Blog
Cutting The Christmas Crazies
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant The holidays can be a magical time of year. It can also be an exhausting and expensive season leaving us with a “holiday hangover” when the bills come in January. What can you do to...
Read MoreOne Simple Way To Cut Thousands of Dollars And Years Off Your Mortgage
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Grab a cup of coffee as we are heading into the dry material of mortgages. The proverbial ball and chain that you signed for 30 years. Actually this step is really easy! You just need to commit...
Read MoreFinancial Considerations For Those Starting Out In Their 20s
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant You have the world at your feet. You have finished all of the schooling that was required and have a job that is starting to pay real money. Nice work! By now you have also discovered how...
Read MoreMoney Management: Tips To Mastering Your Finances
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Comparing Roth versus traditional IRAs, understanding qualified versus non-qualified and determining contribution limits was probably not something that you learned prior to working. Then as...
Read More10 Ways To Teach Kids About Money
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Guiding our children to grow up to be financially independent adults is one of the most crucial tasks assigned to us as parents. It is also one of the most daunting. I have been seeking...
Read MoreShow All
Single and Financially Sound and Savvy
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Being single has its advantages but also has challenges of its own. 42% of adults are single (1). The reasons vary including by choice, still seeking, post-divorce or widowed. What are...
Read MoreSimple, Clear Steps To Managing The Financial Chaos After The Loss Of A Spouse
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant The death of a loved one is clearly a very difficult emotional time. Unfortunately, when you are widowed, it is also a very overwhelming time with trying to settle financial affairs. It would...
Read MoreHow To Build An "In Case Of Death Binder"
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant I know, I know no one wants to think about dying. I get it! I promise I will make this short and sweet. Then you can go back to believing, like most of us, that you are going to live forever....
Read More10 Steps To Finding Financial Success In A New Marriage
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Does the proposal seem like a lifetime ago? The past year has been filled with checklists, fittings, showers, parties and culminated in the big day. Now the gifts are put away, the thank you...
Read MoreTaking Care of Family with Special Needs: Special Needs Trust
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant In the last blog we discussed ABLE accounts. Today I want to talk about Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) as an option for an individual with special needs. These trusts are a vehicle to put money...
Read MoreTaking Care of Family with Special Needs: ABLE Accounts
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Assisting with finances for those with disabilities is a topic that is very close to my heart. Autism Spectrum Disorders are clearly on the rise to 1 out of every 59 kids in 2018 per Autism...
Read MoreAll Annuities Are Bad... Or Are They?
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant This article has a very loooooooooong history behind it. When I started at Johnson Insurance in 2015, I hated annuities. I mean really despised them. I had a long-held belief that every annuity...
Read MoreThe Real Story of Inflation
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Inflation is a big word that is often thrown around in the media. What does it mean? Per Investopedia, “It is a quantitative measure (blah, blah, blah) of the rate at which the average...
Read MoreHow Tax Brackets Actually Work?
🔴 SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL 🎓CONTINUE LEARNING & 🤝 BECOME OUR CLIENT 📲CONNECT WITH ME ON FACEBOOK
Read MoreRoth Conversions EXPLAINED
Thinking about doing a Roth Conversion? Here are a few reasons why a Roth conversion might be right for your retirement tax plan. 🔴 SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL 🎓CONTINUE LEARNING & 🤝 BECOME OUR CLIENT 📲CONNECT WITH ME ON FACEBOOK
Read MoreMarginal Tax Rate EXPLAINED
🔴 SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL 🎓CONTINUE LEARNING & 🤝 BECOME OUR CLIENT 📲CONNECT WITH ME ON FACEBOOK
Read MoreThings To Consider When Filling Out W4 Form
🔴 SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL 🎓CONTINUE LEARNING & 🤝 BECOME OUR CLIENT 📲CONNECT WITH ME ON FACEBOOK
Read MoreCommon Mistakes When Filing Taxes
🔴 SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL 🎓CONTINUE LEARNING & 🤝 BECOME OUR CLIENT 📲CONNECT WITH ME ON FACEBOOK
Read MoreHow To Transfer Assets After Death
Do you have a last will and testament? If so, when was the last time you reviewed it? Have you updated your beneficiaries recently? Have you shared your wishes with your loved ones? 🔴 SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL 🎓CONTINUE...
