Bernicke Wealth Management

10/14/2026

More consumers are paying off their credit cards every month this year than at any point in the past five years. So why does the consumer keep spending, even with higher gas prices and interest rates?

In this month’s market update, Steve Latham, CFA, CFP®, Chief Investment Officer, looks at what the data shows:

📊 Why consumers feel uneasy about prices but keep spending anyway
📊 How wage growth has picked up in 2026, especially for lower and middle income earners
📊 What credit card payment trends may suggest about household financial health

Watch the full video below.

Despite higher gas prices, inflation, and elevated interest rates, ...

10/09/2026

Before we can make a useful recommendation, we need to understand the person we're making it for.

That means understanding your family, your goals, what you're concerned about and what you're looking forward to.

From there, we look at the bigger picture across retirement income, investments, tax strategy, estate planning and protection to understand what's working well and where there may be opportunities to improve.

This video walks through the process from the first conversation through the analysis, recommendations and the ongoing relationship that follows.

It starts with a 15-minute call. No cost and no obligation.
https://www.bernicke.com/consultations/

10/06/2026

Someone turns 62, 65, or 67 and assumes that because the number finally arrived, they must be ready to retire. Others were completely ready years earlier and kept working, because nobody told them the real test had already passed.

Ty Bernicke, CFP®, President and CEO, says readiness comes down to three things at any age: whether the money actually works, whether the rules that unlock at that age come with a trap you don't see, and whether you're ready to stop being what you've been for 30 years.

In his latest video, Ty walks through the key ages for retirement and what to check at each one.

Watch the full video below.

10/02/2026

When Ty started here, it was him, his dad, and a few staff members. At 21, he spent most nights studying with the hope that there would be no question he couldn't answer.

Today, we're a team of over 30 people across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Our approach puts a team behind every client, so your advisor leads the relationship, and the rest of us are the depth behind it. If you work with us, you'll notice that a few names become familiar rather than just one.

What we've held onto is smaller and harder to describe. People here know your name, your family, and what you're actually planning for.

Ty tells the second half of the story in the video.

09/28/2026

Congratulations to Kylie Martens, Operations Associate, on passing the Certified Estate Planner exam! 🎉

We’re proud to have you on our team and look forward to seeing how you continue to put this knowledge to work for our clients.

09/25/2026

It started on a napkin at Heckel's Restaurant.

In 1985, the plan for this firm was written out over a meal in Eau Claire. It was called Bernicke Financial Planning then, and getting it off the ground took two full-time jobs, a maxed-out mortgage, and maxed-out credit cards.

Ty tells the first half of that story here, including the conversation with his father, Barry, that shaped how he would have to earn his own place in the business.

Part two comes next week.

09/24/2026

Congratulations to Liam Rudolph, Operations Associate, on passing the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam! 🎉

We’re proud to celebrate this important milestone and are excited to see what’s ahead. 👏

09/22/2026

If you've saved $2 million or more for retirement, Ty Bernicke, CFP®, President and CEO, says the hard part isn't behind you. It's what's in front of you now.

After close to 30 years working with clients at this level, Ty shares the same handful of things that come up again and again, and some of it runs against common advice.

✅ Where to locate conservative investments across accounts
✅ Why delaying Social Security isn't always the right call
✅ Why retirement income is usually taxed more favorably than working income
✅ Why many people can retire sooner than they think

Watch the full video below.

Schedule a free 15-min call: ➡️https://ty-bernicke.showrunner.one/r...

09/15/2026

Interest rates keep climbing, not just here in the U.S. but across the United Kingdom, France, and Japan too. Why is that happening, and is it something to worry about?

In this month's market update, Steve Latham, CFA, CFP®, Chief Investment Officer, breaks down what's really driving rates higher.

✅ Why rising government debt can push borrowing costs higher
✅ How stronger than expected economic growth can also drive rates up
✅ What the latest global economic data suggests about where things stand today

Watch the full update below.

Bond yields are climbing across nearly every developed country righ...

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Today, we recognize and appreciate the hard work, dedication, and contributions of workers everywhere.

We’re especially grateful for our incredible BWM team and everything each member does to serve our clients and support one another.

Wishing you and your family a happy and safe Labor Day!

Reminder: Our offices are closed today, September 7th. We will resume regular office hours tomorrow, September 8th.