protect your assets for retirement, I would like to share a quick strategy -- tax harvesting. What is Tax Harvesting? Learn more here and join us on November 9 for our final Virtual Lunch Webinar of the year.

Looking Back & Ahead at the Market: BTWM Q3 Virtual Lunch Webinar Recap

August 21, 2023

A recap of the Q3 Blooming Tree Wealth Management Webinar, hosted by Ryan O'Connell on August 10.

BTWM Nominated in the 2023 Pantagraph Readers’ Choice Awards

July 18, 2023

BTWM has been nominated for two awards in the annual Pantagraph Readers' Choice Awards. Blooming Tree Wealth Management is nominated for Best Investment Firm and Best Financial Planner. The Pantagraph received over 89,000 nominations, and only the five most nominated businesses in each category advanced.

Blooming Tree Wealth Management Q3 Virtual Webinar Preview

July 14, 2023

With inflation cooling down, the market is temporarily climbing. However, with earnings reports coming, uncertainty lies ahead. Are you prepared?

Fundraiser Brings Books to Young Kids in McLean County

July 14, 2023

United Way of McLean County Women United held its fifth annual Power of the Purse event on June 14 to raise needed funding for its partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Unpacking 3 Key Issues in the Market

May 30, 2023

During the May 11 Blooming Tree Wealth Management Virtual Lunch Webinar, we went through the J.P. Morgan Guide to the Markets and discussed how and why the market has been flat. The discussion revolves around the three key issues that are keeping the market range-bound. Those issues include: Inflation, Regional Banking Turmoil, and the Debt Ceiling Debate.

BTWM Q2 Virtual Lunch Webinar Recap

May 29, 2023

On May 11, Ryan hosted the Q2 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar after what he described as a turbulent quarter. Learn more in this short recap.

The Glass is Half Full: Q2 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar Preview

March 17, 2023

As Q1 comes to a close (3/31), it's time to look ahead to Q2 and the second BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar of the year.

Unprecedented Times and What to Do About Them: Q1 BTWM Webinar Recap

February 14, 2023

2022 was unprecedented in terms of the rapidness with which the FED raised rates. On February 2, Ryan O'Connell hosted the first BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar of the year. While covering a wide range of topics during the 30-minute session, the focus of the discussion was finding balance in 2023. The webinar started with a brief wrap-up of the last year in the market. The one word that can't be avoided when describing what happened is...

Finding Balance in 2023: Save the Date & Virtual Webinar Preview for 2023 Q1

December 27, 2022

There have been few times in history quite like the past two years. From the pandemic to the recovery the following year, to rate hikes to supply and employee shortages, we have experienced a decade worth of activity in 24 months. Let's take a look at finding balance in 2023.

"When I Change What’s on My Investment Watchlist"

November 20, 2022

While preparing for the Q4 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar on November 3, I received a question via email, which I answered during the 35-minute meeting. How often do you change the top stocks you're watching closely, and what makes you move on from tracking one company to another?

Reasons for Hope and Controlling What We Can: Q4 BTWM Lunch Webinar Recap

November 19, 2022

Ryan O'Connell started the Q4 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar with a discussion on the impact midterm elections will have on the market, which appears to be minimal. Generally speaking, the market likes gridlock. The market benefits from gridlock because it protects us from what some believe to be rogue policies, which put the future....

What's at the Top of My Watchlist

October 25, 2022

In a post published earlier this month (read here!), we talked about wide-moat stocks. To summarize, wide-moat stocks are companies that have a significant competitive advantage over their competitors. A silver-lining to the dramatic reduction in P/E this year is that some of these wide-moat companies are trading at steep discounts to their fair value.As indicators show that a recession is likely, companies that are almost certain to survive even a lengthy recession, like wide-moat companies, be

Recession Protection: Quick Introduction to “Wide-Moat” Assets

October 15, 2022

Is the economy coming to storm your retirement castle? Learn how wide-moat stocks may provide you some relief during difficult times.

