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By: R. Travis Evans, CFP® If there is one thing investors have learned over the past several years, it is that markets do not move in straight lines. Every few months, there seems to be a new headline capable of creating anxiety. Inflation concerns. Interest rate changes. Election uncertainty. Recession fears. Geopolitical conflict. Banking concerns. Debt ceiling debates. Trade disputes. Market corrections. For retirees and those approaching retirement, these headlines often

By: R. Travis Evans, CFP® May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while conversations around mental health have become more common in recent years, one topic still tends to stay quietly in the background: money stress. For many young professionals, financial anxiety is not occasional. It is constant. Student loan balances feel overwhelming, housing costs continue to climb, insurance and taxes eat away at paychecks, and social media creates the illusion that everyone else is

By: R. Travis Evans, CFP® For many people, retirement is imagined as a time when taxes finally fade into the background. After decades of working, saving, and paying into the system, it seems reasonable to assume that the tax burden should become simpler and perhaps even smaller. In reality, retirement often introduces a new and more complicated set of tax considerations. Income begins arriving from multiple sources, each with different tax treatments, and the way those sourc

By: R. Travis Evans, CFP® If you spend any time reading about personal finance, you have probably heard someone talk about Roth IRAs. They are often described as one of the most powerful retirement savings tools available, especially for young professionals. But despite all the attention they receive, many people still find themselves wondering what actually makes a Roth IRA so valuable. The answer comes down to a simple concept that becomes incredibly powerful over time: tax

By: R. Travis Evans, CFP® The first year of retirement often carries more adjustment than people expect. While the financial transition may have been planned for years, the lived experience of retirement introduces changes that cannot be fully modeled on a spreadsheet. Income feels different when it is no longer tied to work. Time stretches in unfamiliar ways. Identity, routine, and purpose quietly shift. By the time retirees reach their second year, many of the initial logis

Authored By: Landon Evans For many young professionals, the idea of working with a financial planner feels premature. Not because money is being ignored, but because life still feels unfinished. Income may be rising but inconsistent. Student loans remain part of the picture. Long-term goals exist, yet feel too fluid to put into formal plans. In that stage of life, financial planning often feels like something to postpone until things are more settled. That hesitation has only

The beginning of a new year invites reflection at every stage of life, but retirement often brings a deeper sense of perspective. January offers an opportunity to pause and consider whether your retirement plan still supports the life you want to live, not just financially, but personally as well. Periods of economic and political uncertainty tend to reinforce the importance of having a plan that is built to adapt, rather than react. For many retirees and those nearing retire

The beginning of a new year often brings a renewed sense of possibility. For many young professionals, January feels like a natural moment to reset habits, refocus priorities, and take a more intentional approach to the future. Financially, this season is less about dramatic change and more about direction. In a world filled with constant headlines, market commentary, and competing opinions, clarity often becomes more valuable than prediction. The most meaningful progress usu

By: R. Travis Evans, CFP® As the final weeks of the year settle in, life tends to quiet just enough for reflection. The rush of daily responsibilities begins to soften, and the pace finally allows space to think about the year as a whole. Most people move through the months without realizing how much has changed around them, or how their financial life evolved in response to the rhythm of work, family, and personal responsibilities. A year-end review is not about perfect acco

By: R. Travis Evans, CFP® As the year draws to a close, it’s easy to get caught up in holiday plans and forget about your financial plan. But the final weeks of the year are often when some of the most impactful financial decisions can be made—especially for those nearing or already in retirement. A few smart year-end moves can help lower your tax bill, strengthen your long-term plan, and set you up for a smoother transition into the new year. Make the Most of Charitable Givi

By: R. Travis Evans, CFP® It’s easy to invest when everything seems to be going well. The headlines are optimistic, markets are up, and everyone feels confident about the future. But what separates successful long-term investors from everyone else isn’t what they do during the good times; it’s how they behave when things feel uncertain. When markets fall, many people instinctively pull back or wait for things to “settle down.” That reaction is understandable. Nobody enjoys wa

Authored By: Landon Evans Most people think of insurance as something you buy once and then forget about. But the coverage that made sense when you first purchased it may not match your life today. Income grows, families change, businesses evolve - and insurance that isn’t updated can leave costly gaps. The good news: reviewing your coverage doesn’t have to be complicated. A quick check-in with your agent or advisor every few years or after major life events can help ensure y

Authored By: Travis Evans, CFP® For many retirees, accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s have been the backbone of their savings. At some point the IRS requires you to begin drawing from those accounts. These withdrawals, known as Required Minimum Distributions or RMDs, are not optional. The rules around when they begin have shifted in recent years, and understanding those changes can help reduce taxes and keep your retirement income steady. When RMDs Begin The starting age for RMDs

Authored By: Travis Evans, CFP® Estate planning is often thought of as a one-time task: sign the documents, store them safely, and check it off the list. In reality, it’s more like a living part of your financial plan – one that needs periodic attention to reflect your current life, relationships, and priorities. The Core Documents A will directs how your assets will be distributed and can name guardians for minor children or caretakers for pets. But if it’s been years si

By: Landon Evans, CLTC® Life transitions don’t always follow a set order. Some happen all at once, others years apart, and a few come around more than once. You might be planning a wedding, raising toddlers, helping a teenager navigate college, or eyeing a vacation home. Whatever stage you’re in, the way you plan for life’s milestones can make the difference between feeling financially prepared and feeling stretched thin. Marriage and the Big Day If a wedding is on the horizo

Authored By: Landon Evans Among personal finance milestones, few are more empowering than saving your first $100,000. It’s a number that signals meaningful progress, and the annual compounding yields on a six-figure investment can really start to stand out and keep us motivated. But for veterinarians early in their careers, reaching that point can feel overwhelming. Between student loans, developing a clientele, and the cost of catching up on life milestones, the goal can se

Long-Term Care Planning: What Are Your Options? How to approach care planning with clarity and confidence By: Landon Evans, CLTC® Planning for long-term care is one of the more emotionally charged aspects of financial planning. It’s easy to avoid, and even easier to underestimate—until a loved one needs care or a health event forces the conversation. But for those who want to protect their family, preserve their assets, and maintain autonomy, long-term care (LTC) planning is

By: R. Travis Evans, CFP® Why the Order of Your Investment Returns Matters More Than You Think When you’re saving for retirement, investment returns are important—but when you’re living off your retirement savings, the order of those returns can matter even more. This concept is called “Sequence of Returns Risk”, and it’s one of the most overlooked threats to a comfortable retirement.