What an Estate Sale Says About Us
Estate sales aren’t everyone’s idea of a good time, but they offer a surprising lens on our lives, priorities, and the legacies we’re building. I’ll admit: I don’t frequent estate sales myself, and I confess I’m often troubled by their bittersweet undertone. They can feel like a window into our relationship with possessions, time, and that which outlasts us. For …
Pain and Retirement Planning
Should Investing Hurt? Ask the “Queen of Pain” Amelia Boone earned global recognition as a premier competitor in obstacle racing. Known in events like the World’s Toughest Mudder and the Spartan Race as the “Queen of Pain,” she thrives in settings that test endurance for 24 hours or more, with mud, walls, barbed wire, and even electrical challenges. When asked …
Back to the Basics: Converting Retirement Savings into Reliable Retirement Income
Retirement planning isn’t about betting on a single investment or hoping a market rally will carry you through. It’s about designing a durable plan that converts your savings into steady, dependable income so you can live your best years with confidence. Here’s a practical framework to achieve that without guessing. 1. Start with a clear income target Begin by translating …
Briefcase Study: Puzzle Pieces
“Barb hates this stuff.” Roger has been the “long-term investments manager” in their marriage for many years, decades in fact. While his wife, Barb, has been masterfully managing the checkbook, credit cards, and other day-to-day financial matters for the duration of their marriage, she has never enjoyed sitting down to talk investments. As a result, getting on the same page …
Client Corner: Rena
When I was in my early 20’s I joined the Air Force, which gave me the opportunity to meet my husband and travel overseas. My first base was in the Philippines, then Germany, where I explored Spain, Norway, England, Holland, France, Luxembourg and Austria. After getting out in the late 80s, travel shifted to family visits and domestic destinations like …
Investing Correlation Vs. Causation
In a world that feels deeply divided – geopolitically tense, socially polarized, and politically charged – the stock market keeps hitting new highs. How is that possible? The quick answer is: markets price a complex mix of factors, not a single headline. And even when events seem dramatic, they are just that, events. They are not proofs of cause-and-effect, nor …
Retirees, Coaching Isn’t Just for Athletes
Coaches aren’t just for athletes. The parallel is clear: in sports, even the best players rely on coaches to sharpen skills, stay motivated, and reach new heights. If you’re entering retirement, you too can benefit from a coach-of-sorts, someone who helps you design a meaningful playbook for this next chapter, keeps you accountable, and nudges you toward your brightest possible …
Your Retirement Catharsis
Catharsis is defined as a purification or purgation that brings spiritual renewal or relief from tension (Merriam-Webster). It’s a practical idea. In simple terms: when the ‘bad stuff’ is resolved, you start feeling better. And for a new season, that fresh start through catharsis can be especially meaningful. In the financial world, catharsis often arrives at retirement. For many, a …
Tools to Manage, Aging, Money, and…Laundry?
Aging, money, and…laundry? These universal realities of life just keep coming at us, relentlessly, unending. And they rarely come with simple remedies. For example, the battle over laundry is never-ending: it piles up, needs washing, sorting, folding, and putting away. Every day is just a new opportunity to create more dirty laundry. Meanwhile, other priorities compete to beg for our …
The Best Investment You’ll Ever Make (And It’s Not in the Market)
When people hear that I’m a financial planner, they tend to imagine one of two things. Some expect me to have a secret list of ‘can’t-miss’ stock tips, whispered in hushed tones like a Wall Street insider. Others picture me as a human spreadsheet, tracking budgets, trimming expenses, and preaching the gospel of discipline. The truth is, my work – …
