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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 …

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Service and Experience Updates

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

As we announced a few weeks ago, we are in the process of making some service and experience updates to our investment management platform.  These are being done to enhance your overall investment journey while preserving the elements that have been fundamental to our relationship with you.  Because the changes require you to complete some forms, we wanted to provide …

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2024 Summer Newsletter: Salt Lake City

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

The dog days of summer are upon us.  And though it’s hot and sticky outside, and we’d like to simply be lazy and sleep all day like our family dog, summer is a busy time for my family and me. My daughter, Coraline, will be a sophomore in high school this next year and made the varsity cheer team. Cheer …

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Back to the Basics: Tax Planning Opportunities for Retirees

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

Most people probably don’t consider this, but the single largest expense every year for a successful retiree isn’t putting fuel in the RV or even medical costs; it’s taxes. Between property, sales, and income taxes, the numbers can get pretty big pretty fast. Given this sneaky financial reality, tax planning has become an essential part of retirement planning because it …

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Briefcase Study: A Hybrid Retirement

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

When shopping for a new car, buyers are now faced with many more choices than whether to get the blue one or the silver one. Choosing among powertrain options has made the process much more intellectual and even political. While some may choose a traditional gas-powered engine, others opt for the chance to go all electric. But for some, the …