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Friday, December 1, 2023

Start a Gratitude Journal to Be Thankful Year Round   Not feeling very thankful this Thanksgiving season? You probably have more to be grateful for than you realize. But the stress of the holidays and the seemingly non-stop run of...

 

Friday, November 17, 2023

When to Keep or Replace Family Traditions   Family traditions are a beloved part of our holiday celebrations. Until they aren't anymore. Just because your family has been doing something for years doesn't mean you should keep...

 

Friday, November 3, 2023

Setting Fitness Goals in Retirement  As your career goals begin to recede during the transition to retirement, you may find yourself setting new goals that will help you live your best life longer. Improving your fitness can help...

 

Friday, October 27, 2023

Don’t Let Fears Get in the Way of Your Goals  Why do so many of us love wandering through a "haunted" house on Halloween?  Because no matter how much we're willing to suspend our disbelief, we always know that the...

 

Friday, October 20, 2023

Developing Work-Life Balance as a Doctor  The work that doctors and dentists do can pull you in so many directions at once that it's easy to lose your work-life balance. But if you don't schedule time for yourself away from your...

 

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Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Preparing Your Adult Children for Inherited Wealth  Most children learn the ins and outs of responsible wealth-building from their parents. As kids grow, simple conversations about saving and spending often branch out into...

 

Friday, October 6, 2023

Is an Unretirement Right for You?  According to a recent report by T. Rowe Price, the COVID-19 pandemic created 2.4 million "excess" retirements in 2020. Some folks retired due to family health issues. Others retired from...

 

Friday, September 22, 2023

Thinking Positively to Improve Healthspan and ROL  There's real power in learning to embrace positive thinking. A growing body of research suggests that positivity can boost mental well-being, improve physical health, and help us...

 

Friday, September 15, 2023

Legacy Planning is More Than Estate Planning  Your legacy is bigger than your balance sheet. That's why we believe that an effective estate plan, which protects and distributes your assets, is only one part of your larger legacy...

 

Friday, September 8, 2023

Being a Good Steward of Your Time in Retirement When you're a new retiree, staring at that blank page where your work schedule used to be, time might seem so abundant that you forget just how valuable it really is. But if you treat...

 

Friday, August 25, 2023

Can AI Help You Improve ROL?  There's been so much chatter about potential drawbacks of AI like ChatGPT and Google Bard that many people are overlooking how AI can improve Return on Life. From automating mundane tasks to...

 

Friday, August 18, 2023

Plan a Last-Minute Labor Day Trip We’ll have almost a month of official summer left to enjoy after Labor Day on September 4th. But most folks fill those days getting kids ready for school and prepping for the big Q4 push at work....

 

Friday, August 11, 2023

Get a Younger Mentor  In business and in life, knowledge is power and experience is priceless. That's why many folks nearing retirement age often look to mentorship as a way to stay connected to their professions and pass on their...

 

Monday, August 7, 2023

Why is August a volatile month? One simple reason: many people are on vacation. And when people are out of the office, the financial markets often see less trading, which can cause big price swings following news events. The Fitch...

 

Friday, July 14, 2023

Develop Healthy Hobbies as a Family We may feel like we spend lots of time with our family members. But squeezing in a few hugs and meals on our way to and from work, school, and soccer practice isn't really the same as scheduling...

 

Friday, July 7, 2023

How Does Your View of Independence Affect Your ROL? Independence is an important value to all Americans. It's also a value that's central to how we feel about and use our money. When we feel financially free, we can make a wider...

 

Friday, June 30, 2023

How's Your Year Going?4th of July weekend is both the unofficial midpoint of summer and the unofficial midpoint of your whole year. With vacations in full swing and the kids busy with friends, camps, and summer jobs, your work and...

 

Monday, June 26, 2023

Longer Lifespans Require Planning for a High ROL in Retirement Advancements in healthcare, exercise, diet, and quality of living have transformed retirement from the end of one's life into the beginning of an exciting new chapter....

 

Friday, June 23, 2023

How to Pick a Summer Camp Enrolling your kids in camp can give everyone a little more ROL this summer. Children get to spend time doing things they enjoy with other kids, usually without their eyes glued to a screen. And parents...

 

Friday, June 16, 2023

Journaling in RetirementWe often think about our lives like stories, complete with a cast of characters, a variety of settings, highs and lows, twists and turns. Writing down that story can be a meaningful way to reflect, practice...

 

Monday, June 12, 2023

Write a Summer Bucket ListSummer doesn’t officially start until June 21st. But all those Memorial Day barbeques do tend to kick off the season and remind us to make the most of the warm months ahead. If you don't start...

 

Friday, June 9, 2023

The Five Best Reasons to Use a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional for Income Distribution PlanningEffective income distribution planning is crucial for individuals and families seeking financial stability and...

 

Monday, June 5, 2023

New Beginnings for Your Wealth Spring often inspires thoughts of rebirth, renewal, and transformation. That spirit of new beginnings can apply to your relationship to your money as well. After all, earning more and improving your...

