15
Apr
2026
Missouri Unclaimed Property: Are you due some money?
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
13
Apr
2026
Portfolio Insights
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
12
Apr
2026
Retiring Early: One Way to Avoid the 10% Early Withdrawal Penalty Tax
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
6
Apr
2026
The Problem with Safe Havens
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
5
Apr
2026
Michele Clark in the News: CNBC about Downsizing Housing in Retirement
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
1
Apr
2026
Asset Allocation: Rebalancing a Portfolio in an Appreciated Market
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
31
Mar
2026
Retirement Planning: Spending, Pensions, and Inflation
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
30
Mar
2026
Retirement Plan: Expenses to Consider (Including Often Overlooked Costs)
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
29
Mar
2026
Peter Cottontail Makes A Lousy Financial Advisor!
Oh, I know he’s beloved by millions. And I can’t wait to bite off those chocolate bunny ears he will bring me on Sunday. But let’s face it, you wouldn’t want to get your financial advice from someone who puts all his eggs in one basket! You have probably heard that old adage, but do you know what it means? Portfolio Diversification Have you ever been in rush hour traffic… Read More
27
Mar
2026
Retirement Income: Estimating How Much You Will Need
Use your current income as a starting point You have probably read financial press articles that discuss desired annual retirement income as a percentage of your current income. Depending on the article, that percentage could be anywhere from 60 to 90 percent, or even more. The appeal of this approach lies in its simplicity, and the fact that there’s a fairly common-sense analysis underlying it: Your current income sustains your… Read More