The AI Opportunity Is Real. So Is Your Exposure
04 May 2026
Ever since ChatGPT launched at the end of 2022, conversations about what AI might mean for the economy and our portfolios have been hard to avoid. Even a major geopolitical shock like the 2026 Iran conflict proved to be a distraction measured in weeks. I don’t claim to be an expert on AI, but I use it every day in my work and have spent time with two of the… Read More
What Are Stocks, Why Should You Invest in Them, and What Is a Stock Index?
25 Apr 2026
What is a stock? Stocks, also called shares or equity, represent ownership in a publicly traded company. When you buy a stock, you become a partial owner (shareholder) and share in the company’s risks and rewards. Why invest in stocks? The main goal of investing in stocks is to grow your wealth. You can make money through capital gains (selling stock at a higher price than you paid) and dividends… Read More
Missouri Unclaimed Property: Are you due some money?
15 Apr 2026
Did you know that if you don’t stay in contact with your financial institution, you can “lose” your money? Where does it go? To the state in which you last lived, as far as the financial institution is aware. That state holds it as Unclaimed Property. They would really like people to come claim it, and ideally, spend it, putting it back into the economy. How do I find out… Read More
Portfolio Insights
13 Apr 2026
We are pleased to provide a digital copy of Portfolio Insights, our quarterly newsletter. Table of Contents: Stock Market Summary Bond Market Review Assessing the Oil Shock Impact Inside the Economy Protecting the Mission The Big Picture Click here to read the issue: Q1 2026 Portfolio Insights
Retiring Early: One Way to Avoid the 10% Early Withdrawal Penalty Tax
12 Apr 2026
You might have heard that you need to keep your money in your retirement accounts until you are 59½ in order to avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty tax, but did you know that if your money is in a work retirement plan, like a 401(k), you can take it out earlier and still avoid the penalty? Exception to the rule To quote directly from the IRS website explaining this exception to… Read More
The Problem with Safe Havens
06 Apr 2026
A question has come up repeatedly over the past month, as markets reacted to the war in Iran and the associated spike in oil prices. The expectation, rooted in decades of experience, is straightforward: stocks fall, and defensive assets should step in to cushion the blow. This time, it didn’t work that way. Global stocks fell by -6.1 percent, as expected. The S&P 500 fell a little less, -5.0 percent…. Read More
Michele Clark in the News: CNBC about Downsizing Housing in Retirement
05 Apr 2026
I was happy to be a resource for Sara O’Brien of CNBC for the article “Older Americans planning to downsize should brace for sticker shock” which highlights the surprises that retirees can face when downsizing. We had a great discussion about the types of expenses people often forget, the types of housing I see clients gravitate toward, and if the cost of the square footage downsized home is dollar downsized as… Read More
Asset Allocation: Rebalancing a Portfolio in an Appreciated Market
01 Apr 2026
You probably already know you need to monitor your investment portfolio and update it periodically. Even if you’ve chosen an asset allocation, market forces may quickly begin to tweak it. For example, if stock prices go up, you may eventually find yourself with a greater percentage of stocks in your portfolio than you want, and therefore a more aggressive portfolio than you originally intended. If the market corrects, your portfolio… Read More
Retirement Planning: Spending, Pensions, and Inflation
31 Mar 2026
When planning for retirement, several important factors determine whether your financial plan will work over the long term. Three of the most important areas people need to think about are understanding their spending, knowing how their pension works, and accounting for inflation over time. The following sections explore these topics in more detail. Retirement Planning: When You Haven’t Tracked Your Spending Planning for retirement is not a subject you dwell… Read More
Retirement Plan: Expenses to Consider (Including Often Overlooked Costs)
30 Mar 2026
When planning for retirement, most people begin by estimating their regular monthly expenses such as housing, utilities, insurance, food, and transportation. But one of the most common issues I see when helping people plan their retirement income is that certain expenses are either underestimated or completely overlooked. Understanding both core retirement expenses and irregular or overlooked costs can help create a more realistic retirement spending plan. Retirement Plan: 10 Expenses… Read More