What You’ll See When the Tide Goes Out
Some seasons announce themselves gently. Others arrive with unexpected surprises. So far, 2026 feels like the latter — filled with news that makes us think more carefully about security, stability, and the people we care about most. Surprises can act as a spotlight. They draw our attention to what we value, where we may feel exposed, and what deserves protection....
Valentine’s Reflections on Money, Wealth, and Retirement
With Valentine’s Day last weekend, it feels fitting to reflect on our relationship with money—and how it supports the life we want to live. In retirement planning, there’s a common paradox: while money is essential, it is not the same as wealth. True wealth includes health, relationships, purpose, time, and peace of mind. In fact, the pursuit of money alone...
The Habits That Make Us Human
Earlier this week, the groundhog saw his shadow — six more weeks of winter, or so tradition says. It’s a familiar ritual that always seems to prompt a moment of reflection: how easily life can settle into patterns that feel repetitive. Same season. Same story. Same headlines. And yet within those routines, there’s always an opportunity to see change...
Chasing Wealth: Why It Gets More Expensive Every Year
A curious inflation story from the past year: the Cost of Living Extremely Well Index—which tracks billionaire spending—rose 5.5% in 2025, roughly twice the inflation most households experienced. Yachts, private jets, designer fashion, and trophy homes—status-heavy purchases—climbed faster than everyday costs. When spending is tied to visibility and signaling success, prices tend to rise relentlessly. As Psychology of Money author...
The Point of It All? Enlightenment, or at Least Calm
When we talk about the future, the focus usually lands on numbers: savings targets, performance reports, next steps. Those matter, of course, but they aren’t the ultimate point. Part of the purpose of preparing for what’s ahead is to enjoy future freedom—stepping back from the noise and finding a sense of calm and direction that feels right to you. Every...
The Most Honest Prediction for 2026
If it feels like every week brings a new plot twist—geopolitical shifts, emerging tech, policy changes, breaking news—you’re not imagining it. The world’s moving fast, and the forecasts keep coming. But the most honest prediction of all? Nobody knows exactly what’s next. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s expected. Uncertainty is part of every financial environment. What matters more is...
Don’t Just Think. Do.
January brings twelve fresh months and a quiet challenge to make them count. And though many resolutions this time of year focus on getting fit, true fitness strengthens every aspect of your life—physical, emotional, and financial—keeping them in balance. To highlight that, a recent Empower survey called “Money on the Mind” found that Americans spend nearly four hours each day...
Finish 2025 Strong, Step Powerfully Into 2026
Every year leaves a trail of numbers behind—evidence of choices, effort, and focus. Each contribution, payment, and investment of your resources becomes part of a much bigger picture: the story of how daily discipline transforms into lasting progress. Steady, thoughtful action has a quiet brilliance that can compound over time. This final stretch of the year can be a strategic...
The Good You Give Away Has a Way of Coming Back
Some gifts don’t come wrapped. They arrive when you surprise a neighbor with food, check in on a friend, or give without expecting anything in return. Those generous moments shape this season, and though all types of giving count, I hope you’re finding time for the kind that matters most to you. This season finds us in a time of...
A Season for Reflection — and Renewed Perspective
As the days grow shorter and air turns colder, many of us find ourselves slowing down before the full rush of the holidays begins. This quieter season offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and consider where we stand, both personally and financially. Much of the conversation in financial circles lately has centered on whether today’s markets might be over‑inflated by...
Getting What You Really Want This Holiday Season
With holiday season ahead of us, thoughts turn to giving —or getting—that perfect gift. The one that earns a big smile or a spark of surprise. But research and real life keep showing the same truth: price doesn’t equal meaning, and thoughtful doesn’t have to mean extravagant. This year, with headlines full of talk about affordability and the rising costs...
Is it time for strategic hibernation?
Please pass the pumpkin pie—and that paperwork you’ve been putting off. Thanksgiving is about good food, friends, family, and gratitude. But it’s also a rare pause in our busy year, a moment when everyone finally ends up in the same room. Between the laughter and the leftovers, it might be the perfect time to do something unexpectedly meaningful: talk together...
Is it time for strategic hibernation?
Now that the air’s turning crisp and the days feel shorter, it’s clear that nature has its own way of reminding us to slow down and get ready for what’s ahead. This year’s market activity has had a similar vibe—progress hasn’t moved in a straight line, and there’s been no shortage of noise and uncertainty. When that happens, many...
Changing The Way You Think
With the recent time change, many of us have been resetting clocks and routines for the season ahead. It’s a good reminder that even small shifts can make a real difference—especially in how we think about money. Most financial conversations focus on performance—returns, market swings, retirement timing. Important topics, but sometimes that focus on numbers misses the real question: What’s...
You’ve Got More Capacity Than You Think
As fall settles in, many of us turn our attention to seasonal routines—clearing the yard, checking the gutters, bringing in the plants before the first frost. It’s a time to take stock, to clear out what’s finished and make room for what still holds promise. Any seasoned gardener knows that once a plant outgrows its container, its roots stop spreading...
