When most people think about financial planning, they think about investing. Questions like, “What should I invest in?” or “Is this a good stock?” are some of the most common ones we hear. Investments are certainly important, but they’re only one piece of the puzzle. In fact, some of the

This weekend, my middle son Ethan graduates from high school. Like most parents, I’m not entirely sure how we got here so quickly. It feels like just yesterday he was jumping in piles of leaves, playing around with his brother, or fishing, boating, catching insects…generally doing anything outdoors…. now we

School’s Out (a great Alice Cooper song) I hear that song in my head every time our kids’ schools end for the summer. I have to admit it’s mainly from watching the movie Dazed and Confused vs. being a huge fan of Alice Cooper. Note that this movie is from 1993, and I am not […]

“I’ll do it later.” How many times have you said that? How many times have you heard your spouse, friends, children, parents, etc., say that? According to a 2018 study by Joseph R. Ferrari and Thomas P. Tibbett, 20% of the US population consider themselves “chronic procrastinators,” and while I am no

As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, the evolution of retirement tells a powerful story about how Americans have worked, saved, and planned for the future across generations. From family farms in colonial America to today’s 401(k)-driven retirement system, retirement has changed dramatically alongside

Money is one of the more common sources of stress in a marriage, yet it is often the least discussed topic early on. Conversations about goals, debts, and financial boundaries are not always easy or pleasant, but they are necessary. For couples in their peak earning years or approaching retirement, financial decisions

Over the weekend, I attended a Leadership training session about Artificial Intelligence (AI). It was a fascinating conversation all the way around about what AI actually is (spoiler alert: computers are dumb – they need precise information – and AI is built on predictive analytics). Given enough information (i.e.

When reviewing clients’ financial plans, we often discuss estate planning and the benefits that can come from getting things in order ahead of time (aka before dying). Often, the conversation starts with trying to avoid taxes, but for most of us (with less than $15 million or $30 million if married), there is little

If there were one perfect diet or one perfect investment strategy, everyone would follow it. But just like physical health, financial wellness is deeply personal. There are no magic bullets, progress is rarely linear, and lasting success is a marathon, not a sprint. Financial Wellness Is Not One-Size-Fits-All In