Toberman Becker Wealth

07/31/2026

Does diversification eliminate investment risk?

No, but it can help reduce volatility and improve long-term portfolio performance.

In Michael Becker's latest article, he explains:

- What diversification really means
- How it helps manage risk
- Why asset allocation and correlation matter
- How to build a portfolio aligned with your goals

A well-diversified portfolio can help you stay focused on your long-term financial plan, even during market uncertainty.

Read the full article to learn more:

Diversification is key to managing market volatility. Financial advisor Michael Becker shares the what, why & how of portfolio diversification. Read his advice here.

07/29/2026

70% of family businesses don't survive the handoff to the next generation.

That stat isn't meant to alarm; it's meant to motivate. Because the ones that do make it through have one thing in common: they planned ahead.

07/27/2026

The 401(k) moves you make before and after retirement can make or break your savings strategy.

- 5 years out: shift to conservative investments and maximize catch-up contributions.
- Once retired: stay invested for long-term growth and explore rolling your 401(k) into an IRA.

Small decisions now. Big impact later.

Read more here: https://tobermanbecker.com/what-should-i-do-with-a-401k-before-and-after-retirement/

07/25/2026

If you're within a decade of retirement, read this:

Your 401(k) doesn't manage itself, especially in the 5 years before and after retirement.

Mike Holtz, CFP®, breaks down what to do with your 401(k) at every stage:

- How it compares to IRAs (contribution limits, flexibility, RMDs)
- Smart moves in the 5 years before you retire
- Your three options once you stop working (and which one to avoid)

Learn how 401(k)s compare to other retirement plans with insights from Mike Holtz, CFP®. Get retirement planning tips for before and after retirement. Read here.

07/22/2026

For many family business owners, the business is more than just an asset; it's a legacy. But without a clear exit strategy, years of hard work can be put at risk.

Whether you're passing the business to the next generation, pursuing a management buyout, or exploring an outside sale, planning ahead protects your financial future and your family relationships.

The best time to start? Earlier than you think.

Read Craig Toberman, CFA, CPA, CFP®'s article to learn how to build an exit strategy that preserves what you've worked so hard to create:

An exit plan protects your family, business & legacy. Financial advisor Craig Toberman explains family business strategies & how to build one that works here.

07/20/2026

Thinking about where to retire?

St. Louis probably isn't the first destination that comes to mind, but maybe it should be.

With affordable living, great healthcare, and plenty to see and do, it's easy to see why more retirees are giving St. Louis a second look.

Here are just five reasons we think it is the perfect place to call home.

Read more here: https://tobermanbecker.com/is-st-louis-missouri-a-good-place-to-retire/

07/17/2026

Missouri just became the first state to fully exempt capital gains tax.

Add in no tax on Social Security benefits, no estate or inheritance tax, and one of the most affordable housing markets in the country, St. Louis quietly makes a strong case as a retirement destination.

As a lifelong St. Louis area resident, Craig Toberman, CFA, CPA, CFP®, put together a guide on retiring in STL: the real pros, the honest cons, and the 6 suburbs I'd point retirees to first.

Whether you're planning to stay put or considering a move, it's worth a read before you commit to a coast.

Read the full guide here:

St. Louis is a great city for retirees. Read here to learn why & see the 6 top neighborhoods for retirees in the St. Louis region.

07/15/2026

Does diversification eliminate investment risk?

No, but it can help reduce volatility and improve long-term portfolio performance.

In Michael Becker's latest article, he explains:

- What diversification really means
- How it helps manage risk
- Why asset allocation and correlation matter
- How to build a portfolio aligned with your goals

A well-diversified portfolio can help you stay focused on your long-term financial plan, even during market uncertainty.

Read the full article to learn more: https://tobermanbecker.com/diversifying-your-portfolio-for-well-rounded-financial-planning/

07/14/2026

Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important financial decisions you'll ever make, so why leave it to chance?

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Michael Becker breaks down the 4 questions he believes every person should ask before hiring an advisor. Simple. Direct. And most people skip at least one.

Are all four on your list?

https://tobermanbecker.com/how-to-find-the-right-financial-advisor/

07/10/2026

"Financial advisor" sounds like one job. It is actually three.

If you are 5 years out from retirement and starting to interview advisors, the way an advisor is paid tells you almost everything you need to know.

Three fee structures, in plain English:

1. Commission-based: They earn money when you buy a product. The recommendation and the paycheck are tied together.

2. Fee-based: A mix of client fees and product commissions. It sounds like fee-only, but it's not.

3. Fee-only: Paid only by you, through a flat, hourly, or percentage fee. No commissions. No product kickbacks. No hidden incentives.

That last one matters because the fee structure is the cleanest signal of whose interests come first. A fee-only advisor only gets paid if they help you.

There is no other revenue line.

So when you sit down with a prospective advisor, ask the question directly: "How are you paid?" If the answer takes more than a sentence, that is information too.

Michael Becker, CFP®, Partner at Toberman Becker Wealth, wrote a longer guide on choosing a good financial advisor, including four questions to ask before you hire anyone.

Read more here: https://tobermanbecker.com/how-to-find-the-right-financial-advisor/