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What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here.  If there's a financial concept that you've heard about and just don't get, send us a note and we'll try to demystify it for you and others.  These posts are 

S2-4U (Simply Sophisticated For You)

So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along. 

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

To find out if you have any abandoned bank accounts, you can take the following steps: Check your records: Review your financial records to see if you can remember opening any bank accounts in the past. Check your old checkbooks...

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Your "why" of financial planning is your personal reason for wanting to improve your financial situation. Everyone's "why" is different and can be shaped by various factors, such as your values, goals, and life experiences. Here...

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Moving can have significant financial implications, so it's important to consider the following financial planning factors when you're planning to move: Cost of living: The cost of living can vary significantly from one location...

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

There is no definitive age at which it is too late to buy long-term care insurance, as the answer can vary depending on your individual circumstances. However, it is generally recommended that people consider purchasing long-term care...

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

The decision to buy or lease a car depends on your personal financial situation and priorities. Here are some factors to consider: Benefits of Buying a Car: Ownership: When you buy a car, you own it and can keep it without...

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Wednesday, May 17, 2023

The decision to invest excess cash or pay down a mortgage depends on several factors, including your financial goals, risk tolerance, and the interest rates on your mortgage and potential investments. Here are some things to...

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Preparing for the possibility of losing your job can be a stressful and challenging experience. However, taking steps to prepare can help you manage the situation better. Here are some things you can do to prepare for job...

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Yes, it is generally recommended that you save for retirement even if you have debt. While it's important to pay off your debt, saving for retirement is also essential because it takes time to build up a sufficient retirement nest egg....

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

F.I.R.E. (Financially Independent, Retire Early) is a financial movement focused on achieving financial independence and early retirement. The goal of F.I.R.E. is to accumulate enough savings and investments to achieve financial...

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Starting a financial plan for your family is an important step towards achieving your financial goals and securing your financial future. Here are some steps you can take to start a financial plan for your family: Set financial...

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Tax-loss harvesting is a strategy used to minimize tax liability by selling securities that have decreased in value and realizing a capital loss. The idea is to offset capital gains on other investments by using the capital losses to...

Friday, April 7, 2023

What's the prognosis for Social Security?

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

The most beneficial age to claim Social Security benefits depends on your personal circumstances and financial situation. Claiming benefits early may mean a significant decrease of total potential lifetime income.

Saturday, April 1, 2023

1. Set a budget for monthly spending. 2. Eat 3 helpings of fruits and vegetables daily. 3. Get at least 7 hours of sleep. 4. Read a book a month. Often when the discussion of New Year's Resolutions comes up among friends or co-workers,...

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

There are several ways to reduce your income tax payments. It's important to note that the tax laws can be complex, and what works for one person may not work for another.

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Investing in the stock market can be a daunting task, especially if you're new to it or have had negative experiences in the past. However, with a few strategies, you can overcome your fear and start investing with confidence...

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Saving one million dollars is a significant financial goal that requires discipline and a long-term perspective. Here are some general steps you can take to help you achieve this goal: Set a specific savings goal: Define a...

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Saving enough to retire with your current lifestyle will require careful planning and disciplined saving. Here are some steps you can take to help you achieve this goal:  Determine your retirement goals: Start by thinking...

Thursday, February 16, 2023

7 Important Reasons to Consider a move to Independent Living CommunitiesMany older Americans consider aging-in-place in their current home to be their “best” choice for living independently.  Retirement communities...

Monday, January 30, 2023

Late in 2022, the SECURE Act 2.0 passed Congress with bi-partisan support. The changes will affect almost everyone who is planning for, or in retirement. Learn some of the key new rules.

Friday, January 6, 2023

The SECURE Act 2.0 passed at year-end by Congress has numerous new key features that can impact your retirement planning. Here's a quick summary.

Thursday, October 27, 2022

I’ve always been a little cautious when people say, “it’s different this time.” But the table below suggests the Fed is approaching 2022’s inflation differently than other financial events in recent...

