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Can Money Buy Happiness? Maybe Not, But a Family Legacy Can

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

“Money Does Buy Happiness, New Study Says.” Headlines like that always make us pause. The study in question tried to answer a timeless question: Does more money really make us happier, or does the effect level off after a certain point? Researchers found that, yes, happiness tends to rise with income, but only up to a point. But other studies suggest …

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No Returns, No Regrets: Why Retirement Planning Isn’t Like Online Shopping

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

Remember when buying clothes meant a trip to the store, trying on jeans under the fluorescent lights, and waiting for Mom’s verdict? She’d pull at the waistband and ask the dreaded question: “Is there enough room in the seat?” It was awkward, sure, but at least you knew before you left the store whether those jeans would fit. Fast-forward to today’s …

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Breaking the Curse of Knowledge: How to Share What You’ve Learned About Retirement

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

After teaching hundreds of hours of retirement planning classes over the years, I’ve discovered something surprising: no matter how much the financial landscape changes, the questions people ask about retirement almost never do. The course I teach, Retirement Elevated, was created to help aspiring retirees prepare for both the practical and emotional sides of this life transition. Advisors across the country …

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2026 Winter Newsletter: Salt Lake City

In Newsletters, Newsletters: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

Here we go again! Another year, another new beginning. Often in January many of us take a pause and reflect on the year we just said goodbye to as well as focus on the year ahead. Some of us make goals, make resolutions or promise to break bad habits. Some of us just take stock of what we’ve experienced and …

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On the Gridiron

In Articles, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, SLC Winter 2026 by Scott Dougan

Congratulations to a member of our team, Nic Ceballos, as he will be continuing his college education and football pursuits at Utah Tech University! Nic’s commitment, perseverance, resilience, and hard work has landed him an opportunity to fulfill his dream of being a D1 collegiate student athlete. Nic spent this past year as a marketing intern for Elevated Retirement Group. …

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Advisor Milestone

In Articles, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, SLC Winter 2026, Team Spotlights by Scott Dougan

We are excited to share that our newest advisor, Cooper Parry, has officially completed his CFP® certification. The Certified Financial Planner™ designation is widely recognized as the gold standard in financial planning and reflects a deep commitment to technical expertise, ethical standards, and putting clients’ best interests first. Cooper’s achievement further strengthens our team and enhances the level of guidance …

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Our Team is Expanding

In Articles, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, SLC Winter 2026, Team Spotlights by Scott Dougan

In other wonderful personal news from our team. Our advisor, Dallin Bunnell, and his wife, Rachel, are expecting their first child this July. It is an exciting milestone for their growing family, and we could not be happier. As Dallin prepares for this new chapter, please be assured that our team has planned accordingly to ensure continuity of service. Should …

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Off to College

In Articles, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, SLC Winter 2026 by Scott Dougan

Cory’s daughter, Ava, is a senior at Copper Hills High School and was accepted to continue her education at the University of Kansas, starting in the fall of 2026. She plans to major in Sports Management and has applied to be a team manager for the men’s basketball team at KU. It’s a big transition for her, but with the …

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When Everyone’s Watching but No One’s Helping: The Caregiver’s Bystander Trap

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

Have you ever witnessed an accident, whether it was a car crash, someone collapsing, or a sudden medical emergency? For a split second, your instincts tell you to help… but then another thought sneaks in: “Someone else will take care of it.” That quiet hesitation is so common that psychologists have a name for it: the bystander effect. It describes how, when …