No matter who you are or where you come from, you have goals in life. Things you want to do. The type of person you want to become. It’s a common link between all men and women who have ever lived or ever will live. Inside each of us is a restless soul who wants…
DetailsThe Government Is Open Again. What To Expect. As you probably know, the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States recently ended.1 During the shutdown, many government employees were furloughed or required to work without pay, with some government services temporarily halted or scaled back. The question many people have asked me…
DetailsOf course, it’s not uncommon to see someone resolve to spend less money, save more, or get out of debt. Those are all good, but let’s talk about a few financial resolutions you may not have thought of. Pay Attention to Your Retirement Savings If you haven’t yet retired, and have access to an employee…
DetailsEvery January, it’s customary to look back at the year that was. What were the highlights? What were the “lowlights”? What were the events we’ll always remember? Most importantly, what did we learn? When we review 2018, it’s possible to draw very different conclusions. If you were to Google “2018 year in review in the…
DetailsThe start of the New Year nudges many of us into reflecting on the past year and committing to our goals, and ourselves, for the year to come. Some of us are very diligent and some only end up with good intentions. Either way my hope is that you can make substantial change in…
DetailsHoliday Schedule We will be closed for Christmas starting at 2:00pm on Friday, December 21st and all day Monday and Tuesday, December 24th and 25th. The office will be open from 9:00am to 2:00pm Wednesday – Friday and Monday, December 26th through December 31st. We will be closed for New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1st. ***…
DetailsAlmost everyone has read Charles Dickens’ classic novel, “A Christmas Carol.” Even if you haven’t read the book, you probably know the story. Ebenezer Scrooge, a rich, miserly businessman, takes cruel pleasure in hoarding his money while his less fortunate employee, Bob Cratchit, struggles just to keep his family warm. But on Christmas Eve, Scrooge…
Detailsby W. E. Petersen During the waning years of the Depression in a small southeastern Idaho community, I used to stop by Mr. Miller’s roadside stand for farm-fresh produce, as the season made it available. Food and money were still extremely scarce, and barter was used extensively. On one particular day, as Mr. Miller was bagging…
DetailsWe have approximately 40 days left to consider a Roth conversion for 2018 (these must be completed by December 31st each year and we prefer December 20th). It’s generally a good idea for investors to consider including a Roth IRA in their overall retirement planning. Roth IRAs have the potential to grow tax-free, which may…
DetailsSometimes people ask me what to watch out for when it comes to investing their money. I think they usually expect me to tell them about a specific stock to avoid, or something like that. But my answer is far different. You see, one of the biggest things to watch out for is actually the…
DetailsHalloween may have been yesterday, but there’s something much more incredible that happened 15 years ago, October 31st… October 31, 2003, an aspiring professional surfer named Bethany Hamilton went onto the ocean near her home in Hawaii. As she had done many times before, she lay down on her board and trailed her left arm…
DetailsI present you with two quotes: “Democracy is the form of government in which the free are rulers.” – Aristotle “I tell you, all politics is applesauce.” – Will Rogers Whichever quote best describes your attitude about the upcoming election, the fact remains that on November 6, we have an opportunity to perform our civic…
DetailsIt’s October, which means autumn is upon us. But this year, it’s not just the leaves that are falling. The markets have been falling, too. On Wednesday, October 10, the Dow slid more than 800 points. The S&P 500 fell for the fifth straight day. And the tech-heavy NASDAQ was hit hardest of all, dropping…
Details“Leave no stone unturned.” – Euripedes The Ancient Greek playwright, Euripedes, once told a tale about two opposing generals. The first general, who was rich, decided to bury his treasure before a great battle. Unfortunately for him, the second general was victorious and decided to take the treasure for himself. Unable to find it, he…
DetailsIf you are younger than 65, you probably wonder what all the fuss is about as you’re bombarded with television ads for Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans this time of year. If you’re over 65 you already know the Medicare open enrollment season begins October 15th and runs through December 7th. Each year, insurance…
