Well Balanced

Where should you keep your cash in retirement? The answer is about more than just finding the highest interest rate.

In this video, Sharon Calhoun, Managing Director and Senior Wealth Advisor at Bluespring Wealth, discusses how cash fits into a broader retirement strategy. From high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts to CDs, each option can serve a different purpose depending on your timeline and income needs.

Learn how organizing assets by time horizon can help support spending needs, provide liquidity, and reduce the pressure to sell long-term investments during periods of market volatility.

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Advisory services are provid...

For most people, retirement doesn’t stay the same from start to finish. It tends to move through distinct phases, each with different priorities and financial rhythms.

Presented by Joe Grochowski, a senior wealth advisor at Vector Wealth Management. 

Connect with Joe and the team: vectorwealth.com/contact

In this short video, I walk through what are often called the Go-Go years, the Slow-Go years, and the No-Go years. Early on, retirement may be active and experience-focused.  Later, life often becomes steadier, with more attention on income alignment and simplifying finances. Eventually, planning may center more on health, support, and making...

Retirement isn't just leaving your job—it's a life shift. Your time, your days, and your finances all change.

Here's what matters:

✅ Replace your paycheck with steady income from savings & investments

✅ Protect against inflation over 10-20 years

✅ Time Social Security & Medicare strategically

✅ Coordinate withdrawals to minimize taxes

But it's not just financial. Work gives life structure—retirement requires finding new rhythms.

Ready to make your transition intentional and well-planned? Let's talk.

Contact Vector Wealth Management

https://www.vec...

In this informative presentation, Paul Ewing, Schwab’s Senior Technology Consultant, and Boima Freeman, Senior Financial Fraud Investigator at the Minnesota Department of Commerce, share real-world examples and actionable strategies to help you safeguard your financial accounts and personal information.

Vector’s Senior Wealth Advisor Mike Nesheim moderates the fireside chat and Q&A with the audience. Suzy Klapperich, Vector’s Chief Compliance Officer, shares a best practice of having trusted contacts on file with your financial advisor and financial custodians.

Learn about:

Fraud is no longer rare—it's happening everywhere. In 2024 alone, three out of ten people experienced attempted fraud, with one in ten falling victim. For Minnesotans age 60 and older, reported losses reached $52.2 million, with actual losses potentially much higher since many cases go unreported.

In this recording, Boima Freeman, Senior Financial Fraud Investigator at the Minnesota Department of Commerce shares his experience with a presentation focused on: the impact of financial exploitation, trends and tactics, the MN Safe Senior Act, and his advice on what you can do to avoid becoming a victim of financial fraud.

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The S&P 500 closed 2025 with an impressive 17% gain, underscoring the market’s resilience and strength. That strong finish came despite a challenging start to the year. In this update, we revisit what last year’s swings taught us and look ahead to how broader market participation is shaping the landscape for 2026.

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All content discussed in our podcasts, videos, or related blog articles are for informational purposes and should not be construed as individualized financial advice.

As we kick off the new year, we want to share a simple habit that can make a meaningful difference in your financial life: organizing your financial documents.

Think of this as your Marie Kondo or Barbara Costello moment—but for your finances. A small amount of effort now can make the rest of the year feel smoother, more organized, and less stressful.

What does financial decluttering involve? It really comes down to three key areas: account statements, tax documents, and important legal paperwork.

1. Account Statements & Confirmations

Get a head start on your financial goals for 2026! In this episode, Chris Wagner, Wealth Advisor at Vector, shares six financial planning topics for the year ahead.

Financial Planning in the New Year

Plus, New Catch-Up Contribution Rule for High Earners

If yo...

The Federal Reserve (Fed) recently lowered interest rates again. We discuss why—and what it could mean for markets and investors. Here’s a clear, plain-English update.

What the Fed Did

The Fed reduced its benchmark interest rate by another quarter of a percent this December, bringing the federal funds rate to about 3.50%, the lowest level in roughly three years. This marks the third consecutive rate cut following a period of aggressive rate hikes that began in 2022 to combat inflation.

The federal funds rate is the interest rate ba...

When it comes to retirement planning, one crucial piece often gets overlooked: your will. As you near retirement, a quick review can help ensure your wishes are clear and up-to-date, and your loved ones are protected. In this short video, we share about why, when, and how to update your will and ensure your estate documents are current and complete. If you have questions or need guidance on updating your estate plans, contact our office today to schedule a meeting.

