Financial & Insurance Consultants

09/07/2026

Markets pushed higher in August as AI-driven optimism helped investors look past softer economic data. The S&P 500 gained 2.62% and the S&P/TSX Composite rose 2.96%, even as softening retail sales kept consumer spending in focus. Back-to-school season adds another data point to that story, with spending expected to reach \$146.8 billion in the U.S. and \$4.5 billion in Canada this year.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 2.62 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 3.93 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, adding 1.34 percent. The S&P/TSX rose 2.96 percent.1,2

09/03/2026

Check out this video on taxes.

Millions faithfully file their 1040 forms each April. But some things about federal income taxes may surprise you.

09/01/2026

As complex as the details of taxes can be, the income tax process is fairly straightforward.

A quick look at how federal income taxes work.

09/01/2026

Making money is only one part of building wealth. The bigger challenge is keeping it, growing it, and creating a plan that allows it to support you and your family for decades.

Real wealth isn't about getting rich quickly. It's about building systems that preserve what you've created and keep your money working for you.

Share this with someone who needs to hear that building wealth is only half the equation.

08/31/2026

I could stop teaching, but I don't want to.

Teaching keeps me sharp, challenges how I think, and reinforces why I believe financial planning should start with education. I don't want clients who blindly trust their advisor. I want people who understand their strategy and feel confident about their decisions.

Follow for financial education that helps you understand the “why” behind your financial plan.

08/30/2026

Retirement income planning isn't just about how much you've saved. It's about turning that savings into reliable income that can potentially last for decades.

Withdrawal strategies, tax-efficient distributions, sequence-of-returns risk, and asset allocation all play a role.

I teach these concepts at Rice University, and they're central to how I approach retirement planning with clients.

Follow for more retirement income and financial planning education.

08/29/2026

My graduate students often expect financial planning to be all about spreadsheets, investments, and numbers. But money is deeply personal.

It's about the fear of running out, the hope of helping your family, the freedom to retire, and the legacy you want to leave behind.

The numbers matter, but understanding the person behind those numbers matters too.

Follow for financial education that goes beyond the spreadsheets.

08/29/2026

CFP®, ChFC®, MBA, CLU®, CFEd®, CKA®, these credentials represent years of education, testing, and continued learning.

But credentials aren't just letters. They reflect a commitment to professional standards, comprehensive planning, and putting the client's interests first.

Follow for more financial education and insights to help you make informed decisions about your wealth.

08/28/2026

I teach future financial professionals at Rice University, but my passion is helping families apply that knowledge to their own financial lives.

You don't need a billion-dollar portfolio to deserve thoughtful, high-level financial planning. You need a strategy you understand and someone who puts education before sales.

Follow for practical financial education and strategies to help you make smarter decisions with your money.

08/27/2026

Updated your estate strategy for a second marriage? You may not be caring for dependents from your previous one.

Second marriages are a trigger event to revisit any existing estate strategies.