Spending In Retirement: More Or Less?
The question is easy to ask but incredibly difficult to answer. When faced with the question, it seems that the inner monologue of many aspiring retirees is screaming “We really should know this, but…” Of course, the question is intended to discover what your expenses are now and what they’re likely to be once you’re retired, a key piece of …
Predicting the Future of the Market
Every so often I’ll read an article sent to me that says something to the effect of, “The stock market is poised for a HUGE loss, according to someone really smart.” I genuinely appreciate receiving these articles because I want to know what you’re reading out there, and if there’s validity to the article then let’s learn from it! With …
Why It’s So Hard To Get Organized Financially
A friend of ours had a wild experience when their cat brought a live chipmunk into their house and just dropped it. When a live wild animal is dropped into your home, you have some decisions to make. You can decide to catch and release it, try to kill it, or simply ignore it and hope it helps itself out. …
Our firm is excited to announce the launch of Elevated Financial Wellness!
Studies show that eighty percent of employers’ report that financial stress is lowering their employees’ productivity level, and it’s costing them nearly half a trillion dollars annually.* The EFW platform provides financial wellness technology with a human approach. Employees will not only have access to assessment tools to understand their financial/retirement needs but will also have access to our …
Back to the Basics: Why Buying Luxury Items Is Less Harmful at 62 Than at 22
Why Buying Luxury Items Is Less Harmful at 62 Than at 22 This rant may come as a surprise to you, at least coming from me. It’s actually a little surprising to me that I’m writing it because I wrestle with this topic quite a bit. The subject is that of luxury items; things like a ’69 Camaro, a Florida …
Briefcase Study: Consider the Platinum Rule
Are You A Caregiver? Consider the Platinum Rule In this Briefcase Study, we’re going to focus on a topic that isn’t financial, necessarily, but a heart issue instead. If you find yourself, like so many others, caring for a family member as they age, you’re doing some very challenging work. We hear a lot of the stories from the families …
Caregivers and the Bystander Effect
Have you ever witnessed an emergency like a car accident or a person having a seizure or other medical issue? Did you immediately jump in and assist that person in crisis? Was there a dialog in your head that said something to the effect of, “I’m sure somebody else will handle this; I mean, there are so many other people …
Can There Be a Retirement Planning Formula?
For years, I’ve been on a quest to determine the optimum set of inputs to design the ideal retirement plan. And while the topic of formulas may not appeal to you, I hope you’re somewhat comforted that it does hold some appeal for me, a retirement planning guy. I’ve thought much about the ideal blend of guaranteed income sources, risk-based …
Frugal Is As Frugal Does, Mostly
Years ago, when I first began in this business of money stuff, I had it in my head and in my heart that I wanted to help people budget better in an effort to save more money for long-term goals. After all, that’s the subject that attracted me to this business in the first place. My wife and I had …
A ‘TINA’ Market? Who’s TINA?
We need to talk about the stock market for just a bit. And before some of you tune me out because investments aren’t your thing, at least read far enough that you learn a new term with which to impress your friends. Because not only do I want you to win financially, I also want you to have a strong …