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Sharon Calhoun, Managing Director

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At Vector Wealth Management, we believe that strong families build strong legacies. One of the most effective—yet often overlooked—tools for achieving this is the regular family meeting.

Why Family Meetings Matter

Family meetings aren’t just for large family offices or businesses. They’re a powerful way for any family to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and ensure everyone understands the purpose and plan behind your family’s wealth. These meetings create intentional space to talk about what matters most: your values, goals, and t...

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High-earning families often do everything right: they save, they invest, and they plan ahead. But many still bump into a frustrating limitation—income limits that prevent direct Roth IRA contributions.

In this episode of Well Balanced, Senior Wealth Advisor Mike Nesheim shares a story that highlights a potential solution for high earners: the backdoor Roth IRA.

The household: a physician and spouse were saving diligently, but their high income meant they couldn’t make Roth IRA contributions. They assumed that opportunity was simply off th...

A Moment of Low Consumer Confidence — and What’s Behind It

In the most recent episode of Well-Balanced, Vector’s Jason Ranallo discusses the latest drop in U.S. consumer sentiment. November’s reading from the University of Michigan fell to 50.3, the second-lowest point since the pandemic recovery. The decline spanned age groups, income levels, and political affiliations — though households with larger stock ownership were noticeably more optimistic after a strong market year.

Uncertainty continues to be the biggest drag. Concerns around the government shutdown and signs of a cooling labor market have made consum...

Some lessons are too valuable to keep to ourselves.

If there’s someone in your life—a child, grandchild, or friend—who’s just beginning to save or invest, consider passing along this episode of Well Balanced. David Moser shares a simple, yet powerful illustration of how compound interest turns small, consistent investments into lasting wealth over time.

Even for those already living off their portfolios, it’s a powerful reminder of why time and consistency matter.

In David’s story, four friends each invest $1,000 per month, earning the same, for illustration...

If you own property in Minnesota but live elsewhere, you could face estate tax liabilities.

Let’s say you live in Florida but own property in the great state of Minnesota—perhaps a summer cabin or investment real estate—understanding Minnesota’s estate tax laws is crucial for your financial planning.

In this week’s Well Balanced podcast episode, Vector’s Managing Director, Sharon Calhoun discusses estate taxes and what out-of-state property owners need to know.

Minnesota is one of only a dozen states that still impose a state-level estate tax, with an exemption of...

Online Scams: How to Spot and Stop Them Before It’s Too Late

Fraudsters are getting smarter — and more personal. One in three adults will face an online scam attempt this year, and even the most tech-savvy among us can be caught off guard.

In this recent Well Balanced podcast, Chief Compliance Officer Suzy Klapperich and Vector advisor Charlie Gruys discuss the rising threat of online scams, including a real client experience that shows just how convincing these attacks can be.

“My client saw a big red warning o...

Medicare is an important part of retirement planning, and for many is a topic that can feel overwhelming—especially with significant changes on the horizon. In our latest video, Joe Grochowski, Senior Wealth Advisor at Vector Wealth Management, breaks down what you need to know about Medicare, upcoming changes, and how to prepare.

Understanding Medicare: The Basics

Medicare is the government’s health insurance program for people 65 and older. It’s made up of four main parts:

Fall is the perfect time to do a little “financial spring cleaning.” At Vector, we’re committed to helping our clients achieve long-term goals, but there are also some small steps you can take right now to set yourself up for success.

Here are five easy financial tasks you can tackle this fall:

Take five minutes to log into your retirement accounts, life insurance, or old 401(k)s and make sure your beneficiaries are up to date. Life changes—marriages, divorces, new family members—can happen quickly, and keeping your...

Fall is a natural time to pause, reflect, and make sure your financial plan is aligned. At Vector, we proactively look across our client’s financial picture to identify opportunities that could improve tax efficiency before December 31st.

Five Year-End Tax Planning Strategies

1.    Roth Conversions – Paying some taxes now at current rates may provide more flexibility in retirement.

2.    Tax Loss Harvesting – Using market downturns to offset gains and manage taxes in a disciplined way.

3.    Capturing Capital Gains – Realizing gains strategically to rebalance or step up a cost basis.

4.    Distribution...

Why September Stands Out

If you’ve heard of the “September Effect,” you already know the reputation. Over a century of data, every month of the year has averaged a positive return for the S&P 500—except September. Its historical average is a decline of about 0.8%.

At the other end of the spectrum sits July, the strongest month, with an average gain of nearly 2%. In 2025, July (and August) lived up to that record, delivering fresh all-time highs for the index.

