Alpha Planning & Wealth Management

05/28/2026

🍫🥣 Savor the Alpha Flavor! 🥣🍫

Sweet news! Our newest team member, Nick, is already bringing something special to the table. His mom, Ann, is sharing her famous recipe that’s guaranteed to make your day a little sweeter- Ann’s Famous Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars! Get ready to be the most popular person at any gathering!

Ingredients (Makes 24–32 bars):
• 2 packages Nestlé chocolate chip cookie dough, softened
• 2 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened (1/3 less fat is A-OK)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs

Directions:
1️⃣ Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
2️⃣ Press one package of cookie dough along the bottom to form the crust.
3️⃣ In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and eggs until smooth.
4️⃣ Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust.
5️⃣ Crumble the second package of cookie dough on top, then press it down gently.
6️⃣ Bake at 350°F for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
7️⃣ Cool on a wire rack, then refrigerate for best flavor and texture.
✨ Pro tip: These bars always “raise the bar” at parties!

So glad to have you (and your family recipes) on the Alpha team, Nick!

04/30/2026

🥣 Savor the Alpha Flavor! 🥣

Aaron is sharing his family’s legendary Chile Con Queso Dip recipe to kick up your snack game! This dip is nacho ordinary cheese; it’s so good, you’ll be chip-happy and queso-ing for more!
🌶️🧀 CHILE CON QUESO DIP 🧀🌶️
Ingredients:
Velveeta Cheese, large block (use as much as you want)
1 bag Grated Mexican Blend Cheese (equal to Velveeta)
~1 TBSP Onion, finely chopped
Milk or Half & Half, about ½ cup (use more or less to get the dip as thick or thin as you like)
1 large jar Green Chile (505 brand works great!)

Directions:
1️⃣ Cut Velveeta into small squares—it’ll melt faster!
2️⃣ Toss everything into your Crock Pot or Instant Pot.
3️⃣ Melt on low, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t burn.
4️⃣ Thin with milk or half & half until it reaches your perfect dippable consistency.
5️⃣ Grab your favorite chips & DIG IN!

Stay tuned for more crave-worthy Alpha Planning classics!

03/12/2026

We are holding our next events on Maximizing your Social Security and Retirement Income at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland on March 24th or 26th at 6:30pm. Please join us by clicking below to register!

03/06/2026

Key things to consider during tax season.

03/05/2026

🥣 Savor the Alpha Flavor! 🥣

Ashley is sharing this recipe because she's on a mission to spice up your dinner, Hungarian style! And don’t be a chicken—give homemade spaetzle a try! These little dumplings are so easy, you’ll be whisk-ing you tried them sooner. Whether you’re winging it for a weeknight meal or looking to impress, this recipe is sure to paprika your tastebuds and cabbage your attention!

🍗✨ CHICKEN PAPRIKASH & SPAETZLE ✨🍗
Chicken Paprikash Ingredients:
3 pounds chicken (bone-in thighs)
4 tablespoons paprika
Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chicken fat or butter
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
½ head cabbage, sliced
¼ cup all purpose flour
1 quart liquid (preferably chicken stock)
1 cup sour cream
¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, optional

Spaetzle Ingredients:
3 cups all purpose flour
Kosher salt
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup milk

Instructions:
1️⃣ For Chicken Paprikash: Preheat oven to 400°F.
2️⃣ Season chicken with one-third of the paprika (1 tbsp + 1 tsp), 1 tbsp salt, and pepper.
3️⃣ Heat oil and chicken fat or butter in a large ovenproof pan over medium heat. When hot, add chicken and brown for 2 minutes per side. Remove chicken to a plate.
4️⃣ Add onions, cabbage, and remaining paprika (2 tbsp + 2 tsp) to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–4 minutes until starting to soften.
5️⃣ Add flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in the stock, making sure there are no lumps.
6️⃣ Return chicken to the pan, skin-side up. Bake until cooked through and internal temp is 160°F, about 20–35 minutes.
7️⃣ While chicken cooks, make spaetzle: Bring a saucepan of water to a boil.
8️⃣ Sift flour and 1 tsp salt into a bowl. Make a well, add eggs and milk, and mix.
9️⃣ Dampen a plastic cutting board, place dough on it, and cut off strips into boiling water. Cook 3 minutes, drain, and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
🔟 Add spaetzle to the chicken pan, stir in sour cream and parsley (optional), and serve!