DetailsA major part of my job – perhaps the most important part – is helping people reach their financial goals in life. Over the years, I’ve discovered that while things like planning, saving, and investing are crucial, it’s equally important to look beyond the numbers. Achievement is about more than just spreadsheets or quarterly statements. …
DetailsThe Focus Formula Focus is a skill that drives success, productivity, and the ability to generate new ideas and possibilities. When you’re truly focused, you’re at the top of your game. Great musicians, doctors, actors, lawyers, and athletes know this. Without focus, their performances become flawed and mistakes are made, often serious mistakes. How do…
DetailsWhy Open a my Social Security Account? I’ve written about this before, I want to encourage you again to go to ssa.gov/myaccount and open a Social Security account. This is not just for people who are close to retirement. Everyone should open their own account with SSA—before someone else does. Here’s Why: I heard about…
DetailsHuman beings are obsessed with setting records. The fastest. The strongest. The first. The longest. It’s exciting whenever a new record gets set. It makes us feel like we’re witnesses to something important, something historic. Something we can tell our grandchildren about. And now, we can add a new record to the list: The Longest…
DetailsIt’s easy to treat Labor Day as little more than the last summer holiday. As one more opportunity to visit the lake. As a day for barbecues or sipping lemonade on the hammock. After all, Labor Day lacks the historical traditions of Independence Day or the gravity of Memorial Day. It’s just not quite as…
DetailsWhat’s in a Phrase: Your Retirement There are certain phrases that have become so pervasive in our culture that we rarely stop to think about what they mean. Many of these sayings contain some very profound lessons that can apply directly to your retirement. Here are some of my favorites. April Showers Bring May Flowers:…
DetailsAs my birthday approaches, I’ve been thinking about certain milestones. Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we’re kids? If you’re less than 10 years old, you’re so excited about aging that you think in fractions. “How old are you?” “I’m four and a…
DetailsWhen we plan retirement some don’t want to hear how much it may help to work a few more months. I’ve just reviewed a new study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Their research confirms working a few years longer has a bigger impact on improving retirement income security for older workers than…
Details“Printing ink, not black, solid.” “Yarn (not sewing thread) of synthetic staple fibers, mixed mainly with artificial staple fibers.” “Meat of swine other than hams, shoulders, bellies and cuts thereof, salted, brined, or smoked.” “Organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in liquid or cream.” You’re probably wondering what in the world I’m…
DetailsDo you have the legal forms that you need for your children who are now adults (or about to be)? We’re about to send Julia, our daughter, off to college in two weeks. At the same time, she will be turning 18 and be living out of state. I have heard too many stories of…
DetailsRoberto Clemente – Baseball Hero As July comes and goes and we enter the dog days of summer, I always enjoy baseball and the pennant races. The playoff race takes a break in mid-July and Joshua and I enjoyed baseball’s stars at the Mid-Summer Classic, also known as the All-Star Game. While it can be…
DetailsQuarterly Market Review The second quarter of 2018 is now officially closed, and with July 4th just past, it’s safe to say the summer season is in full swing. While for many of us the main features of July are cookouts and trips to the mountains or beach, this month also holds a special place…
DetailsSome rules are meant to be broken—like the one about not wearing white after Labor Day. Others should remain sacrosanct, such as the rules of good credit. Those are the kind of rules that can make life easier and happier when you follow them—and help ensure your finances stay in good order, too. Unlike fashion…
DetailsBirthdays are a time for giving gifts. Independence Day is just around the corner and on our nation’s birthday, I thought it appropriate to look into perhaps the most recognizable gift our country has ever received, the Statue of Liberty. It Began with a Medal Lady Liberty is one of the world’s most recognizable symbols…
DetailsI recently received a treatise entitled “Get Out of Your Own Way.” The author of the first section is anonymous; the last part is a great quote by Frank Outlaw. Together, they remind me of the importance of having a positive mental attitude as we journey through life. Be careful what you ask for—you just…
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