Is September doomed to weak performance just because it...

In moments when you need short-term liquidity—whether for a home down payment, a business opportunity, or bridging a timing gap—your portfolio can offer more flexibility than you might think.

In our latest podcast, Wealth Advisor David Moser explores three strategic solutions available to Vector clients through their Schwab accounts. We talk though how each solution can provide access to funds based on your existing portfolio value.

Overview

60-Day IRA Rollover

Withdraw from your IRA without tax or penalty—as long as the funds are returned within 6...

In this edition of the Well Balanced podcast, we dive into three major financial stories making headlines:

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In this conversation, Tom Lyons, chairman of the Minnesota Veterans Pantry and Vector’s Chris Wagner, discuss the importance of charitable giving and philanthropy. Tom shares his personal journey from military service to establishing the Minnesota Veterans Pantry, which addresses food insecurity among veterans.

They explore the tax benefits of charitable contributions and the role of financial planning in supporting philanthropic efforts. Tom emphasizes the need for community support and encourages others to get involved in charitable work, highlighting the fulfillment that comes from helping those in need.

Takeaways

In this conversation, Tom Lyons, founder of a mergers, acquisitions, and advisory firm, and Vector’s Sharon Calhoun, discuss the intricacies of business valuations, exit strategies, and how to maximize the value of a business.

They explore the importance of planning and preparation for business owners considering selling their business, the role of management in enhancing enterprise value, and common mistakes to avoid during the exit process. The discussion emphasizes the need for business owners to understand their goals and plan for retirement effectively.

Video and audio versions, along with a transcript of this conversation ma...

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, brings sweeping tax changes—many of which could directly affect your income, savings, and estate plans. 

From an expanded standard deduction to new rules for charitable giving and 529 plans, the law offers opportunities—but also new limits and deadlines you’ll want to keep on your radar. 

In our latest podcast and blog, Vector Wealth advisors Sharon Calhoun and Joe Grochowski break down: 

All-Time Highs: What They Mean—and What They Don’t

Today, we’re exploring a topic that’s hitting headlines, stirring conversations, and maybe even finding its way into your family group texts: all-time highs.

Markets Are Up

Let’s begin with the markets. Despite a turbulent first half of the year—rife with tariff negotiations, interest rate debates, geopolitical tensions, and the occasional curveball—the U.S. stock market has shown remarkable resilience. As of this week, major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are trading at or near record highs.<...

What Would You Do With $300?

In the latest episode of Well Balanced, Vector advisor Chris Wagner joins Ezra Firkins to discuss a simple but revealing question: Can a $300 purchase improve your life? From air fryers to flight upgrades, Chris and Ezra explore how small, intentional spending can bring real value—especially for clients who’ve spent a lifetime saving. The conversation invites listeners to reflect on their own comfort, habits, and hesitation around spending, even when their financial plans say, “Yes, you can.”

But this isn’t just about gadgets or upgrades. The episode dives into deepe...

In this edition of The Well Balanced Podcast, Ezra Firkins sits down with Senior Wealth Advisor Mike Nesheim to unpack a scenario that pre-retirees face: I’ve got a target date fund in my 401K and I plan to retire in the next few years.

What next?

Mike and Ezra explore how target date funds work, why they’re often a great accumulation tool, and when it might make sense to move beyond them.

Here are 7 key takeaways about target date funds:

1. Target Date Funds Offer Built-in Diversi...

In this episode of Vector's Well Balanced podcast, senior wealth advisor Joe Grochowski discusses the financial planning aspects of weddings, particularly focusing on how parents can support their children while managing their own retirement plans. We explore the rising costs of weddings, the importance of budgeting, and the emotional significance of these events.

7 Key Takeaways:

In this episode of Vector’s Well Balanced Podcast, our communications director Ezra and wealth manager Charlie Gruys explore retirement savings goals through practical examples, benchmarks, and financial planning insights.

They discuss how income multiples (example: 6x annual income = investable savings at 55 years) can help guide retirement preparedness. The conversation presents two household scenarios: 10 years from retirement, earning $250,000 annually but starting with different asset bases ($500K vs. $1M).

These examples illustrate the impact of savings contributions and hypothetical return rates in achieving a $2.5 million retirement goal by age 65. They talk about how rules-of-thumb such as “10x in...

In our latest episode, Vector’s Sharon Calhoun sits down with Emily Victory, a pattern-driven artist whose work lives at the intersection of art and mathematics. Emily shares her journey, revealing how structure and expression come together through a creative process.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Patterns in Art

07:50 The Creative Process: From...

