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Welcome to my blog page.  Here, you can find ideas from the investment services world and concepts from the financial services industry.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Life is full of change. Some of that change is the result of the natural progression of time, like having a baby, sending your kids off to college, or your parents getting older and needing some help. Then there’s change...

Thursday, September 5, 2019

If someone told you that you had a glaring gap in your retirement plan, would you make an effort to remedy the problem as soon as possible? Unfortunately, many Americans have just such a blind spot in the form of long-term care, with...

Friday, August 16, 2019

Most of us have things in our past that we regret, whether it’s wishing you had worked harder in college or regretting how much you spent on your newest car. The problem with regret is that we can’t change the past—we...

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

There’s a lot of sound financial advice out there that you’d be wise to follow, like the importance of living within your means, managing risk, and creating an emergency fund. But if I could pick only one piece of financial...

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

If you’re a successful professional, you may have been notified by your human resources department that you are eligible to participate in your company’s deferred compensation plan. Before signing on the dotted line, it is...

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Wednesday, June 26, 2019

In this episode of The Jeff Motske Show, I'll be talking about parents gifting money to their adult children and grandchildren, challenges faced by the giftors and giftees, and solutions for all involved. If you are short on time, my...

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Chances are, if you work for a large company, you have access to a comprehensive benefits package. There’s a reason for this! Your employer is always looking for ways to both reward and effectively motivate you, and he or she...

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Most of us know there are two types of IRAs: Traditional and Roth. You may even know that there are tax differences between the two, and it’s possible you have both of these savings vehicles in your retirement arsenal. But what...

Friday, May 10, 2019

When it comes to finances, there are a whole host of mistakes you can make, some minor and some that have long-term consequences. The same can be said of parenting. When you combine money and parenting, then there’s no lack of...

Monday, April 29, 2019

There are many natural milestones we reach as we go through life, everything from graduating high school and college to making major career decisions, getting married, and having kids. But as you draw closer to retirement, the...

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Do you have employee stock options? Here’s a better question: If your compensation package includes stock options, do you know how they benefit you and fit into your financial plan? Stock options are complicated, to say the least...

Friday, March 22, 2019

For many Americans, their number-one retirement fear is that they won’t have enough money to actually retire. Only 27% of pre-retirees believe they’ll be financially ready for a retirement lasting just 10 years.1 And while...

Monday, March 4, 2019

In 2018, a total of 538,659 people were laid off from their jobs. 1 You might think that with unemployment sitting at a low rate of 4%,2 job cuts wouldn’t be rising, but the 2018 total was up 29% from 2017.3 Regardless of the...

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

In this episode of The Jeff Motske Show, Jeff asked me what my “Why” is as a financial advisor and within my own family as well. Also, learn my 3 part mission statement as to what I aim to do for my clients. If you are...

Saturday, February 16, 2019

Regardless of whether your child is 2 or 12, the thought of college has probably crossed your mind. In the busyness of life and never-ending financial pressures, it is all too easy to put saving for college on the back burner. But...

Friday, February 1, 2019

You’ve almost made it! You are in the final stretch of your marathon race to your much-anticipated retirement years. But no matter how much you have saved and planned up until this point, this is not the time to turn on cruise...

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

A recent survey found that among Millennial parents, nearly half have received financial support from their Baby Boomer parents in the past year, and 69% received financial support specifically for their own young children. (1) Another...

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

If you had to take a wild guess, how much money do you think you would need to experience a comfortable retirement? If you guessed $1 million, you are on the same page as more than half of Americans who responded to a survey conducted...

Monday, December 3, 2018

In this episode of The Jeff Motske Show, we have a group discussion about what it means to leave a legacy and the important next steps you should take to work toward it. Listen now here or Download this episode from iTunes to enjoy on...

Thursday, November 1, 2018

In 2015, Americans spent $225 billion on long-term care. That’s 7 ½ times what was spent 15 years prior, in 2000. With the great advances we have made in medicine and medical technology, people are living longer. The...