Recession is Coming; Now What? BTWM Q4 Webinar Preview

October 11, 2022

Take a look at the weather in the market. A storm (recession) is imminent. What we don’t know is how strong that storm will be. We’re not sure if we need to take shelter or simply dust off the umbrella. With unemployment remaining low, company earnings staying strong, and the FED paying close attention to market conditions, the incoming storm appears to be an extended drizzle. What Should We Do About It? When you know something is coming, you can plan for it, right? Well...

Get Your Records in Order NOW: BTWM Virtual Seminar with Sonja Reece

September 23, 2022

Who has time to organize records? Well, there are some things you have to make time for, and organizing records is one of them. After all, if you don’t take the time to organize your records before or during retirement, who will? The answer is those you love, that is if they can even find the records they’ll need. The types of documents that you need to organize include: HealthHomeCar InsuranceFinancial Will And more In an upcoming virtual seminar hosted b

Pantagraph Readers’ Choice Results Announced

September 16, 2022

Last month, we were excited and proud to be alerted that we were nominated for not one, but two Pantagraph Readers’ Choice Awards. We shared that news with you and asked for your continued support through votes for us in both categories. Today, we received the official results of the awards. But before we share the final results, we want to thank you for voting for Blooming Tree Wealth Management! We were pleased to learn that we placed 2nd for Best Financial Office

Q3 BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar Recap

August 18, 2022

On Thursday, August 4, Ryan O'Connell hosted the quarterly BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar. Here is a short recap of the webinar.

What is Causing the Selloff, and Should We Be Worried? BTWM Webinar Preview

August 17, 2022

Make no mistake about it, the market is down. But this is not 2007 or 2008. Despite experiencing a significant dip in the market, we need to look past the red in our portfolios to look closer at what is causing the selloff. There is no forced shutdown or recession like there was in 2007, no bubble has popped, and massive government bailouts for companies aren’t needed to save the market from bottoming out. The current selloff in the market is not due to corporate weakness; it’s

What is Causing the Selloff, and Should We Be Worried? BTWM Webinar Preview

August 17, 2022

Make no mistake about it, the market is down. But this is not 2007 or 2008. Despite experiencing a significant dip in the market, we need to look past the red in our portfolios to look closer at what is causing the selloff. There is no forced shutdown or recession like there was in 2007, no bubble has popped, and massive government bailouts for companies aren’t needed to save the market from bottoming out. The current selloff in the market is not due to corporate weakness; it’s

BTWM Q3 Virtual Lunch Webinar Preview: Join Us on August 4 at 12 PM

July 30, 2022

Imagine moving from a Chicago high-rise apartment to your own two-story home here in Bloomington-Normal. While each has benefits, there is one clear difference between a high-rise apartment and a two-story home – the space between you and the ground. In the first half of 2022, the market moved into a two-story home after a massive rise, and the ground floor is currently much closer than it was to start the year. While the value of assets has dipped, the good news is...

Save the Date for BTWM’s Q3 Virtual Lunch Webinar 8/4 12pm

June 17, 2022

Put an hour time block in your Outlook or Google calendar for August 4 at 12pm Central to join us for a free Virtual Lunch Webinar! Every quarter, Blooming Tree Wealth Management hosts a free Virtual Lunch Webinar that is open to anyone. Each webinar, led by Ryan O’Connell, includes the following: A look at the current market A preview of what experts and research are saying about the near future What Ryan is keeping an eye on in the market Trends to trackOpen Q&A session Take a lo

Waiting for Positivity: BTWM Q2 Webinar Recap

May 27, 2022

Are you waiting for something positive to happen in the market? Don't wait for positivity, go out there and find it. In this post, we look at the recent BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar and what there is to be positive about in the current market.

