Schulfer & Associates, LLC Wealth Management

06/24/2026

*** Highlights from our Team: The Wealth InFormation Lady® is a Registered Trademark! ***

We are proud to share an exciting milestone for our team: The Wealth InFormation Lady® is now an officially registered trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office!

This recognition reflects years of dedication to educating our community and helping individuals make confident, informed financial decisions. It also affirms the identity and mission behind the brand you have come to know and trust.

Beginning with financial education articles written for our weekly newsletter and then capturing the attention of local media, with regular publishing in newspapers since 2012, and expanded through LouAnn's authentically authored two books, RetireMEANT to Be and Wealth InFormation — we have worked to build a brand centered on one core belief: Wealth is always in formation.

Our financial lives evolve as our circumstances change, and the world around us changes just as quickly. Markets shift, tax laws adjust, opportunities emerge, and challenges appear.

Through all of it, one truth remains constant: the quality of the information we receive and act upon determines our long‑term success.

This trademark is more than a legal designation — it is a symbol of the work we do together. It represents the teaching, writing, and daily practice of helping individuals navigate complexity with clarity. It reinforces our commitment to providing guidance that is timely, relevant, and grounded in real‑life goals. And it marks an important step in protecting and strengthening a message that has guided our team and our clients for years.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your trust and engagement have shaped The Wealth InFormation Lady® into what it is today, and we look forward to continuing to grow, learn, and stay “in formation” together.

06/23/2026

Should I Rollover my 401(k)?

By LouAnn Schulfer, AWMA®, AIF®, The Wealth InFormation Lady®, Accredited Wealth Management Advisor℠, Accredited Investment Fiduciary® , Published Author

When you leave a company, you generally have four options as to what to do with your retirement money.

1. Cash it out. 

2. Leave the money. 

3. Roll the money into your new employer's 401(k). 

4. Rollover the money to an individual retirement account.

Saving for retirement is one of the largest and most important financial goals most people have. Considerations are complex and decisions should be well thought out.

The great news is you have an array of options to best suit your individual needs when considering the question: Should I rollover my 401(k)?

When you leave a company, you generally have four options as to what to do with your retirement money.

06/18/2026

** Highlights from our Team: Our Notable Services! **

This week, we are celebrating a professional achievement for our new Client Services Specialist, Elijah Kollock, as he received his Notary Public Certification from the State of Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

"I'm very excited to get another credential that can help our team and our clients," Elijah said.

Elijah is the newest of our staff to receive the certification; our Notary Public certified staff are Client Services Specialist Gina DeLisle, Wealth Management Assistant Kelly Blue, Wealth Management Advisor LouAnn Schulfer and Wealth Management Advisor Jim Robinson. Additionally, Wealth Management Advisor Gene Schulfer is an authorized representative qualified to provide Medallion Signature Guarantee services.

As Notary Publics, these Schulfer & Associates team members serve as impartial, state-certified officials, qualified to witness signatures for certain documents, administer oaths and affirmations, and verify affidavits.

These services are often required in the course of comprehensive financial planning, and having qualified staff allows us to further elevate the efficiency of our processes. Additionally, we are pleased to offer notary public services as a value-added convenience to our clients anytime they may need a Notary Public. If you are ever in need of a Notary, please contact our office to schedule an appointment to ensure availability.

06/17/2026

*** Schulfer & Associates' 16th Annual Shredding Party Success! ***

Thank you! to all of our wonderful clients and guests who made our 16th annual Shredding Party another great success. We are happy to announce the results from our 2026 Shredding Party.

Thanks to your donations, we've raised $5,126 for Pacelli Catholic Schools. This money will go toward leadership retreats for students of all ages, contributing to the skills and development of the next generation.

With shredding from Express Recycling, we destroyed a total of 119,848 pounds of confidential documents. That's a lot of informational security!

Thanks also to Kasuns food truck, for their delicious meals on site, and $1 donated from each meal.

As this year's event was our 16th year holding our Shredding Party, these new numbers bring our cumulative totals to $57,100 raised for Pacelli Schools, and 188,670 pounds of documents shredded.

We're very proud of these meaningful numbers, as they represent the generosity of our clients and guests contributions to students, and our business commitment to the safety and security of our client information.

06/16/2026

Qualified Charitable Distributions: Win-Win-Win!

By LouAnn Schulfer, AWMA®, AIF®, The Wealth InFormation Lady®, Accredited Wealth Management Advisor℠, Accredited Investment Fiduciary® , Published Author

"Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, fewer people itemize expenses on their taxes due to the higher standard deduction amounts. For many, giving to their church or favorite charity doesn’t offer added tax benefits. For those over 70 ½ though, a QCD from an Individual Retirement Account can be a win-win-win!"

Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, fewer people itemize expenses on their taxes due to the higher standard deduction amounts.