Stay tuned for more egg-cellent dishes from the Alpha Planning kitchens!

02/27/2026

Simple moves to consider before you file.

02/18/2026

Check out Aaron's 2026 Market Commentary!

Written by: Aaron Simpson | February 10th, 2026 As I sit and type in my office, it’s 4 degrees Fahrenheit outside!

02/11/2026

Get ready for a year full of giggles, sparkles, and silly surprises! Aubrie is off on brand-new adventures—who knows what fun and goofy stories will happen next? Stay tuned for extra confetti and smiles all year long!

Howdy Alpha family! I want to tell you all about the fun and big things that happened to me lately because I am SUCH a big girl now! High-Five, I’m Five! I turned FIVE on Halloween, which is the coolest birthday because you get cake AND candy! This year I…

12/23/2025

🥣 Savor the Alpha Flavor! 🥣
Megen is sharing this recipe because she believes every holiday table deserves a side dish that’s as festive and delicious as the season itself! Whether you’re a longtime Brussels fan or just “sprouting” your love for veggies, this dish is sure to impress.

🎄✨ CHRISTMAS CRANBERRY BRUSSELS SPROUTS ✨🎄
Ingredients:
3 lbs brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved if large
1/2 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup dried cranberries

Directions:
1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2️⃣ Divide the brussels sprouts between 2 baking sheets.
3️⃣ Toss with olive oil until well coated.
4️⃣ Sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper.
5️⃣ Roast for 25–30 minutes, until browned and crispy.
6️⃣ Meanwhile, combine balsamic vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan.
7️⃣ Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.
8️⃣ Stir frequently until the mixture is thickened, about 15–20 minutes (you should have about 1 cup of glaze).
9️⃣ Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the roasted brussels sprouts.
🔟 Sprinkle with dried cranberries.
1️⃣1️⃣ Toss everything together, transfer to a serving bowl, and serve warm!

🎁 Pro tip: It’s so good even Santa might want seconds!

Stay tuned for more tasty inspiration from the hearts (and kitchens) of Alpha Planning!

12/17/2025

We have some exciting news to share — we have a fresh new look, and we can’t wait for you to see it!

As we evolve to better serve you in the years ahead, we felt it was time for our brand to reflect that same forward momentum.

Our core mission and the dedicated team you know and trust remain the same. We’ve simply turned over a new leaf with a new design that represents our shared journey toward your financial goals.

Check out this short video from our Owner and President, Aaron Simpson, as he gives more details about our new look: https://ae22.wistia.com/medias/ckwcwawycb

With our new brand, we have also developed a new website! Please visit www.alphaplanners.com and look at our new content!

We are so excited for this new chapter and deeply grateful to have you as part of our Alpha Family. Thank you for placing your trust in us.

11/20/2025

🥣 Savor the Alpha Flavor! 🥣
We’re excited to kick off a new monthly tradition where we highlight a dish loved by a member of our team, giving you a peek into our kitchens and bringing fresh inspiration to yours.

To start things simmering in our new series, Wendy is sharing one of her all-time favorites—a delicious, unique side to elevate any meal. Her Pineapple Stuffing is sweet, fluffy, and the perfect soulmate for ham!

🍍 Pineapple Stuffing 🍍
Ingredients:
2 cups white sugar
1 cup butter, softened
8 large eggs
2 cans (20 oz each) crushed pineapple, drained well
10 slices white bread, cubed (I use a whole loaf & remove the crusts!)
Directions:
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F & grease a 9x13 glass pan.
2️⃣ Beat sugar & butter until creamy.
3️⃣ Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
4️⃣ Stir in crushed pineapple.
5️⃣ Fold in bread cubes until coated.
6️⃣ Transfer to pan & bake about 1 hour, until golden brown.
7️⃣ Let rest 10 min before serving.

Save or share if you want to wow your guests with this at your next holiday meal! 🥰 Stay tuned for more tasty inspiration from the hearts (and kitchens) of Alpha Planning!