 

Friday, June 2, 2023

Become a SuperAger for a Higher ROL Northwestern University's SuperAging Study defines a "SuperAger" as a person in their 80s whose cognitive function is comparable to an average middle-aged person. These are the "sharp" seniors...

 

Monday, May 29, 2023

Ensure Your Life Wishes Are Granted Through Effective Estate Planning Legacy planning is often the last piece folks tackle in their financial planning, because it’s the least appealing to think about. Planning for a...

 

Friday, May 26, 2023

Learn Healthy New Recipes to Stay YoungIf you truly are what you eat, then what do your meals say about your retirement right now?Same old, same old?Reheated?Leftover?Stale?Frozen?Boring?Then maybe it's time to spice up your weekly...

 

Monday, May 22, 2023

Building a Social Life after Relocating Relocating is a goal that we help many seniors plot on their retirement $Lifelines. However, moving into that dream retirement home can create a new set of challenges for folks who haven't...

 

Friday, May 19, 2023

Daily Gratitude Can Increase ROL Is gratitude a part of your daily routine? In a world that inundates us with bad news and angry vibes, maybe it should be. Whether you keep a daily gratitude journal or reflect on all you have over...

 

Monday, May 15, 2023

Do You Need a Sabbatical in RetirementWe usually associate a sabbatical with a career break that allows a professional to step outside their job, learn something new, recharge, and refocus on new goals. But a sabbatical can also be a...

 

Saturday, May 6, 2023

Each May is Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate the wisdom of aging people, recognize their many contributions, and facilitate discussions related to older adults. This year’s observance coincides with the 2023 Retirement...

 

Thursday, May 4, 2023

I wanted to take a moment to update you on the potential changes to Social Security benefits for 2024. As I'm sure you know, the Social Security Administration calculates annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) based on the Consumer...

 

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

From my perspective, we can't hear the word "better" enough in the weeks ahead."Better than expected." "Better than feared." "Better than forecasted."These are winning phrases that can be used by market pundits when they compare a...

 

Monday, April 17, 2023

Over the next several weeks, we will hear from corporate leaders as they update investors on their first-quarter financials and provide a glimpse into the rest of the year.But this quarter, the actual financial results may be of only...

 

Monday, April 17, 2023

A recent survey reported that 68% of parents had made financial sacrifices to support their adult children.

 

Sunday, April 16, 2023

If you're an investor looking for something to worry about, you never have to go more than a few days on Wall Street.As you can see from the accompanying chart, 11 economic reports are scheduled for release during 19 trading days in...

 

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Do you want to give back more than just your time and money? Social entrepreneurship is a way for experienced leaders and ambitious philanthropists to create businesses and other organizations that solve important problems.

 

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

In a recent poll, 31% of surveyed adults reported that they exercise less in the winter than they do during the rest of the year.

 

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

What are you missing out on? Probably not as much as you think.

 

Monday, February 20, 2023

The time following Valentine's Day has always served as a reminder that Spring is on the way. The days are getting longer, the birds and the bees are doing their thing, and people everywhere are thinking about future travel and...

 

Monday, February 13, 2023

The history of the United States is a tapestry embroidered with many cultures. One of the most vivid and complicated historical threads is those belonging to Black Americans.

 

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

January 30 to February 3, 2023, is Identity Theft Awareness Week. Anytime is a good time to tighten up your identity security, but if you haven’t been as careful as you intended, consider this your annual reminder. Here are a few...

 

Monday, January 23, 2023

The outpouring of giving and goodwill during the holidays always makes a special time of the year feel even more precious. Unfortunately, holiday generosity isn't enough to sustain the important missions that charities and nonprofits carry

 

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Why do you always fall short on your "save more money this year" resolution? Because it's not SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timed.

 

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.

 

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

 SMART Goals for New Year's Resolutions Are you setting a goal to “get healthy” in the New Year? You might be setting yourself up for failure before the New Year even starts. It's not that your goal is...

 

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

 While the shine tends to wear off presents must faster than we expect, many researchers have concluded that spending money on experiences rather than stuff can create more meaningful and lasting happiness. This holiday season, consider put

 

Monday, December 19, 2022

Build a Career to Provide the Greatest ROLAccording to data compiled by TechJury, almost half of Americans report that they are workaholics. 77% say they've experienced career burnout. And nearly 66% of workers admit that they don't...

 

Monday, December 12, 2022

It's the Christmas season, a time when many families have a tendency to overspend.

 

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

What is your money for? That's maybe the most important question that our planning process helps people to answer.

 

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Anyone who's suffered through a big, uncomfortable family gathering knows that a bigger group doesn't always mean more fun.

 

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Achieve More in Life and Feel Good About the ResultsWe tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in the short-term and underestimate what we can accomplish in the long-term. The frustration that results is one big reason why so many...

 

Monday, October 24, 2022

Productivity expert Stephen Covey describes a family mission statement as “a combined, unified expression from all family members of what your family is all about — what it is you really want to do and be — and the principles you choose to

 

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Between the student debt crisis, COVID-19 lockdowns, and post-pandemic changes to the workplace, it's never been more important for students to make the most of their college experience.