Read More9 Tips To Navigating Divorce While Protecting Yourself
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Divorce is never a fun topic to discuss. If you are going through a divorce or know someone who is, you are not alone. According to worldpopulationreview.com the United States ties for third as...
Read More6 Retirement Plans For The Self-Employed
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Are you or do you know someone who is self-employed? Individuals who are a business of one or have a small company pour a lot of blood, sweat and tears into their business. This is what it...
Read MoreAre Social Security Benefits Taxed?
Is Social Security taxable? Understanding the impact of Social Security Taxes in Retirement. Other Videos: The Best Age To File For Social Security: https://youtu.be/n2tGhA76Hkw Where Will Your Retirement Money From Come:...
Read MoreStandard vs Itemized Deductions
Summary: Today we are breaking down which is better! Is the Standard Deduction better than Itemizing? Or is Itemizing better than the Standard Deduction? This video covers the details of each deduction so that you can actually...
Read MoreTips For Becoming A Millionaire
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant What comes to mind when you picture a millionaire? A baby born with a silver spoon in his mouth? A guy with a shovel who just struck oil? A woman smiling from ear to ear as she holds her...
Read MoreIdentify Your Biggest Adversary: You May Want To Look In The Mirror
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Although this title sounds like something out of a horror flick, it has truth to it. Often it is not other people that derail us from our best intentions but ourselves. Discover 7 ways that we...
Read MoreWhere Will Your Retirement Money Come From
Summary: When it comes to investing and retirement, have you heard the term "income streams"? But you aren't exactly sure what it means. I get it! There are so many terms out there when it comes to investing and retirement, it's...
Read More5 Reasons To Consider Opening A Roth IRA
SUMMARY: Roth IRAs provide the unique benefit of tax-free retirement income down the road. This is certainly the most well-known reason to open a Roth IRA, but it isn't the only one. Here's a discussion of the tax advantage, plus four...
Read MoreWho Is Smarter With Money? Men or Women?
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Do women or men save more of their salaries? Do we plan to spend our retirement doing the same or different things? Who is more confident that they are set up to retire? The Harris Poll on...
Read MoreEverything You Need To Know About RMDs
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant What is an RMD? RMD stands for required minimum distribution. This is the amount that you are required to take out of your retirement accounts every year once you have reached RMD age. Uncle...
Read MoreWhat is Dollar Cost Averaging?
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Dollar-cost averaging is when you invest the same amount of money on a consistent basis. This occurs naturally in a 401k where you put a percentage away out of each paycheck. You determine...
Read MoreFast Facts On IRAs: Traditional and Roth
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Individual Retirement Accounts or IRAs can be great savings vehicles for anyone regardless of if they are employed by a large company, self-employed or a stay-at-home parent. They can be a way...
Read More9 Money Management Apps For Easy Financial Planning
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant The world seems to be spinning faster and faster every day. We are trying to fit more into our 24 hours than we ever have. People are relying on organizing everything in their computers or...
Read MoreWhat Is A Financial Plan And Why You Need One?
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant I want to start with the second part of this. Why do you want a financial plan? How would I know that? We have never met to discuss your personal goals. Why do I want a financial plan? That is...
Read MoreHow Different Generations Save Money
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant I was having lunch with a group of millennial friends in their 20s. They were openly discussing saving and investing. I sat quietly (which can be hard for me) and just listened. Keep in mind...
Read MoreFinancial Planning - Easier Than You Think!
SUMMARY: Everyone should have a financial plan, and creating one is easier than you think! A financial plan is a document that thoroughly details your financial goals. Think of it as a roadmap showing you how to build the financial...
Read MoreDo Your Loved Ones Truly Know Your End-Of-Life Wishes?
SUMMARY: COVID-19 has caused a ton of craziness in the last few months. In today's short message I discuss the importance of you having your affairs in order in the event something happens to you. From legal documents to family...
Read MoreWhich Accounts To Spend Down First In Retirement!
SUMMARY: If you have a loved one receiving long-term care either in a nursing home or assisted living facility - do you know where to pull the money from to pay for that care? In today's video I walk you through why taking money from...
Read MoreMy Investment Philosophy
After the recent market crash, have you wondered to yourself if you are going to be ok? I have been asked this question a lot lately, so I decided to walk you through our investment philosophy and share the six steps to proper...