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

In this episode of The Jeff Motske Show, we discuss "Finishing Well" and the different types of Long Term Care plans. Statistics show that a lot of Americans will need to utilize a Long Term Care plan, so we need to start talking about...

Thursday, October 11, 2018

How much time have you spent thinking about your future death? If you’re like most people, probably not much. Thinking about your death or that of a loved one can bring up plenty of unpleasant emotions, but having a plan to take...

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Before the year’s end, in the midst of the holiday events, travel, and overall busyness, the last thing you want to think about is tackling your finances. But considering how finance-related resolutions are the third most popular...

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Did you know that the average couple at age 65 will need approximately $280,000 to cover healthcare costs in retirement?(1) Not only is healthcare one of the top five expenses in retirement, but healthcare spending only increases with...

Monday, August 20, 2018

Whether we attribute it to a decline in marriage rates, poor job prospects, student loan debt, technological improvements, or generational shifts, times have certainly changed for young adults. One major topic which my clients bring up...

Friday, August 10, 2018

As someone who works directly with clients on helping them with their financial plans and investment decisions, it wouldn’t be too far off to think that I might not do too bad on my own personal investments. Well, truth be told,...

Friday, July 20, 2018

Over the course of hundreds of conversations with clients, I’ve found that quite a few them have wrestled with the idea of whether they should go back to school for an advanced degree. As their advisor, I am commonly asked if...

Thursday, July 12, 2018

There may be plenty of factors outside of your control that impact your financial situation, such as the markets, the economy as a whole, or an unexpected illness. But those circumstances may not play as critical of a role in your...

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Regardless of where it comes from, getting an unexpected chunk of change usually makes for a pretty good day, week, or even year. But if you aren’t intentional about what you do with your extra cash, you could follow in the...

Monday, June 18, 2018

You frequently hear the word “risk” thrown around when it comes to the stock market, but have you truly grappled with the thought that you could lose everything? It’s easy to say that you are willing to take risks...

Saturday, June 16, 2018

On this episode of The Jeff Motske Show, we discuss the changing trends in planning for your financial future. Are your financial stumbles teachable moments for your children? Find out in the Love And Money segment. Also, our favorite...

Monday, June 11, 2018

There’s a lot of buzz and anxiety about what the market will do next. We’ve been riding highs1 and flirting with market corrections,2 but haven’t reached the predicted bear market yet. If you know anything about the...

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Created during the Great Depression as a retirement safety net, Social Security now covers an estimated 96% of Americans. These days, a record high of around 167 million people are working and paying into the system that provides...

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Multiple studies show that many couples aren’t on the same page with their retirement vision. A Fidelity Investments study found that 47% of couples disagree about how much money they need to maintain their current lifestyle in...

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

In the news, the word “fiduciary” has been thrown around a lot in regards to financial advisors and their duties. The concept can seem confusing to people, as many assume that all advisors, whether they’re...

Friday, April 20, 2018

Approaching retirement can sometimes be as overwhelming and nerve-wracking as the transition into your Golden Years. You may start reflecting on what you’ve accomplished thus far in life and what you envision still achieving. As...

Monday, April 9, 2018

Retirement is one of life’s most significant milestones. Not surprisingly, it’s both an exciting and worrisome prospect for many Americans nearing those Golden Years. According to a 2016 Gallup poll, 64% of Americans are...

Thursday, March 29, 2018

I am honored to have been recently featured on the popular podcast, "Declare Your Financial Independence, with Jeff Motske". My portion can be heard at the 36 minute mark in a brief Q & A session with Jeff. In that portion, I discussed...

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Not all goals are equal in their achievability. In fact, 92% of people don’t reach the goals they set.1 While goals can be difficult to achieve, they’re not impossible. However, the best way to set yourself up for success...

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Have you ever noticed when you turn on the news, the media is either panicked because the markets are down or celebratory because the markets are up? This may make for fun entertainment, but it can also impact people’s emotions,...