 

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

What is your money for? That's maybe the most important question that our planning process helps people to answer. If the purpose of life was just to make more money, then no one would ever stop working.

 

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Remember those days during your career when just carving out a free weekend for a vacation felt impossible? Now that you're retired, time is no longer an issue! You're free to travel where you want, when you want, for as long as you want.

 

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

As your parents begin to settle into their final phase of life, their health, residence, and finances could become a factor in your retirement planning. This is especially true if you are the person your parents have tasked with settling

 

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

A large part of being a parent is making our children’s lives easier which often comes in the form of committing financial support to those adult children. But before writing a check or making a deposit through Venmo to your children,

 

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Summer flies by fast, but if you're a parent, you probably feel like your kids are growing up even faster. The hustle and bustle of raising and supporting your family can make it tough to find time to get away.

 

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

As a retiree, one of the most fulfilling ways you can share your skills and experience is to start a second act as a teacher.

 

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

The lifetime of experience you've accumulated in your career doesn't become any less valuable once you've retired. Many seniors turn to part-time jobs, volunteer positions, tutoring, and mentorship to stay sharp, stay active, connect,

 

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Effective succession planning is usually a multiyear process that requires careful analysis, clear goal setting, and close coordination between a company's internal teams and external service providers.

 

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

"I want them to not only do what’s legal obviously, but I want them to judge every action by how it would appear on the front page of their local paper."

 

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Every summer seems to fly by a little faster than the one before. Now that we're past the unofficial midpoint, you may be itching to put one more trip on the books before your kids head back to school and the end-of-the-year grind kicks off

 

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Are you a dog person or a cat person? That's the number one question that most retirees thinking about pet ownership need to answer. Your grandkids might fawn over smaller critters and birds ... until they get nipped.

 

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

A recent study published by npj Regenerative Medicine found that increased longevity has widened the gap between a person's total health span (the number of years you are healthy) and lifespan by approximately 9 years.

 

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Most married couples take a “divide and conquer” approach to household tasks and chores. One spouse might handle weekly shopping, the other might handle garbage and recycling. One spouse might handle laundry and cleaning, the other might

 

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Was this finally the year that you took our advice, put down your pad and pencil, and let a CPA handle your taxes?

 

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Many students and parents start their college search by creating a long list of potential schools. Narrowing down that list isn't always as fun but getting the most Return on Life from college requires families to balance dreams and

 

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Many new retirees feel lost without their jobs. But often what these struggling seniors are really missing is the sense of purpose that their careers gave them. Even if you didn't love everything about your job, work gave your days

 

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

For many folks who spend their entire careers following a financial plan, saving and investing isn't just a commitment, it's a mindset. And it can be very challenging for these people to switch from a "saving" to a "spending" mindset once

 

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Creating a bucket list can be a great way to visualize your long-term money goals and -- more importantly -- start checking them off.

 

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

The challenges of the last couple years have filled many people with uncertainty about the present and concern for the future. Often that can create a feeling of stasis when it comes to how we think about our money.

 

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Staying active and stimulated can be difficult enough for retirees. But during the pandemic, days, weeks, and months started blending together, creating endless doldrums that are still lingering for many people.

 

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

In the wake of COVID and the Great Resignation, both employers and employees are exploring ways to battle burnout, retain top talent, and help people find their ideal work-life balance.

 

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Investing during market volatility can be like driving during a winter storm. Your best plan of action is to focus on what you can control and keep progressing towards your destination.

 

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

According to a recent report by Forbes, the pandemic triggered a global boom in entrepreneurship. Quarantines, remote work, and disruption across many industries have inspired millions of workers to commit full time to the business ideas

 

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Due to the Great Resignation, demand for top workers is at an all-time high. That's a major challenge for employers ... and a huge opportunity for anyone thinking about making a career change in 2022.

 

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Charitable giving is a gift that never breaks, gets returned, or goes out of style. And the ripples of goodwill that giving sends out into your community can also bring your family closer together throughout the year.

 

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

A growing body of research tells us that one of the best gifts you can give your family is an experience. According to scientists, doing activities with your loves ones increases brain activity and creates more lasting happiness than mater

 

Monday, March 14, 2022

The arrival of the Omicron COVID-19 variant is a sobering reminder that as far as we've come since the start of the pandemic, we still have a way to go. However, vaccinations and other preventative measures have returned some normalcy to

 

Monday, March 7, 2022

The personal and professional displacement we all experienced during the pandemic has inspired many people to reassess what work means to them.

 

Monday, February 28, 2022

If you're feeling less enthusiastic about your New Year's resolutions than you did a month ago, you're not alone. According to some estimates, 80% of resolutions fail in the month of February.

 

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

One of the most important questions we help our clients answer is, "What's the money for?" After all, if the purpose of your financial plan was just to keep growing your nest egg, then the best financial strategy would be to keep

 

Monday, February 14, 2022

 

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

 

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

 

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

 

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Planning for Children- How much does it Cost? According to the latest data from the USDA, parents should expect to spend between $200,000 and $300,000 raising a child from birth to age 17. And that's just spending on necessities like...

