I recently had the experience of turning down an $8,000 per year client. They were nice enough people, planning to retire soon, who had saved up a sizeable nest egg and were looking for someone to manage their investments in retirement. We had an initial consultation, discussed their objectives and financial interests, worries and concerns, and explained our financial planning …

Hello everyone! It’s time for your annual reminder that today is Giving Tuesday, the biggest non-profit fundraising day of the year. Thousands of companies donate to provide matching dollars for donations to any number of 501(c)3 non-profits, raising billions annually over the past several years that the event has occurred. I, for one, elected to donate to the Longmont Community …

A common issue encountered by business owners and entrepreneurs of every stripe is the value of their business. While it’s common in the land of startups and venture capital to create valuations of an idea, followed by funding rounds over the years that progressively measure and estimate the value of a business enterprise for future funding rounds until the business …

That’s the tweet, as they say. Now, the reason for the terse and titular advice is that I’m currently bedridden with back pain (causes unknown) and have been for the past two days. Regardless of the why, the experience is, like many, illuminating. What would you do if you were suddenly unable to work? We often think of disability as …

If you’ve read my blogs at length, you’ll know I’m fond of a particular story about United States Marine Colonel “Chesty” Puller. The story goes that he was in command of a unit at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, and upon receiving news that his unit was completely surrounded by the Communists, he declared: “Good, they can’t possibly …

Well folks, I’m back from my wedding and honeymoon, and of course, as anyone who has spent any time traveling overseas does, I must now inform you of my impending transition from financial planner to travel blogger. I’m kidding, of course, but I did think it would be helpful for folks to know a few financial tips and tricks related …

Recently, a financial planning colleague asked on his Twitter page: DIYers – What average investment return (profit) do you assign to your retirement plan? What’s your reasoning? — Tyler Olson (@olsonplanner) August 20, 2023 One of the first replies was from an Anesthesiologist: “5%. Expect 7% and account for 2% inflation with projection for “today’s dollars.” While that seems like …

About a year or so into being a financial planner, I was given an opportunity to speak to the Women’s Community within the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. I had a fifteen-minute block, alongside an investment adviser from Boulder and a disability insurance saleswoman, who had their own fifteen-minute blocks. The investment adviser gave some good, if perhaps a bit off-base …

One of the most common frustrations of a financial planner, really, of any financial professional, is when the client does things backwards. They make a big financial decision and take a big financial action, then afterward, come to the professional seeking advice on how to mitigate the consequences of their decision. “How was I to know that selling that condo …