During Scary Headline Season, Here’s What Really Matters
Halloween may come once a year, but for many people, anxiety around money and the future lasts far longer. Debt, stretched budgets, or savings goals that never seem to stick can feel intimidating—and easy to avoid. This year, many Americans are confronting a tough mix of financial realities: higher living costs, increasing energy bills, record household debt, and an uncertain...
Government Shutdown: What It Could Mean for You
Federal government shutdowns tend to sound more alarming than they usually are. While headlines spark anxiety, history shows these episodes rarely leave lasting scars on the economy or markets. Did you know that since 1976, the U.S. has experienced 20 funding gaps, resulting in 10 shutdowns with most only lasting about a week? Even the longest, 34 days in...
12 Weeks Left in 2025: What Will You Lock In On?
Economic headlines and uncertainty can make even the most capable people freeze. Experts call it money paralysis—the feeling that the stakes are so high you’re better off doing nothing at all. But doing nothing has a cost, too. Inaction quietly eats away at progress. This fall, a new idea has been gaining traction: the Great Lock In of 2025. On...
Small Cut, Big Signal: How the Interest Rate Change Will Affect You
This month, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by a quarter point. While modest, the move is significant — it marks a turn after a long stretch of holding rates steady at elevated levels. For households and businesses alike, this adjustment is a reminder that financial conditions are always evolving, often in gradual but important ways. Even a small rate...
The Odds We Live By
How often have you started an important task, only to end up scrolling instead? Experts say our attention spans are shrinking, and economists now view attention as a scarce resource—every bit as valuable as time or capital. We’re only beginning to calculate the real cost of distraction. When focus slips, it’s easy to fall into subtle psychological traps that drain...
The Odds We Live By
Among last week’s headlines, two very different stories stood out. The first was impossible to miss: a nearly $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot finally found winners in Texas and Missouri. Big lottery wins always dominate attention—after all, who doesn’t like to imagine what they’d do with a billion dollars? The second story received a bit less coverage. It described a reporter...
Your Successful Season Starts Now
As summer draws to a close, we’re reminded how quickly life moves. Economic reports shift week to week, headlines swing between optimism and caution, and the rhythm of the seasons keeps marching forward. It’s tempting to wait for the “perfect” time—whether adjust our financial lives, or pursue happiness. But time rarely slows down, and opportunities seldom arrive wrapped neatly...
Your Playbook For Uncertain Times
Labor Day marks a turning point — routines shift, backpacks return, and the first crisp hints of fall are in the air. Change can feel exciting and yet uncertain. The economy is shifting too: The Federal Reserve has suggested the possibility of an interest rate cut, a move that could ripple into borrowing costs and everyday confidence about money. Uncertainty...
The Value of Humility and Collaboration
In the world of finance, we often talk about numbers, trends, and strategies. But equally important to long-term success is a quality that doesn’t appear on balance sheets: humility. Recognizing what we know and—perhaps more importantly—what we don’t is essential to making sound financial decisions. It is tempting to believe AI will provide clear and reliable answers. While these technologies...
Is It Worth Haggling Over?
Imagine walking out of a restaurant and paying less — just for asking. For some people, saving money is a sport. Maybe it’s the friend who brags about a BOGO that was too good to resist, or the frugal aunt who negotiates everything. But being thoughtful about purchases — whether it’s haggling, comparison shopping, or simply pausing before you...
The Right Time, For The Right Reasons
We all have a unique relationship with time—some of us thrive on precise schedules; others adapt fluidly as life unfolds. This individuality shapes not just our calendars, but how we approach decisions, prioritize responsibilities, and manage change. Our relationship with money is also complex and personal. There are many paths to success. In times like these, it’s important to align...
Check, Please: Summer Spending in Review
Believe it or not, this week marks the midpoint of summer—the sweet spot between the solstice and the autumn equinox. According to the 2025 Farmers’ Almanac, August 7th is our official halfway mark. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Each day, the calendar is quietly telling us: our summer days are numbered. For many, these days are a backdrop for family,...
Enduring Values – Reflections from the Course and Your Financial Journey
This past weekend, golfer Scottie Scheffler displayed his extraordinary skill and grace under pressure by winning the British Open. Yet, what lingered even more than his win was his humility in recalling the ancient wisdom of King Solomon: “All is fleeting.” Scheffler reminded the world that trophies and glory may bring a moment’s high, but real satisfaction comes from something...
Do You Have What It Takes?
As headlines shift away from the recent flooding in Texas and elsewhere, the real work for many families is just beginning. Recovery after a tragedy often happens in phases: there’s the immediate response, and then there’s the longer, quieter rebuild. While initial support often quickly fades, the true progress comes from patience and steady effort over time. Rebuilding—whether it’s after...
Unpacking the “Big Beautiful Bill” and Changes That Affect You
A significant new bill was just signed into law, locking in the 2017 tax cuts and introducing new deductions across its 900 pages. While a few new tax breaks could fatten your refund next spring, there are also some belt-tightening measures for federal healthcare, food-aid, and student loan programs that could impact millions—so don’t tune out. What does this mean...