 

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

When Getting Married Meets Your Financial Plan In the hustle and bustle that comes with planning a wedding and preparing to start a life together, couples often neglect to have serious conversations about their future household’s...

 

Monday, December 20, 2021

 

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Should You Relocate After Becoming an Empty Nester? Your home has three extra bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a spacious backyard where the kids can play. It's situated in an excellent school district. The local parks and rec...

 

Monday, December 13, 2021

 

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Planning for Health Care Events Making a level-headed assessment of potential risks is important to every phase of your retirement planning. Your health can be one of the most emotionally difficult subjects to consider in this light....

 

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Can Your Medicare Choice Affect Your ROL? We're into Medicare's annual open enrollment period. Whether you're a new retiree or a current Medicare enrollee who wants to review your coverage, you only have from October 15th through...

 

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Yes, You Might Actually Enjoy a “Working” Retirement An important part of your retirement plan is a discussion of the benefits of working, regardless of age. Retirement is no longer an event––it is a segue into...

 

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

It May Be Time to Reconsider What Retirement Means to You Whether you’ve been told you should retire at 62, 65, or some other age, only you can decide what is right for you. In fact, you may want to reconsider retiring at...

 

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Put the Planning in Estate Planning Your last will and testament may sound like the definitive word on your estate. But while it’s important to have your basics covered, truly effective estate planning runs much deeper than just...

 

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Envision Retirement -- Even If You Don't Want To No, you're not the only soon-to-be retiree who's reluctant to leave your working days behind. What we do is so tied up in who we are that it can be difficult to picture yourself without...

 

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Build a Fulfilling Schedule in Retirement Your IRA and 401(k) haven’t magically grown all by themselves. Your nest egg is the result of years of planning and hard work. Unfortunately, many seniors don’t realize that their...

 

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Downshift Your Work life to Improve ROL According to a 2019 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, the number of organizations offering informal phased retirement to some employees has risen by 15%. And while more broadly...

 

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Develop an Estate Plan to Give Your Family a Great ROL Designing an estate plan that cares for your loved ones and makes a positive impact on the world isn’t as simple as deciding who gets how much of what. Your answers to these...

 

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Could a Home Remodel Increase Your ROL? In the past year and a half, we spent more time at home – and only at home – than we’d ever anticipated. Now that both the pandemic and our collective cabin fever is starting to...

 

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Balancing Your ROL with Your Parent's ROL Many baby boomers who are preparing to retire also play a role in another retirement: their parents'. Perhaps you've anticipated caring for an aging parent and already incorporated this...

 

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Avoid Physician Burnout to Increase ROL As businesses reopen and vaccines continue to roll out, life is returning to normal for many folks. But for doctors who are downshifting from the incredible strain of the pandemic, "normal" still...

 

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Are You Getting the Best Return on Life You Possibly Can? When it comes to investing, the current standard of return on investment (ROI) can be self-limiting, adding pressure that is counterproductive. So much of ROI is not within our...

 

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Three Ways to Avoid the Downside of Retirement When it comes to retirement, it’s easy to dream about the perks: sleeping in, traveling, reading a good book, playing golf––name your fantasy. Even if your retirement is...

 

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Labor is often the last high point of summer, but it's also the unofficial end of summer. If you'd like to take a break from your backyard before the kids are back in school and the year-end push starts at work, now might be the time...

 

Monday, August 9, 2021

Use Your Daily Schedule to Increase Your ROL When you're working, raising kids, and struggling to find time to take a run or read a book, it's common to feel like your days keep getting away from you. Mixing a few of these hacks and...

 

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

What Is Your Home's ROL? As we exit the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are on the move. Remote work opportunities, childcare challenges, and a lot of time to reflect have changed what home means to many folks. The premium on at-home...

 

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Are You Getting the Most ROL from Your Employee Benefits? Your paycheck pays the bills, but the total benefits you receive can have just as big of an impact on how you feel about the work you do and how that work affects life for you...

 

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Plan a Great Post-COVID Family Vacation If your family has ever deserved a vacation, it's this summer. After a year of locking down and making sacrifices of all shapes and sizes, COVID-19 rates are dropping, and vaccination rates...

 

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Get Your Retirement Plans Back on Track According to the latest guidelines from the CDC, it's finally time for vaccinated retirees to put away their masks and get back to enjoying retirement. If your to-do list is looking a little...

 

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Don't Let Lifestyle Inflation Reduce Your ROL The large amounts of money that our government has spent on pandemic relief and is proposing to spend on infrastructure projects has raised some serious concerns about inflation. But now...

 

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Thinking About Starting a Business? Some would-be entrepreneurs look at a displaced business landscape and see trouble. Others see an opportunity: the chance to become owner and CEO of the company they’ve always wanted to start....

 

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Spring-Cleaning Financial Clutter Is a financial check-up on your Spring-Cleaning list? Once you've tidied your lawn and emptied that out-of-control closet, let some fresh air into your home office and use these six tips to freshen up...

