Welcome To Our Blog

Coins in a piggy bank

April 2024 Blog Newsletter

April Captain’s Log How Much Should Someone Keep In A Money Market Or CD? We’ve all heard the analogy “cash is king!” If you’re still working and earning a living while being more than 24 months from retirement, a three- to six-month emergency fund is sufficient. There could be exceptions to this rule if you…

Read More
Notebook with red pencil writing

How to Crush a No Spend Month

For many people, January ’tis the season for paying off holiday bills. In a world that constantly bombards us with advertisements and temptations to spend, the idea of a “No Spend Month” may seem challenging or even daunting. However, this financial challenge is not about depriving yourself of necessities; it’s about making conscious choices to…

Read More

Navigating Open Enrollment and Your Financial Health

Open Enrollment is an annual period that carries substantial weight in the realm of personal finance and healthcare. During this time, individuals can make critical decisions that impact their financial health for the entire year. Discover tips below on what factors to consider, how to make the most of the open enrollment opportunity and how…

Read More

Spooked about Planning for Retirement in 2024? Here are 5 Steps to Take Today

Retirement can be an exciting yet daunting prospect. It’s a time to reap the rewards of your hard work and enjoy life to the fullest. However, the thought of retirement can also be intimidating, especially if you feel unprepared. If you’re planning to retire in 2024, there’s no need to be spooked. By taking proactive…

Read More

The September Syndrome: Myth or Reality?

Traditionally, September’s fall weather brings with it a fall in the stock market. The reasoning behind this notion is often attributed to various factors, including investors returning from summer vacations and reevaluating their portfolios, as well as corporations releasing earnings reports that might not meet expectations. In addition, some infamous historical market crashes, such as…

Read More

Things To Consider When You Consider A Second Home

One of the most rewarding parts of my work as a financial advisor is watching people go from uncertainty about their future to confidence in their future. In the transformation, they go from reluctant goal chooser to relentless goal chaser. The confidence that comes from having a plan in place often leads to new, bigger…

Read More

Grandparents Raising Grandkids: Things to Consider

Parenthood is hard! But that truth makes grandparenting a joy for so many. I’ve heard many grandparents in my office talk about the joys of being a grandparent, while citing the reality that you get to have all of the fun without the same amount of responsibility! But for more than 3 million grandparents in…

Read More

Ready, Set, Retire: Is Your Small Business Mandate-Ready for the November Retirement Plan Deadline?

If you’re a small business owner and you don’t have an employee retirement plan, the clock is ticking… Effective November 1, 2023, Illinois will require employers with 5-15 employees to have retirement plans as part of the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act. If you missed the deadline for companies with 16-24 and 25+ employees,…

Read More

The importance of Updating Your Financial Plan Each Year

New Year’s resolutions look different for everyone, but they all have the same goal: to make sure this year’s version of you is improved in some way over last year’s. That change can come in the form of weight loss, a new job, or financial goals. Like a New Year’s resolution, your comprehensive financial plan…

Read More

I’m Unexpectedly Retired, Now What?

I’ve committed my career to helping people plan for retirement. During the planning phase, I help individuals imagine their ideal retirement scenario and then create a comprehensive financial plan that makes that imagined scenario a retirement. But the thing about life is that it rarely—if ever—goes as planned. Over the past two years, I have…

Read More