Ideal Wealth Advisors's LTM E-Newsletter

Craig Lundquist and Kristin Becker photo

Craig Lundquist, MBA, ChFC^®, CRPC^®

VP of Wealth Management

clundquist@idealcu.com

651-773-2757

Kristin Becker

Senior Administrative Assistant

kbecker@idealcu.com

651-773-2821

Ideal Wealth Advisors

Located at Ideal Credit Union

8499 Tamarack Road

Woodbury, MN 55125

CRPC conferred by College for Financial Planning

July/August 2026

Facing Volatile Stock Markets

After experiencing a significant loss in a particular stock or sector, an investor might become overly risk averse. The pain from the loss distorts their future decisions. Instead of evaluating opportunities logically, they steer clear of anything that reminds them of the investment that caused the pain.

Celebrate Independence

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th—marking America's 250th birthday—fireworks, parades, and barbecues symbolize freedom from tyranny and the fight for self-determination. This spirit of liberty also strongly relates to personal finances: becoming debt-free is your own declaration of independence from financial burdens.

The Wobbly Retirement Stool

The traditional three-legged retirement stool consists of Social Security, retirement savings, and a pension to provide guaranteed income. However, today, most retirees lack the employer pension leg, and many also have concerns about the future of Social Security and the possibility of benefit cuts.

Legacy Planning Can Get Sticky

Legacy planning often isn't discussed until it's almost too late. Here are six sticky pitfalls you might face and strategies to steer clear of them.

Advice For The College-Bound

You spent 18 years caring for almost every aspect of your child's life. Soon, your child will be heading to college and becoming independent. Help your child get ready for a life of independence – and responsibility – by reviewing some basic life skills.

Last Will And Testament

A last will and testament (commonly called a will) is a legal document that details your wishes for how your assets—such as property, money, and personal belongings—should be distributed after your death. It gives you control over your legacy, prevents confusion, and spares loved ones from relying on state intestacy laws, which might not match your preferences.

Automating Monthly Investments

Large swings in investment values may make headlines, but trying to predict market volatility is generally not a successful strategy. Instead, a slow-and-steady investing approach may seem boring, but it can help you capitalize on market fluctuations as you work toward long-term financial goals. Dollar-cost averaging* can be part of this strategy.

Back-To-School Shopping Tips

Back-to-school shopping is an exciting but costly time for families. Households with K-12 students are expected to spend about $850–$900 on clothing, shoes, supplies, and electronics, according to the National Retail Federation. As costs increase, smart budgeting and saving strategies can help manage expenses without sacrificing quality.

Mid-Year Retirement Check Up

As summer arrives, it's a good time to review your retirement savings strategy and make adjustments if needed. Here's a look at some important areas to evaluate:

Time To Review Your Benefits Package?

Researchers at Oxford University discovered that happy workers are 13% more productive. Additionally, a study by the job search firm Indeed, "Classic Employer Benefits Still Drive Job Seeker Decision," reported that 49% of US job seekers say "better benefits" motivate their search—second only to higher pay. These figures alone might encourage you to review your benefits package. But there's more to consider.

Importance of Managing Cash Flow

Effective cash management is the first step to making sure you have enough funds to meet your business's financial obligations. Cash planning helps you increase inventory, expand to new locations, and pursue other growth opportunities. It requires the focus and skills of everyone on your management team.

Safe Financial Travel

Summer getaways are fun—but costly if you're not careful. Protect your money with these quick tips:

5 Reasons for a Will

August is National Make-a-Will Month, a dedicated time to raise awareness about the importance of estate planning and encourage individuals to create or update their last will and testament. Despite its critical role in protecting loved ones and ensuring your wishes are honored, only 24% of Americans have a will. A well-drafted will provides clarity, control, and peace of mind—no matter your age or wealth. Here are the top reasons to make or have a will:

How Gen Z Invests

Gen Z investors (ages 17-29) adopt a more experimental, socially connected approach to investing compared to their Gen X parents (ages 46-51) and Baby Boomer grandparents (ages 62-80). They often prefer fastpaced investments like cryptocurrency and focus more on expenses and trends than on traditional long-term stability. Technology and social media are main sources of investment information, frequently engaging with platforms such as TikTok and Reddit.

Advantages of Buying Housing For Your College Student

When it comes to planning for your college-bound child, buying real estate can offer numerous advantages.

Estate Strategies if You Have No Apparent Heirs

Whether your family is small or you simply lack direct descendants, with a bit of creativity and careful planning, you can ensure your wealth is allocated according to your wishes and has a lasting impact.

Financing Your Child's College Education

August is the most popular month for births, and the month most students head off to college. So what better time to think about how to finance your child's higher education? A 529 plan may come to mind first. But other alternatives might better align with your financial strategy and goals.

Why Younger Donors Stop Giving

Charitable giving helps finance causes and needs you believe in, provides personal satisfaction, and offers potential tax advantages. So why has giving among younger individuals stagnated or declined over the past five years?

CONTACT US

Enter your Name, Email Address and a short message. We'll respond to you as soon as possible.

Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. Ideal Credit Union and Ideal Wealth Advisors are not registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using Ideal Wealth Advisors, and may also be employees of Ideal Credit Union. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of Ideal Credit Union or Ideal Wealth Advisors. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

This publication is not intended as legal or tax advice. All individuals, including those involved in the estate planning process, are advised to meet with their tax and legal professionals. The individual sponsor of this newsletter will work with your tax and legal advisors to help select appropriate product solutions. We do not endorse or guarantee the content or services of any website mentioned in this newsletter. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of each website you visit. Limitations, restrictions and other rules and regulations apply to many of the financial and insurance products and concepts presented in this newsletter, and they may differ according to individual situations. The publisher and sponsor do not assume liability for financial decisions based on the newsletter’s contents.
The sender and LTM Marketing Solutions, LLC are unrelated companies. This publication was prepared for the publication’s provider by LTM Marketing Solutions, LLC, an unrelated third party. Articles are not written or produced by the named representative.

The information and opinions contained in this web site are obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The publishers assume no responsibility for errors and omissions or for any damages resulting from the use of the published information. This web site is published with the understanding that it does not render legal, accounting, financial, or other professional advice. Whole or partial reproduction of this web site is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.