 

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Could a Career Change Increase Your ROL? If you only enjoy the money you earn on weekends and holidays, it might be time to rethink how you’re earning your money. Sure, no one loves absolutely everything about their job. And the...

 

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Would Working From Home Improve Your ROL? The work from home movement was accelerating even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, after Zooming and Slacking our way through 2020, bosses and employees alike are trying to decide if WFH can...

 

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

The ROI and ROL of College While hot topics like student loan debt and virtual learning have dominated recent conversations about college, there's still tremendous value in higher education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,...

 

Monday, May 10, 2021

Stay Healthy and Wealthy in Retirement As you transition from full-time work to retirement, many items on your budget are going to decrease (daily transportation) or even disappear (your kids' tuition and food). Health care, however,...

 

Monday, May 3, 2021

Even Rock Stars Need Estate PlanningEven Rock Stars Need Estate Planning "Don't stop thinking about tomorrow," sang Fleetwood Mac on their 1977 classic "Rumors." And band member Stevie Nicks is among a handful of rockers who seems to...

 

Monday, April 26, 2021

Build Connections Post-Covid As vaccine rollouts continue to progress, folks are starting to tiptoe out of their quarantine bubbles. But once the euphoria from that first dinner in a restaurant or group hang without masks passes, some...

 

Monday, April 19, 2021

4 Considerations Before Relocating Many aspects of retirement are changing, such as the health and activity level of seniors and a rise in working retirees. But many seniors are still very attached to one traditional retirement goal:...

 

Monday, March 15, 2021

The pandemic prevented many seniors from enjoying two of the most popular and rewarding retirement activities: travelling and volunteering. Now that vaccines are rolling out and the world is starting to reopen, why not catch up on both...

 

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Daily and Monthly Habits Can Lead to Lifelong Financial Freedom Our Life-Centered Planning process is designed to help you and your family achieve important long-term goals like buying a house, sending your kids to college, and...

 

Friday, February 19, 2021

Plan for Uncertainty- Moving Past Procrastination Unfortunately, turning the calendar past 2020 hasn't erased all the problems that we've been facing for the past year. If feelings of uncertainty and anxiety are starting to get...

 

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Planning for Entrepreneurship at Any Age The Work from Home revolution and pandemic business disruption have motivated many aspiring entrepreneurs to take their shot in 2021. If you’re determined to make this the year that you...

 

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Find Hobbies to Keep You Healthy Hopefully, when you look out at your retirement $Lifeline, you see some big events that you’re excited to enjoy once the pandemic is behind us. But what about all those days in between? How are...

 

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Make the Most of the Holidays There's truth to the old adage, "Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations." According to many studies, 70% of families lose their wealth in two generations; 90% lose their wealth in three. And...

 

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

It Might be Time to Reconsider Your Giving Strategy The need for generous people is at an all-time high right now. The pandemic has created economic and health care challenges that continue to stretch our resources. Millions of people...

 

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Covid-19 has delayed many dream vacations, family reunions, and road trips this year. But as we all navigate the space between things we can do, things we can’t do, and things we still want to do in the future, there’s an...

 

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Covid-19 has recalibrated retirement planning for older workers. Age, health, and workplace conditions have pushed seniors to put their well-being ahead of other considerations and retire early. But the pandemic has also added to the...

 

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

When it comes to retirement, it’s easy to dream about the perks: sleeping in, traveling, reading a good book, playing golf––name your fantasy. Even if your retirement is fully funded, the reality can be far less...

 

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

The professional skills you’ve honed during your career are still incredibly valuable even though you’re retired. Rarely has there been a greater need for talented and dedicated people with a wide variety of abilities to...

 

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Why do I live here? As the country continues to reopen following the Covid-19 quarantine many people are starting to ask themselves that question. The pandemic has upended one of the strongest traditional reasons for picking a place...

 

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Technology has helped to bridge some of the gaps that Covid-19 opened between us, our loved ones, and our communities. Thanks to video chat you’ve been able to check in on family across the country and participate in birthday...

 

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Vacation homes can provide years of enjoyment and fond memories for multiple generations of your family. They can also create an extra layer of headaches and expenses that prove more trouble than they’re worth. Here are 4 reasons...

 

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

What do Netflix, GE, Trader Joe’s, Microsoft, Disney, and FedEx have in common? They all started during economic downturns .Your vision for your own dream company might not be on the same scale as those giants. But history shows...

 

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Part 2: Growth Through Adversity In Part 1 of this series, Dr. Beth Kurland and retired Commander David Sears of the U.S. Navy SEALS shared three habits they believe will help folks build momentum as we – hopefully –...

 

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Part 1: Better Habits for a Healthier Mind Since the Covid-19 outbreak we’ve all had to make adjustments so that we could cover our basic needs, care for our loved ones, and remain productive during quarantine. No matter how...

 

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Summer travel plans are up in the air right now as federal and local governments sort through the best strategies for keeping COVID-19 under control. Although it’s disappointing to put off a vacation or big family party...

 

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Deciding how and when to reopen our country will be a complicated process. As we wait for our government leaders and health care professionals to plot the best course forward, it’s not too early to start thinking about how your...

