Evan Drury of Gateway Financial Partners

09/04/2026

Make $500,000 and still broke

How can this happen?

That's an incredible amount of money and most people do well on far less

But what happens in these types of scenarios are all too similar (baring things like health issues or serious unavoidable situations)

Buy too big a house

Buy a boat

Maybe a few luxury cars

Don't review spending

Forget about taxes

Thinking the money will always come in

It's unfortunate to see some people with all the capabilities of building something for their family squander it on expensive stuff

But you cant out earn bad habits

To counter this

- Track your spending once a month

- Set automatic saving and investing transfers

- Make a plan

- Move towards the goals that really matter not the stuff you'll be bored of in a few months anyway.

Send a message to learn more

09/02/2026

Worried about AI watch this.

I've seen a lot of doom and gloom around AI and the future.

Now maybe we should be concerned or maybe it's just company owners hyping up their product.

Will it be a useful tool where the worry is overblown like the radio and TV situations of the past?

What we do know is that we have no control over what will happen.

We can only control how we respond.

In this case understanding the tech is helpful for one.

Current benefits and in the case of the video limitations.

It seems we can't trust the tech to give us an honest representation of its up to date capabilities and unless you program it to argue with you it will be far too positive in how it responds to you.

So for now it seems useful for work or research but a human is only enhanced by it not replaced.

Either way check this video out for some levity on the topic and maybe a little peace of mind.

08/05/2026

"I can't take it anymore I just want to retire"

This seems to be the sentiment more and more these days. People just want to retire.

They can't stand the nonsense anymore.

WFH - not available because we have to "collaborate" in yet another meeting that could have been an email and go back to work after with one less hour in the day.

If you aren't at that point yet you'll be surprised how quickly it can happen.

Start building the life you want to live today so that you have options when you hit that point.

Plan
Save
Invest

Create your freedom

Send a message to learn more

08/05/2026

If you have the money and your investments are in a good place.

Buy the car you want.

08/04/2026

Live abroad for 2 months in retirement?

You have time in retirement.

If you make a budget it's more possible than ever to live abroad instead of just planning a week or two in your country of choice.

Use Vrbo to price out living abroad for a bit. Could be a month or two depending on your budget but its more affordable than you might think.

This thought can also apply to renting an RV and exploring the US - national parks are a great idea here as well.

The point is you can get a little creative and acutally live and relax where you've always wanted to explore.

Send a message to learn more

08/04/2026

Want to relocate in retirement?

If you can try to get a AirBNB or Vrbo before you get to that point.

Scout out areas you want to live and actually experience the weekdays and weekends. See what you'll be moving to.

Hopefully you plan a few years in advance and can take a couple different trips to different towns or even states.

07/31/2026

Markets high should I buy? Here's 5 # things to do and 5 # not to do

With the markets near all time highs should you buy or wait?

This is a tale as old as investment time.

No one knows where the market is going despite all the information going around social media.

No one

There are countless examples of the numbers being ideal and curveball hit the world markets and the reverse has happened and the markets rose in less ideal conditions

So what do you do?

Invest, stay invested for the long-term and invest more money into your portfolio every month, year.

A little more practical way to look at this would be

1. Have an emergency fund 3-6 months even in retirement (if it makes sense)

2. With the emergency fund covered and near term expenses covered, cash flow is known - then invest the difference each year to compound your growth as much as possible.

3. Don't forget to plan in fun.

4. Diversify your investments - your success should not be tied to one or a few companies.

5. That being said make a financial plan because without one you're just guessing.

What should not to do?

1. Don't time the market, I've seen so many investors sit on the sidelines waiting for that perfect time or selling trying to time the ups and downs.

99% just end up losing in the long run.

Just invest in a diversified portfolio that makes sense for you and keep investing.

2. Don't buy individual stocks or be to focused on a few stocks.

Concentration can be great when growth is in full swing but it can go the complete other direction and has no guarantee of fully recovering.

3. Don't set and forget forever

Your life changes and so does the investment, tax, political and planning landscape.

Set and review each year.

4. Don't chase last years winners or headlines - they're usually already priced into the market when we hear about them.

5. Cash can be just as risky as stocks - it doesn't keep up with with inflation, so hold it strategically like anything else.

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The best purchase you'll ever make is the freedom to stop worrying - Evan

Hi I'm Evan and I'm a financial advisor, I'm also married with two kids and a puppy.

Not advice for any particular person just my thoughts after years of working with retirees.

07/30/2026

What are your top 10 retirement purchases?

07/30/2026

10 best retirement purchases and what to avoid.

Anything 5/10 and below I'd avoid.

1. Boat or B.O.A.T - Break out another thousand - I've heard plenty of stories from boat owners. If you don't mind doing or paying for maintenance and you can use it a fair bit, This purchase really depends on you.

5/10

2. Travel - You generally get 12 good years in retirement when you'll have the energy to go abroad depending on how well you take care of yourself, go on some adventures if you can. Even better take family with you.

10/10

3. RV - Just like the boat this depends on the person and their comfort level with travel/the size of the RV. Personally I like these especially for exploring the US.

7/10

4. Luxury car - Often more trouble than they're worth. Do you want a car that starts and goes every time or a performance vehicle that's more likely to be in the shop?

4/10

Comfortable reliable car that works every time - 10/10

5. Moving closer to family - grandkids/kids, your community will keep you happier and healthier longer.

10/10

6. Quality Gym - I love home gyms but once you leave work it becomes harder for many to socialize. Giving yourself an excuse to leave the house and meet other people is worth it's weight in gold.

I'd throw hobbies, clubs, classes, anything that builds an maintains community in this category.

10/10

7. Moving to a lower tax state just for the taxes - I give this a meh at best. If you leave your community you lose something far greater than taxes. Also the perceived tax breaks aren't as large as you'd might think from what I've seen anyway.

4/10

8. Paid off mortgage - depends on a lot here but let's assume you were in the 3% mortgage club.

3/10 - efficiency (most likely)

7/10 - peace of mind (this is an emotional decision and some can feel it ranks even higher, just make sure it makes sense with your plan.)

9. Part-time gig you enjoy - I've worked with people who go back to being musicians, work with children, the zoo, all sorts of interesting or fun work.

Builds community, keeps you engaged, should be fun

10/10

10. Second home - depends on you, how often you can enjoy it and how much extra work it is.

Can be 10/10

or 5/10

11. Bonus - Golf Club Membership - Play the same course over and over no thanks. That said this ties back to community if you can afford it, have the money and it ties into a lot of great interactions these can be great for the right people.

From what I've seen it's mixed feelings 5/10 - food usually isn't the greatest and there are so many great courses out there.

12. Bonus - Of course a financial plan so you don't worry and you can enjoy your life.

No amount of spending will make you happy now or later. It's the meaning behind the spending like moving to spend extra time with family.

Plan out how you want to live and what makes your life purposeful at each stage. You'll have a better experience if you take a few hours to think about what you really want.

What do you think? Would you add anything to the list?