Olivia Rusek - Northwestern Mutual

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Skokie, IL
Olivia Rusek - Northwestern Mutual

Former pro athlete turned Financial Advisor. Helping individuals, families & professionals build confidence and clarity around their financial future 🏐💪🏼

12/15/2025

Be careful who you let advise your money.

Social media is full of confident opinions - but not everyone giving financial advice is actually qualified.

Ironically, the people with the highest credentials often say the least online because strict compliance and fiduciary standards limit what they’re allowed to post publicly.

Meanwhile, the loudest voices often have no licensing, no training, and no accountability.

Here’s how to navigate the noise:
✔️ Look for clarity, not hype
✔️ Ask the advisor how they’re compensated
✔️ Focus on what YOU can control (savings habits, goals, insurance, consistency)
✔️ Verify credentials and certifications - ALWAYS

Your financial decisions deserve real transparency, real training, and real guidance… not whoever went viral last week.

12/11/2025

💬 Let’s Talk About The Question Everyone Should Ask Their Financial Advisor…

How are you paid?

It sounds simple - but it’s one of the most important questions you can ask.

Here’s the simple breakdown 👇
🔹 Fee-Only
The advisor charges a flat or hourly fee.
No commissions from products.

🔹 Commission-Based
The advisor earns commissions when financial products (like insurance or annuities) are put in place.
There can be potential conflicts if the advisor isn’t transparent.

🔹 Fee-Based
A hybrid model: advisory fees + commissions depending on your needs.

✨ Why this matters:
Understanding how an advisor is compensated helps you understand their incentives, objectivity, and alignment with your goals.

💬 Questions every client should ask:
• “How are you compensated?”
• “Do you earn commissions from the products you recommend?”
• “Are there any conflicts of interest I should know about?”

🛡️ How I’m compensated at Northwestern Mutual:
I use a fee-based and commission model depending on what planning we put in place - and I’m upfront about every component.
Transparency isn’t optional. It’s part of great financial planning.

12/08/2025

🌟Adulting 101: What You Actually Own When You Invest 🌟

Most people invest without really understanding what they own.

Here’s the breakdown 👇
🔹When you own a STOCK…
You’re a part-owner of a real company.
Yes - you literally own a tiny slice of the business.
If the company grows, so does your piece.
If they pay dividends, you get paid too.

🔹When you own a BOND…
You’re the lender, not the owner.
A company or government borrows your money and pays you interest.
Think of it as: You become the bank.

🔹When you own a MUTUAL FUND or ETF…
You own a basket of different stocks or bonds at once.
This gives you instant diversification + professional management.

🔹Why diversified funds are usually better for most people:
• Less risk than betting everything on one company
• More consistency
• Professionally managed
• Perfect for long-term growth

You don’t need to be an expert - you just need the right strategy.

That’s what I help people build every day. 💙💛

12/04/2025

Most people think they’re investing… when they’re actually speculating. 🤯

Here’s the truth 👇
Investing = long-term, strategic, diversified, goal-driven.
Speculating = short-term, emotional, high-risk, hype-driven.

One builds wealth.
The other builds stress.

If you want to feel confident about what you’re actually doing with your money, start by asking yourself:
⭐ “Would I still feel good about this choice 10 years from now?”
⭐ “Is this aligned with a real plan, or am I just chasing excitement?”

The difference matters - especially when your future depends on it. If you have questions or need guidance, let’s sit down and talk about your specific situation.

11/24/2025

Adulting 101: INSURABILITY 🔐

This might be the MOST important topic no one teaches us about.

Insurability = your ability to qualify for life or disability insurance based on your health, lifestyle, age, and medical history.

Here’s why it matters ⬇️
• The younger you are → the cheaper it is
• The healthier you are → the more you qualify for
• If you wait → prices go up every year
• If your health changes → you might be denied
• If you get diagnosed with something → premiums skyrocket

And the analogy I always tell people:
🔥You can’t buy fire insurance once the house is already burning.

Same thing with your health!

I applied for my own policy at 28 and I’m SO glad I didn’t wait. It locked in my age and health before life threw any curveballs.

If you're in your mid-20s, 30s, or even early 40s and haven’t thought about this yet… this is your sign. Message me if you want to understand your options. 💬✨

11/20/2025

Just taking a moment to pause and say - thank you. 💛

The past year has been a whirlwind. Transitioning from being a professional athlete to helping people build financial confidence has been one of the most challenging and rewarding chapters of my life.