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

When it comes to choosing your 401(k) lineup, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by your options. It’s likely why more than 70% of 401(k) plans include at least one target-date fund. Also known as lifecycle or age-based funds,...

Friday, February 9, 2018

Over the course of working with so many individuals and families, I’ve found that many people think financial planning, investing, and retirement planning are a sprint to the finish line. While on paper, maxing out your 401(k)...

Monday, February 5, 2018

If you’ve been watching the news, you’re likely concerned with the recent stock market decline. The downturn comes after months of the stock market climbing to new highs and after years of expansion after the most recent...

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

When it comes to something as personal as your finances, I believe it’s important to have a close relationship and a connection with your financial advisor. After all, the more you know about a person, the more you can feel...

Monday, January 1, 2018

Your 50’s are an exciting decade. You may have enjoyed several successful decades in your career and are now looking forward to your future retirement, which you can now see in the horizon. During this decade, there are four...

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

During your 30’s, you may have established good spending and savings habits. Your 40’s then becomes an important decade for solidifying your financial goals and working towards them, from your future retirement to family...

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Throughout life, people experience unique milestones, including financial needs and goals. Individuals in their 30’s have different priorities than they will in their 40’s and 50’s. This is an important decade for...

Friday, November 17, 2017

As my kids get older, I’m finding myself wanting more and more to create lasting, meaningful memories that they’ll always cherish. Part of that entails going to the nearby family fun amusement parks such as Disneyland and...

Friday, October 20, 2017

By Mike Loo, Independent Financial Advisor With the recent Equifax data breach, a lot of my Decision Coach clients have been inquiring about identity theft insurance. Many are frustrated that they will have to pay to protect their...

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Four years ago, I bought a laptop with high-end features at the time. I figured it would last me about 4 ½ to 5 years since that’s how long previous laptops have lasted me. I thought I had a good 5-year plan. I was wrong....

Saturday, September 16, 2017

When it comes to retirement, most people think the goal is to save up as much as possible and retire with the biggest nest egg. It’s like the young couples who pour thousands of dollars and countless hours into planning the...

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

If you’re a member of the Sandwich Generation, those caring for both their parents and children simultaneously, you are in good company. In 2012, the Pew Research Group found that 47% of adults age 40-59 had a parent over 65 and...

Friday, August 25, 2017

In a previous post, I talked about why it’s important to have a financial advisor who serves as a personal trainer for your financial fitness. Personally, when I needed the structure as well as the motivation to go to the gym, I...

Monday, August 14, 2017

I am honored to have been recently featured on the popular podcast, "Declare Your Financial Independence, with Jeff Motske". Together we discussed, Love and Money: Addressing financing with defensive people as well as Estate Planning:...

Monday, August 14, 2017

You know how it is. You have the best of intentions to get in shape and may even go as far as buying a gym membership and mapping out a workout schedule. But a few weeks in, you lose motivation, life gets busy, or you get hit with a...

Monday, July 31, 2017

We all look forward to a comfortable retirement after decades of hard work. But as the retirement landscape has vastly changed over the last few decades, from diminishing pensions to Social Security concerns to longer life expectancies...

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Social Security can be complicated to navigate at times, but since it’s so vital to your retirement income plan, it’s important to make wise decisions and create strategies to optimize your benefits. If you’re...

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

If you are in a relationship, I bet you’ve had your fair share of arguments about money. Money is the primary reason for arguments between couples, with many couples averaging three fights per month over financial issues....

Friday, June 16, 2017

The last thing you want to do is lose money, but that is exactly what many investors do when they underperform their investments. When it comes to our finances, we are often our own worst enemy. We overreact, make emotional decisions,...

Monday, June 5, 2017

Depending on where you are in life, retirement may feel far off. But have you stopped to consider how quickly life is going these days? The busier we get, the easier it is to put off the things that don’t seem pressing, such as...

