Phase 3 Advisory Services

06/23/2026

4 Tips to Improve Your Online Security:
Turn on multifactor authentication: A code-generating app, such as Authy or Google Authenticator, is the most protective method but any multifactor authentication is better than none. Don’t forget to enable it for your password manager, too.

2. Open Social Security & IRS accounts: If you haven’t already, sign up for online SS & IRS account before a hacker can use your info to do it on your behalf. You can also sign up for a PIN from the IRS, which prevents others from filing your tax return and claiming a refund.

3. Change compromised passwords: If you find that your password has been leaked, reset it on every platform or site. Many hackers use leaked passwords to launch attacks on other services. The most secure option is to use a password manager to create unique logins for every site.

4. Freeze your credit: Contact Experian, TransUnion and Equifax and freeze your accounts to prevent hackers from opening an unauthorized account. You can also lock down lesser-known credit-reporting bureaus, including ChexSystems and the National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange.

06/22/2026

If your goal is to have the happiest and most fulling retirement you can, take this advice seriously: Generous giving leads to increased happines.

The benefits of generosity can vary: money, recognition, time, attention, aid, encouragement, and more, but the bottom line is that gift-giving enhances the well-being of the receiver AND the health and well-being of the giver.

Notably, according to Nikki Syverson, owner of Isaacson-Syverson Consulting, while Millennials and Generation Z have now become the largest population of adults, Boomers are still the most significant sources of philanthropic giving, and they're ready to pass the baton.

She also found that donors age 65+ express the need for the next generation of philanthropists to step in, stating they have done their share in giving both of time and treasure.

Additional research shows that generosity is a learned character trait, which means there's still plenty of time for you to establish the habit and reap the benefits of being a generous giver.

06/19/2026

One of the top 3 factors for happiness in retirement has nothing to do with your income. Can you guess what it is?

It's the quality of your closest relationships!

Study after study has shown that relationships play a bigger role in retirement happiness than almost any other factor. Episode 7 of our podcast goes more in-depth with the stats and the findings of the studies so catch that if you want to know more about why.

But for now, our advice is to work on two things:

1. If you're married, make your marriage a priority! Do what you can to nurture the relationship with your spouse now and in retirement.
2. Make friends! Even you introverts out there need people, so prioritize building friendships based on shared values or interests.

In this episode of The Year You Retire podcast, hosts John Bever and Jim Uren delve into the topic of retirement happiness, drawing from extensive research and insights to provide valuable takeaways for retirees. Listen along as they discuss the positive trend of happiness during retirement and emph...

06/18/2026

All your questions about having a living will, answered! Our Jim Uren CFP® chats with the team at WLS about having a living will - both when you're caring for elderly parents and for yourself.

06/17/2026

"The golden years" look wildly different for our generation than past ones, and this article does a great job of shedding light on the struggles of balancing the modern grandparent experience with the reality of family life, finances, and retirement dreams.

America's grandparents are stepping into a radically different role, with many doing more caregiving and delaying retirement

06/16/2026

MONEY MOVES: We often think money moves in terms of the right stock or the right investment option, but the truth is that there are three other crucial components to your money success. Our John Bever CFP® explains. Click here:

Here's what you can learn from former Marine Captain, John McElvenn...

06/15/2026

You might have heard that using the credit you're allotted matters if you want to have a good credit score. You don't want to end up like my neighbor, who at 70 years old went to buy a new truck and couldn't because the only item in his credit score was the mortgage he'd paid off 15 years earlier!

And that is true. But you don’t need to carry a balance from month to month to help your score.

What’s more important is responsible account activity: Keep balances manageable and make on-time payments.

My quick tip is to use your card for purchases you can already afford, then pay the statement balance in full by the due date.

This way, your account can show regular activity and timely payments without creating unnecessary interest charges. It also builds the habit of using your card as a payment tool rather than as borrowed income.

06/12/2026

Summertime tax tip: Pull together everything from the first half of the year that you may need to file your taxes at the end of the year: last year’s tax return, 1099s, receipts, etc., and get them sorted and stored in a safe place.

06/11/2026

Your short-term money - that which you'll need in the next 1-3 years - should not be in the stock market! Here's where to invest your short-term dollars:

Certificate of Deposit: Great for letting money mature at a higher rate than a savings account, and safer than investing in the stock market. Though there is a maturity date, you can access the funds prior to maturity. If you need to access the money, you will give up perhaps three months’ worth of interest.
Government Bond: Great short-term investment option. Just like CDs, bonds have a maturity date but you can get your money out early.
Mutual finds: Let you pool your money with other investors to "mutually" buy stocks, bonds, and other investments. Mutual funds have more risk than CDs or bonds, but that risk also comes with higher rewards.

Get more info on each of these options in TYYR podcast episode 3 "How Can I Earn More on my Short-Term Savings?". Listen on the web on the podcast page on our website, or find it on your favorite smart speaker or podcast player.

06/10/2026

We use the phrase "Helping You Retire Wiser" here at Phase 3 Advisory to refer to the goals we help you achieve, but what actually goes into a Retire Wiser retirement? That's different for each client we work with.

We ask lots of questions to find out what that looks like for you. Do you want to confidently retire early, maintain your current lifestyle, support the causes you have a passion for, transition your business to new ownership, provide for your children, or simply live without worry that you'll run out of money? Whatever your goal, we'll do all we can to guide you down the path to a fulfilling and joyful retirement.

Ready to get started? Give us a call and book your discovery session today. 847-520-5545.