Read MoreTake It Or Leave It: 5 Options For An Old 401k
By Kristi DeRycke, Registered Assistant Have you left a job for a new adventure and left a 401k behind? Or maybe you are thinking about switching jobs and currently have a 401k at place of employment? If you fall into either of these...
Read MoreMaximizing Your 401k
By Kristi DeRycke, Registered Assistant When is the last time you looked at your 401K? No not the balance. I mean really looked at your 401K. What funds are you in? What is your balance between stocks and bonds? What are the fees on...
Read MoreHow To Successfully Manage Your 401K
Were you shocked when you opened your first quarter 401k statements in 2020? If so, you weren't alone - most people were and in this video I share with you a service we provide to our clients, where I help them manage their 401k plan....
Read MoreCan You Spot The Difference Between A Traditional IRA & A Roth IRA?
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Can you also spot the differences between the Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA? Read on to see which option is best for you. There are four main differences between the two. Taxes: If you...
Read MoreDo Your Parents Have Assets Everywhere?
Are you concerned about your handling of your parents finances? Do they have money laying around all over the place? Is tax season a nightmare for them, you, or their accountant? In this short 3 minute video I walk you through a story...
Read MoreIs A Roth Conversion Right For You?
Do you think taxes may go up in the future? Yes or No? If your answer is YES, then watch this short video as I discuss the benefits of a strategy called Roth IRA Conversions. We are in the lowest tax rate environment we have been in...
Read MoreLessons From Coronavirus
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant We were all moving along in our daily lives until everything came to a screeching halt. Depending on your industry, your workload may have multiplied or slowed down significantly. Regardless of...
Read MoreSmall Business with Key Employees
Are you a small business owner who cannot afford to lose one of your key employees? Do you question how the business would succeed without these people? In this video I discuss a small company I worked with in designing a Deferred...
Read MoreInformation Overload
Do you think you are pretty sharp when it comes to doing research on the internet? Do you feel like you can find plenty of information, but have a hard time figuring out what to do with it? In this video I discuss why a financial...
Read MoreThe Secret Value Of A Financial Advisor
If you have been on the fence about working with a financial advisor make sure to check out this video as Greg walks through a story of one of his clients who was extremely nervous about her ability to retire in 2020. After visiting...
Read MoreHealthcare Professionals: Stop Taking Care of Others for a Moment to Take Care of YOU
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant We are coming out of one of the most challenging times to be a healthcare worker. It feels like overnight our lives have changed. We were quickly learning the specifics about Covid-19 and...
Read MoreFather's Know Best
By Kristi DeRycke, Registered Assistant Everything we know about financial independence we learned from our father's. "Anything worth doing, is worth doing well." This drove me crazy when I had to spend my Christmas vacation on a...
Read MoreFive Benefits Of Life Insurance During COVID-19
You have a responsibility to take care of the people you care about most whether that's your spouse, children or business partner. Life Insurance companies have made changes to traditional paramed requirements giving clients more...
Read MoreA Parent's Graduation Guide: An Empty Nest Means New Opportunities For You
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant May is a very exciting time of the year with many kids graduating from high school and college. As parents this can be a very emotional time as well. The phase “Time goes quickly”...
Read MoreAll We Really Need to Know We Learned From…..Our Mothers!
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant "You need to do your chores or you don't get an allowance this week." We need to work hard at what we do to enhance our skills and make ourselves irreplaceable at our jobs. This will make for...
Read More5 Things To Consider Doing With Your Stimulus Money
As part of the federal coronavirus relief package, many Americans will be receiving a stimulus check of up to $1,200 per adult (and $500 per child). The best use of your stimulus check depends on your financial situation and your...
Read MoreWatch Out For Coronavirus Scams
Fraudsters and scam artists are always looking for new ways to prey on consumers. Now they are using the same tactics to take advantage of consumers' heightened financial and health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Federal,...
Read MoreSurviving In Difficult Times: Ideas On Managing Your Finances During The Coronavirus
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Nothing is normal right now. Children are home with no school for what looks like months with limited access to playing with others. Working adults are either out of work, working from home or...
Read MoreCOVID-19 CARES Act Impact On Workers
Congress just passed the largest stimulus package in American history, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). This was done in an effort to combat some of the pandemic’s harmful economic effects. Since...
Read MoreCOVID-19 CARES Act For Retirees
Congress passed the largest stimulus package in American history, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). This was done in an effort to combat some of the pandemic’s harmful economic effects. And while...
