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Briefcase Study: If a Tree Falls In the Woods

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Briefcase Studies, SLC Summer 2020, Summer 2020 by Scott Dougan

If a Tree Falls In the Woods, and Other Election Year Thoughts During a recent meeting, and then at another meeting, and another…the question came up: “With an election coming up, what should we be doing about our investments?” Here we are, in the midst of a presidential election season, and we’re all searching for answers. People are asking themselves, …

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2020 Summer Newsletter: Kansas City

In Newsletters, Newsletters: Kansas City Office, Newsletters: Kansas City Office by Scott Dougan

ELEVATED INSIDER As America does its best to see itself out of this pandemic, we’re all being reminded that so much of what we treasure is based on relationships. The very thing that makes this experience so trying is the ‘social distancing’ part of it. Of course, the risk of health issues and financial challenges can have tremendous impact on …

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Back to the Basics: Two Ways To Estimate Retirement Expenses; One Fast, One Slow

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Back to the Basics, SLC Summer 2020, Summer 2020, Tax Planning by Scott Dougan

Retirement Planning done well should feel like a state of flow. Money flows in, money flows out; the rate of this flow is determined by your chosen lifestyle. Ideally, your lifestyle conforms naturally to your desires and needs, as they shift with your health and interests. Thus your accumulated assets should provide you with enough income (flow in) to match …

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Employee Spotlight: Brook Chavers

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Spring 2020, Team Spotlights by Scott Dougan

Brook Chavers, Client Services Associate Brooke moved to Kansas City to study music and literature at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She is a St. Louis native and visits home often to attend baseball games with her family, at Busch Stadium. Her favorite thing about Kansas City is its rich artistic culture. She enjoys going to the symphony …

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Back to the Basics: The Great Decluttering

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Back to the Basics, Investment Management, SLC Spring 2020, Spring 2020 by Scott Dougan

For everything there is a season. For many of you, it’s time to declutter. Nobody is forcing you to declutter, but you’re probably feeling that desire on some level. Sitting in your home due to quarantine, there’s never been a better time! Looking back, we spent an entire childhood wishing for more things like bikes, games, our own room. Then …

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Briefcase Study: What Is Your First Memory Of Money?

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Briefcase Studies, Spring 2020, Tax Planning by Scott Dougan

What Is Your First Memory Of Money? A few years ago, I was talking with a man who was contemplating retirement. He and his wife had worked very hard for a long time and had accumulated considerable assets and carried no debt. As we ran and re-ran the numbers, tweaking and questioning all assumptions and variables, he continued to struggle …

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2020 Spring Newsletter: Kansas City

In Newsletters, Newsletters: Kansas City Office, Newsletters: Kansas City Office, Spring 2020 by Scott Dougan

ELEVATED INSIDER What can I say about COVID-19, the Coronavirus, that hasn’t already been said? The economy has nearly grinded to a halt, markets have declined steeply, and people are left to wonder how this all plays out. Meanwhile, we’re sitting in our homes trying to be patient, while quietly battling anxiety and loneliness. The only solace, it seems, is …

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Secure Act Passed by Congress

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Tax Planning, Winter 2020 by Scott Dougan

What Steps Can You Take To Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones? On December 19th, Congress passed a spending bill that includes seismic changes to IRAs and retirement plans. The SECURE Act will reshape how IRAs are handled both during life and after death, creating an enormous tax impact for families who don’t plan ahead. Congress and the President have …