 

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has forced many older workers to reassess their careers and how they view retirement. Folks who are fortunate enough to be working from home might be coping with a mix of technological hurdles, while also...

 

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has put all our short-term needs front and center. Just getting through one week of virtual work meetings, grade school math lessons, and grocery shopping can be a challenge. And if you’re one of the...

 

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Hopefully you’re becoming a little more comfortable with the health care basics that are helping to slow the spread of COVID-19. According to our public health officials, maintaining a safe distance from other folks, wearing a...

 

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has created a very uncertain market environment right now. However, your long-term financial goals are probably still the same: buying a house, getting your kids through college, starting your own company,...

 

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

One unique challenge of the coronavirus pandemic is that it’s a global crisis that’s also affected each and every one of us in a very personal way. We’re all learning to balance our worries about huge topics like...

 

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Few of us had heard the phrase “social distancing” at the beginning of the year. But now, maintaining safe, hygienic spaces that help limit the spread of the coronavirus is just a part of our lives. Here are 5 ideas on how...

 

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

None of us planned for this.But your Life-Centered financial plan does have mechanisms in place that will help you getthrough this tough patch with the coronavirus and the financial market volatility. The key is notletting heightened...

 

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Whether you’ve been told you should retire at 62, 65, or some other age, only you can decide what is right for you. In fact, you may want to reconsider retiring at all––at least in the traditional sense. Many of us...

 

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Your days of rushing a fraternity and tailgating before football games might be behind you. But more and more seniors are heading back to campuses when they retire. In fact, many colleges and universities have started tailoring...

 

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

We spend so much of our lives online that protecting our digital selves is now as important as protecting any other asset. Cybercriminals continue to find more devious and more sophisticated ways to access passwords, bank accounts, and...

 

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

The jobs we do for 40 hours every week – and the life that job provides for our families over decades – has a significant influence on how we view ourselves. That’s why many new retirees struggle with a loss of...

 

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

When we ask our clients to describe their ideal retirement, two of the most common responses are “healthy” and “secure.” In our experience, most successful retirees find ways to align these two goals …...

 

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act that was signed into law on December 20th might be adding more chatter to all the 2020 financial predictions bouncing around your news feeds. Throw in an upcoming...

 

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

It’s been said that volatility is a tax that investors have to pay for harnessing the wealth-building power of the financial markets. But rationalizing market fluctuations doesn’t make them any less nerve-wracking,...

 

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Housing is a large item on any person’s budget. But folks about to enter or leave the workforce have to be especially thoughtful about how their living situation is going to impact their financial plan – especially if...

 

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

If your New Year’s resolutions rarely last until Valentine’s Day, this might be the year to stop “resolving” and start setting goals. What’s the difference? “I’m going to be healthier” is...

 

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Your parents and grandparents might have worked at the same company for their entire careers. Today, that kind of longevity is increasingly rare. Some folks are forced into a new career by the ebb and flow of the global economy. Others...

 

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

The holiday season might not seem like an ideal time to have a serious conversation with your immediate family. All that shopping, decorating, cooking, and celebrating can be time-consuming and stressful enough. But if you’re...

 

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

According to AARP, baby boomers expected to take 4-5 trips during 2019 (1). Retired boomers who plan to travel more might even exceed that pace once they’re no longer working. Over the course of a typical 20-30-year retirement,...

 

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Many soon-to-be retirees struggle to imagine their week without work in it. All those blank calendar days are exciting, but they can also be overwhelming. But once you actually retire, you might find that your daily routine isn’t...

 

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

This generation of retirees is going to live longer than any in history. Today’s seniors are healthier, more active, and receiving better preventative care. And on top of that, a growing group of scientists is trying to harness...

 

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Why work when you can travel, play, sleep in, and … Umm … Sleep some more? That’s both the promise and the dilemma of the popular Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) movement. FIRE folks spend minimally and...

 

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Imagine that you’re living in a tent on an open plain. One day you plant a tree. For the next 40 years, you water it. You protect it from harsh weather and animals. You never pick its fruit. You don’t climb it for fun. You...

 

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Your legacy isn’t just about your assets. Of course, as part of our Life-Centered Planning process, we will help you coordinate with attorneys and tax experts to create an estate plan that will provide for your heirs in...

 

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Anyone who’s retired in the past 10 years has been very fortunate. They’ve experienced a massive bull market and they may even have a higher net worth today than when they retired! But it won’t always be that way....

 

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

“Does this spark joy?” Millions of people are asking themselves this question about their homes and possessions thanks to Marie Kondo and her wildly popular decluttering philosophy. Once the kids are moved out, it’s...

 

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

As part of our Life-Centered Planning process, we’ve talked about how market volatility is a normal part of investing. We’ve also discussed how we’ve structured your investments to “weather the storm” and...

 

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Many people have a complicated relationship with money. Hang-ups carried over from childhood experiences get mixed together with positive and negative experiences from adulthood. Few people ever take the time to reflect on what money...

 

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

How are you going to get the best, most fulfilling life possible with the money you have once you retire? Study after study has shown that retirees who spend their time and money on experiences are much happier than those who just buy...