Finding the Next FAANG & Discussing Recession: BTWM Q2 Webinar: Join Us on 5/19

April 13, 2022

How are you feeling about the current state of the market? For many of our clients at BTWM, there are concerns, and rightfully so. The first quarter of the year has been a bumpy one with many ups and downs, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the fallout from the Russian attack.On May 19, 2022, at 12pm, Blooming Tree Wealth Management’s Ryan O’Connell will host the second BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar of the year. The webinar will cover the current state of the market, finding

The Fed, Omicron, Earnings, & More: Q1 BTWM Virtual Lunch

February 24, 2022

On February 10th, Blooming Tree Wealth Management hosted our first Virtual Lunch Webinar of the year and discussed the Market outlook for 2022.We started the virtual lunch by taking a peek at the 2022 LPL Outlook. We also looked at the Market’s current state and discussed what actions the Fed (Federal Reserve) may feel forced to take. At present, the Market is focused on and reacting to three main Fed moves: Raising ratesTaperingReducing the balance sheet One question submitted during th

Preparing Your Portfolio for 2022: Your Invitation to BTWM’s Q1 Webinar

January 26, 2022

Welcome to 2022. Here at Blooming Tree Wealth Management (BTWM), we are optimistic about 2022, but risk-aware. The new year brings new opportunities, but some of the same old questions. Learn more and join us for our Q1 webinar.

What is Thematic Investing, and Why Should You Care?

January 22, 2022

Netflix wasn’t the first company to offer streaming services, and Tesla wasn’t the first company to offer electric vehicles. While predicting a company that will turn into a unicorn is challenging, to say the least, identifying themes that will grow over the next 20-30 years, like electric vehicles and internet traffic, is much more feasible. On October 21, BTWM hosted a virtual lunch webinar to discuss thematic investing. We hosted guest speaker Sara Tunnell, Analyst and Produc

Protecting Your Purchasing Power: BTWM Virtual Lunch Webinar Recap

November 30, 2021

What do you expect from your financial advisor? Clients work with Blooming Tree Wealth Management (BTWM) to protect their purchasing power in retirement. Everyone’s purchasing power appears to be at risk because of the current state of the market. Inflation, which decreases our purchasing power, is on the way after adding nearly 30% of the total amount of money in circulation (USD). We discussed purchasing power, thematic investing, and where opportunities can be found in the mar

Uncovering Opportunity in Today’s Stock Market: BTWM Q4 Lunch Webinar Preview

October 13, 2021

Join us for the next BTWM virtual webinar to discuss uncovering opportunities in today's stock market. We will host this free virtual webinar lunch on 10/21 at 12 pm, and we will be joined by a special guest.

How Bond Yields Make the Stock Market a “TINA” Trade

September 13, 2021

On Thursday, July 29th, I held a virtual lunch webinar on behalf of Blooming Tree Wealth Management. During the talk, we discussed “speeding slower,” meaning we expect the economy to continue to move forward but at a slower pace than the first half of 2021. One of the main topics was the “TINA trade.”TINA = there is no alternative.TINA refers to the stock market in relation to bonds. In past generations, bonds have been a safe and useful investment tool for retirement fun

Virtual Lunch Takeaways: “Opportunities of a Hot Economy” with BTWM

September 8, 2021

The three quarters of 2021, in a word, have been overwhelming for investors. We have seen strength in the economy that I have not witnessed in my entire career, powered by an unprecedented amount of money being poured into the country.But where are we headed, and how should you adjust your retirement portfolio?On Thursday, July 29th, I held a virtual lunch webinar on behalf of Blooming Tree Wealth Management. The theme of the talk, which covered the LPL Mid-Year Outlook, was “speeding slow

Challenges, Consequences, and Opportunities of a Hot Economy: Join BTWM for Our

July 21, 2021

The first half of 2021 has been almost as exciting as 2020 was concerning for investors. Mentioned in the LPL Mid-Year Outlook 2021, the U.S. GDP has seen growth between 6.25-6.75% and the S&P 500 is currently over 4,300.There is a lot to be happy about as an investor, but market trends don’t always last, and the current rate of growth we are seeing is not sustainable. If you have been following recent chatter about the stock market, you are well aware that a market correction, a

5 Takeaways from BTWM’s Virtual Lunch

May 8, 2021

On April 30, we hosted a free virtual lunch using GoToMeeting. Ryan O'Connell led our discussion about the last year in the market, where we are now, and how to view the future as an investor. Here are 5 takeaways from the 40-minute conversation.