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

There’s plenty of buzz about the income possibilities of owning rental property and the opportunity to supplement your income with the extra cash, but is owning a rental property a good fit for you in this stage of your life?...

Friday, April 28, 2017

Did you know that 62% of Americans do not have a financial advisor of any kind? Why is that? Perhaps they have preconceived ideas about what an advisor does, or it’s possible they have had a negative experience with a financial...

Monday, April 24, 2017

Once upon a time when I lived in a two-bedroom condo and had no children, I considered myself to be a foodie. My wife and I would try out new restaurants with little concern about the wait time to be seated and no worries about how...

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

As a financial advisor, one of the most common questions I hear is, “Am I saving enough for retirement?” This seems to be at the top of people’s minds, especially as they get older. Because every person’s dreams...

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

You’ve spent decades planning for retirement, putting all of your ducks in a row, saving to ensure a steady income, and looking forward to this new season of life. But once you reach this pivotal milestone, the planning...

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

My daughter recently gave a presentation to her kindergarten class about the differences between needs and wants. As a dad, and a financial advisor, I’m glad my daughter and her classmates are thinking about these things so early...

Thursday, February 23, 2017

With the tax filing deadline rapidly approaching and the possibility of owing additional money for last year’s taxes, many people may find themselves wondering, “Is there a way for me to pay less in taxes?” While your...

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Saving for retirement is an important step in securing your future, and there are many different savings vehicles to choose from, including a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA). But, in order to contribute to a Roth IRA, you have...

Saturday, January 14, 2017

It’s not surprising that saving money and getting on track financially are some of the most popular resolutions people make each year. Regardless of your current situation in life, most people want to work towards greater...

Saturday, January 7, 2017

When it comes to retirement accounts, the options can be overwhelming. Each has its pros and cons, unique opportunities, and various fees. Today, I will cover the elusive Roth 401(k), with which many employees, professionals, and...

Friday, December 2, 2016

Picture this: at age 60, you have a net worth of $3 million, and you’re feeling confident about your upcoming retirement. However, after 10 years of market growth, you somehow end up with a $2 million net worth when you turn 70....

Monday, November 21, 2016

Planning a wedding and getting married can be overwhelming. But once the rings are on, vows shared, and marriage license signed, there are still a few necessary steps to take. Change Your Last Name While some couples choose to each...

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

‘Tis the season for giving. Beyond exchanging presents with your loved ones, now is the time of year when many people choose to give back. Whether it’s your first or your thirtieth year donating to charity, it’s a...

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

If your family is expecting, congratulations! A baby on the way is one of the most exciting, life-changing, and overwhelming times of one’s life. The arrival of a baby also means changes in your finances. From the hospital bills...

Thursday, October 13, 2016

As parents, we want to be able to provide the world for our kids. In the beginning, we just want them to succeed in the little things, like walking, which you can see my wife attempting here with our daughter. But as our kids get older...

Friday, September 23, 2016

The day you become a parent is a day of overwhelming emotions. You may experience joy at the sight of your precious child, relief that he or she made it out of the womb, and for many of you, fear and anxiety because you somehow have to...

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Hindsight is 20/20 and whether or not we have regrets, there are plenty of things we wish we knew when we were younger. Not only have I personally learned from my choices and mistakes, but as a financial advisor, I’ve also had...

Monday, September 12, 2016

If you currently work with a financial advisor, congratulations! You’ve taken a positive step towards your financial future. First and foremost, it’s important to work with someone you trust and with whom you feel...

Thursday, August 25, 2016

If you’ve read some of my previous blogs, I’ve talked about how a financial advisor can help you and why many people, regardless of their job or income, can benefit from working with an advisor. For one, an advisor helps...

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

One of the most common reasons why people avoid investing and strategic financial planning is because it can seem overwhelmingly complicated, dense, and challenging. And because many of us like to think we still have plenty of time to...