 

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

No matter how thorough our planning is, life inevitably tosses curveballs at us. Often these challenging moments are linked to major life transitions that affect our families, our careers, and our money. Balancing these variables can...

 

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

It might sound a little crazy but there are many benefits to working even though you no longer need the money for your living or retirement needs. These “retirement workers” have discovered that part-time jobs or volunteer...

 

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Don’t Let a Declining Stock Market Steer You Off Course Big red arrows, panicked cable news experts, and the echo chambers of our social media feeds can make stock market volatility seem much worse than it actually is. If...

 

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

There are many reasons why people who could retire are hesitant to do so. Some people think they need to wait until they’re 65 or older. Some are worried about running out of money. Many parents want to keep supporting their...

 

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

“How am I doing?” That’s a big question that most people have when it comes to their money. One way we tend to look for answers is by comparing what we have to what our neighbors, friends, and family, have. Even...

 

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

One of the reasons that divorce is such a challenging life transition is its public nature. A couple might keep their problems private as they try to work through them. But if a rift opens that can’t be mended, the couple will...

 

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Many folks who have just begun working with us are surprised by how our planning process starts. We don’t begin by talking about IRAs, 401(k)s, or how much you’re saving. Instead, we begin by talking about you, not your...

 

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Time flies when you’re a parent. Just when you’ve wrapped your head around the demands and responsibilities of raising a child, you turn around and your little bundle of joy is ready to head out into the world. This empty...

 

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

A hamster in a wheel. Have you ever watched a hamster running in a wheel? All that running, all that effort, day after day after day … But the poor little critter never really gets anywhere, does he? Many of us feel the same way...

 

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Legacy planning is often the last piece folks tackle in their financial planning, because it’s the least appealing to think about. Planning for a robust nest egg that will keep you safe, secure, and fulfilled when you stop...

 

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Setting New Year’s resolutions can be easy and fun, and lead to some exciting changes in your life. Making your goals, based on your resolutions, become reality requires a few steps. Keep them short and easy. Create achievable...

 

Thursday, January 24, 2019

The start of the new year always seems to represent new beginnings. It’s a time to remake our priorities and to reimagine our futures. Although the calendar may not recognize its significance, our humanity marks the passing of...

 

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

A popular online movement wants to make 40 the new 65. FIRE stands for Financial Independence Retire Early. The idea is that by working as hard as you can and saving as much as you can as soon as you enter the workforce, you can become...

 

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

A blank calendar filled with nothing but free time can be every bit as stressful as a packed work week. That’s the surprising fact that many new retirees confront after a few days of hitting the snooze button and puttering around...

 

Monday, January 7, 2019

If you are young and healthy, it can be hard to think about worst case scenarios and planning for something bad happening to you. The likelihood is that you will live a long healthy life and may not need some of these documents until...

 

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

As your parents begin to settle into their final phase of life, their health, residence, and finances could become a factor in your retirement planning. This is especially true if you are the person your parents have tasked with...

 

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Parents know that children hear, see, and pick up on everything that is going on with the adults in their lives. And when you were a child, you were no different. Many of the attitudes we have about money were formed at a very early...

 

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

According to a recent study by TD Ameritrade, 25% of baby boomers are supporting their family members financially (1). Support to adult children averages out to $10,000 per year. That’s $10,000 that boomers aren’t saving,...

 

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

There’s a pretty good chance that your parents and grandparents retired just because they turned 65. Today’s retirement is a bit more complicated than that. While age is still an important factor, your ability to connect...

 

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Part III If you’re like many millennials in their 20s and 30s, you want the help of a financial planner but are living paycheck to paycheck as it is and aren’t sure how you can afford it. In order to engage this type of...

 

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Part II As we briefly covered last week, the student loan landscape is a vast and unfriendly place. You’ve probably heard the phrase “never accept a first offer.” When it comes to taking on a repayment plan as...

 

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

As millennials enter their 20s and 30s, they begin to ponder the future and what it might look like for them. The goals and objectives of this generation, my generation, are as diverse as the population itself. They love to travel and...

 

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

As the S and P 500 market index made adjustments last week by dropping down -4.1% according to market watch, the year to date numbers remained positive at 3.58% since January 2018. This email is just a reminder that, like a top chef...

 

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Have you ever been brushing your teeth or walking your dog when all of a sudden you have a flashback to something embarrassing you did in the past that literally stops you in your tracks? I wish I could say this does not happen to me...

 

Monday, September 17, 2018

Have you ever broken a bone or gotten mono? Were you able to keep working? In many cases of injury or illness, people have no problem going right back to work or returning after a brief hiatus. But what happens if you have a stroke,...

 

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

There are few experiences in a couple’s life more exciting than welcoming a baby into the world. Children provide a wonderful new light in your life. They help round out your feelings of purpose and meaning. They (might) bring...

 

Friday, August 31, 2018

If you’ve never bought a home before or are shopping with your significant other for the first time, the prospect of everything that has to be done ahead of time can be a little overwhelming. If you aren’t where to start or...

