Jeremy Palensky, AIF - Financial Advisor

11/25/2025

10/27/2025

The final quarter of the year arrives with a strange mix of urgency and opportunity. For business owners, Q4 represents more than just holiday parties and year-end bonuses. It's the critical window where planning can set the foundation for next year's success, while poor decisions can create problems that linger for months. Research suggests that entrepreneurs who write formal plans are 16% more likely¹ to achieve viability. Companies with documented business plans² have a 30% higher chance of sales growth compared to those without formal planning. Most business owners understand they should plan for the year ahead, but knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things. The difference between businesses that thrive and those that merely survive often comes down to how they use these final weeks. Whether you're closing out a strong year or working to turn things around, the actions you take before December 31st will shape your entire next year.



Sources:

1- https://hbr.org/2017/07/research-writing-a-business-plan-makes-your-startup-more-likely-to-succeed/
2- https://www.waveapps.com/blog/importance-of-a-business-plan/

09/22/2025

A big one!

The Social Security Administration sent an email that made millions of retirees do a double-take1, announcing that "the new law includes a provision that eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries." Seniors across the country started celebrating what seemed like the end of Social Security taxation. But the One Big Beautiful Bill Act doesn't actually eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits at all. Instead, it creates a new $6,000 deduction for taxpayers 65 and older2 that might make some seniors' Social Security tax-free in practice, while others will continue paying taxes just as before. 88% of seniors receiving Social Security will pay no tax on benefits3 according to White House analysis, but the underlying taxation system remains intact. Current Social Security taxation rules remain unchanged for determining taxable benefits, and higher-income seniors will continue paying taxes on up to 85% of their benefits4.

09/03/2025

Nearly 8 out of 10 Americans believe we’re facing a retirement crisis, yet many miss the warning signs in their own plans. What’s one thing you think people often overlook when planning for retirement?

08/25/2025

Miss just 10 of the best market days over 30 years, and your returns get cut in half¹. This stunning statistic reveals why market timing is so dangerous—the best days often come when you least expect them. Seventy-eight percent of the stock market's best days occur during bear markets or in the first two months of bull markets, exactly when most investors are running for the exits. Markets have risen 75.6% of the time in typical 12-month periods², yet investors consistently try to outsmart this math. The S&P 500's 23% gain in 2024³ rewarded those who stayed invested, not those who tried to time perfect entry points. Every day you're out of the market is a day you could miss life-changing returns.

08/15/2025

Einstein reportedly called compound interest "the eighth wonder of the world"¹, yet most people don't truly understand its power until it's too late to maximize it. Compound interest is money earning money on money that's already earned money—like a financial snowball rolling downhill, gathering more snow with each rotation. Your first $1,000 investment at age 25 has 40 years to grow, potentially becoming $14,974. The same $1,000 invested at 35 only reaches $7,612—less than half. The difference between starting in your 20s versus 30s can literally double your retirement account balance, yet only 39% of adults² saving for retirement started in their 20s.



Sources: 1- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/8th-wonder-world-according-albert-202800026.html

08/12/2025

The real value isn’t just in reading the article—it’s in seeing the impact for yourself. I like to show people Dave Ramsey’s Compound Interest Calculator so they can visualize how even small contributions can grow significantly over time. It’s worth checking out.

https://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/compound-interest-calculator

08/04/2025

Your business likely represents the largest portion of your personal net worth, yet most owners have no idea what it's actually worth. 49% of business owners 1 plan to exit within five years, but 83% either don't have a transition plan 1 or haven't documented it. Knowing your business value isn't just about planning an exit—it helps you make strategic decisions about growth, hiring, and operations. Understanding what drives value in your business gives you the roadmap for building wealth and preparing for your eventual transition.

07/29/2025

Can’t say it enough.. make sure you have a Will or Estate Plan in place!