Financial Pathway

Here's why I believe the greatest value of financial planning isn’t just in numbers. A real financial planner is someone who understands your values can help you avoid costly mistakes, navigate life’s changes, and find confidence in your financial decisions.

Taxes don’t have to be overwhelming. Planning ahead with powerful tax-saving strategies can help you keep more of what you’ve earned. Here's how we work with clients to proactively save instead of just looking back to at last year to see how much we owe!

Retirement Reality Check: Americans believe they need $1.1M to retire but expect to save only 25% of that number, signaling a big savings shortfall. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/emp01-retirement-savings-reaching-the-magic-number/ Freedom ≠ Fulfillment: Rick Foerster notes that the idea of freedom being the highest form of wealth is incorrect. As someone who has attained both money and freedom, he argues there is something even more important. https://newsletter.thewayofwork.com/p/freedom-is-not-the-highest-form-of 2025 Florida Python Challenge. A little news from my backyard - Florida removed a record 294 pythons in a conservation contest. The winner bagged 60 snakes and $10K. https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/record-setting-amount-of-snakes-removed-in-2025-florida-python-challenge/3676921/ 401k Shake-Up. President Trump signed a new executive order that would allow workers to invest in private companies and real estate via their 401k's. But these investments present a lot of challenges, and some argue that workers are ultimately better served by investments in public companies and bonds. https://www.axios.com/2025/08/07/trump-private-equity-executive-order Gen Z’s Debt Dilemma. Nearly half of Gen Zers run out of money each month, and fewer than 25% feel financially stable, according to a Step survey reported in Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/gen-z-debt-money-financial-stability-2091675

Young Americans are facing a housing crisis - understanding the 3-fold tragedy that brought us to this point.https://www.derekthompson.org/p/how-the-housing-market-for-youngGen Z trades stocks like they gamble. And it's not going to end well. https://sherwood.news/markets/gen-z-trades-stocks-the-same-way-it-gambles/The largest ever study of 4-day workweeks just concluded and 90% of companies are sticking with it!https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/biggest-trial-of-four-day-workweek-finds-workers-are-happier-and-feel-just/Expert tips on how to stretch your travel budget to get the best dealshttps://bakadesuyo.com/2025/07/save-money-on-travel/How is it that people make 6 or 7 figures and still don't fee financially free? Why lifestyle inflation is sneaky, and how to combat it. https://www.justinwelsh.me/newsletter/lifestyle-inflation-kills-freedom

Congress just passed a massive 870-page bill with sweeping changes to taxes, healthcare, and more. But what does it mean for your wallet? In this episode, I break down the key takeaways on how this new bill may affect YOU.

Are you making smart money moves? In this episode, we’re busting 17 of the most common money myths that could be holding you back.

Here's an "ask me anything" episode I did last year at this time. How often should I reevaluate my investment strategy? (1:30)How much can I safely withdraw from my retirement account? (6:48)Can churches give a tax-free gift to their pastor at retirement? (15:50)Law of diminishing returns in your personal finances (21:56)When is it ok to withdraw from my IRA? (32:34)Thoughts on IULs (indexed universal life insurance) (38:18)Links:https://www.clergyfinancial.com/is-a-pastors-retirement-gift-taxable/https://pastorswallet.com/are-gifts-to-retired-ministers-taxable/https://www.honestmath.com/iul

- How spending time with the people you love is one of the wisest ways to invest your money- Sports betting is significantly affecting Americans' ability to save- Who is really footing the tax bill in America? Time to separate rhetoric from reality.- Slate Auto hopes to capture EV market share by taking the anti-Tesla approach- Americans believe real estate and gold are the best long-term investments. Are they right?- New startup lets investors borrow money to invest in their 401k