A shift occurred in the world of government bonds—one that, if the trend continues, could have implications for interest rates, mortgage affordability, and the broader economy. In our latest podcast episode, Vector’s Jason Ranallo breaks down what rating agency Moody’s downgrade of U.S. Treasury debt means—and if it matters for your financial future.

Summary

Moody’s has lowered the U.S. government’s credit rating from AAA to Aa1, citing persistent fiscal deficits and rising interest costs. While this may sound concerning, we believe that Treasuries can have a place in a diversi...

Every quarter, a new set of GDP reports make headlines. In our latest podcast we dig into Gross Domestic Product, market reaction, and dig into the details behind the numbers.  

Here’s the backdrop: The first estimate of Q1 GDP report showed the U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter of the year—which rattled markets Wednesday morning. That said, if you checked markets after lunch the same day, you might have missed the whole reaction.  

As with most things, there is a nuanced story beneath the headline. 

Imports. Compared to the prior qua...

This week, we’re applying our facts-frame-approach concept (introduced in last week’s podcast) to a couple of themes making headlines: tariffs and market volatility.

News Theme One: Tariffs and Historic Market Reaction

On April 2, the administration announced sweeping tariffs on a range of imported goods. After an initial market decline of nearly 20%, a 90-day tariff pause was issued, and markets quickly rebounded — posting a 9.5% single-day gain, one of the highest on record.

This highlights two key frameworks: markets don’t move uniformly (underscoring the value of diversification) and attempting...

In times of market swings, it’s easy to feel like you’re being swept along by a wave of headlines and data points. At Vector Wealth, we believe that while facts, like market prices, are important, they only tell part of the story. Sound investment decisions come not just from knowing the facts, but from having a framework that gives those facts meaning and direction.

In our latest podcast episode, Facts, Framework & Approach, Jason Ranallo walks through the current state of the market and economy. Then we follow up with our views and perspective:

When people feel the worst about the economy, that’s often when markets perform their best. Strange, right? But this is one of the fascinating dynamics we see when we dig into consumer sentiment—a gauge of how people feel about the economy.

The March preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index slumped 7 points to a lower-than-expected reading of 57.9. This was the third consecutive decline, bringing sentiment to its lowest level since 2022. The sharp deterioration is historically consistent with a slowdown in economic growth, as consumers typically pull back on spending.

Historically, when consumer sentiment is at its lowe...

Stock market volatility has returned, driven in part by increased uncertainty. As of March 11th, the S&P 500 was down about 9.3% from its all-time high made in February. The largest tech-oriented companies, like those comprising the Magnificent 7, experienced an even steeper decline. While this can feel unnerving, it’s important to remember that five to 10 percent market declines are not unusual.

Over the past 100 years or so:

- A 5% market decline has occurred about 3.4 times per year (mild correction).

- A 10% market decline has occurred about 1.1 times per year (moderate correction).

In this podcast episode, senior wealth advisor Mike Nesheim discusses the importance of financial planning for surviving spouses. We explore the role of financial advisors in guiding families through the complexities of asset management, distribution strategies, and legacy planning.

The conversation emphasizes the need for open communication between spouses about financial goals and the necessity of involving family members in the planning process. We also highlight the significance of proper beneficiary setup and the use of tools like Vector’s Sojourn to provide clarity and confidence in financial decisions.

Takeaways: Surviving Spouse & Financial Planning

In our latest podcast episode, David Moser and Sharon Calhoun explore why financial planning isn’t a one-time event but a continuous journey. They discuss how different life stages—from early career to retirement—impact financial strategies and when it might be the right time to seek professional guidance.

You may already know that financial planning is an ongoing process, but do your friends and family? This is a great episode to share with anyone who has ever wondered:

✔️ When should I start financial planning?

✔️ What’s the difference between a financial advisor...

You might wonder—do tariffs or the Super Bowl cause inflation? Locally, and in the short term, yes. This week, two seemingly unrelated events—proposed tariffs and the Super Bowl—offer us a chance to dig into consumer behavior in the face of potentially rapidly changing pricing.

Tariffs can drive up prices on goods which increases costs for consumers and businesses. Tariffs, broadly, act like a tax—they create friction in trade, making it harder for businesses to operate efficiently. Think supply chain disruptions, re-tooling of manufacturing, and changing workforce dynamics. Similarly, the Super Bowl creates a localize...