What’s on our mind
“An investment in knowledge, pays the best interest.”
Ben Franklin
When it comes to financial matters, opinions often masquerade as facts. That’s a dangerous thing.
Our biggest value is helping clients cut out the noise, clarify what it is truly important in their lives, and create a plan that works for them.
The “Debt-Free Scream” That Triggered a Tax Nightmare for a FED
The “Debt-Free Scream” That Triggered a Tax Nightmare for a FED As a federal law enforcement officer, you've lived your career by the book—staying sharp, following rules, and making decisive calls under pressure. But when it comes to retirement planning, even...
The 3 Mission Critical Ingredients for a Successful Federal Retirement Plan
3 Mission Critical Ingredients for a Successful Federal Retirement Plan After decades of federal service, your retirement deserves more than vague assumptions and best guesses—it deserves a well-crafted, proactive plan. Whether you’re a FBI agent, a Letter Carrier or...
Lessons from Waterloo to Washington: How Federal Employees Can Conquer Market Chaos
From Waterloo to Washington: How Federal Employees Can Conquer Market Chaos I recently dusted off an article I wrote years ago—turns out, it’s more relevant than ever. Especially after headlines like this one from CNBC: "Markets Plunge as Trade War Tensions...
💥 Tax Bracket Panic? Why Federal Employees Shouldn’t Fear a Raise
How Misunderstanding Federal Employee Tax Brackets Can Cost You—Now and in Retirement “I Got a Raise, But Now I’m in a Higher Tax Bracket!” If I had a dollar every time a federal employee said that, I’d have enough to max out my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). All jokes...
The More You Check Your TSP or Investment Accounts, the Worse You’ll Do
Checking your TSP too often might seem like a responsible habit, but it can actually hurt your long-term financial success. The more frequently you check, the more likely you are to react emotionally to short-term market swings—leading to stress and potentially costly decisions. Instead of monitoring your investments like an ICU patient, adopt a patient, long-term approach. !
Why Most People Quit Their New Year’s Resolutions by Quitters Day – and How to Beat the Odds
Why Most People Quit Their New Year’s Resolutions by Quitters Day – and How to Beat the Odds 🎯 New Year’s Resolutions: Are You Still on Track? As we approach March, let’s check in on something that feels like it happened just yesterday—New Year's resolutions. How are...
TSP Withdrawal Rules for Federal Law Enforcement: Avoid Penalties & Maximize Retirement Savings
TSP Withdrawals for Federal Law Enforcement: Avoid Penalties & Maximize Your Retirement Understanding the “Protecting Public Safety Employees Timely Retirement Act” If you're a Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) planning for retirement, understanding the latest...
Federal Buyouts: Are You Financially Secure or Swimming Naked?
Are You Swimming Naked? Are Federal Buyouts Are Exposing Financial Vulnerabilities? Are Federal Buyouts Revealing Financial Weaknesses Among Employees? Warren Buffett once said, “When the tide goes out, you see who is swimming naked.” In other words, when financial...
The TSP’s Hidden Flaw: How Withdrawal Rules Could Cost Federal Retirees Thousands
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is pretty amazing in many ways. It’s low cost, easy to use, and offers matching contributions*—all of which make it a standout retirement savings option for federal employees. These features make it simple for participants to build a solid nest egg and retire comfortably.
But (and there’s always a “but,” right?) While the TSP shines when it comes to growing your money, it really drops the ball for retirees who are taking money out. It’s a bit like having the best tools to build a house, but no plan for how to maintain it once it’s done.
Becoming a TSP Millionaire isn’t as hard as you think. It is much, much harder.
Becoming a TSP Millionaire isn’t as hard as you think. It is much, much harder. The news has come out recently that number of TSP Millionaires just reached a record high! As of December of 2023, a total of 116,827 people had reached that magical threshold. You might...
The Road to being a TSP Millionaire: Staying Calm
The Road to being a TSP Millionaire: Staying Calm The news has come out recently that number of TSP Millionaires just reached a record high! As of December of 2023, a total of 116,827 people had reached that magical threshold. You might be wondering, how in the world...
You play poker. You don’t play the market.
You play poker. You don’t play the market. I came across the headline below and alternated between laughing and crying. CNBC, one of THE leading financial news media outlets, is touting a ‘potential strategy’ that seems to appeal to the gambler in us. With...