Blog
Welcome to our blog, On the Glacier. Since our logo includes an ice age mammal, we figured this name aptly captured our theme.
So, what’s on our mind? Hopefully a lot of things.
Whether it’s emerging financial trends or how to stay on track with your money plan, we write about our musings here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. Keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.
Saying goodbye to 2023
Here Are Some Things You Might Consider Before Saying Goodbye to 2023 What has changed for you in 2023? For some, this year has been as complicated as learning a new dance. Did you start a new job or leave a job behind?...
Read More2023 Pocket Tax Guide
From eligible deductions to limits, changes, and deadlines, deciphering the annual tax updates can be challenging. We’ve attached this handy quick reference guide that outlines key tax information for 2023 so as you look to the...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Powell comments spur sell-off on Wall Street
A comprehensive sell-off on Friday, August 26th, following comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell drove stocks to losses for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 4.22%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 dropped 4.04%. The...
Read MoreSilly Season Starts Now
We have three months until the mid-term elections. With mid-term elections quickly approaching, economic data is being used and abused for political ends.
Read MoreTaking my own advice sucks sometimes
We all need a reality check sometimes. Even those of us who give financial advice for a living. Perspective in tough times is key.
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The Fed Makes Its Move
What does the Fed's rate increase mean for you? Find out here...
Read MoreThis Week in the Market and Did Mark Twain Really Say That?
“We all need to wait until 2023 to see what history we rhyme with.” – Mark TwainWednesday morning, I spent an hour on the phone listening to comments by one of my favorite economists, Brian Wesbury. He is the Chief...
Read MoreHow to Find a Great Financial Advisor
The more click-baity and hopefully funny title could be “How Not to Get Swindled and Bamboozled by a Financial Advisor.”I’ll never forget the first house we bought. Big mistake. A $36,000 mistake. But oh how I loved...
Read MoreHow Financial Planners Get Paid
As Jim says, "Not every blog post can be earth shattering and life changing." I'm pretty sure none of our blog posts skew as either of those but I've been wanting to put this info on our website for some time now. It just takes time...
Read MorePondering U.S. Monetary Policy
The Fed. Monetary policy. Fiscal policy. CARES Act. Helicopter money. Donny money. Universal basic income. My favorite is Donny money. Makes me laugh every time.These are things I have been pondering during the past 2 months of this...
Read MoreFocus amidst Chaos
On April 12, 2020 we celebrated Easter as a nation. At our house, we watched an Easter service streamed online. We made a fantastic ham dinner. My kids (ages 14, 11, and 9) surprisingly still wanted to hunt for Easter eggs, so Shannon...
Read MoreThe Dow, Toy Story, and a Cat Video
Mark Twain said, “The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.” I wholeheartedly agree. While this post is informative, I am aiming to make you laugh. I think it’s a good day for a good laugh....
Read MoreSECURE Act of 2019: Good News for Some, Bad News for Others
So much has been happening in the news the last few months that you might have missed the signing into law of the SECURE Act on December 20, 2019. This legislation provided a major update to laws governing retirement plans and...
Read MoreBusiness Beginnings and Gifts of Good
Just over four years ago my wife, Shannon, and I were about to realize a dream that we had kept quiet for many years—starting our own financial planning firm. We had tried to launch the same business in 2007 but had to close it...
Read MoreRisk, Reward, and Stranded at Work
We all take risks. Why? Because the rewards are fun. But, do you truly understand the relationship between those two concepts? There is a versus going on beneath the surface: risk versus reward. We find ourselves willing to take the...
Read MoreWeeds and Fire Pits
The weather has been steadily getting more chilly in the evenings. The leaves on our maple tree are starting to turn. While I love Fall, it makes me sad to see summer go. My husband’s favorite thing at the beginning of summer is...
Read MoreMoney Management: Football-style
Clients often wonder what I do all day. That might sound harsh but it's not. They assume I meet with clients, themselves and the other clients they assume I have. The reality is I can only hold so many meetings a day. So, what do I do...
Read MoreEducated Guesses and Course Corrections
We create financial plans. We love plans and planning. In fact, we're pretty passionate about it.The plan is important. But let's get real. It's just a guess at how to get from your current reality to where you want to go at some point...
Read MoreSimple Thoughts on Investing
Jim started reading Ray Dalio's book, Life & Work Principles sometime last year. He put it aside and I found it when we were moving our office last week. We're just around the corner on the same floor, but it's amazing what you find...
Read MorePizza, Beer, & Barrels of Oil: How the Economic Machine Works
During my Kansas State University years, I briefly considered getting a minor in Economics. Go Cats! Not Jayhawks. Insert Willie or the power cat here Finishing two more Econ classes would fulfill the Minor requirements. I could do...
Read MoreThe Process
This month, I’m writing about the how of financial planning. Understanding what something is and why you should do it is the easy part. Getting started can be the tough part.
Read MoreYou Need a Manager
Welcome to the 3rd post in our financial planning series. This one is all about goal setting with the promised Rocky Balboa metaphor. This year I introduced my family to Rocky Balboa. When I say I introduced my family, I really mean my...
Read MoreBuilding Blocks of the Plan
This is the second post in our blog post series: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Financial Planning. Just kidding. It’s really just called Financial Planning. Don’t lose consciousness yet. I promise to make it as...
Read MoreChristmas Cards and Financial Plans
I love receiving Christmas cards. They’re a favorite part of the holiday season for me. As those of you who do not receive cards from me should know, I do not like sending Christmas cards. It is a lot of work and takes time that...
Read MoreHold Fast - Market Volatility, Ahoy!
Due to the volatility in recent weeks, I wanted to bring some perspective to the wild swings in the market. We’ve all heard the phrase “Time heals all wounds”. That time-tested motto means that it takes a while for...
Read MorePass the Dinner Roll
Happy Slightly-early Thanksgiving! Welcome to our first blog post. We’ll be posting the 3rd Tuesday of every month. We’ll write about financial industry insights, random musings about life and finances, and we might even...
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