To my friends, family, clients, and everyone who’s supported me - thank you for believing in me. Every conversation, referral, and word of encouragement has meant more than you know.

I love what I do because it’s not just about numbers - it’s about people, relationships, and helping others feel more secure and confident about their future.

Here’s to growth, gratitude, and building something that lasts. 🙏

11/18/2025

Sports taught me more about money than I ever expected.

When I played pro volleyball across Europe, I learned lessons that stuck with me far beyond the court:

🏐 Consistency beats intensity.
It’s not about one big win - it’s about small, daily effort that compounds over time.

🧠 Preparation prevents panic.
You train for the unexpected in sports - and you should do the same with your finances.

🤝 You can’t win alone.
Coaches, teammates, and mentors make success possible. The same goes for having the right financial team in your corner.

These lessons have shaped how I help others build long-term confidence with money.

Whether you’re an athlete, business owner, or just trying to plan better - start showing up for your financial goals the same way you show up for your dreams.

11/17/2025

Athletes spend years training their bodies- but rarely their finances.

When I played professional volleyball across six countries in Europe, I learned how unpredictable life as an athlete can be. Seasons change, contracts end, and injuries happen fast.

Your career on the court might be temporary, but your finances don’t have to be.

That’s why I now work with athletes to build financial game plans that protect what they’ve earned and prepare them for what’s next.
💰 Save and invest wisely
🛡️ Protect your income and lifestyle
📈 Build long-term flexibility and stability

Because the sooner you start planning, the more control you have over what comes next - in your sport and your life.

Learn more at my website http://spr.ly/61857pLQN (link in bio as well)

11/13/2025

Before you focus on growing your wealth, you have to make sure it’s protected.

The truth is, financial success doesn’t start with investing - it starts with protection.

Here are the 3 Layers of Financial Protection every plan should have:

🛟 Emergency Fund: Your first safety net for unexpected expenses.
🛡️ Insurance: Life and disability income insurance to protect your income and your loved ones.
🏰 Long-Term Planning: Wills, beneficiaries, and legacy plans that keep your wealth secure for the future.

When these layers are in place, you’re financially bulletproof - ready to take on the future with confidence.

Because just like in sports, defense wins championships… and in finance, it protects your peace of mind. 💛

11/06/2025

Financial planning doesn’t have to be complicated.

When I meet with clients, I help them focus on four key steps that make money feel manageable again:

1️⃣ Protect what you have: your income, your loved ones, and your peace of mind.
2️⃣ Save with purpose: both for short-term goals and the bigger picture.
3️⃣ Grow your wealth: intentionally and consistently.
4️⃣ Enjoy your life: because that’s what all the planning is really about.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress, structure, and building confidence.

💛 If you’re ready to make money feel simpler and less stressful, I’d love to help.
📍Office in Skokie | 💻 Zoom appointments available nationwide

11/04/2025

Putting myself on blast: A few years ago, I had a couple thousand in savings, a car loan, and no real financial plan.

Most people think professional athletes make a ton of money- but I was essentially earning minimum wage overseas compared to US salaries.

My expenses were simple- groceries and travel- yet I had almost nothing left to save.

It’s easy to feel comfortable when you don’t have debt, your bills are paid, and you can buy what you want. But that comfort can quickly turn into a long-term problem if you don’t plan ahead.

I didn’t have life insurance, disability protection, or a true emergency fund. I was investing in crypto (with no guidance) and spending too much because I didn’t know what else to do.

Then I met with a financial advisor who not only helped me, but took the time to teach me why we were taking each step. It completely changed how I looked at money.

That meeting gave me clarity, confidence, and purpose- and it’s the reason I became a financial advisor.

Because no one should feel lost when it comes to their finances. 💛

10/30/2025

💭 You don’t need to be rich to start investing. You just need to start(!)

Here are 3 myths I hear almost every week:
1️⃣ “I’ll start planning when I make more money.”
2️⃣ “Insurance is only for families.”
3️⃣ “Budgeting means restriction.”

When you replace fear with facts, you gain freedom.
Financial planning isn’t about perfection- it’s about progress. 💛

Address

5215 Old Orchard Road
Skokie, IL
60077

Website

http://oliviarusek.nm.com/

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