 

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

I’m often asked by potential clients when they first approach us for financial planning advice, what my thoughts are on consolidating assets from multiple advisors to one advisor. Contrary to what you might have read about...

 

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Empower Yourself by Recognizing Your Freedom to Choose “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Viktor Frankl We may not always be able to control the circumstances of a...

 

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Are you recently engaged or newly married? Congratulations! This is an exciting time in your life and it is also one of significant transition. There are many things that need to be considered or updated when you are combining your...

 

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Have you ever taken a vacation with your friends and put it on a credit card – promising to pay it off later? Did you pay it off later? If you’re like many of my clients, the answer to these questions is often Yes and No,...

 

Monday, July 30, 2018

Do you feel “at home” in your home? Your home is often the biggest financial purchase you’ll ever make. But is it also giving you the emotional payoffs you hope for? Your home is an important part of your financial...

 

Monday, July 23, 2018

A Simple Plan to Achieve More in Life and Feel Good About the Results We tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in the short-term and underestimate what we can accomplish in the long-term. The frustration that results is one big...

 

Monday, July 16, 2018

Finance and Family – Why so taboo? Although it is a something that is used every day by people across the country, money remains a controversial topic among American families. It is often even considered...

 

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

In a recent survey of 12,000 workers worldwide conducted by the Energy Project, only 50% of respondents found meaning in their jobs (1). Imagine spending 40 hours a week doing meaningless work. It’s soul-sucking, but it...

 

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

A Common Scenario. A busy 40- to 50-hour work week, kids that need shuttling to and from school and extracurriculars … and a gradually decreasing metabolism. Sound familiar? Young, working couples with no kids may have more...

 

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Should I Sacrifice My Retirement to Support My Children? Most parents will say that they want to help their children as much as they can and give them every advantage. But what if “every advantage” comes at the expense of...

 

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

A hammock on the beach. Your favorite chair in the living room. Waking up when you feel like it. A blank calendar. Doing what you want when you want. Doing nothing if that’s how you feel that day. After a lifetime of working 40...

 

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Does investing strike “fear” in you? We once heard somebody say the word “fear” stands for “False Evidence Appearing Real.” That seems to apply to investing. Here’s why. The stock market makes...

 

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Most people consider insurance an important part of their financial plan. But do you also have an insurance philosophy that you use to determine exactly how much coverage you need? By the way, people often tell me they...

 

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Many studies have shown that charitable giving provides greater happiness than buying more stuff. Eventually, you get used to your fancy new car, and the enjoyment it provides goes down. But giving forges feelings of connectedness and...

 

Friday, February 16, 2018

Spending: What to Do When You and Your Spouse are NOT on the Same Page? Most married couples take a “divide and conquer” approach to household tasks and chores. One spouse might handle weekly shopping, the other might...

 

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Check out our winter Perspectives today, including tips on safeguarding your credit, making and sticking to your financial resolutions, and vacation destinations! Click here for the full magazine!

 

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

“The only money that’s really yours is the money you spend. Everything else goes to somebody else.” Teddy Chafolious That piggy bank we remember from childhood wasn’t just a place to store our birthday money...

 

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Debt: What’s Your Story and How Do You Feel About It? In a recent study, half of Americans said their expenses are equal to or greater than their income. 1 Revolving credit, particularly credit cards, is an increasingly...

 

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Check out our fall Perspectives today, including tips on health, reducing stress, and seasonal foods! Click here for the full magazine!

 

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

 

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Fall is here! The season of changing leaves, cooler temperatures, and fun fall holidays – like Halloween and Thanksgiving – are coming up soon. Here are 6 ways to enjoy all those fall activities without breaking the bank!...

 

Friday, August 11, 2017

Do you have a down payment? Putting at least 20% down is ideal. It avoids the need to purchase mortgage insurance and communicates to the seller that your finances are strong. If you don’t have 20%, there are programs for...

 

Monday, July 31, 2017

Our 2017 Spring Newsletter is here, and we can’t wait to share it with you. The common trend for this time of year is spring-cleaning, which isn’t always fun but sometimes necessary. The end result can make you feel so...

 

Thursday, July 27, 2017

 

Monday, July 17, 2017

No matter what generation you are a member of – Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennial, or Gen Z – I have some free, basic financial advice that will serve you well. “Spend less, save more, and don’t do anything stupid...

 

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare: the unexpected phone call telling you that your child has been in a serious accident and is in the hospital. Frantic, you prepare to leave to be with your child as you call the hospital...

 

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

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Monday, July 10, 2017

An important part of your retirement plan is a discussion of the benefits of working, regardless of age. Retirement is no longer an event––it is a segue into an altered definition of life as you know it. One definition of...

 

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

When it comes to investing, the current standard of return on investment (ROI) can be self-limiting, adding pressure that is counterproductive. So much of ROI is not within our control. We can diversify investments––always...

 

Monday, June 12, 2017

 

Monday, May 22, 2017

Networking has, over the past couple of decades, become something of a buzzword. It’s schmoozing with less emphasis on selling something, and it’s socializing with a professional slant. Sometimes it’s fun, and...