View Post

Fall 2022 Newsletter

Strategic Planning Group’s newest Fall 2022 Newsletter is here! Enjoy articles from our CEO and President, Ryan Craner, as well as from advisors, John Park, Tom Craner, and Alex Craner. Who is in the mood for some trivia?  Test your knowledge and see how you do. Strategic Planning Group is growing. We are always excited to add more members to …

View Post

The Magic of Our Age

Amidst all the chaos of the news cycle and the challenges we face today, behind the scenes there is actual magic happening in this country every single day. We live in a time and place of unprecedented innovation, development, and progress that stand to offer a future worth investing in. In 2014, a company named Plenty founded their first vertical …

View Post

All About Scams

In today’s world there are many amazing things happening. Technology and innovation have brought humanity forward in ways that have yet to be counted. The broad benefit of cell phones, the internet, and other incredible tech has ushered in a new age of international commerce, jobs, social connection, and general progress. Yet, as we are well aware, with new solutions …

View Post

The Markets Don’t Care About Politics

Perhaps my title is a little over simplified. After all, politics affect policy, policy affects the economy, the economy affects the markets. I suppose markets do indirectly, somewhat, care about politics; but not quite the way most people think. A common sentiment I get from clients is the assumption that the markets will react directly and favorably to their party …

View Post

Hedges and Protections

We are almost through 2022 and what an eventful year! A few months ago we officially entered the “technical” definition of a bear market and also officially entered the “technical” definition of a recession. As we have already advised you in past Ryan Reports, try not to be too triggered or fearful of the technical definitions of “recession” and “bear …

View Post

Are We Recklessly Optimistic?

Since the beginning of 2022, we have had to endure a significant double-digit market downturn. This has, unsurprisingly, created a lot of worry and doubt in many of our clients. It is important to us that we are never cavalier about the emotions of our clients because we understand that these market lows can feel painful in the moment. However, …

View Post

In Hindsight: Let History Be Your Guide

There has been recent tumult in the markets, and I am sure you have noticed. We are hearing reports of “runaway inflation” and “a 2008 style recession.” Nevermind the fact that predictions of these events are more common than dandelions in the springtime. Remember all the times and events that caused panic and fear? Let’s take this opportunity to go …

View Post

Be Greedy When Others Are Fearful

Among many great quotable statements, one of my favorites from Warren Buffet is to be “fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” The second part of that quote is what truly separates good investors from bad. When the markets are down and we face uncertainty in the economy, it is easy to be fearful and pessimistic. …

View Post

Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh My!

Inflation, The Fed, Recession, Oh My!The fearmongers in the media are out in numbers and they want you to be afraid, very afraid! I will remind you that much of the fear being promoted is overstated. Just like the Lion’s, Tiger’s, and Bear’s fearful chant from the Wizard of Oz was overstated as well. Remember that Dorothy and company only …

View Post

Spring 2022 Newsletter

Strategic Planning Group’s newest Spring 2022 Newsletter is here! Enjoy articles from our CEO and President, Ryan Craner, as well as from advisors, John Park, Tom Craner, and Alex Craner. Who is in the mood for some delicious, homemade banana bread? Enjoy a recipe from one of our employee’s, Heather Cunningham. Strategic Planning Group is growing. We are always excited …

View Post

Asset Allocation

What is Asset Allocation?The idea of investing money is a foggy subject for many. This is because there is little understanding about how investments are chosen in a given account. The series of investments that one chooses for their investment portfolio is called an asset allocation.A portfolio’s asset allocation may consist of one or two positions, or hundreds or even …

View Post

Separating The Signal From The Noise

What kind of role can a financial professional play for an investor?The answer: an important one. While the value of such a relationship is hard to quantify, the intangible benefits may be long-lasting. There are certain investors who turn to a financial professional with one goal in mind: the “alpha” objective of beating the market. But even Wall Street’s brightest …

View Post

Retirement Seen Through Your Eyes

How do you picture your Future?Some see retirement as a time to start a new career. Others see it as a time to travel. Still others plan to spend more time with family and friends. With that in mind, here are some things to consider.What do you absolutely need to accomplish?If you could only get four or five things done …

View Post

Fall 2021 Newsletter

Strategic Planning Group’s newest Fall 2021 Newsletter is here! Enjoy articles from our CEO and President, Ryan Craner, as well as from advisors, John Park, Tom Craner, and Alex Craner. Are you familiar with the different types of scams many are facing daily? Enjoy this crossword as you test your knowledge of 6 different Scams and Schemes. Do you think …

View Post

How to Appeal Your Property Taxes

Between 30 percent and 60 percent of taxable property has an inflated assessment, which may lead to higher property tax bills. Moreover, typically fewer than 5 percent of taxpayers dispute their assessment.¹ For homeowners who think their local government may have assessed their property’s value too high, there are ways to appeal and potentially win a lower assessment, which may …

View Post

Professional Development Update

I started in the financial industry about 5 years ago. As I have continued to progress in my professional development, I have made a few interesting observations for this update. The first being that there is a huge need for consumer education regarding financial planning and decisions. With that in mind, there is no shortage of financial advice being promoted. …

View Post

Sideways Markets

We are nearly halfway through 2021, and so far for this year, the markets are mixed (up and down). We have been in a sideways market for the last six months. These sideways markets can last for a few months or even two to three years, historically. Sideways markets are difficult for investors, especially after the last four to five …

View Post

Balance

Throughout the world’s cultures and religions, the concept of balance is one of the most prominent. From the metaphysical yin and yang in eastern beliefs to the more corporeal day and night in Judeo-Christian theology, balance is prominent for a good reason. The brilliant scholars and philosophers of humanity’s past understood that there exists a balance in all things. We …

View Post

I Cannot Wait to Retire!

I can’t help it; at the ripe ‘ole age of 36, I dream about retirement most days. Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do. I’m fortunate to earn a living in a field I enjoy so much. Honestly, I feel the need to pinch myself on occasion. There is no way I should enjoy work this much, but …

View Post

Lockdown Fever

What is Lockdown Fever?When we are gripped by fearmongering in the media, start binge watching television, and wait around for the sign that it is safe to come outside, we are suffering from Lockdown Fever. Last spring, we were told, “Two weeks to flatten the curve.” Well, those two weeks turned into months and months of the same advisories and …