Read MoreCOVID-19 CARES Act For Small Business Owners
Congress just passed the largest stimulus package in American history, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). This was done in an effort to combat some of the pandemic’s harmful effects on the economy....
Read MoreCARES Act and Your 401(k), 403(b) or IRAs
By Kristi DeRycke, Registered Assistant The recent CARES Act does include changes to your retirement plan requirements. Let’s find out what this means for you and options that you may consider. The main points to consider include...
Read MoreThe Gender Investment Gap: Who Comes Out On Top?
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant This is a topic that I have been reading a lot about lately. It really has been a gut check as many important people in my life are women. It is a known fact that there is an income gap....
Read MoreWhy Women Should Not Worry About Their Finances
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant You don't have time. You may be a working mother trying to juggle everything and just are too busy right now. You may be a single mother with very little to no spare time. It can wait. You are...
Read MoreDo You Have The TIME - EXPERTISE - DESIRE To Manage Your Own Finances?
The very first question I ask potential clients - Do you have the TED? TIME - EXPERTISE - DESIRE to manage your own finances. If you don't then you should consider working with a financial advisor.
Read MoreThe One Little Mistake That Devastated The Early Retirement Dream
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Imagine this real life scenario: You and your spouse both work for companies that have a good 401K plan. You are both avid savers. You have gradually increased your contributions over the years...
Read MoreOptical Illusion: The Real Cost of Purchases
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Marriage can be a constant negotiation between 2 people with different views. These often revolve around kids, schedules, household chores and finances. There is a constant effort by...
Read MorePredictions: What You Can Expect In 2020
By Kristi DeRycke, Registered Assistant January 2020 means the start of a new year and a new decade. How will this affect us? What world events will happen and what affect will they have on the markets. What should we invest in this...
Read MoreTraditional 401k or Roth 401k - What is the right choice for you?
By Kristi DeRycke, Registered Assistant Roth 401K is a word that we are hearing more often lately. Many more companies are offering the Roth 401K option in addition to the Traditional 401K than they did 5 or 10 years ago. Saving for...
Read MoreThe Professionals You Need To Meet With Before Retirement
SUMMARY: You are almost there, retirement is just around the corner, but who is going to be your guides to help you navigate all of these details in the years to come? Let's take a look at how each of these professionals play a role...
Read MoreInvestment Winter: How Often Do Corrections Occur?
Winter Solstice is on Saturday, December 21st this year. This is the shortest day of the year and things only look better from there, right? Yeah I can't believe anyone that lives in the Midwest for more than a season believes that....
Read MoreEffective Strategies To Transfer Wealth To Next Generation
SUMMARY: You work your whole life to build and accumulate wealth - don't you want to make sure it goes to the people you care most about? Check out our list of effective strategies to ensure you are transferring your wealth to the...
Read MoreHow To Secure Guaranteed Lifetime Income Streams
SUMMARY: Are you worried about running out of money in retirement? If so, let's talk about Guaranteed Lifetime Income! It's an income stream that will not change and will be paid to you for the remainder of your life, no matter what...
Read MoreThe Best Age To File For Social Security
SUMMARY: The concept of Social Security is simple: the government retains part of your paycheck, and then gives it back to you when you retire. Seems pretty straightforward, right? But did you know there are 2,728 core rules...
Read MoreHow To Automate Your Finances And Save Money
By Kristi DeRycke, Registered Assistant We spend the first two decades of our life dreaming about being an adult. Then we become one and wish for the carefree lives we had as kids. It is not all that bad but things get kind of crazy...
Read MoreRetiring Before Age 65? Check Out These Health Insurance Tips!
SUMMARY: Everyone wants to retire early, but the biggest challenge early retirees face today is what do they do about health insurance? In this video I will discuss the different health insurance options to consider when retiring...
Read MoreTeaching Children To Be Thankful For Their Blessings
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant It is a tradition in our family to go around the room on Thanksgiving Day and say one thing that we are each thankful for. It was always pretty easy for the adults in the room to find several...
Read MoreThe Thing You Hate Talking About - Long Term Care
SUMMARY: You don't think about it, you don't want to think about it, in fact you hate talking about it. No one wants to think about losing their independence and needing the help of others in the form of long-term care. But the...
Read MoreShould I Reduce My Risk As I Near Retirement?