Friday, August 26, 2022

The Biden Administration's $10,000 college debt relief executive order is just a band-aid for a much bigger problem and does nothing to fix the systemic problems in funding higher education.

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Celebrate "Older American's Month" by engaging in the community, staying physically active, and reviewing your estate.

Monday, March 21, 2022

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Thursday, December 30, 2021

To boost the chances that your savings will let you live comfortably in retirement, there are six primary areas of risk that you need to address.

Monday, November 15, 2021

With year-end approaching, it is time to think about moves that may help lower your tax bill for this year and next. This year’s planning is more challenging than usual due to the uncertainty surrounding pending legislation....

Friday, September 24, 2021

Since women tend to live longer than men, there’s an ongoing joke in senior living communities that the only thing more attractive than an eligible man in the community is an eligible man who can still drive at night. We chuckle...

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

“Be Prepared” is the Scout motto. It is the foundation that guides these boys in almost all their scouting activities. Thinking ahead and considering potential contingencies that may likely occur is the key to safety and...

Thursday, August 5, 2021

There are two types of intelligence that all humans acquire, crystallized intelligence and fluid intelligence. Crystallized intelligence is the part of our intelligence that is developed and strengthened over time. This is our...

Thursday, July 15, 2021

The time may come when moving your loved one to a community that can best meet the physical and medical needs of a loved one is in their best interests. When their strength, physical or cognitive abilities are deteriorating, getting...

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

If done right, investing in the market can build wealth over time. Building a road without preparing the base would be dangerous due to premature wear and tear, potholes, and road erosion. Just as a street with a solid foundation will...

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Beginning the care conversation with your loved ones can be daunting, especially since they are not familiar with that potential change of lifestyle, and may not want to accept their need for care. There are several ways to approach...

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Inflation has emerged as one of the top financial concerns for investors as they size up the economy for the rest of the year.According to research by Deutsche Bank, Google searches for “inflation” are rising rapidly and...

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

I enjoy the ease and simplicity of setting up a meal in the slow cooker at lunchtime and allowing it to stew throughout the afternoon. The smell of the spices throughout the house and the peace of mind knowing dinner plans have been...

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

This is the time of year where post-season prognostications are made. As spring training begins, Major League Baseball fans across the country begin to wonder if this is the year their favorite team can win the pennant and make it to...

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Hardly a day goes by that the topic of bitcoin or other cryptocurrency assets doesn’t come up in meetings with clients and prospects or from friends and relatives who want to know, “what all the buzz is about?”The...

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Are you clear on what your family would do if there were a fire in your house? Are you clear on what would happen if you or your spouse were unexpectedly disabled or were to die prematurely? Follow this guide to make sure

Saturday, December 12, 2020

As the United States sees a rise in cases of COVID-19 across the nation, news of two promising vaccines out of hundreds being tested has offered a ray of hope for a fatigued world.1 A positive reaction to these vaccines affects every...

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Instead of debating about politics or sports whenever they get together, what if families spent some time having candid discussions about their finances and plans for the future? We know money is a hard topic for many families to...

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

When I was in high school, I ran on the cross country team. After a long practice run, I would consider how challenging it must be to run the 26.2 miles that comprise full marathon. I made it a life's goal to someday run a marathon...

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

It should come as no surprise to hear the economy is the top issue for voters in the 2020 election. Nearly 8 in ten voters say that the economy will be very important to them when they cast their votes.1But when voters say...

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Nobody wants to die, but we all want to do what’s best for those we leave behind. Leaving assets outright to a surviving spouse through your will might seem like a great idea. But have you considered the risks of doing so. First...

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Due to COVID-19, Americans are spending more time at home than ever before, leading to a record amount of spending on home improvement.1It’s not that big of a surprise since many Americans now find their homes are doing triple...

Thursday, August 6, 2020

“Complexity creates confusion, simplicity focus.”--Edward deBono Eleven seconds. The National Council on Aging tell us that on average an elderly person suffers a fall in the United States every eleven seconds. In the four...

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

The CARES Act, which provided many Americans with a $1200 direct economic stimulus payment also offered additional one-year additional tax saving benefit. Realizing that 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations were also hurt by reduced...

