How Quickly Markets Can Change

Just a few months ago, we were talking about the decline in credit rating of U.S. Treasury debt for the first time and worries of a recession “spreading” to the U.S. from the ongoing crisis in Europe. Its impact was volatile and pronounced, causing 2011 to be a year of flat to negative returns for most stock investors. This caught many off guard, in particular, because things seemed to be going well since the great recession that hit the world’s economies in 2008. It was an excellent reminder of the volatile nature of the financial markets, even when things are moving in the right direction. Read the rest of this entry »

The Benefits of Budgeting

When it comes to personal finance there is one word that makes almost everyone cringe… Budgeting. Most people feel that maintaining a budget means that it will be the end of all of the “fun”. In reality, establishing and following a sound budget does just the opposite. It not only allows you to control your spending, but also is the foundation to achieve the financial goals you truly desire.

Here at Callahan Financial Planning we simply define a budget as providing for your needs within scarcity, which is the limited amount of money available to you. This means living within the amount of money you earn while taking care of your needs. The goal of having a budget isn’t to restrict your spending, but to cover all your necessities and focus any remaining money on what is most important to you. Budgeting forces you to take an in depth look at where your money is currently going and decide if that’s where it should go in order to accomplish your true goals. Read the rest of this entry »

Do I Need a Financial Plan?

Have you been thinking about creating a financial plan for yourself, but just don’t know if you actually need to take the time to do it?  If you’re teetering on the idea, ask yourself the following questions.  The only rule – Be honest with yourself.

• Do you feel you make good money yet have little to show for it?
• Are you confused about the vast array of investment options?
• Are you unclear about how your current investments are performing?
• Do you and your spouse differ over how to handle your money?
• Are you uncertain if you have the right kinds and amounts of insurance?
• Have you delayed creating an estate plan?
• Do you feel you pay too much in taxes?
• Are you worried about not having enough money to retire?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the following questions, there’s a good chance you should consider financial planning. Read the rest of this entry »

What Were You Thinking?

This is the first of a 4 part series designed to explain the ideas behind starting such a unique company and choosing Omaha to call home.

Who are we?

Callahan Financial Planning is a new, independent company based in Omaha, NE that has introduced a revolutionary way to pay for and receive finance guidance. Aware of the conflict traditional sales staff and commissions produced, we set out to build a unique financial planning model to truly create, implement and manage financial plans to your goals… free from product sales. Read the rest of this entry »