How we create value
Our Firm
Who we are
Over the past 34 years, we’ve found that most people don’t want products and programs from their financial advisors. They want positive experiences and positive outcomes. At Carlson Investments, we see ourselves as more than financial managers.
We’re peace-of-mind managers.
Carlson Investments is a fully independent, fee-only registered investment advisor. Here’s what that means in plain English:
Fully Independent
We’re not tied to any brand or group of investment products or services. That means we work for you—and only for you.
Fee-Only
Unlike commission-based advisors, we don’t make money based on how much of something we can sell you. You pay us a simple, transparent fee to protect and grow your assets, so we only do well when you do well.
Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)
RIAs have a fiduciary duty that legally requires us to keep the best interests of our clients in mind at all times, and always act accordingly. Is the person you are working with held to that standard?
Investment Insights
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A Guide to International Investing
According to Charles Schwab, 85% of U.S. investors have “home country” bias in their portfolios, meaning the vast majority of their stocks and bonds are from U.S.-based companies.
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Banking Turmoil – White Paper
The asset side (loans specifically) of bank balance sheets are in great shape. Very few loans are in default. We believe regulators are taking a pro-active, market-based solutions approach towards the bank deposit issues.
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Bonds are Back: Your Primer on the Bond Market
Bonds can be a great tool if you’re looking to balance your portfolio by diversifying your investments and reducing volatility.
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Carlson Quarterly – Q1 2023
Everyone loves a fresh start and after a nasty 2022, markets got off to a strong start in the first quarter of 2023 in the face of investor concerns around recession and inflation risks.
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Carlson Quarterly – Q1 2024
The equity rally off the October 2023 continued into the first quarter of 2024 as the S&P 500 rallied to new all-time-highs with a gain of 10.16%.
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Carlson Quarterly – Q2 2023
The market continues to rally in the face of an endless “Wall of Worry” as the U.S. stock market delivered more gains during the second quarter of the year.
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Carlson Quarterly – Q3 2023
Following a robust second quarter, the stock market extended its gains into July, driven by strong corporate earnings and an expanding market multiple.
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Carlson Quarterly – Q4 2023
A request for reduced borrowing needs by Yellen’s Treasury quickly followed by a shift in tone regarding additional FOMC rate hikes by Jay Powell led to a massive Q4 rally in stocks to end 2023.
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Cash Management Matters – White Paper
Ever since the Federal Reserve first raised the federal funds rate in March 2022, “cash management matters again” for individuals.
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Cash Management Matters — White Paper
Ever since the Federal Reserve first raised the federal funds rate in March 2022, “cash management matters again” for individuals.
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Dividends Matter — White Paper
Total return is an important metric of equity performance that investors often overlook. The total return of an equity investment is a combination of its capital appreciation or depreciation and the dividend received.
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How to Start a Budget: Because Budgeting = Awareness!
While budgeting seems very constraining, knowing where your cash goes can also be viewed as an awareness practice. Consider that even the super-wealthy take the time to generally understand their cash flows.
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HSA vs. FSA: Which Medical Spending Account is Right for Me?
The end of the year is approaching, which means it’s time to start making many important financial decisions for 2024. This will likely include evaluating benefits you receive from your employer, and there’s one perk that many individuals overlook: tax-advantaged medical spending accounts.
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Identity Theft: What It Looks Like + 8 Ways to Protect Yourself
Unfortunately, identity theft is up 584% over the last 20 years, according to Consumer Affairs. With so much business and banking done online, bad actors have numerous opportunities to steal sensitive information such as social security numbers (SSNs), data from social media profiles, credit cards, and bank accounts.
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Lending Money to Adult Children: The Dos and Don’ts
In some circumstances, a loan to an adult child might be a good solution for both the parent and their child. Check out the benefits and mistakes to avoid, along with some tips for navigating this sensitive situation.
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Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): What is It + How Does it Work?
Part of planning for retirement is considering your IRA distributions and management. One tool that can offer significant savings and tax benefits while allowing you to do good is a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), a direct transfer from an IRA account made payable to a qualified 501(c)(3) charity.
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Quick Guide to Inflation + How to Protect Your Assets
Inflation is the increase in prices of goods and services across the board. Although it often has a negative connotation, a little inflation is integral to a healthy economy. Rising prices can mean higher revenue and earnings for businesses—if they can raise prices to keep up with their costs.
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Summer Financial Bucket List
Summer is here, meaning we’re more than halfway through the year! Now is the perfect time to review your financial situation and adjust as needed.
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Tax-Wise Investing in Your Regular Taxable Brokerage Account
We all know there are two guarantees in life: death and taxes. The government inevitably receives some form of tax revenue from your investments. There are two types of taxes levied upon the sale of a security (i.e., stock, bond, mutual fund, or ETF), known as long-term and short-term capital gain taxes.
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The Importance of the TOD and JTWROS Designations
Many people have heard about the nightmares in dealing with probate after coping with the loss of a loved one. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid these headaches and speed up the process. Learn about Transfer on Death (TOD) and Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship (JTWROS) designations.
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Time in the Market: Not “Timing” the Market
As an investor, you must understand how long you should stay in the stock market based on your long-term goals. Unfortunately, many make the mistake of focusing on short-term rewards, jumping in and out of the market quickly based on the performance of near term events.
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Traditional vs. Roth IRAs: Determining Your Ideal Retirement Account
When evaluating your retirement account options, one of the first things you’ll need to do is decide between a Traditional and a Roth IRA. Each offers its own benefits and has specific requirements. So, which type of IRA is right for you?
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Understanding Your 401(k) Choices: Traditional vs. Roth
You already know that when it comes to employee benefits, you have a choice in your healthcare plan. And now, more employers are giving employees options regarding 401(k)s!
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What is Asset Allocation? The First Step to Protecting Your Portfolio
You’ve heard of it and have a general idea that it’s something you should be doing. But what is asset allocation, exactly?
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What to Look for When Selecting a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)
“How are you compensated?” If you’re in the market for a new registered investment advisor (RIA), this is one of the most important questions you can ask prospects.
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What You Can Learn from Estate Planning Book “In Case You Get Hit by a Bus”
In Case You Get Hit by a Bus: How to Organize Your Life Now for When You're Not Around Later is one of our favorite financial books. In fact, we found it so valuable that our team decided to showcase it.
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Why All Cap Equity? — White Paper
An All Cap Equity Strategy provides core equity exposure in a simple and straightforward portfolio.
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Why Consolidate Your Retirement Plans? 7 Key Questions, Answered
Everyone needs a plan—whether you’re a football coach before the big game, a college student trying to get through finals, or someone striving for a comfortable retirement. And it’s much easier to stay organized and execute a plan when your retirement accounts are consolidated!
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Why We Consider the Russell 3000 Index the Best Domestic Benchmark
At Carlson Investments, we believe the Russell 3000 index is the best domestic benchmark.
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Finding a better way doesn’t start with you learning about investment strategy. It starts with us learning about you.
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