February 17, 2025

The Whistle of the Train Calls Me Home

It is late in the evening and I feel the breeze blowing through my bedroom window as I slowly drift to sleep. It is a cool summer night in the small town in Indiana where I grew up. I hear the clankety-clank of the train in the distance as it approaches our town. The train… [Continue]

My Journey to Becoming a Financial Planner

Note: The following is based on an article written by the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP). They interviewed me and featured the interview as an ACP Success Story of the Month in November 2020 on the ACP website. I am happy to support such a great organization. The ACP helped me start my RIA firm… [Continue]

Dad I Cherish the Memories and Lessons Learned

Dear Dad, Today marks the eighth Father’s Day without you. Hard to believe it has been that long already, yet it seems like just yesterday you were here. I still have times when I find it almost impossible to imagine going through the rest of my life without you – my best friend and mentor.… [Continue]

15 Tips for Young Professionals and Career Changers

Introduction I was recently invited to present a webinar for financial planning students at Kansas State University. The objective of the webinar was to share my personal story on becoming a financial planner, provide insight on how I run my firm, and on how I work with my clients. I was also asked to include… [Continue]

Dutchess My Friend

Note: This article was originally written in June 2013. My road trip with Dutchess from Indiana to Florida in November 2011 after my Dad died was the start of my journey with her and my becoming a professional financial planner. I signed up for the CFP® coursework the first week of January 2012. We all… [Continue]

My Dad – A Young Boy’s Teacher

My dad might have asked me, “What if there is just a horizontal line across the screen?” I would reply with something like, “The vertical output is not working correctly.” Another question might be, “What if there is no sound or picture?” My reply would be something like, “There is probably a power supply problem.… [Continue]

I Am What I Was – An Entrepreneur

I believe that for most of us, the adult we have become is a reflection of the child we once were. Childhood Experiences Shape Our Lives I love meeting people and learning about the paths they took to get to where they are today. In these discussions with others, I find quite often that events… [Continue]

Another Life Transition, A Promise Kept

  Much of the work I do with my clients is about helping them to plan for and navigate their life transitions. A life transition can be a happy occasion such as graduating from college, getting married, or embarking on a new phase of life such as retirement. Other times a life transition can be… [Continue]

For Sale – My Childhood Home

Note: This article was originally written on October 21, 2014.  The home finally sold in March 2016 and the family that purchased it have several young kids. When my mom and dad both became ill in 2011 within months of each other, I was not prepared to deal with the sudden change in life’s circumstances.… [Continue]