2021 Winter Newsletter: Kansas City
ELEVATED INSIDER Have we turned a corner? The ongoing COVID saga seems to have shifted into another gear. While reported cases of the virus continue to rise, two vaccines are ready and being administered, which is some much needed light in this long and exhausting tunnel. We hope you’re feeling well and healthy and we also hope the country can …
Is 70 the New 62?
[This discussion may or may not apply to you, but it certainly applies to somebody you care about, so feel free to pass it on.] As I scan the retirement advice landscape, I’m noticing more and more ‘gurus’ pushing a work-‘til-you’re-70 narrative. The reason? The vast majority of American workers will need to work longer than they may have anticipated …
The Mall is Gone, the Church Has Closed, Long Live Amazon
I read an article the other day about a small town in Italy that’s selling homes for $1, with the caveat that you must fix up the home within a few year period of time. While it was voted one of the most beautiful places in the world, the town still struggles with abandonment and an economy that seems to …
Three Stages of the Typical Retirement
It’s easy to think of retirement as one thing, one phase of life that we all aspire to experience. And why not? After all, retirement is such a stark contrast to the preceding decades-long phase that’s built around paid work. But what if retirement is made up of many different smaller phases, distinct from one another in activity level and …
Sobering Statistics For Women, Maybe More So For Men
When I read this, it almost knocked me over. 80% of men die married, 80% of women die single 80% of centenarians are women As the subject of this article suggests, you can decide who gets the short end of this stick. Women, I’m sorry you’re likely to outlive your husband. Men, I’m sorry your life was cut shorter than …
Election and the Markets
If there’s one thing we all love, it’s a presidential election! The drama, the excitement, the intrigue…it’s a shame we have one of these only every four years. Well, in light of this craziness layered on top of a pandemic, we wanted to share some timely thoughts with you concerning the upcoming election and the markets. With the help of …
2020 Fall Newsletter: Kansas City
ELEVATED INSIDER As the pandemic continues, the election coverage heats up, and the news cycle throbs with ‘this-is-all-important!’ furious excitement, do you know what feels comforting? The earth still moves steadily around the sun and summer turns into fall. The season change is a strangely comforting reminder that many things are still very normal despite the anxiety we’re feeling that …
Save the Date: Registration Required
Tuesday, November 10th 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm Year End Tax Planning Webinar You Will Learn… • Tax proposals for 2021 and how the S.E.C.U.R.E Act will dramatically affect the way your retirements accounts will be taxed at your death • Year-end tax planning opportunities to take advantage of by 12/31/2020 • How to create tax-free income in retirement • …
Briefcase Study: Can The Financial Markets Be Trusted?
Quite often, I’ll receive a call or an email that goes something like this: “So-and-so on the news said the market is ripe for a big selloff in October or November, what do you think?” I hope you know by now that I always welcome the opportunity to help you with your questions. Keep them coming. This question in particular …
Congratulations Daniel Allgaier
We are excited to announce that our Financial Planner, Daniel Allgaier, recently passed the CFP® exam. The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation is viewed as one of the top designations one can attain in the financial planning industry. This grueling 170-question exam consists of two 3-hour sessions and has a pass rate of about 62%. After studying for over 390 hours …