We love to inform people on the latest industry trends and how to make educated financial choices. Be sure to stay connected with us, and updated with our discussions!

Financial Design Studio Started on Investments

How to Get Started On Investing [Video]

So many people are excited about getting started on investing and seeing growth from the money they’re saving.  But one thing that is really important to remember is to have an emergency fund.  Put money aside before you start investing.  Everyone wants to buy that stock that’s going to make you money. And when you…

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Financial design studio Chicago

Does Volatility in the Market Benefit You?

Does Volatility in the Market Benefit You? After a year of low volatility and great market growth in 2017, what should we expect in 2018?  If you look at the following chart you will notice that years of low volatility do not usually repeat.  I don’t see any years below where the line is perfectly…

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Financial Design Studio Rent Buy Video

[Video] Rent Or Buy

Studio Chat: Renting vs. Financing a Home Purchase STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA & MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP® One question we get a lot is Do you rent or do you buy?  We’ve done both; rented and now own a home.  There’s such a simplicity in renting!  You know what your fixed costs are each month with no…

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FDS Spending Money Header

[Video] Spending Money

Studio Chat: Advisor’s Take On Spending Money STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA & MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP® Spending can be a really hard area especially when you’re taking two lives and making them one.  Something we found helpful was using a software, tracking it, and viewing it periodically. This was helpful because there are going to be times…

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Financial Design Studio ride the market

You Must Be “This” Tall To Ride The Market…

You must be “this” tall to ride the market… Do you remember being too short to go on an amusement park ride?  The ride you were about to enter was likely full of large roller coaster ups and downs and only those over a certain height and age could stomach it.  Like that ride’s caution…

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[Video] College Savings

Studio Chat: Advisor’s Take On College Savings STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA & MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP® One of the areas you want to discuss once you have children is whether to save or fund your children’s college education.  Do you want to fund all of it, some of it, none of it? In planning for the day…

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Financial Design Studio Current News

What Types Of News Affects Market Performance?

What types of news affects market performance? Have you ever thought about all the news you hear day in and day out, good or bad?  Now do you ever wonder of all that news, what actually affects the market’s performance? Any one of these news categories itself may not make a large impact, but paired…

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FDS Insurance Video

[Video] Life Insurance

Studio Chat: Life Insurance STEPHEN SMALENBERGER, EA & MICHELLE SMALENBERGER, CFP® We want to talk through some thoughts regarding life insurance that we personally discussed when choosing what was best for us. Please watch these other videos that explain the what, why, how much, and types of life insurance that makes sense. Comfort Level &…

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FDS Wall Street

Proving Confidence In The Days Ahead

Proving Confidence In The Days Ahead The new year has started with quite a spring in its step!  The first trading days have seen stock prices moving higher each day.  With these moves we can all appreciate the gains for our investments, but in the back of our minds we are asking if this can…

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FDS DIY Video Professionals

DIY vs. Hiring Professionals [Video]

We all work with different types of professionals whether it be an accountant, attorney, or insurance agent for some examples.  You’ve likely considered using them in your life.  With all of these professionals to choose from there’s been one thing that we’ve talked about as we too have had to decide should we hire someone to help us do something.

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Financial Design Studio New Year Reset

Reset for the New Year

Reset for the New Year Like every other January 1st, we find ourselves looking back over the past year and looking forward to the new year.  As is common, we find ourselves pledging to get back to healthy habits and start afresh.  A new year offers the ability to turn the calendar and set a…

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Financial Design Studio Tax Break

Now What? New Year’s Lower Taxes

Now What? New Year’s Lower Taxes Now that Christmas has come and gone everyone is left thinking ahead to the New Year finances in 2018.  What will the new year bring?  What changes do you anticipate making?  These same questions can be asked of the markets and how to view the days ahead. To Itemize…

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