When we know what we are working toward, decisions become easier.

Topics: Finances, 6 Pillars, Focus

Family is one of those words that can mean something different to every person.

Topics: Family, 6 Pillars, Live Life

Faith can mean different things to different people. For some, it is deeply rooted in religion. For others, it may be expressed through a spiritual belief, a sense of purpose, or a set of values that gives life meaning. Whatever form it takes, faith can provide something important: a framework for deciding not only what we believe, but how we want to live.

Topics: Believe, Faith, Living Life

When we hear the word fitness, many of us immediately think about exercise: running, lifting weights, counting steps, or spending time at the gym. But fitness is about much more than exercise. At its heart, fitness is about having the health, strength, energy, and mobility to live the life you want to live.

Topics: retirement plan, Fitness, Goals

 Unbeknownst to many, October is National Financial Planning Month. It is an established observance intended to encourage people to pause, review where they stand, and take meaningful steps toward their financial goals. The timing makes sense. October offers a natural checkpoint—late enough in the year to see how things are actually going, but early enough to make adjustments before the calendar turns to January.

Topics: Finances

 Every dollar that comes in eventually faces the same fork in the road: spend it now or set it aside for later. There is no single right answer, and no rule of thumb applies equally to every household. What can help is asking the right questions in the right order.

Topics: Financial planning, Saving, planning, Self Discipline, Savings, Spending, Plan

 Every September, we recognize Life Insurance Awareness Month, a time to better understand life insurance and take a closer look at how well we are protecting the people who depend on us.

Topics: life insurance, Prepared, Family

 If something happened to you tomorrow, would your family know where to begin? They may know you have life insurance, retirement accounts, or a financial advisor. But would they know where to find them? Who should they call? Where is your will? What bills need to be paid? What happens to your online accounts? And if you're a business owner, are there partners or key employees who need to be included?

Topics: Asset Protection, Life Expectancy, Assessment Plan, changes, Estate Planning, Grief, Financial Foundation, financial strength, personal finances, Family Finances, financial freedom, Effective Money Management, success

I have an uncle who, during his professional career, was a very well respected city manager. Periodically he would come and visit us in Los Angeles. On one such trip during my high school years, we all went to dinner and he told us about a developer in his community who was planning to build a shopping center of some sort. My uncle was really excited about this project because it looked like it was really going to happen, and would be a great addition to his community. 

Topics: Interest Rates, cash flow

When talking about annuities, over the years I have met with many people who get a glazed look on their faces and ultimately they throw their hands up and say, “I am so confused”. I will admit that some investments are confusing. But here is one that almost anyone can get their arms around – a retirement income contract, commonly known as an annuity. (Say "an annuity" 10 times really fast!)

Topics: retirement, Annuities, annuity, investments, retirement income