Kenton Mickley at Spearman Financial Services

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Mount Vernon, OH
Kenton Mickley at Spearman Financial Services

I develop and educate others on their financial plan to align with reality, goals, and values. | CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
(1)

04/15/2026

Some people spend like there’s no tomorrow.
Some people save like they’ll live forever.

In my experience, most people fall somewhere in between… but aren’t sure if they’re doing it right.

Spending more:
You may enjoy life now
But might create stress later

Saving more:
You might be able to build security
But might push off things that matter

There’s no perfect answer.
I think just a better balance.

A good plan is typically designed to help you do both:
Enjoy your life today
And feel confident about tomorrow

If you’ve ever felt pulled in both directions, you’re not alone.

If you have ever felt that tension, it could be worth scheduling a meeting to help figure out what the right balance could look like for you: https://m.levitate.ai/16a332-9y2t5j/Free-Consultation

04/13/2026

There are more ways than ever to save for kids.

You might hear about things like:
UTMA/UGMA accounts
529 college savings plans
Brokerage accounts in a parent’s name
Custodial Roth IRAs
And now “Trump Accounts”

Each one can be useful.
But they all work a little differently.

Some are better for flexibility.
Some are better for taxes.
Some are better for specific goals like college or earned income.

There isn’t one “best” option.

The right choice depends on what you’re trying to do:
Save for college?
Give them flexibility later?
Teach them about money?

A lot of people pick one without fully understanding the tradeoffs.

If you’re setting money aside for your kids, I believe it’s worth making sure you’re using the right tool for the job.

If you want help intentionally deciding what account(s) make sense for your children, schedule your free consultation here:

04/10/2026

In my experience, most people don’t realize how much time they spend worrying about money.

It shows up in small ways:
Laying in bed thinking about bills
Wondering if you’re saving enough
Second guessing big decisions

That stress can add up over time.

A financial plan doesn’t mean everything is perfect.
It can help provide direction.
You can better understand your goals and the steps to pursue them, recognizing plans may change over time.

And that alone can take some of the weight off your shoulders.

If money has been on your mind more than you’d like,
it might be time for a plan.

Schedule your Free Consultation today to see if a financial plan built specifically for your family could reduce your financial stress and give you clarity: https://m.levitate.ai/16a332-9y2t5j/Free-Consultation

04/08/2026

“How far am I from retirement?”

That’s one of the most common questions I hear.

In my experience, most people answer it with a number.
An age they’ve had in their head for years.

But I don’t think retirement is based on age alone.

It’s based on:
What you’ve saved
What you’re spending
And what you want life to look like along with other factors that shape your financial decisions

You might be closer than you think.
Or further away than you were hoping.

Either way, I think it’s better to know now than find out later.

I believe that clarity gives you options.
And guessing leaves you hoping it all works out.

If you’re not sure where you stand, that’s something we can figure out together.

If you are guessing, it might be time to get clear with a free consultation:

04/06/2026

You don’t know what you don’t know.

And that’s not a knock. It’s just reality for all of us.

For example, I wouldn’t know where to begin if my chainsaw didn’t start the normal way.
If it has fuel and still won’t start, I’m calling someone who knows what they’re doing.

Money can be the same way.

I hear about a lot of people are doing things the “normal way” and for some, it can start to feel like they’re stuck.

Not because they’re doing anything wrong.
They just might not of have had someone sit down and ask better questions.

Are you saving in the right places?
Are you missing opportunities?
Are there risks you haven’t thought about?

Sometimes one conversation can change how you see everything.

If you’ve never had a second opinion on your plan,
it might be worth it.

If you’re curious, you can schedule a time or just text or call me at (740) 263-4453.
Happy to help however I can.

04/03/2026

“I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong… I just don’t have the time.”

That’s what a recent client told me when he decided to work with me.

He had been handling everything himself for years.
Investments, retirement planning, staying on top of changes. He was doing a solid job.

He didn’t come to me because something was broken.

He came to me because life got busy.

Career. Family. Responsibilities.
There’s only so much time in the day to research, plan, and consistently implement everything that goes into doing this well.

In my opinion, that’s a big reason some people choose to work with an advisor.

Not because they can’t do it… but because they don’t want to spend their time doing it.

There was another piece too.

He mentioned that if something ever happened to him, he wanted his wife to have someone she knows and trusts to help handle things… without having to start from scratch.

That peace of mind mattered to him.

Everyone’s situation is different.

Some people enjoy doing it themselves.
Others would rather focus their time elsewhere.

Neither is right or wrong.

But for some, the value of saving time, having a sounding board, and knowing someone is there for their family… that’s more than enough reason to not go at it alone.

Want help with your family's financial plan?

04/01/2026

Smart Withdrawals > Paying Cash for Everything

A conversation I had recently with a pre-retiree family highlighted something I think many people don’t realize.

They were preparing for retirement and their instinct was simple:
“Let’s just pay cash for everything.”

