(312) 337-1040

investing

  • Thriving In The Gig Economy

Thriving in the Gig Economy

2025-03-26T08:25:43-05:00June 21, 2019|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , , , |

Thriving in the Gig Economy

Thriving in the Gig Economy

Approximately 57 million Americans participate in the gig economy. While the gig economy has been around forever, the number of freelancers has increased exponentially. The need for these freelancers and side hustlers to save for retirement is greater than ever.

The gig economy, which includes independent contractors and freelancers, continues to grow rapidly. With over 57 million Americans participating in this type of work, it’s clear that the shift toward gig work is here to stay. While this model offers flexibility and good income, it also presents challenges in managing finances, particularly when it comes to retirement savings, taxes, and insurance. Fortunately, freelancers can take several proactive steps to improve their financial future.

First, gig workers should secure health insurance and consider opening a Health Savings Account (HSA). The HSA offers a tax-friendly way to save for medical expenses, and after age 65, …

  • Women & Investing

Women & Investing

2025-03-26T08:43:32-05:00March 20, 2019|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , |

Women & Investing

Women & Investing

Women investors face special challenges that make financial literacy and advanced planning especially important. For example, women are more likely to outlive their husbands or have divorce disproportionately affect them, making long-term financial strategies especially critical.

Women face unique challenges when it comes to investing and managing their finances. They often outlive their husbands, which can create stressful situations, especially if the husband has managed the finances. Studies show that many women are not actively involved in financial planning. For example, only 24% of women in their 50s have a financial plan in place. On top of this, women earn less than men and are more likely to take time off for caregiving, both of which impact their ability to save for retirement.

Women also tend to be more conservative investors. This cautious approach can help protect their assets, but it may result in lower returns over …

  • Christopher Much Proust Questionnaire

The Proust Questionnaire Journey Continues with Christopher Much

2025-03-26T09:02:29-05:00September 7, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , , |

The Proust Questionnaire Journey Continues with Christopher Much

The Proust Questionnaire Journey Continues with Christopher Much

Christopher Much steps up to the Proust Questionnaire plate today, giving us some visibility into what makes him tick. Did you know that when he’s not crunching numbers and consulting with clients, Chris throws on a Gi and can be found studying the art of jiu-jitsu?

Maxim Lukawski, Director of Tax Services, enjoys financial planning because it blends data analysis with helping clients. He feels fulfilled when he sees the relief in clients’ eyes as they create a solid plan.

He views his greatest trait as tenacity, though his wife might call it stubbornness. He never gives up on tough tasks and pushes forward until he succeeds. Maxim values generosity in his friends. He believes it’s essential for being a good person.

Maxim admires Batman for his skills and humility, and Bruce Lee for his contributions to martial …

  • Empower Your Future

Empower Your Future

2025-03-26T09:04:31-05:00August 23, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , , , |

Empower Your Future

Empower Your Future

Today, fewer than 1 in 4 employees have a pension – and that number is falling. Social security is changing too, as the retirement age to receive full benefits rises. Younger generations can no longer rely only on the system for retirement savings. It’s up to you to provide for yourself, and to prepare to do so sooner rather than later.

From a young age, we learn the importance of saving and investing for the future. Without a solid plan, our goals may never be realized. Today, this message is more important than ever. Responsibility for retirement savings has shifted from employers to employees. A generation ago, 84% of retirees had income from employer pension plans. Today, fewer than one in four employees have a pension, and Social Security is providing less support.

Millennials can no longer rely on the system for financial security. Two-thirds of millennials …

  • Blockchain: An Everyday Thing?

Blockchain: An Everyday Thing?

2025-03-26T09:22:45-05:00June 14, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: |

Blockchain:  An Everyday Thing?

Blockchain technology has the potential to transform multiple industries beyond just cryptocurrency. Its transparent, secure, and immutable online ledger offers solutions across various sectors.

Imagine a world where contracts are embedded in digital code and stored in transparent, shared databases – protected from deletion, tampering, and revision. A world where patient information is communicated between healthcare providers to save lives, rather than jeopardize privacy. A place where individuals, organizations, machines, and algorithms can freely interact with one another with little friction.

In legal services, blockchain can power smart contracts, track intellectual property, and even act as a virtual notary. In supply chains, it provides transparency, helping businesses monitor shipments and manufacturing progress. For governments, blockchain can securely store personal identity and citizenship information, while ensuring secure biometric authentication.

