Historically, both retail investors and professional money managers alike view the investment universe to be comprised of stocks and bonds. Over the course of the past few decades, a third asset class has emerged as a material component to this universe: Alternative Investments (a.k.a. Alternative Assets). Broadly speaking, alternative investments have risk and return traits that differ vastly from those of traditional stock and bond investments.

Between Investment Portfolio Analysis and Investment Asset Allocations, there are tools to better equip investors to attain a sustainable and respectable risk-adjusted return than what were widely available twenty years ago. In other words, over the last twenty years, additional dimensions have become available to achieve superior investment performance. Yet the vast majority of investors are unaware of these beneficial solutions for a number of reasons we will explore.

In the world of finance and investing, the terms “equity”, “debt”, “stocks”, and “bonds” are essential terms. Thus, it is critical to understand what they mean and how they relate to each other. As household consumers, most individuals are familiar with the definition of debt. Like individuals, corporations use debt as a means to finance their operations and business growth. Unlike most individuals, corporations use debt to raise cash for investment in what is intended to be a profitable operation or initiative. For individuals, debt tends to be predominantly used to fund consumption.

Asset allocation is the process of dividing one’s resources among many different choices. In terms of investments, “assets” refers to investible cash, and “choices” refers to investments that are available to purchase. Asset allocation refers to the percentage of an investment portfolio that is contained in each individual investment. No matter the actual allocation, the primary goal of asset allocation is diversification.

If someone was to tell you that you have to pay for goods and services, you would probably look at them in a manner that would say “Of course! Why do you feel like you even need to tell me what I already know?” What if someone told you the services provided by your financial advisor come at a cost? For some, this isn’t new information, but a February 2017 study performed by Cerulli Associates and reported by Bloomberg indicates that nearly half of American investors either aren’t sure what fees they pay or believe (incorrectly) that the investment advice is free.

Using various life insurance structures can give an individual the ability to “Be their Own Banker”. This opportunity is accomplished through the “Living Benefit” features that whole and universal life policies can provide, when structured and funded properly. These benefits are often overlooked by policyholders, as they default to the belief that life insurance only has a “Death Benefit.” Thus, most life insurance users only take advantage of Death Benefits, not Living Benefits.

This session is focused on how to get started with retirement savings, basics of investments and learning different ways to invest your money for long term financial goals. Understanding what IRA and 401K accounts are and what sets you up to be prepared for a successful retirement plan.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Social Security & Medicare is a financial education course hosted by TS Prosperity Group’s Mary Jewell, Fiduciary Officer, and George Gillespie, Senior Health Insurance Information Program SHIIP Counselor with his sponsor organization Connections Area Agency On Aging in Council Bluffs. Are you thinking about retiring? Wondering what your first steps are with Medicare and Social Security as you plan? Join Mary and George to learn how to determine the best time to begin to take Social Security and what resources are available to you as you start to dream about retirement. This education series will focus on common questions asked about getting started with Social Security and Medicare and how you can navigate towards your retirement.

Loan Us Your Time is a "beginning savers" course designed to help you navigate all the different types of loans that are available to you and why your credit score is a critical piece in the loan process. Russ Maguire, VP of Consumer Credit with TS Bank, will be leading this session. TS Bank, Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

Consider the Tortoise and the Hare as they prepare to compete. The Hare appears unstoppable in his capacity to achieve victory in the race to the finish while the Tortoise is mocked by his peers who compare his methodical approach to the velocity of the Hare. The Tortoise is not intimidated by the challenge before him because he is confident in his strategy and knows that ultimately patience and perseverance will achieve massive success if a disciplined approach is maintained.