At first glance that sounds responsible. No debt, no worries.

But when we mapped out which accounts they might draw from and when, something interesting showed up.

Large withdrawals from certain accounts could increase their taxable income for the year.

And in their situation, that higher income could potentially push them into higher premiums on their ACA health insurance.

So instead of automatically paying cash for every expense, we looked at sequencing:
• Which accounts could make sense to draw from first
• Which ones might be better to leave growing
• How withdrawals could affect taxes and healthcare costs

In my opinion, this is one area where financial planning really matters.

It’s not always just about how much money you have — it’s also about how you use it.

The order you withdraw from accounts could make a meaningful difference over time.

Sometimes the most efficient strategy isn’t obvious at first glance, which is why it can be helpful to step back and look at the full picture before making big decisions.

If you want help intentionally withdrawing from your accounts, schedule your free consultation here: https://m.levitate.ai/16a332-9y2t5j/Free-Consultation

03/30/2026

New Baby. New Budget. No Time.

Sleep has been a little hit or miss at our house lately.

Our 3-month-old daughter is already helping around the yard… at least holding the sticks while I pick them up.

With a new baby at home, I’ve realized something:
life gets busy fast.

Because of that, my wife and I try to keep our finances as simple as possible.

A few things that seem to help us:
• Automate as much as we can so money moves to the right places without constant decisions.
• Do our monthly “zero-out” check-in so every dollar has a job.
• Have a yearly check-in on our financial plan to adjust for life changes.
• Try to ignore most of the financial noise and focus on what actually matters to our family.

In my opinion, financial planning for busy families usually works best when it’s simple, intentional, and built around real life — not constant spreadsheets or market headlines.

That’s a big part of what I try to help families do:
focus on what matters most and make the most of their financial plan while life is happening.

Because if you’re raising kids, building a career, and trying to enjoy life… your financial plan should probably support that, not add more stress to it.

Click Here if you want to help be intentional about your financial plan with some guidance along the way: https://m.levitate.ai/16a332-9y2t5j/Free-Consultation

03/27/2026

When Being 'Ahead' in One Area Could Still Leave You Vulnerable

A few years ago, I met with a couple who were doing an incredible job saving for retirement.

They were maxing out accounts and doing everything you’d expect from disciplined savers. By most standards, they were crushing it.

But when we ran their plan together, something stood out.

They were what I would call “retirement rich” — but they didn’t have much flexibility if life happened along the way.

Almost all of their savings were tied up in retirement accounts. Great for the long-term… but not always ideal for unexpected events.

So we talked about it.

They still wanted to continue saving aggressively for retirement — which made sense for them — but we also decided it could make sense to start building a more flexible account on the side.

Not long after, life threw them a curveball.

They had an unexpected expense of $25,000+.

If nothing had changed, they might have had to:
• Take a loan from their 401(k)
• Use a home equity loan at a higher interest rate
• Or finance it some other way

But because they had started building that flexible account, they were able to pay cash.

What could have become a stressful financial situation ended up being more of a temporary hiccup in their overall plan.

In my opinion, this is one of the reasons financial planning matters. It’s not just about building wealth for the future — it’s about creating a plan that we can use multiple levers within our financial plan for the life that happens along the way.

Let’s figure that out together. Text or call me at (740) 263-4453.

03/25/2026

What are you doing each month to check in on your finances?

My wife and I have a simple habit we do at the end of each month — we “zero out” our checking account to one month of spending.

Not because we spent everything…
but because we want to decide where every dollar goes next.

At the end of the month we sit down and ask a few simple questions:
• What goals do we want to move forward with right now?
(Who wants to help build a fence around our garden?)
• What goals are coming later?
(Hello, future pole barn.)
• What money should move to savings or investing so it can start working for the future?

Instead of letting money slowly drift away, we give it direction.

Some months the conversation is quick.
Other months we rethink priorities or shift things around.

But one thing always happens: clarity.

And when you have clarity around where your money is going, it usually brings a lot less financial stress.

It doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes a simple monthly check-in can make a big difference.

Want help with your family's financial plan?

03/23/2026

March Madness Is Full of Upsets. So Is Investing.
Every year during March Madness, a lower seed beats a powerhouse.

It surprises everyone… but it also happens every single year.

In my opinion, investing can feel similar.

Markets may have unexpected drops, surprising rallies, and moments that make people question their plan.

But volatility doesn’t automatically mean something is broken.

Sometimes it’s just part of the game.

That’s why having a long-term plan could help you stay focused when things get unpredictable.

Schedule here for a review of your financial plan or investment portfolio: https://m.levitate.ai/16a332-9y2t5j/Free-Consultation

Address

710 South Main Street Suite B
Mount Vernon, OH
43050

Website

https://www.spearmanfinancial.com/, https://meeting.levitate.ai/#/16a332-9y2t5j/Free-Consultation

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