Understanding the Emotional—and Financial—Tradeoffs In a world of two incomes, rising costs, college expenses out the wazoo, and the cultural erosion (or downright mockery) of “the mom at home,” the decision for one parent to stay home with the kids is anything but simple. It can feel like a battlefield—full of emotional tripwires, subtle judgment, […]
The Hidden Risks of Filing Social Security Filing for Social Security might seem straightforward: pick a date, sign the paperwork, and wait for the checks to roll in. But in reality, there are crucial timing, tax, and strategic considerations that can derail your retirement income plan if overlooked. These missteps can delay income, reduce lifetime […]
Thinking About Retiring Soon? Here’s How to Make the Most of Your Final Year at Work If you’re 6 to 12 months away from retirement, this is your window to get strategic. Not just with your money—but with your mindset, your goals, and your game plan. Many people enter retirement thinking it’s all about numbers: […]
Umbrella Insurance for Retirees This is a question we hear often — especially from retirees who’ve worked hard to build a nest egg. That nest egg might include your home, car, or boat — all covered by property and casualty (P&C) insurance — as well as liquid assets like IRAs, 401(k)s, brokerage accounts, and HSAs. […]
When you’re self-employed, saving for retirement can feel like one more thing to manage on top of running your business. But if you’re a solo entrepreneur—especially one with no employees—there’s a powerful retirement savings tool that checks nearly every box: the Solo 401(k). Whether you’re a freelancer, consultant, realtor, or run your own LLC, the […]
Retirement Isn’t the Finish Line For many people, the word “retirement” evokes images of slowing down, living off savings, and withdrawing from financial growth. But the truth is, retirement doesn’t have to mark the end of building wealth. In fact, with the right approach, retirees can continue growing their assets and leaving a meaningful legacy […]
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of closing a deal. You’ve worked hard, stayed persistent, managed high-maintenance clients, and somehow kept the deal alive until signing day. The wire hits. The commission clears. For a brief moment, it feels like everything is worth it. But three months later, you’re back in the grind—and somehow, that […]
Introduction: Avoiding Costly Estate Planning Mistakes Estate planning can feel overwhelming. Between the technical jargon and conflicting advice, it’s easy to make mistakes that could cost your loved ones time, money, and peace of mind. I see two main types of mistakes when it comes to estate planning: not planning at all and planning way […]
We’ve worked with clients at all stages of retirement planning, and we can tell you that the last decade before retirement is one of the most critical—and often the most stressful—periods in a person’s financial life. Here are seven mistakes we see people make as they approach retirement: 1. Tightening Up the Budget Too Much […]
Let me cut to the chase: yes. And us planners have been recommending that for years. You absolutely should plan for retirement like Social Security won’t be there for you. That’s not some alarmist, prepper-style rant—it’s just practical financial planning. If it’s there when you retire? Great. That’s a bonus. But if it’s not? You’ll […]
