We took a lot of road trips when I was a child. Much to my parent’s chagrin, I would usually ask (at least a few times per trip) the age old question – “are we there yet?” I wasn’t trying to be annoying, I promise! I was simply tired of sitting still, tired of waiting […]

As I watched the recent inflation release on Tuesday (and the subsequent jarring market decline), a common phrase kept coming into my mind over and over – “change is hard.” How many times have I said or heard that saying in my lifetime? At least a few hundred – maybe more. Why do I always […]

When discussing the upcoming annual enrollment season (the time of year when employees need to elect various health care and employee benefit elections), a client recently asked for a refresher on Health Savings Accounts (commonly known as HSAs). These are very powerful tools – both for health care costs as well as for long-term investing […]

There is no shortage of acronyms when it comes to finances. One you may be hearing in the news lately is RMD, or Required Minimum Distribution. A client recently asked me to explain this concept in more detail. So, let’s take a look at what an RMD is, how it may apply to you (now […]

When my nephews visited last November, we visited a local playground. They are two very curious and active boys (ages 6 and 3 at the time) so naturally, we had to explore and try out every piece of equipment and toy in the park. They eagerly climbed on one side of the teeter totter together […]

I’m writing this post on June 30, 2022 as stocks are set to end the first half of 2022 with the worst first-half performance since 1970. Think about that – the worst six month start to an investing year in 52 years. Geez, that’s longer than I’ve been alive! Add in high prices in many […]

Class is in session! Twice this week, I had discussions with clients about what information should be shared with their young adult/teenage children and grandchildren as it relates to finances and investing. I always enjoy these discussions. It’s a honor to speak with young adults and add some much needed context to a topic that […]

It’s not every day that a meeting of the US Federal Reserve Bank becomes a spectator sport. However, today (June 15, 2022), there was considerable buzz around this event. There was a countdown clock, endless commentary/predictions, and a televised press conference. Jay Powell (Chairman of the Federal Reserve) is now a well known celebrity (for […]

It’s severe weather season in Wisconsin. Earlier this week, we had a major thunderstorm roll through in the late afternoon. The storm clouds encompassed the sky, blocked out all the light, caused quite a bit of worry, and left some damage in their wake (fortunately, most areas weren’t as hard hit as had been anticipated). […]

On Memorial Day, I rose with the sun and took a walk thru Elm Grove Park and the surrounding neighborhoods. It is my favorite time of day to walk – when the world hasn’t quite woken up and everything is beautifully still. Sometimes I listen to the sounds of nature as I walk, but on […]