Great Plains Financial, LLC - Craig Heien

06/14/2026

Celebrating Flag Day today! It's a day to honor the stars and stripes and everything they represent: unity, history, and national pride. Let's commemorate this day with respect and gratitude for our beautiful flag.

06/12/2026

Markets don't take vacations. But your strategy is built for the bumps.

06/09/2026

06/05/2026

If you live to 95, will your money?

If you're too aggressive, will you come up short? Too conservative, and you leave quality of life on the table.

Also, will the life you are living at 70 change as you age? Have you considered how changing withdrawal rates can affect everything from estate management strategies to retirement strategies?



Disclosure: The portfolio is composed of 50 percent stocks, 40 percent bonds, and 10 percent Treasury bills. It is assumed that a person withdraws a hypothetical percentage each year. Historical returns based on the period January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2025. Stocks are represented by the Standard & Poor's 500, which is an unmanaged group of securities & considered to be representative of the US stock market. Bonds are represented by the five-year U.S. government bond and Treasury bills by the 30-day U.S. Treasury bill. An investment cannot be made directly in an index. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

06/05/2026

Markets continued their upward climb in May, supported by strong technology performance, positive economic data, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Nasdaq gained 8.36%, the S&P 500 rose 5.15%, and Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 2.37%, while investors welcomed better-than-expected job growth and upbeat corporate earnings. With the Fed's next meeting scheduled for June, attention is turning to updated economic projections and what they may signal about the broader economy. From \$24 billion spent on Father's Day to the popularity of dining out and special outings, this month's by-the-numbers highlights how families celebrate the dads in their lives.

Stocks pushed higher in May, fueled by big tech names, positive economic news, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

06/03/2026

One of the most overlooked questions in building a retirement strategy isn't "How much do I have?" It's "When do I need it?"

That's exactly what a bucket strategy does. It matches your assets to your timeline, so every dollar is working as hard as it can for as long as it can.

Do your buckets match your time horizon?

06/01/2026

Tax reminder! Your second-quarter estimated income tax payment is due on June 16, 2026.

If you're self-employed or earn income that isn't subject to withholding, now is the time to make sure your payment is on track. Don't wait until the last minute—a missed or underpaid estimated tax payment can mean penalties come filing season.

Not sure how much to pay? A good rule of thumb is to pay at least 90% of what you'll owe this year, or 100% of last year's tax liability—whichever is smaller. If you want more specific information, check with your tax, legal, or accounting professional.

05/29/2026

No two clients are the same. Nor are their portfolios.

The strategies that serve someone building wealth at 55 look very different from those preparing for retirement at 65. That's why it's critical to take a multi-layered approach that allows us to use a mix of strategies to pursue your goals.

What mix works best for you?

05/29/2026

Ace rotates its paddle as it prepares to return the ball back to its human opponent, Yamato Kawamata, during a match in December 2025. Credit: Sony AI.

05/26/2026

You don’t have to visit Philadelphia to see a Liberty Bell — there may be one closer than you think.

In 1950, the U.S. Treasury commissioned replicas of the Liberty Bell for every state and several territories as part of a national campaign. Today, many of those bells still exist, displayed at capitols, museums, and public spaces across the country.

A growing number of enthusiasts have made it a goal to visit as many of these replicas as possible, turning it into a unique way to explore American history.

Over time, some of the bells have been restored or relocated, while others remain less visible — adding an element of discovery for those seeking them out.

As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, these replicas are gaining renewed attention as symbols of history, travel, and shared cultural heritage.


Source:

If you can't visit the original Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, you might find a dead ringer nearby. For a 1950 bond drive, the Treasury Department commissioned replicas for each U.S. state and several territories.