“Is the Glass Half Full or Half Empty?!” Join BTWM on 4/30 for Virtual Lunch

April 20, 2021

It is hard not to be pleased with the performance of the market over the past year. After a severe dip at the start of the worldwide pandemic, we have seen a record-setting uphill climb that has led us to new highs. Despite gains, here at Blooming Tree Wealth Management, we are hearing a blend of excitement, caution, and fear in the tone of our clients in emails, calls, and visits.It is hard to believe how well the market has performed over the past 12 months as we reach yet another S&P 500

Taking a Look Back and Forward with LPL’s 2021 Research Outlook

December 22, 2020

2020 is winding down. Before we begin to look ahead to 2021, let's quickly reflect on the past year and what lessons we can take with us while we're positioning ourselves for a great financial year.We have recently received the LPL Research Outlook for 2021, and we would like to share that full report along with a few of our takeaways.

10 Truths No Matter Who Wins: Investments and the Election; Attend our Workshop

October 5, 2020

There is nothing permanent except change. Change is scary, and an election is upon us, meaning change is imminent. Regardless of who you are voting for in November (11/3), the outcome is going to affect us all. But what impact will the president have on your investments, and to what degree?There are positives to take away from either scenario we are facing in terms of your future and the future standing of your retirement account. While we all have thoughts on how p

Nearing Retirement? Free Workshop on How to Tiptoe Through the Medicare Minefiel

September 10, 2020

Nothing in life is free, including Medicare. Not only do you pay for it with your taxes throughout your professional career, you will also have out of pocket health care expenses in retirement. On average, retirees spend from $6,000 - $8,000 annually even with Medicare. Spread out over a 25-30-year retirement, you could end up spending $250,000 on health-related expenses alone.The thought that Medicare is free is just one of many “mines” you can run into when navigating the Medicare

Nearing Retirement and Facing Change? Avoid This Huge Mistake – Sequence of Retu

July 28, 2020

Change can be challenging to navigate, especially when you have specific goals that are impacted by that change. When your employer merges with a competitor several years before your planned retirement, change is inevitable. How you react to that change will determine your future. Learn more in this article that explains sequence of return risk.

“Financial Planning in Transition” Free Workshop for Advocate BroMenn Employees

June 19, 2020

When big changes happen in your life, it’s time to review your goals and ensure that your current path is aligned with what you want your future to be. With the news of a merger with Carle health system, Advocate BroMenn employees find themselves in a period of change and uncertainty. To help guide you through this transition, Blooming Tree Wealth Management Founder Ryan O’Connell, in conjunction with the Community Health Care Clinic, will host a free “Financial Plan

Market Update from Ryan O’Connell of Blooming Tree Wealth Management

March 23, 2020

The market is down during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The market has responded to the unknown and uncertainty of our current situation. Are the losses in the stock market justified? At this point, it's hard to tell. We do not know how this pandemic will impact companies' earnings. Uncertainty causes fear...

Creating Retirement Streams of Income: What You Need to Know

December 13, 2019

Take a second to picture what you want retirement to look like. Are you sipping a margarita at the beach? Relaxing at a new home in Florida? Taking trips to visit your grandchildren? Traveling around the world?Whatever it is you want to do to get the most out of retirement, income is going to be an important part of it. By building streams of income, you can protect yourself against fluctuations in benefits, inflation, the stock market, and other uncertainties. Retirement Income Streams: What an

Your Retirement Planning Guide: When and How to Start Planning

December 13, 2019

Retirement, sooner or later, is coming. Are you prepared? You deserve to retire happy, healthy, and wealthy enough to live out the rest of your life the way you want to. You also deserve to rest assured that your financial future is in good hands. In this short guide, we will cover misconceptions, when you should start planning for retirement, what to do if you're starting late, how to get started planning for retirement, and more.

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