Life Planning

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Focus on the Big Picture

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Focus on the Big Picture

Market volatility can make anyone nervous, especially in our always-on, 24/7 news cycle.

When some of our more experienced team members were first starting out in finance, average investors typically checked in on their accounts once or twice a quarter when their custodians sent paper statements. As for the Dow Jones and S&P 500, you'd usually see two numbers every day: one on the morning news and another in the evening. Today, watching your nest egg fluctuate in real time while social media and cable news shout a steady stream of panic can make it feel like your financial plan is living and dying moment by moment.

Our Life-Centered Planning process always considers all the available data that could impact you and your money. But we also take in a much wider view of the markets, your plan, and your goals for the future. You can see that same big picture if you unplug, step back, and focus on three important investing principles.

Can Eustress Improve Your ROL?

Can Eustress Improve Your ROL?

Not all stress is bad stress.

While there's overwhelming medical evidence that negative stress can cause significant physical and emotional damage, "eustress" can energize and inspire us to meet surmountable obstacles. In fact, if you attempt one of these three challenges, you might actively cultivate eustress that leads to personal development and a greater Return on Life.

Simplify Your Stuff For a Better ROL

Simplify Your Stuff For a Better ROL

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication," proclaimed an Apple Computer marketing brochure back in 1977. In the ensuing decades, Steve Jobs' commitment to this ideal resulted in technology products that were as beautiful as they were easy to use, and resulted in Apple becoming one of the most valuable companies in the world.

The clutter that we accumulate in our life often prevents us from getting as much value as we can from our time and money. Think about how pairing down to the essentials in these four areas could improve your Return on Life (ROL).

Help Your Kids Set Goals this New School Year

Help Your Kids Set Goals this New School Year

Parents often judge their child's success by the letters they see on their report card. But helping kids develop strong habits and a can-do mindset can set them up for success inside and outside of the classroom for the rest of their lives.

Talk to your kids about these three techniques for setting and achieving goals this school year, and encourage them to improve their mind, health, outlook, and their Return on Life.

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Managing a Family Retreat Across Generations

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Managing a Family Retreat Across Generations

A family might spend decades working and saving towards the goal of owning a vacation home. The memories made are priceless, but the personal, emotional, and financial costs of keeping that house in your family for generations can be very high and very painful without thorough planning.

Prepare a family retreat into your legacy plan and make sure you discuss these three points with your heirs, your attorney, your CPA, and your financial advisor.

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Manage Your Time Wisely in Retirement

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Manage Your Time Wisely in Retirement

When you're a new retiree, staring at that blank page where your work schedule used to be, time might seem so abundant that you forget just how valuable it really is. But if you treat retirement like an endless weekend, you might be surprised to look up in a month, a year, or a couple years, and realize you don't feel as fulfilled as you thought you'd be. All those hours puttering around the house might suddenly feel like a precious resource you've wasted.

Being a good steward of your time is a skill that will only become more important as you progress in retirement. Here are some ideas to help you manage your days with a sense of purpose and contentment that will improve your Return on Life.

Express Gratitude as a Family This Thanksgiving

Express Gratitude as a Family This Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving, many families will pause their feasts so that everyone gathered around the table can share something that they are thankful for - and many probably won't.

Maybe sharing gratitude has never been a part of your family’s Thanksgiving traditions. Or maybe the practice sounds a little corny or old fashioned. But expressing gratitude to loved ones and to ourselves can have a positive impact on your Return on Life.

Here are three reasons why your family should make gratitude a part of your holiday celebrations.

Taking a Sabbatical as a Physician

Taking a Sabbatical as a Physician

While some doctors don't think they can afford to step away from their practices, it might be better to ask yourself if you can afford not to.

The demands and stress of the last few years have caused a major spike in physician burnout, which can have serious life-or-death consequences for doctors and their patients. You might need more than just a long weekend or an extended vacation to get your Return on Life back in order.

A physician's sabbatical can give doctors an opportunity to step back from their routines, engage in different activities, learn more about medicine and themselves, and return to work with renewed energy. Work through this three-step process to design a sabbatical that could get you back in touch with why you became a doctor in the first place.

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Be a Good Steward of Your Time in Retirement

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Be a Good Steward of Your Time in Retirement

When you're a new retiree, staring at that blank page where your work schedule used to be, time might seem so abundant that you forget just how valuable it really is. But if you treat retirement like an endless weekend, you might be surprised to look up in a month, a year, or a of couple years, and realize you don't feel as fulfilled as you thought you'd be. All those hours puttering around the house might suddenly feel like a precious resource you've wasted.

Being a good steward of your time is a skill that will only become more important as you progress in retirement. Here are some ideas to help you manage your days with a sense of purpose and contentment that will improve your Return on Life.

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Plan an Exciting Vacation to Start Retirement

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Plan an Exciting Vacation to Start Retirement

If you're about to retire but apprehensive about your future, maybe it's time to schedule something that you will look forward to. Kicking off your retirement with a well-deserved vacation can ease you into this complicated transition and give you a small taste of everything you have to look forward to.

Here are two reasons why you should consider plotting a dream vacation right after your retirement.