Colton White, Agent with New York Life

04/06/2026

Annual YVFG Bowling outing from last week.

Lucky to be surrounded by great people.

03/31/2026

Always a pleasure speaking with the Local 125 here in Cedar Rapids. Great group of guys, very receptive to what Scott and I had to say.

We’ve been spending more time with the trades lately, and it’s clear how much opportunity (and complexity) comes with all the new projects going on right now in eastern Iowa. There’s a lot happening, and having a solid plan in place matters.

These guys at the 125 specifically are doing a great job building our community. Anyone interested in the trades - 125 will take care of you.

03/26/2026

A grilling themed analogy for us as we get into the summertime...

I go to the local grocery store (let's call it Fareway in this example, great meat counter) to pick up something to slap on the grill.

I see pork chops are marked UP 10%, and I see burgers are marked DOWN 10%. In the event that both will feed my family all the same, which one will I choose?

I'm whipping up some burgers every time. I'm buying something ON SALE.

Is this any different when we are investing? No, but investors have the tendency to do EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE.

Any financial advisor could tell you the same story: someone accumulating money sees the market pull back by 10% and all of the sudden - regardless of how well the portfolio is constructed - the investor wants to get out; sell NOW.

When in fact, the opposite is most likely true - STAY THE COURSE. Time in the market beats timing the market, especially with a well-constructed portfolio.

*This post is geared towards those accumulating/growing their wealth. More to come for those in their income earning years...

**Enjoy this pic of me doing the aforementioned grilling and feeding of the family...

03/23/2026

A common misconception....

People think they need to have everything “figured out” before they take action. This is true of life in general, but ESPECIALLY with financial decisions

So people wait.

Wait until:
- They make more money
- The market feels “safer”
- They have a perfect plan
- They feel more confident

But in reality, most of the people who end up in a strong position didn’t wait for perfect clarity.

They just started. They just TOOK ACTION. Not perfect, but something.

That might look like:
- Getting money out of low-yield cash
- Cleaning up old accounts
- Taking advantage of employer plans
- Putting a simple structure/budget in place

Then, once SOMETHING has been done, that's where a fella like myself may be able to help EDUCATE and CLARIFY some ideas moving forward.

TAKING ACTION matters.

03/20/2026

Being on the same page matters...

My lovely lady here (pictured above) and I have some big changes coming up here in 2026. Not only are we getting married this October, but there will be an extra patron at our wedding - we are expecting a very important guest, a daughter, any time now!

These are two humungous life changes. A lot of stress comes with these happening simultaneously.

Luckily, Maggie and I have developed a monthly ritual to ensure we can stay on the same page.

Every month, we have scheduled meetings where we get together outside of our home, generally at the local library or at a coffee shop, and discuss our long-term visions and goals for our family (in the picture attached, we had the pleasure of having our last meeting in Arizona).

Can't take credit for this idea, I think I saw it on a random Facebook reel. Nonetheless, this has Maggie and I on the same team - personally, professionally, financially, spiritually, etc.

I know there is going to be a lot of hard stuff her and I go thru. But knowing that I have a partner and supporter like her gives me a TON of confidence that we will make it thru whatever comes our way.

03/18/2026

“Am I actually doing the right things with my money?”

I get this question A LOT. Most recently, a couple in their late 40s who are starting to see the not so distance future where they will want or need to retire...

But they are not the only group asking this question.

I’m hearing it from:
- People just getting started (Builders)
- People in their peak earning years (Optimizers)
- People getting close to retirement (Pre-Retirees)

Each of these groups of people have different goals/timelines, but the same concern lurks in the back of their head... "Am I doing ENOUGH?"

Main themes from these conversations...

• Too much money sitting in cash (but unsure where to put it)
• Not knowing if current investments are really aligned with long-term goals
• Wanting to be more intentional, but not sure what to prioritize

Depending on where you’re at, this shows up differently.

If that looming uneasiness has been on your mind at all, you’re definitely not alone.

TAKE ONE ACTIONABLE STEP TODAY to further yourself towards financial freedom. Emphasis on TODAY!

10/21/2025

Pic of my most recent prospective client:

- Biggest concern: getting the time and attention he desires.

- Biggest asset to his name: the brand new bone he just got.

- Biggest challenge: caring too much for the people he loves most.

Think I should onboard him...?

07/24/2025

Another YVFG Team Member has joined the ranks. Meet Sam Shaw:

Sam joined Your Vision Financial Group in January 2025 as a licensed service assistant. A 2024 graduate of Coe College with a degree in Business Administration, Sam also played football for the Kohawks and served as team captain.

