The Goldilocks Paradox: Enough Savings for Retirement
The Goldilocks Paradox: Enough Savings for Retirement Do you know how much money you should be saving for retirement? As a financial advisor, you probably expect me to have that …
Life Storms: Protecting Your Retirement From Multiple Threats
Life Storms: Protecting Your Retirement From Multiple Threats Gas prices and inflation are spiraling out of control. Investment accounts are suffering. Health costs keep rising. Taxes increases are expected. It’s …
Retiring in a High Inflation Market
Guidance for Retiring in a High Inflation Market Retirement is often referred to as our golden years, and for many on-the-cusp retirees, it’s exciting to anticipate what the future will …
Enough Money to Retire Yet
Boat Shopping and Retirement Savings: Do I Have Enough Money Yet? My family and I recently returned from our annual summer trek to Minnesota, where we take time off from …
Convert Savings Into Retirement Income
How Do You Convert Savings into Retirement Income? How to turn retirement savings accounts into a steady income stream is one of the most crucial questions most people will want …
Tax Free Retirement
Is There Such Thing as a Tax Free Retirement? “I’m going to sell my house and buy a condo on the beach!” “I’m going to buy my dream car!” “We’re …
Why Are Retirees Leaving Money in Their 401k Plans
Why Are Retirees Leaving Their 401K Money With Their Former Employer’s Plan? “It’s your money! You get to decide what to do with it!”, is what my husband recently said …
DIY Financial Planner Problems
Why are DIY Financial Planners Turning to Financial Advisors? “I’ve Got a 401k and Social Security. Why Do I Need a Financial Planner?” Is often said as people enter retirement. …
Why You Need a Financial Planner and an Investment Advisor for Retirement
I’d like to explain what I feel are the two most crucial roles to actually helping people achieve their financial goals: financial planning and investment management. While a financial planner and an investment advisor may be the same individual, ideally they each fulfill two separate purposes.
Secure Act Changes to Retirement Plans
The most sweeping legislative tax or retirement reform in over a decade became active on January 1st, 2020. For some, it may help prepare for retirement, but for others, it may not have a positive impact at all. Those that will be hurt the most are likely those that don’t understand the new changes and how to adjust. As with any change, The SECURE Act may reveal new opportunities with a new retirement strategy.
This Rookie’s Contract Like a Well-Timed Fixed Annuity
A Lesson in Locking in Financial Security from an Unlikely Cubs Newcomer I loved the Cinderella story of this Cubs newcomer even before he displayed his financial savvy. When he …
Everyone Has a Financial Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth
Everyone Has a Financial Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth Mike Tyson is probably the last person you’d want to take financial advice from, but you may want …
Who is Taking a Bite Out of Your Retirement Account?
Who is Taking a Bite Out of Your Retirement Account? Don’t Watch Your Retirement Account Savings Melt Away Like an Ice Cream on a Hot Day! Our family has a …
How to Retire Healthy, Wealthy and Wise
How to Retire Healthy, Wealthy and Wise “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” We’ve all heard the quote, attributed most often to …
Facing SF Employment Severance: Questions About Your Benefits?
Facing SF Employment Severance: Questions About Your Benefits? With yet another wave of workforce reductions, as a financial advisor, I find myself answering some all too familiar questions. With anxiety …
After the Retirement Party
It’s Friday afternoon, and you’re driving home from the retirement party of another co-worker. As you stare off into the distance, driving the comfortable, familiar route to home, you begin to …
Look at Who Can’t Retire at 55!
Rock Star Sammy Hagar can’t retire at 55, but maybe you can! Maybe you remember Sammy Hagar’s song “I can’t drive 55!” back in 1984 before he joined the music …
Best Protection Against Costly Medical Expenses in Retirement?
When reviewing financial forecasts with clients, they are often shocked at projections for medical expenses in retirement 1. I utilize cutting edge software to estimate the increase in costs and …
Which Is More Important, Health or Wealth?
Health and wealth are both very important concerns as we age. As a wealth management firm here in Bloomington Normal, we are focused on the financial side of a successful …
How Can Retirees on a Fixed Budget Afford the Activity & Recreation Center?
The Normal Activity and Recreation Center (ARC) offers incredible services for seniors, as explained by Communications Coordinator, Sammi Oleson in last week’s episode of Retirement & Financial Focus. Some may …
How the ARC Meets Different Fitness, Social and Recreational Needs
The Activity and Recreational Center (ARC) has a mission to serve Bloomington-Normal community members age 55 plus. Their membership is a community of seniors that range over a 30 year …
Why is it So Important to Have a Facility for Retirees?
The Activity and Recreational Center (ARC) of Normal is a community resource serving McLean County members aged fifty-five and over. As baby boomers are reaching retirement in record numbers, this …
What McLean County Retirees Need to Know about the ARC
Since opening it’s doors at the new location at 600 E. Willow Street, in Normal, the membership numbers for the Activity and Recreation Center (ARC) have been growing at a …
The Cost and Benefit of a Financial Planner
A fee-based financial planner provides services outside of what might be offered by a regular stock broker or perhaps an insurance representative selling a financial vehicle. Often times, with retirement …
How do you Know When You Are Able to Retire?
Taking the fear out of retiring is one of the main reasons to enlist the services of a financial planner. Knowing when you are able to retire securely requires careful …
Is It Wise to Trade Your Pension for a Lump Sum?
Most private employers have already replaced traditional pensions, which promise lifetime income payments in retirement, with defined contribution plans such as 401(k)s. But 15% of private-sector workers and 75% of …
Nearing Retirement? Time to Get Focused
Nearing Retirement? Time to Get Focused! If you’re within 10 years of retirement, you’ve probably spent some time thinking about this major life change. The transition to retirement can seem …
Financial Planning: Helping You See the Big Picture
Do you picture yourself owning a new home, starting a business, or retiring comfortably? These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each …
Do You Know the Difference Between a Financial Advisor and Broker?
Today’s financial climate is drastically different than it was 50 years ago. Now most households are run on two incomes, people have to take out second mortgages to put their …