In healthcare, blockchain improves patient care by making medical records more accessible and transparent across providers. It also enhances insurance by …

  • Investment Gaps and Overlaps, Managing Held Away Assets

Managing Held Away Assets

2025-03-26T09:24:28-05:00May 31, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , |

Managing Held Away Assets: Investment Gaps & Overlaps

Managing Held Away Assets

By the age of 50, the average person will have 11.9 jobs. Along the way, you may collect smaller retirement plan accounts at your previous employers. However, as a group, these accounts may amount to one of your largest assets. Are you allowing these assets to go unmanaged?

Managing retirement assets across multiple accounts can be a challenge. Today’s workers frequently change jobs, leaving behind retirement plan accounts that may accumulate over time. These “held-away” accounts can become a significant asset, but managing them can become overwhelming with paperwork and complex investment choices. In addition, holding multiple accounts with overlapping funds can lead to more risk than intended, making it harder to track overall asset allocation.

Consolidating retirement accounts can simplify things and improve the efficiency of your financial plan. When accounts are managed together, your advisor can provide coordinated …

  • Active Management - Man Running, Active Management: A Potential Cure For The Volatility Blues

Active Management: A Potential Cure for the Volatility Blues?

2025-03-26T09:39:01-05:00April 27, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , |

Active Management: A Potential Cure for the Volatility Blues?

Active Management: A Potential Cure for the Volatility Blues?

Even when markets seem to be steadily climbing, investors can find it difficult to maintain the discipline required to stick with a long-term investment plan. When markets become volatile, that discipline can be even more challenging.

Market volatility can challenge even disciplined investors, especially when it triggers emotional reactions. People often value stability and predictability, and during volatile periods, fear of loss can overwhelm the desire for gains. This natural tendency, called loss aversion, makes investors more sensitive to losses than gains. Unfortunately, during times of market turbulence, the constant barrage of media warnings and expert predictions can push people to make impulsive decisions, which often undermine their long-term strategies.

Despite common fears, market volatility is not inherently bad. In fact, market corrections are vital for the health of the stock market, acting as a …

  • Chomping At The Bitcoin - Stack of Coins

Chomping at the Bitcoin

2025-03-26T09:55:13-05:00February 22, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: |

Chomping at the Bitcoin: Cryptomania blasts ahead

Chomping at the Bitcoin

Not a day goes by – perhaps not even an hour – where the conversation does not turn to cryptocurrency. Bitcoin, Ethereum. Litecoin, Ripple, to mention a handful. As interest skyrockets in these potential investments, we thought it appropriate to take a step back and dig into cryptocurrencies a little further.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, like Ethereum and Ripple, have gained immense popularity in recent years. As these digital currencies gain attention as potential investments, it’s important to understand how they work and what benefits they offer compared to traditional currencies. For simplicity, we’ll focus on Bitcoin, the first and largest cryptocurrency, created in 2009.

At its core, Bitcoin was designed to enable financial transactions outside of the control of banks and governments. This idea has gained traction due to widespread public distrust of traditional financial institutions. With Bitcoin, users can …

  • Six Reasons You Need More Than A Robo-Advisor, Rise of the Robots, Rise of the Robots or a Relationship Renaissance?

Rise of the Robots or a Relationship Renaissance?

2025-03-26T10:07:37-05:00August 30, 2017|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , , , |

Rise of the Robots or a Relationship Renaissance? Not so fast.

Rise of the Robots or a Relationship Renaissance?

Are we experiencing a rise of the machines or an opportunity for a relationship renaissance? When it comes to robo-advisors, CTS believes in forward-thinking technology but not at the expense of hands-on research and face-to-face interaction.

At CTS, we provide personalized financial advice that robo-advisors can’t match. While robo-advisors use algorithms to manage your money, we focus on getting to know you as an individual, tailoring strategies to your specific goals and needs. We keep you involved in the decision-making process, ensuring you understand your investments and feel confident in your choices.

We also act as your financial coaches, helping you stay accountable and adjust strategies as your life changes. Unlike robo-advisors, which offer minimal interaction, we provide access to a knowledgeable, local advisor who knows your situation. Beyond investing, we help with major …

Go to Top