Sam is committed to developing a deep understanding of the financial industry and assisting YVFG and its clients in every way possible. Currently, Sam is advancing in his professional qualifications, working towards completing his certifications.

A Cedar Rapids resident, Sam enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. Outside of work, you’ll often find Sam on the golf course, embracing the challenge of the game.

See below for a link to our YouTube channel with a video of Sam himself!

https://bit.ly/3IDENLv

www.yourvfg.com

02/17/2025

YVFG Team Member Spotlight: Ava Kautz

Ava started with Your Vision Financial Group in the summer of 2024. She grew up in North Liberty, but spent a majority of her time in Cedar Rapids with homeschool friends and classmates. In summer of 2024, she married her high school sweetheart, Henry Kautz, who she met at homeschool co-op. Now, she is majoring in accounting and minoring in Latin at the University of Iowa. Ava and Henry enjoy spending time with family, playing with their cat Cheese, working out, and racing their 1989 Camaro in auto-cross events.

From a young age, Ava has been interested in business and math, starting her own lawn mowing and craft businesses in elementary and middle school. She enjoys the opportunities Your Vision Financial Group has given her to learn about financial products and gain experience working with clients. Most of all, she loves the team. After her summer internship, she decided to continue part-time during the school year. Having passed the Life, Health, and Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam, she is now a Licensed Service Assistant. By the end of college, her goal is to pass the CPA and securities exams so that she can help others with all things finance.

Ava is a STUD, and is further ahead in life than 90% of people her age. She will be successful no matter what she does, and she has the tools and work ethic to be a very successful advisor one day.

Keep up the GOOD WORK, Ava!

www.yourvfg.com

02/10/2025

YVFG Team Member Spotlight: Sienna Kaestner

Sienna Kaestner began her collegiate journey at Kirkwood Community College, earning an Associate’s Degree in Marketing Management while working as an Administrative Assistant at Your Vision Financial Group in 2021. She then pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Event Management at Iowa State University, where she was actively involved in leadership roles, including Treasurer of the Event Management Club, Youth Mentor and Special Events Director of the University’s sold-out, entirely student-run fashion show.

Sienna is known for her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and passion for streamlining workflows. She enjoys getting to know each client and is always looking for ways to improve processes with fresh ideas and organizational efficiency. Sienna also brings a sense of hospitality to her work, ensuring clients feel valued and well cared for. After gaining prior valuable experience with Your Vision Financial Group, she returned to the team in 2024, contributing to its continued growth and success.

Outside of work, Sienna enjoys traveling, trying new hobbies, and cheering on Iowa State athletics with her family and friends. She spent a summer living in downtown Omaha, where she explored a new appreciation for art, culture, and history, and continues to seek opportunities for both personal and professional growth.

We can only hope you stick around a little while longer this time around, Sienna. Thank you for all of your GOOD WORK that you do for us.

www.yourvfg.com

02/03/2025

YVFG Team Member Spotlight: Co-Founder and Advisor Scott Shaw.

Check out this YouTube video to hear more from Scott personally.

https://bit.ly/3WICfzL

Scott is a Partner of Your Vision Financial Group. He is a graduate of Simpson College and the University of Iowa Business School. He started his career in the Financial Services Industry in 2003. In 2016 he joined Kevin Lindblom at Your Vision Financial Group. Over that time, he has been excited to be a part of creating a team built around educating and supporting clients so that they can enjoy financial confidence.

Scott enjoys getting to know his clients. As they share their personal and financial goals, he is able to take part in creating and implementing solutions that support those goals.

Scott is a Financial Advisor with Eagle Strategies LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. In that role Scott can help clients with their insurance and investment needs. He can also provide his clients with customized financial plans that address their concerns and pursue their financial objectives.

Scott believes that it is his purpose in all areas of life to help people understand, grow, and gain confidence.

If he could do anything, Scott would “Help people to THINK in a way that causes them to SMILE.”

Scott and his wife, Tracy, were married in 2000 and have four sons. Scott enjoys handball and hunting. Together Scott and Tracy enjoy traveling and watching their boys pursue their passions.

Mr. Shaw - you are much appreciated. Thanks for all you do for our office. GOOD WORK!

www.yourvfg.com

Meet Scott Shaw, a partner at Your Vision Financial Group in Cedar Rapids Iowa. He started his caree...