Friday, May 15, 2020

I’m a Terrible Gamer… Finished with college finals, my sons have gone back to video games. There is something mesmerizing about watching my kids play video games, pulling in vast amounts of visual information from the...

Friday, May 8, 2020

If I were offered to replace Theo Epstein as General Manager of the @Cubs, would I decide to build a lineup solely consisting of left-handed power hitters and hard throwing right-handed pitchers? Doing so would likely limit the...

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Parts of India have monkeys--a lot of them. When the Royal Calcutta Golf Course was planned, the developers never thought that monkeys might like to chase after, steal, or move golf balls. It turns out monkeys are as attracted to...

Friday, March 27, 2020

5 Steps to take right away if you find yourself unemployed File for State unemployment insurance. Find out if the group life insurance provided by the company is portable. Get your monthly spending under control. Update your resume and...

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

We have witnessed some extraordinary moves in the financial markets during the past few trading sessions. In recent days, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has fallen by over 7 percent more than once. Ongoing concerns over the...

Friday, March 6, 2020

As a child on a driving vacation, (before GPS technology) some of our favorite family road trips were through the Appalachian Mountains in Tennessee. My siblings and I would take turns following with their finger along the atlas map,...

Friday, February 21, 2020

The majority of families I meet with have competent advisors—attorneys, CPAs, investment advisors and insurance specialists—that have guided them through their years offering what the professional believes to be the right...

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

I have been working with a new client whose previous financial advisor had recommended she begin receiving her Social Security retirement benefits checks once she reached her early claiming age of 62. “Susan” had begun...

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

We have an unfenced backyard and a 12-week-old puppy. The Cook County Forest preserve is less than a mile from our neighborhood, and the occasional coyote sighting has not been unexpected. As a result, when Bailey has to go out to...

Friday, January 31, 2020

In the movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray plays the role of TV weatherman Phil Connors. His character finds himself re-living the same February 2 over and over again with the chance to optimize the outcomes when he realized the day would...

Monday, January 6, 2020

I was recently interviewed about my experience helping families of seniors plan for care and transitions. In the article, Planning for Seniors we discuss four key areas of planning to simplify a care-giving situation and provide...

Friday, December 13, 2019

I stood there staring at the shower handle, knowing what I “had” to do. Last month, Carl Richards, author of The Behavior Gap challenged financial advisors to do something hard—to start their morning by making...

Friday, November 15, 2019

“The checkbook and the calendar don’t lie.” I can truly tell what’s most important to clients by looking at where they spend their time and money. When something is important enough, they will make room in the...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Perhaps cheering for the Bears this year is a little crazy, but this photo was taken some years ago when they were Superbowl contenders. Last week we said a final good-bye to our beloved dog, Scout. As the family grieved, tasks that...

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

"Give me 6 hours to chop down a tree, and I'll spend the first four sharpening my ax"--Abraham Lincoln Habit 7 of Steven Covey's bestselling book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is "Sharpen the Saw". Consistent attention to...

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

When I was a new financial advisor, I found that different people respond to different approaches when learning financial concepts. Some wanted to see the data, others were fine with a general discussion, but the vast majority of...

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end" Though most people recognize this quote as a line from the late '90's hit "Closing Time" by the band Semisonic, it is actually attributable to the Roman writer and philosopher...

Monday, August 5, 2019

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with a wonderful group of friends from high school to play a round of golf. Everyone threw in $10 to “the pot” for the winning team. For this golf round, we agreed we...

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

In the movie Avengers: Infinity War, one of the superheroes, Dr. Strange, at a key part of the movie goes into a trance. During that time, he was able to time-travel run through more than 14 million potential outcomes of a...

Sunday, June 30, 2019

“Ghosting” in the dating scene happens when there is the start of what appears to be a relationship and then all communications go dark—calls aren’t returned, emails go unanswered, text messages often remain...

Monday, November 19, 2018

Tip: How Much? Check your Social Security earnings and see an estimate of your benefits on the website, www.ssa.gov. Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how...