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Client Corner: Let’s Explore

In Articles, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, SLC Winter 2025 by Scott Dougan

We have been successful business owners, entrepreneurs, and adventure-driven people who love exploring and pioneering. Even though retired, we still pursue these avenues for a gratifying life. We love traveling, especially to beautiful mountainous areas. Together, we enjoy hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing, while Bob also loves Alpine skiing and golf. Bob’s corporate career with a large public corporation …

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2025 Winter Newsletter: Salt Lake City

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

As is our style, my family hit the ground running in 2025. With both kids basically in year-round sports, we took advantage of the short break around the holidays to relax together in St. George – sleeping in was required. It was a much-needed recharge, but we’re happy to be back at home in a routine, as busy as it …

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Briefcase Study: Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Briefcase Studies, SLC Winter 2025, Winter 2025 by Scott Dougan

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Do you also keep New Year’s Resolutions? I’m not a big resolutions guy, but I’m happy to hear from others who’ve had a resolution actually stick. A friend of mine started a resolution to floss his teeth daily starting on January 1st, 2012, and hasn’t missed a day since. When you read this, assuming …

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Back to the Basics: New Year Reflection

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Back to the Basics, SLC Winter 2025, Winter 2025 by Scott Dougan

New Year Reflection: The Mexican Fisherman and the American Businessman As we embark on another year, it’s natural to think about our goals and ambitions—working harder, saving more, and striving for greater ‘success’. But amidst this drive, it’s worth pausing to reflect on what we truly want out of life. One story that captures this sentiment beautifully is the parable …

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Client Corner: Retirement is Everything We Hoped it Would Be

In Articles, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, SLC Fall 2024 by Scott Dougan

Toby and I retired 2 1/2 years ago after long careers with the federal government. At first, we were concerned about staying busy, but soon found ourselves taking classes at the U of U, playing pickleball, golfing, hiking, and doing volunteer taxes. Needless to say, our days are filled! We are also determined to live these “go go” years to …

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Service Updates

In Articles, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, SLC Fall 2024 by Scott Dougan

Our Service & Experience Enhancement Project is Complete With your help, we were able to complete our service and experience enhancement project a couple of weeks ago and fully transition to our new investment management platform.  During our annual Advisor’s Summit at the office in Kansas City, our advisors had the opportunity to connect with Head of Sales, Kevin Thornton, …

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2024 Fall Newsletter: Salt Lake City

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

It’s hard to believe we are coming up on just the last few months of 2024. I don’t know about you, but this year had flown by faster than any year before. We completed the last of our major remodeling projects here at the ERG office. Just last month a new, more secure front door was installed with a lot …

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Back to the Basics: Retire Your Debts Before Retirement?

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Back to the Basics, Fall 2024, SLC Fall 2024 by Scott Dougan

Before retirement, most people would like to pay off any remaining debts, so they can feel good going into that next phase of life all tidied-up. That makes a lot of sense, both financially and psychologically. In a recent meeting, we not only discussed this but put a plan together that was well received by the family, so we thought …

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Briefcase Study: Pairing Retirement Needs with Retirement Assets

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Briefcase Studies, Fall 2024, SLC Fall 2024 by Scott Dougan

Years ago, I was asked a very specific question by a curious friend: “What’s one piece of advice you’d offer retirees who are concerned about planning their retirement?” It’s a fair question but admittedly difficult to answer without going into a long speech that may be more than he was bargaining for. I shared a number of thoughts, but here’s …

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Client Corner: Time to See The World

In Articles, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, SLC Summer 2024 by Scott Dougan

During my lifetime, I’ve nurtured a desire to travel, and as a result have been fortunate to visit all 50 States – with amazing sites and experiences too numerous to mention within our beautiful country! I’m grateful that retirement has continued to afford me the opportunity to further this passion on a global scale. As a widower, my traveling companions …