Monday, July 18, 2016

In 2015, more than 4 in 10 people didn’t own a life insurance policy in any amount and only 3 in 10 Americans felt they had sufficient coverage1. When it comes to life insurance, most people have a vague idea that they should...

Monday, June 27, 2016

When’s the last time you felt unprepared for something, whether it was a meeting at work or an event at your kid’s school? Now when’s the last time you ever regretted preparing ahead for an event or presentation?...

Monday, June 27, 2016

As you’ve likely heard in the news, voters in the United Kingdom (U.K.) have chosen to leave the European Union (E.U.) after 43 years of membership. The resulting “Brexit” will likely affect the U.K. markets as well...

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Congratulations! You’re now engaged, and the months ahead will surely be busy with wedding planning, family gatherings, and celebrations. During this exciting time of your lives, what should the two of you be doing before you get...

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

There are a lot of preconceived notions out there about what a financial advisor is and what they do. Often, people assume a financial advisor is a stockbroker, making daily trades and helping wealthy individuals strategically play the...

Friday, May 27, 2016

Retirement. Some view it as a destination. Others view it as a journey. Regardless of how you perceive that day when work becomes an option, there are things you can do before you retire to make your golden years less stressful and...

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

I believe that providing investment advice and building financial plans are just two small responsibilities of your financial advisor. The other equally as important areas revolve around a client’s experience working with their...

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

I have always been fascinated with money, especially learning how to manage assets and be more efficient with investments. But growing up, money was often a source of stress for my family. With a father in law enforcement and a...

Friday, April 29, 2016

A financial setback can have different meanings among different people. Some may define it as a stock market crash. Others may define it as depleting their non-retirement accounts because their emergency fund wasn’t enough to cover...

Friday, April 8, 2016

As parents, we want the best for our children. We work hard to provide opportunities for them so that they can start their lives a step ahead of our own as they grow up, and we believe these opportunities begin with providing a good...

Friday, March 11, 2016

With interest rates being at historic lows for the past several years, clients have been wondering, “should I pay down my mortgage or would it make more sense to invest the money?” While both options have their own unique...

Monday, February 22, 2016

This year, many Americans will get a tax refund. Some will use it to pay their property taxes. Some will use it to pay for a vacation. Others will use it as a means to invest for their future. Who’s doing the right thing? The...

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Over the years I’ve been a financial advisor, I’ve told clients that there are some things that I can’t control (i.e. stock market performance), and there are others that I can control. One of the most basic things...

Monday, December 21, 2015

Towards the end of a first meeting with a new client, I always ask the question, “If we were to fast forward 3 to 5 years into the future and you were to look back on the work that I had done for you, what did I do over those 3...

Sunday, December 6, 2015

On the day before Thanksgiving (a day before Costco is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday), I noticed that my gas tank was half full, so I came up with the brilliant idea to stop by Costco for gas while I was running errands. It was 8...

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

For many, the end of the year is a time of reflection. The optimists among us look back on their experiences and think about how much they’ve accomplished over the previous year. The pessimists among us look back on their experiences...

Monday, November 9, 2015

Over the course of my career as an advisor, I’ve found that clients who have a budget have greater financial success because a good budget enables them to make great planning decisions. For example, I met a couple a few...

Monday, October 26, 2015

For many families, the expense of adding an additional member oftentimes brings up the question of whether or not it makes financial sense for one of the spouses to continue working or to stay at home to care for the children. When...

Friday, October 16, 2015

Life insurance is a critical piece in one’s financial portfolio, yet at the same time, tends to be the piece that's frequently neglected. Aside from the obvious benefit of replacing your income and covering your major debts such as a...

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

One of the largest assets owned by Americans, a 401(k) or similar pension plan will be one factor that dictates the kind of lifestyle you will live in retirement. Many people nowadays have been familiarized with the messages of saving...

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Retirement. It’s a stage in life that we’ve all dreamed about at one time or another, but how many of us are actually saving the right amount of money and know exactly how much we need to make this dream become a reality? Many people...