Our Deep Rooted Thoughts

Below you will find a link to our 2025 Key Financial Numbers document. This document is meant to serve as a resource with a variety of financial numbers that are important for planning in 2025.

Policy changes aren’t immediate after the election – With a new administration going into the White House next year, there are certainly going to be policy changes made, but how quickly does an agenda turn into laws and policies? Mike Walther shares why it might not be as immediate as many think.

SUMMARY In our June Market Update, presented by Ryan McGuire, Senior Consultant with Oak Wealth Advisors, we share the returns among asset classes over the month and highlight some of...

May was a great month in the market, listen as Mike Walther breaks down some of the numbers and shares the returns that we have seen across the globe halfway through 2024.

In our 1st Quarter Market Update, Mike Walther discusses the current state of the market and the returns we have seen to start 2024.

IRA distribution rules have changed several times over the past several years so we want to make sure that you are familiar with the current rules for new IRA distributions…there are several different life expectancy tables that could apply depending on who are the beneficiaries of your IRA.

Curious about the market impact of this year’s upcoming elections? Mike Walther breaks down the data findings and offers insights into what to expect as we head into 2024 in this video.

Watch Video – Mike Walther of Oak Wealth Advisors explains – Predictions about future investment market performance often have more weight than they deserve, leading to financial hardships. Despite robust data, predicting market performance is nearly impossible. Learn more…

Below you will find a link to our 2024 Key Financial Numbers document. This document is meant to serve as a resource with a variety of financial numbers that are…

Mike Walther of Oak Wealth Advisors explains the important reasons on how and why to go about freezing your credit.

First, I wanted to touch on recent market events. As many of you may have seen in the news and through accessing your investment accounts, the past few months have seen a nice run for equity and bond markets. Second, we wanted to ensure that our clients are aware of two federal programs that provide subsides for internet and phone service to Americans with permanent disabilities. These programs are known as the Lifeline program, and theAffordable Connectivity Program. Eligible households or individuals do have the ability to participate in both programs.

In this video, I, Ryan McGuire, Senior Consultant at Oak Wealth Advisors, provide a recap of the market performance in September 2023. Despite the rough month, with declines in stocks, bonds, and complementary strategies, it’s important to stay focused on the long-term. Diversified portfolios are still in positive territory for the year, and the current high yields make investing in bonds attractive. While negative market volatility may persist, there are increasing opportunities in the future. Your continued confidence in Oak Wealth Advisors is appreciated, and feel free to reach out with any questions.

In this video, I provide an update on planning opportunities created by the Secure Act that may be relevant to our clients. I discuss significant changes to the ages for required minimum distributions (RMDs) and catch-up retirement account contribution levels. I also highlight the ability to transfer leftover funds from a 529 College Savings account into a Roth IRA for a beneficiary, with important conditions to consider. Lastly, I touch on changes to inherited IRA required minimum distributions and how they impact families with children with special needs. Please watch the video for more details and action items.

In this video, I, Ryan McGuire, Senior Consultant with Oak Wealth Advisors, provide an update on the market for August 2023. I discuss the market growth in July and the subsequent declines in August. Despite the declines, global stock markets have shown resilience throughout the year. I also highlight the importance of monitoring inflation and interest rates as they continue to be significant factors. I emphasize the need for a disciplined approach to investment and the potential risks of emotional decision-making during market volatility. Overall, I stress the importance of a long-term investment strategy for financial growth.

In this video, I, Ryan McGuire, Senior Consultant for Oak Wealth Advisors, provide a comprehensive market update for June 2023. Despite concerns about a potential recession and uncertainty around the Federal Reserve’s strategy, stocks showed resilience in the second quarter. The S&P 500 Index rallied impressively, and both the pause in interest rate hikes and the June debt ceiling deal supported market performance. Small cap and mid cap stocks performed well, and international developed and emerging economies also saw positive returns. However, the Eurozone entered into a recession, and inflation rates remained high in Europe. Stay informed and make informed investment decisions based on the latest market trends.

Aaron provides client service across all areas and strives to create impact-driven and meaningful relationships with families. Born and raised in Madison, WI, Aaron developed a close bond with his…

May was somewhat of a disappointing month for most asset classes. The S&P 500 led the way, barely positive at 0.4%. Remaining stock asset classes fell around 1-4%. Bonds due to a small bounce back in interest rates fell around 1%. But when it comes to the U.S. Market rates, these numbers only tell a part of the story. Learn more in our May 2023 market update video…

We hope you enjoy the first of what will become regular market updates from Oak Wealth Advisors. We intend to share market insights and our views about the investments we are making for you. Please share your feedback with us so that we can deliver information that you find helpful.

Nobody has the ability to accurately forecast the future of investment markets, so we are not going to try with our 2023 market perspectives letter. Instead, we are going to highlight where the investment markets are relative to recent history and what those positions suggest about their relative attractiveness going forward.

As bad as 2022 was for both stocks and bonds — it was the worst year we have experienced for the combined categories in several decades —

We want to assist individuals and families with achieving their planning goals for 2023. Below you will find a link to our 2023 Key Numbers document. This quick reference guide…

Historically, diversifying investments between stocks and bonds has reduced portfolio volatility and more importantly has limited significant losses. In 2022, historically high inflation and significant interest rate increases imposed by the Federal Reserve have caused bond prices to fall dramatically. In short, neither stocks nor bonds have protected against market declines.
Looking forward, the higher interest rates now in place have created some attractive opportunities.

Does a Recession Cause Stock Prices to Fall? Does a Recession Mean That Our Investment Results Will Get Worse? Short answer – probably not.The longer answer reflects the importance of expectations. As we know, an economy in a recession, defined as at least two quarters of negative economic growth, is not good for businesses. It is also not good for employees because as businesses struggle, unemployment usually rises.

Many stories have been written recently suggesting the economy is headed into a recession. Given that most recessions are officially diagnosed about a year after they are over, we wanted to share investment results from recent recessions and in the years immediately following them.

Welcome to the second quarter of 2022! Reflecting back on the first quarter, it could have been much worse for the investment markets. Earlier this month, Fortune Magazine ran an…

We are so proud of our clients! Not one of you emailed last week panicking about your portfolio. Russia is invading Ukraine and nobody is panicking. We appreciate your confidence…

Tony Schneider adds his passion for serving others to the Oak Wealth Advisors team. Tony recently graduated with honors from DePaul University with a degree in Finance. Prior to graduation,…

We want to provide individuals and families with the information to achieve their planning goals for 2022. Below you will find a link to our 2022 Key Numbers. This document…

It has been so long since inflation has been above its long-term average level of 3.2% that it is worth discussing its impact. With the higher inflation level we are...

Ryan McGuire joins Oak Wealth Advisors in March of 2021 after spending nearly seven years working as a wealth manager within a large, multinational CPA firm. He brings his passion for serving families, like his own, who have loved ones with special needs. Embracing the mission of Oak Wealth Advisors, Ryan is looking forward to educating more families about planning opportunities and helping them maximize their resources.

The recent news about stock trading has generated a fair amount of confusion about how easy it is to make money in the stock markets. Individual investors, motivated by social…

We are grateful for the trust you have placed in us and thankful that you have survived what was a very difficult year. In our first 2021 communication to all…