Hey Reader, After 8 years in the financial industry, I can confidently say that most people complete more financial tasks in December than the previous 11 months combined. That's why I'm including a free checklist to help you wrap up the most important financial considerations for the year. 2024 Year-End Financial Checklist This is also the time of year when most people get their finances in order and seek out a professional, so I want to share a quick story and some tips. People aren't happy...
almost 2 years ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, A few years ago, I started working with a client with ~$16mm in company stock. Don't get me wrong, that's a lot of money. But six months before that, it was worth over $50mm. The drastic change in his situation was the wake-up call he needed to create a plan. Our work together helped him avoid disaster and sparked my passion for equity planning. Here's how it all went down... Background He was a high-level executive with over 200,000 company shares and stock options. The two main...
almost 2 years ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, The stock market has created countless millionaires. Unfortunately, millions (probably billions) of dollars in wealth have been lost due to poor planning around concentrated stock positions. Today, I'll give you a framework you can use to feel confident when selling or holding your company stock. What are the facts? Since 1980, ~10% of all stocks have generated a return that beat the Russell 3000 index by 500% or more. That’s an investment that changes your family tree. But it’s...
almost 2 years ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, Every great investor has a process to guide their investment decisions. But with so many personal and financial variables to consider, most people don't know where to start. I've found that charts and financial analysis rarely lead to useful conclusions. Instead, you need a framework you can apply to your situation. So, here are 5 simple questions you can ask yourself before making an investment. 1. Why am I making this investment? Where did the idea come from? Was it pitched to...
almost 2 years ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, 77% of Americans report feeling anxious about their financial situation. Chances are, you’ve felt that same uncertainty—especially with rising costs and the constant balancing act between growing your wealth and securing it for the future. It's a challenge that can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. You can alleviate financial anxiety and take control of your future by creating a financial plan that covers every aspect of your life. This is the 3 step-process I use to...
about 2 years ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, 77% of high-net-worth individuals say they know how much money they need to retire comfortably. However, humans naturally suffer from overconfidence bias (myself included—just ask my fiancée), and I believe they overlook one key risk. Retirement Healthcare According to Fidelity, a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2024 should expect to pay $12,800 for health care in the first year of retirement and ~$356,000 for the remainder of an average life expectancy (87 for men and 90 for...
about 2 years ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, At my last job, I had the privilege of working with some of the brightest minds in investing. We had weekly investment calls dissecting economic data, geopolitical risks, and plenty of other things I didn't understand at the time. However, the Chief Investment Officer (who is the smartest person I've met to this day) always made sure to zoom out and stress one point that nearly everyone forgets. I'll illustrate the point by looking back at one of the most difficult periods in the...
about 2 years ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, Whether you call it retirement, work optional, financial independence or some other term, you should be excited to have the freedom to do: What you want When you want Where you want But withdrawing from the savings you worked so hard to accumulate can be one of the scariest transitions you make. Today, I’ll share the strategy I use to help clients enjoy their retirement without worrying about running out of money. Retirement Income Guardrails Think of guardrails like bumpers at a...
about 2 years ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, From the time I could comprehend them, taxes have always fascinated me. Tax planning was my favorite college course and it continues to be my favorite planning area after nearly 8 years in the industry. This may come as a shock, but the secret to paying less taxes is to plan for them. As a financial advisor, I don’t file my clients' tax returns. So, I’m always asked, “If you don’t file taxes, what value can you add?” I’ll answer that question today by sharing 10 ways I help...
about 2 years ago • 4 min read