06/09/2026

Sometimes, It's Too Late

By LouAnn Schulfer, AWMA®, AIF®, The Wealth InFormation Lady®, Accredited Wealth Management Advisor℠, Accredited Investment Fiduciary® , Published Author

Layers of rules are what we deal with when it comes to money, accumulating a net worth, and retirement. There are IRS rules, requirements and restrictions that may be specific to the type of account or investment that you are in, as well as processes that are outlined in the custodial contract where your money is held.

The complexity of rules can be intimidating enough to procrastinate on decision making, such as addressing the money you have, where you have it, and what you can do with it. Sometimes, not knowing the rules and your options can have an insignificant outcome. Other times, you may find yourself in a state of regret, because it’s too late.

Sometimes, not knowing the rules and your options can have an insignificant outcome. Other times, you may find yourself in a state of regret.

06/04/2026

This week's "Highlight from our Team" from the Schulfer & Associates Weekly Report:

Jamaica Was Good for the Soul
By Kelly Blue, Wealth Management Assistant

Many of you know I’m solar powered—give me heat, sunshine, and a beach, and I’m in my element. Jamaica delivered all of that and more. Richard and I recently returned from an incredible trip to Negril, and my heart is still glowing a little brighter.

The first part of our vacation was spent celebrating a beautiful 10‑year vow renewal for our best friends at the Riu Tropical Palace Negril. It was a week overflowing with laughter, love, sunshine, and unforgettable memories shared with a wonderful group of friends. Moments like those remind you just how special it is to pause and celebrate life together.

After the main group headed home, we shifted gears and enjoyed a slower, more relaxed few days at Couples Swept Away. The peaceful pace, long conversations, and time to simply be were the perfect way to wrap up the trip.

And of course—7 Mile Beach. 🌊🌴 Absolutely breathtaking. Warm turquoise water, soft white sand, and sunsets that felt like they were painted just for us. Truly one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever experienced.

I came home feeling grateful: for friendships, for shared experiences, and for the chance to recharge in a place filled with sunshine and joy, Jamaica was exactly what the soul needed.

06/02/2026

Roth IRAs: Going through the Back Door

By LouAnn Schulfer, AWMA®, AIF®, The Wealth InFormation Lady®, Accredited Wealth Management Advisor℠, Accredited Investment Fiduciary®, Published Author

Higher income earners are often disappointed when they realize they cannot contribute to a Roth IRA. After all, Roth accounts can be a great way to grow money and eventually take distributions on a tax-free basis (applicable rules must be adhered to). Fortunately, it’s not the end of the road, as anyone of any income level can still get money into Roth accounts using different strategies.

An intriguing strategy that works well for some, is what has been nick-named a “backdoor Roth IRA”.

Higher income earners are often disappointed when they realize they cannot contribute to a Roth IRA.

05/28/2026

This week's Highlight From Our Team - "Spring Blooms - and Native Plant Fun!"

Warm weather is here! And for many of us, that means getting back out into our gardens.

For me, gardening centers mostly around my native plants.

If you're not familiar with native plants, they are plants that are native to local ecosystems, meaning they've adapted alongside the local climates, environmental conditions, pollinators, fauna, and other plants in their area. Because of that adaptation process, these plants are optimized for mutually beneficial relationships in their environments.

It feels good to get outside and contribute to local ecosystems!

The plants shown here are Shooting Star (left, purple), and Golden Alexander (right, yellow). These are both spring blooming plants that offer early season resources to pollinators - including some of my favorites, which are the fat, fuzzy bumble bees.

If you appreciate native plants or enjoy gardening, I'm happy to chat about it with you!

-Laurie Rice, Client Experience & Marketing Coordinator

05/27/2026

Roth savings: Right for you?

By LouAnn Schulfer, AWMA®, AIF®, The Wealth InFormation Lady®, Accredited Wealth Management Advisor℠, Accredited Investment Fiduciary®

I had a client recently ask me about Roth IRA’s. She said that she was listening to a national talk show host who was speaking on how remarkable Roth IRAs are and cited an example of an individual who accumulated $250,000 in a Roth IRA and will have the wonderful tax benefits that Roth savings allow. She said “I know we’ve discussed this with you before, but I can’t remember why we aren’t doing this. It seems like a no-brainer.”

Roth IRA’s and Roth options in a 401(k) allow the account owner to contribute after-tax dollars which can grow tax deferred and, if IRS rules are followed, the earnings can be withdrawn tax-free. My favorite analogy comparing Roth to traditional retirement savings vehicles is the seed and the harvest story. Under Roth rules, you pay tax on the seed, and the growth and harvest can be tax free. Under traditional IRA’s and other similar accounts, you do not pay tax on the seed or the growth, but pay tax on the harvest (at ordinary income tax rates on the amount withdrawn).

Roth options can be powerful long-term growth vehicles and retired clients who have Roth dollars are incredibly happy when the money withdrawn is not subject to taxation or inclusion in adjusted gross income.

My favorite analogy comparing Roth to traditional retirement savings vehicles is the seed and the harvest story. Under Roth rules, you pay tax on the seed, and the growth and harvest can be tax free. Under traditional IRA’s and other similar accounts, you do not pay tax on the seed or the growth, ...