Karsten Augustin - Financial Advisor at North Star Resource Group

As we reflect on the second quarter of 2026, Steven Vacinek, CIMA®, Director of Investments, shares perspective on the markets and economy.

At North Star, we believe that staying informed is key to navigating any market environment.

Watch the full update here:



Required Disclosures: Steven Vacinek is a registered administrative assistant of Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

Q2 2026 - Quarterly Market with Steven Vacinek, CIMA Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

As we reflect on the first quarter of 2026, Steven Vacinek, CIMA®, Director of Investments, shares perspective on the markets and economy.

At North Star, we believe that staying informed is key to navigating any market environment.

Watch the full update here:

Q1 2026 - Market Update with Steve Vacinek, CIMA Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

As we move through the first stretch of 2026, we want to reflect on the economic landscape and share our perspective on what’s ahead.

At North Star, we believe that staying informed is key to navigating any market environment.

Watch the full update here:

Q4 2025 - Market Update with Steven Vacinek, CIMA Submission number: #20260102536

As we move into the final stretch of 2025, we want to reflect on the economic landscape and share our perspective on what’s ahead.

Consumer spending remained strong, particularly in services like travel, dining, and entertainment. However, rising prices have begun to temper this momentum. Higher interest rates and increased costs from tariffs are starting to weigh on purchases of durable goods, such as homes, vehicles, and appliances.

At North Star, we believe that staying informed is key to navigating any market environment. Watch the full update here: https://youtu.be/UbIr0oxPZeU

📚 Are student loans holding you back from achieving your financial goals? You’re not alone. Many new veterinarians are living paycheck to paycheck because the starting pay is not keeping pace with the cost of education.

Remember, the sooner you can make a plan for your loans, the sooner you can move toward a positive net worth and financial freedom.

We’re here to help you create a financial roadmap tailored to your goals. 📈

Considering buying a home? With high interest rates as high as they are, you might wonder if you should wait.

Yet, if you're financially ready, now might still be the right time to buy. When interest rates drop, home prices often increase, allowing you to lock in a good price and refinance later.

Here are three key areas to assess your readiness:

1. Debt Management: Banks evaluate your debt-to-income ratio. A solid plan for managing student loans can ease pressure and improve your financial picture.

2. Cash Flow Planning: Ensure your housing payments align with your broader financial goals. Balance paying off loans, saving for retirement, and enjoying life!

3. Risk Management: Protect your income with own-occupation disability insurance to cover expenses if your income becomes unstable.

Interested in creating a financial plan tailored to your goals? Let’s connect!

Diversification is key to financial stability. You protect yourself from market swings by spreading your investments across stocks, bonds, real estate, and more.

Here's a few additional tips on how to fortify your financial strategy against volatility:

✅ Different assets react differently—when one dips, another may rise. When you diversify your investments among different classes, you balance the volatility for growth on a longer timeline.
✅ Maxing out tax-advantaged accounts (401(k), IRA, HSA) first allows you to avoid the other variable in investing: taxes.
✅ Incorporating practice ownership, real estate, or side income into your wealth strategy—as it makes sense for your life—helps diversify your income along with your portfolio.

BONUS: Protect that all-important income with private disability insurance so your long-term goals stay on track, no matter what happens!

You've probably heard it before: the earlier you start saving, the better.

The secret lies in the power of compound interest.

Compound interest means you're not just earning on your initial investment, but also on the interest it generates—leading to exponential growth over time. It's like having your money work for you, earning more and more as the years go by.

But compound interest isn't just positive—it can be your enemy when it comes to loans. If you’ve got student loans with high interest rates, that debt can snowball quickly, putting pressure on your financial health.

The key? Balance. Whether you're focusing on investing or paying off debt, understanding the impact of compound interest on both sides is crucial.

Need help navigating this tricky balance? Let’s chat!

If you are on the SAVE plan for your Federal Student Loans:

Interest is going to begin accruing again on August 1st!

If you need to come up with a new strategy for your student loans, or just want someone to take a look and give high level insight from a Certified Student Loan Professional (CSLP), please reach out!

The average vet school debt is around $150,000, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Whether it’s stress from the monthly payment or simply the mass of the total loan, student debt can be a major source of burnout for vets.

But it doesn’t have to be! A solid repayment strategy can help lighten the load and set you on the path to financial freedom.

We help veterinarians with loans…

✅Find confidence with a strategic debt-free plan
✅Stay up to date on legislative changes and how they may affect your strategy
✅Understand their forgiveness options, as well as backup plans
✅Find the balance between paying down debt with enjoying life

You are not behind on your wealth-building journey. Let’s connect if you’d like to get started on your strategy.