Life & Planning

What Is to Come… The talking heads in the media like to appear so smart. They talk so confidently about what is going to happen in the market and economy. But “they” do NOT know what is to come! They even interview guest with degrees, credentials, and titles that are supposed to give you confidence…

Being Prepared Is Important Are you prepared? When our kids were babies, my wife always left the house prepared. In fact, I often wondered how she seems to be ready for any situation. Whether it was a runny nose or something more serious, she was always prepared. Are you prepared? Many looking toward retirement, and…

Your Biggest Expense in Retirement It’s most likely not what you think. It’s not your mortgage. It’s not travel. It’s not gifts to family or charity. Your biggest expense in retirement is far more sneaky. Did you know that the top ten percent of income earners pay nearly 70% of the federal income taxes in…

What Happens Next If you are watching the market news… beware. The media headlines are written to grip your attention but not inform sound decision making. What it ultimately does is create unnecessary anxiety and stress. This leads to poor health, low energy, and mental fatigue. The investment industry would lead you to believe that…

Freedom Most people say they want freedom. Freedom to… do what they want, when they want, with whom they want, and contribute where they want. But all too often that freedom remains elusive, especially financial freedom. This freedom remains particularly elusive for those who are retired. Most of the time they have done what they…

New Opportunities The New Year can bring new opportunities… if you’re looking for them. Do you ever wonder why some people find deals while others don’t? There is always that guy or gal who comes out of the Christmas season bragging about some deal they got. This isn’t really helpful, and certainly doesn’t build camaraderie. But…

Grand Opening Now that the first people are getting the vaccine, it feels like we are on the verge of a Grand Opening of our economy. It is especially exciting to see the front line workers get vaccinated, as they have risked their lives every day to save others. The stock market has been anticipating…

Deal Shopping As I strolled the streets of The Avalon this weekend with my daughter, I was surprised by the few Sale signs I saw in the storefront windows. I love getting a deal as long as it is the right kind. Have you ever found a “great” sale to only later realize that indeed…

It Has Finally Arrived The recurring stories in the media are mostly negative about the economy, virus, election, politics, north vs. south, republican vs. democrat, and everything in between. Where the truth lies on each of these issues will be worked out in real everyday life over time, and not in the media where you…

This Week & Always The Thanksgiving holiday kicked off this last weekend with my wife’s parents coming to town. We started with a three-generation golf outing, where my son figured out how to hit a 240-yard drive down the center of the fairway using his baseball stance, motion, and swing. It was a site to…