Costly wedding
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Expensive Wedding Reception is a Poor Financial Decision

Is an expensive wedding real worth it? I think spending a fortune on your child's wedding reception is one of the worst financial decisions you could possibly make. The opportunity cost of what they could have at retirement had some of that…
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Do You Have Financial Peace of Mind?

Do you have financial peace of mind? You are where you are today because of the decisions you have made in your life. We usually get what we deserve in life.  When it comes to money, how you handle your monthly cash flow is the single most…
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How A Know It All Kid Leads to Financial Peace

Keep you on track and enable you to reach your financial destination on time A recent holiday road trip reminded me of the need and value of consulting with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). Through a Christmas break trip driving from Chicago…
HSA
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Triple Tax Advantaged Health Savings Account's (HSA's) Are Amazing!

Love my HSA for super tax preferred savings!
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What to do About Stock Market Decline

The recent stock market decline is normal, long overdue and not a reason to worry long-term. In fact, I see it as a major Christmas sale. Those that are brave enough to buy at these sale prices will be especially glad they did a decade from…
college tuition saving hacks
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How You Can Save $10,000+ on College Tuition Costs!

It's true, you can save a fortune if you use one simple strategy. As a Certified Financial Planner, I've been actively trying to figure out how to cut college tuition costs. As a dad with have three kids in college in 2019 it's especially…
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How I Raised My Kids to be Financially Successful at Their Expense

      Did you raise your kids to be prudent spenders and good savers of money? After a slow start, I turned it around and can see the changes in my kids. It's not too late for you to do the same for your kids. It's much easier…
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Stocks Getting Hammered! Did Diversified Portfolio Work for You?

Did you know that many stocks are currently in a BEAR market? This means they are down more than 20% from their high point. If your portfolio is littered with these previous high flyers (Apple, Google, Netflix, Facebook or Amazon) you…
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Amazing Tax Saving Opportunity for Entrepreneurs!

The dream retirement plan (Solo 401k) for self-employed people! I set up my financial planning practice in Glen Ellyn back in 1996. One of my first concerns was how I would save for retirement as an entrepreneur.  At the time, the best plan…
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What's the Key to Relieve Anxiety Over Stock and Bond Price Drops?

Wild swings on Wall Street may be causing anxiety for many investors. FEAR is REAL, especially when you have little idea how portfolio drops will impact your financial plan. Investors Without a CFP® on their team are Anxious Over Stock…
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Why Your Home Value May Have Plummeted

Thank goodness your home value doesn't show up on a stock ticker daily over your front door. Your home is a great asset, maybe more important are the memories you make in and around it. My advice: buy what and where you like for the enjoyment…
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3 Retirement Obstacles

Getting older just kind of happens.  The next thing you know you've hit 50 and can't believe you are that old. Many of my clients are fiftyish and have their focus squarely on getting their childthrough the college years and/or retirement.…
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Why a Zero Credit Card Balance Can Be Misleading

Yes, you read that correctly, zero credit card balances can be very misleading. I'm not saying that carrying a credit card balance is a good thing. What I am saying is the convenience of whipping out plastic to pay for things is a MAJOR impediment…