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Failing to regularly review and update beneficiary designations—especially after major life changes—can override your will, unintentionally disinherit loved ones, and cause serious financial and emotional harm.

A tempting $400-a-month “savings” from a 50-year mortgage could actually cost you hundreds of thousands more—and keep you paying well into retirement.

Feeling paralyzed by market swings? Learn how dollar-cost averaging helps you invest with confidence—and why the strategy that builds wealth can become risky if you don’t plan carefully for retirement withdrawals.

By Thomas R. Kestler There are about 76 million baby boomers (Born between 1946 and 1964) in the United States. Today the “boomers” are between 61 and 79 years old, and as they have marched into retirement, they have created an increasing strain on the Social Security trust fund. This is because there are an increasing number of recipients, there are fewer wage earners paying into the system. This is of little concern for those at or near retirement. However, future generat

Emotions often outweigh data in assessing risk, so understanding both the likelihood and real-dollar impact of potential losses is key to smart financial decisions.

Before you get dazzled by financial “Pops” that seem too good to be true, make sure you understand the hidden “Squeeze” that could cost you far more in the long run.

In the 1971 movie classic, Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood has a criminal cornered and utters one of the most iconic lines in movie history… “I know what you’re thinking: 'Did he fire six shots or only five?' Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I’ve kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do you, punk?” Rec

By Thomas R. Kestler Age. It’s just a number, right? Turns out, there’s a lot more to it. Our chronological age clock started ticking the day we were born. And, with each circumnavigation of the sun, our chronological age adds one year. Pretty simple. But, over the last decade or so, the medical community has begun paying attention to our biological age. Biological age is defined as an estimate of the individual’s position with respect to his or her potential life span. Biolo

By Thomas R. Kestler Many marriage counselors will tell you, a leading reason why couples break up is money differences. There are many studies about the money behavior of married couples. The studies show that many couples ignore signs that they might be financially incompatible. These studies also show that when it comes to finding an ideal partner, money and potential earnings were not a priority. Both men and women valued personality, character and looks above financial s

Thomas R. Kestler, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CMFC We hear it all the time. Somebody will say, “The average return in the stock market is XX%” or “The Super Equity mutual fund had an average return of XX%.” My first reaction to any comment using averages is skepticism. Averages can be very misleading. For example, “cherry picking” a timeframe in order to show a high return is commonplace. On the other hand, the march of time itself can have a significant effect on averages. Consider you

Did you know you can give to charity and lower your taxes at the same time? 💡 Learn how a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA can make a big impact—for you and your favorite cause.

By Thomas R. Kestler, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CMFC As we enter the holiday season, many of us consider making charitable donations to a favorite cause or institution. According to the Giving USA report, Americans gave $592 billion to charity in 2024. Many of the donations were significant gifts as opposed to a few dollars here or there. If you are considering making a significant gift, here are three strategies that could help both you and the charity. Donate Appreciated Assets We ma

By Thomas R. Kestler In this world of social media and artificial intelligence (AI), we can be overwhelmed by information – some good, some bad. The problem with financial information is that while something could be a life saver for one client, it could also be disastrous for another. The difference comes down to two things – questions and qualifications. Questions – Has your advisor asked enough questions to fully understand your situation, needs, risk tolerance, and aspira

The outpouring of compassion, support, and love that I've received since my first blog post has been beyond not just anything that I had...

My ability to be this open is new. My journey has been long and winding, with many frustrating false starts and demotivating dead ends.

Everyone deserves to feel empowered, capable, and genuinely excited about the future. When we shift our mindset, reframe limiting beliefs, and embrace a more empowered, positive perspective, the door opens to real change.

Are you feeling stuck, unheard, or hurt in your relationship or marriage? Too often, couples wait until it’s almost too late to seek support. This doesn't have to be the case - help is available.

38 days ago, I gave up alcohol—not because I hit rock bottom, but because I was curious. I wanted to see what it felt like to be sober. For a long time, I admired people who could confidently say, “I don’t drink,” and I wanted that for myself. If you’re sober-curious or just wondering what it might feel like to take a break from drinking, I highly recommend giving it a try. Start with a week, or a month. See how you feel. There are so many great tools out there to help you t

Learn how to navigate various telehealth options for therapy.

Follow these tips to improve your sleep quality and wake up feeling refreshed.