SUMMARY: One of the top questions I get asked from clients approaching retirement - "Should I reduce my portfolio risk as I near retirement?" Unfortunately, it's not a one solution fits all kind of answer. It depends on a few...
Read MoreHow To Be Prepared For When The Next Bear Market Strikes!
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Halloween conjures up many images of creatures that make our skin crawl. We have all watched horror movies that even years later can give us the creeps. The fear may be of clowns, zombies,...
Read More6 Ways To Sneak In A Workout (Even When You're Crazy Busy)
Once you have made the decision to start working out, the next challenge becomes fitting exercise into your daily routine. Your life is hectic enough. Finding the time can be stressful. Here is a list of ways you can start...
Read MoreAfraid Of Running Out Of Money In Retirement?
SUMMARY The number one concern from retirees today - Will I Run Out Of Money In Retirement? To determine the answer you will need to complete the following steps which are discussed further in this video: 1. Figure out what is a safe...
Read MoreIf You Could Turn $100 Into $700,000 Would You?
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant What if your employer (or a customer if self-employed) walked up to you and asked “Would you prefer I increase your pay by $100 per month starting now or give you an envelope with $700...
Read MoreThings To Consider If You Are 5 - 10 Years Away From Retirement
SUMMARY Retirement is the most enjoyable part of your life or at least it's supposed to be. Have you thought through all the items you need to have in order before you jump into retirement? Have you done your planning? If you have,...
Read MoreHow To Speak To Your Spouse About Finances
Money can be the origin of many marital problems. It is time that you take control of the conversation before it’s too late. You want to discuss financial and life goals, such as buying a house, paying off credit card debt or...
Read MoreHow To Talk To Your Parents About Their Finances
It seems to me that people often times struggle in communicating with their parents about their financial situation and it also appears to me that most parents are uncomfortable communicating with their children about their own...
Read MoreFound Money...No Not The Money You Randomly Find Walking Down The Street
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant So all of those financial needs that need addressed in your 30s will take money to meet them. This part is to try to help you find those painless or less painful ways to free up money to...
Read More6 Steps To Create Lasting Change In Your Life
So you are feeling motivated to start working out, eating healthy, meditating or any number of lifestyle changes you’ve been telling yourself that you want to do. The problem is you have tried before without much success....
Read MoreWhat You Need To Know About Permanent Life Insurance
There are several types of life insurance in the market today and there has been many unique contracts issued over the years. I am here to shed some light on how to properly utilize a permanent life insurance contract to improve your...
Read MoreHow Dreaming Of Retirement Early In Life Could Benefit You
By Kristi De Rycke, Registered Assistant Have you ever been getting ready for work and see a commercial of retirees traveling, sipping coffee or gardening? Have you ever watched that and wished you weren't going to work that day? Have...
Read MorePay Attention If You Own Permanent Life Insurance!
If you own a permanent life insurance policy you need to watch this 5 minute video! Two significant things have happened in the last 30 years in the life insurance industry, learn what those two things are and how they could be...
Read More5 Simple Self-Care Practices For A Healthy Mind, Body & Soul
It’s so important to make sure you are taking care of your body, mind and soul every day. Practicing self-care isn’t always easy and is usually the last thing on our agenda. Most of us are crazy busy with taking care of...
Read MoreHow Much Life Insurance Do I Really Need?
I know I need life insurance, but how much do I actually need? Today's message is short and sweet. There are tons of ways to determine the right amount of life insurance to own. Computer programs, formulas, general rules of thumb. At...
Read MoreIntroduction To Kristi's Koffee Talk
Introduction To Kristi's Koffee Talk - Did That Really Just Happen? Did That Really Just Happen Moment #1: I have been an occupational therapist for 22 years. 2 years ago the 401lk guy came to the office to meet with anyone interested...
Read MoreFinancial Planning Basics
Tips for financial success Financial planning is not as difficult as people make it out to be. The difficult part is doing the things you know you should be doing. Similar to a diet or fitness plan, it’s the follow through that...
Read More
Pyramid of Successful Financial Planning
Being in the financial services business for the last 16 years has allowed me to have many conversations with individuals about where do they start when it comes to planning for their financial future. I have used this picture since...
Read MoreWhat You Need To Know About Term Life Insurance
I get the question all the time from our clients. What is the right type of life insurance for me to buy? I always tell them the kind that is in force the day that you die. Tough part is who knows when that will be? In my time in this...
Read More