Blog

One day, Farmer Brown was summoned by the big city courthouse for jury duty. Rarely did Farmer Brown ever go to the “big city” and never had he actually driven the confusing one-way streets of downtown where the courthouse was located. Farmer Brown would have to navigate the highways and byways of the big city and worst of all, find a place to park. After several hours of driving, Farmer Brown…Read More

For most Americans, the 401(k) is their most valuable asset for retirement. Illustrated in the graph below is a 401(k) worth $300,000. Assuming we lived in a perfect world (no taxes on the 401(k) when we go to take money out), we’d have all the $300,000 to use and enjoy. Unfortunately, we’ve got to deal with our “progressive” tax system that allows the government to take their fair share f…Read More

While many people have a game plan for “saving and investing” money (it’s called the “accumulation phase” of life), those same folks do not have a game plan for “using and enjoying” it (the “spending phase”). It can happen to any of us: we work and worry ourselves sick about stockpiling more and more hay, and for what? To leave it to someone who’ll probably blow it? There’s n…Read More

There once lived a farmer, who was well-known in the small community in which he and his wife lived. To the rest of the farming community, the farmer was doing well. But he knew better. He, along with his wife, had spent money they didn’t have, to buy things they really didn’t need, only in an attempt to impress people they didn’t much like anyway. Unless something miraculous happened (and h…Read More

Mistake #2: Walking by Blind Faith The date: October 9, 2007. The Dow is at an all-time high: 14,164. Frustrated with low CD rates, Joe Lunchbox (who considers himself conservative – a saver) is one unhappy camper. Over the years, ole’ Joe enjoyed decent interest rates from his FDIC bank products, but on this particular day, a chance encounter convinces Joe to change course by closing out his …Read More

Mistake #1: Paying Taxes on the Same Dollar More than Once It has been said that great mastermind, Albert Einstein, once referred to compound interest as the “eighth wonder of the world.” If that’s true, then obviously ole’ Albert never lived under our nation’s present tax system. You see, in the U.S. of A., we are guided by what the politicians affectionately refer to as a “progressiv…Read More

“There’s a difference between ‘hard work’ and ‘working hard.’ One requires lots of energy; the other, lots of passion.” ~ Tony Walker, Registered Investment Advisor and financial author Americans all seem to strive for that perfect “work-life” balance. We work because that is our calling in life. And the fruits of our labor are a day’s wages so we can enjoy our time here on thi…Read More

So what are you worried about right now? Your health, your kids, your job, your faith, your marriage, your money, your retirement? Chances are you’re worried about something. Americans do worry about retirement. Yet the average consumer thinks he or she is the only one who is worried. That’s because his or her neighbors are spending money as if it’s growing on trees. But just because your ne…Read More

When it comes to playing the money game, there are two “Golden Rules.” The first Golden Rule of money says: “The one who knows the rules, gets the gold.” The other Golden Rule: “The one who makes the rules, keeps the gold!” If you’re going to play to win, you better know the rules. Unfortunately, most people never take the time to learn them. According to Tony Walker, author of the W…Read More

According to Tony Walker, author of the WorryFree Retirement®, there are three key ingredients necessary to reaching your destination. Before getting started you must: Determine your “ideal” vision and then write it down. If it’s not written down in a place where you can go and review it regularly, then it’s not a serious goal to begin with. So simply write down your “ideal” retiremen…Read More