Gratitude helps to create a positive mindset and allows you to focus on what is important in life.
Gratitude helps you let the daily insignificant obstacles not throw you off track and ruin your day.
Gratitude helps you handle life’s major obstacles that WILL cross your path.
Be More Grateful and you will be happier!
Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present.
While facing challenges in your daily life, it's important to remind yourself of all the wonderful things you do have
Grateful For Coaches
AUTHOR: Dennis Grinestaff, JR., AWMA®
Have you had a coach that has impacted your life?
Being involved in youth athletics is your first exposure to goal setting, strategizing, and pushing yourself physically and mentally. It is the first realization that your capabilities are greater than your mind’s limitations and that winning can only happen through teamwork, chemistry, and a mutually desired outcome.
I am grateful to have had several inspiring coaches during my (short!) athletic career.
My coaches demanded high standards and accountability while pushing me out of my comfort zone, forcing my growth as a student, athlete, and citizen.
In his book No Limits, National Championship Calvert Hall Coach Mark Amatucci shares how his aggressive, relentless and passionate style helped players create athletic, social and cultural success on and beyond the court.
Today we acknowledge the coaches who have dedicated their time, molding minds and teaching the value of hard work and consistency to both youths and adults.
As the great Jimmy V said, “There are 86,400 seconds in your day. It is up to you to decide what to do with them.”
It only takes 2 seconds out of your day to show your gratitude. Reach out to your coaches, past or present, to say thanks!
I want to personally thank Mark Amatucci, Joe Baker, Bill Mackley, and Lou Eckerl. I am grateful for your relationship on and off the basketball court and football field. Go Hall!
We believe coaching can change lives. This is why the last C of The EPPIC Method™ stands for COACH.
What is a Coach?
A coach is a professional confidant.
A coach has your best interest in mind.
A coach identifies and believes in your potential.
A coach helps you expand your thinking.
A coach helps you tackle obstacles.
A coach helps strengthen your weaknesses.
A coach leads by example.
A coach is always there for you.
A coach provides Wisdom.Trust.Guidance
Through each stage of life and financial obstacle we Evaluate, Plan, Protect, Invest and Coach.
The most important and rewarding aspect of The EPPIC Method™ is coaching you to help you achieve financial success!
Pictured: Coach Joe Baker Calvert Hall Yearbook Circa 1991
Grateful for Mentors
AUTHOR: Sharon Grinestaff, AIF®, CRPC®
Take a few seconds to think about the people that have positively shaped who you are today.
I’m sure many faces pop into your head along with their wisdom and guidance.
They are family members, teachers, coaches, co-workers, and friends. Each person has been a mentor during different times in your life.
No amount of education can substitute the wisdom gained through life experiences. Mentors are able to help you deal with your struggles and work towards your goals faster. They show you shortcuts on your road to success.
One of my first business mentors was my aunt, Bobbie Wyatt. She was co-owner of Wyatt Wholesale, a beer and beverage distributor. During the two summers when I was 16 and 17, I worked for her and was lucky enough to sit next to her every day. I watched her manage and lead a mostly male team in a male-dominated industry. I listened to how she spoke to customers, to distributors, to vendors, and to her employees. She always demanded the best and was never shy with her opinions.
Even though she was direct and strong-willed, she had a heart of gold and would do anything for her family and employees, whom she considered family. Looking back, those two summers prepared me for life in so many ways. She demonstrated mental strength, perseverance and showed me what a woman business owner looked like. For this, I am grateful to you Aunt Bobbie. I am not alone when saying I wish you were still here guiding our lives today.
Do you still have mentors in your life today?
As we age, our mentors typically don’t come to us, we need to seek them out. So how do you find a mentor?
Sometimes you are lucky to cross paths with a caring person wanting to share their wisdom. But most of the time, you have to make an effort.
If you are needing guidance in a difficult situation, such as the death of a loved one, going through a divorce, or becoming a new parent, look for someone who has had similar life experiences or struggles. Most of the time, they are very willing to help you gain perspective to avoid additional heartache.
If you are looking to improve yourself, find someone you admire who you see achieving success. Watch them, ask for their help, listen and learn.
Not everyone will have the desire to create a relationship with you, but you will gain wisdom with each interaction.
If you are serious about your goals consider hiring a professional coach, personal trainer, business coach, life coach or counselor to improve your results.
Gratitude is most powerful when it is shared. It only takes 2 seconds to recognize a mentor in your life.
I am grateful for the professional mentors I am lucky enough to have in my life today. Bob Dickey, Sarah Carlson, Erin Botsford, and Deirdre Van Nest, your wisdom and support has increased the value we bring to our clients.
We are your Money Mentors. We walk beside you through every life stage, helping you to see your capabilities, to imagine the possibilities and to show you the shortcuts.
Over the last 20 years we have gained wisdom that comes with our experience and the experiences of our own wise mentors.
Keep Calm and Keep Investing
AUTHOR: Sharon Grinestaff, AIF®, CRPC®
As Warren Buffet says, “the stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient”.
During times of market volatility, pullbacks, rallies, bear markets, bull markets, it is essential to remember that Time in the Market always beats Timing the Market.
The simple truth is markets go up and markets go down. Sectors come in and out of favor. Every aspect of our economy is cyclical.
Talking heads make predictions of booms and crashes daily. We listen to our favorite TV market commentators flip-flop from recession to bull market and correction to rally quicker than the blink of an eye. Entire news networks have been built on "experts" giving varying market movement opinions and predictions, cycling 24 hours a day. This leaves viewers confused and creates a feeling of fear or missing out.
Why do financial pundits not tell you that time in the Market versus timing the Market historically wins out? Because tried and true systematic investing and withdrawing, asset allocation, and rebalancing is not sexy or exciting, does not sell ad space…and what would the networks and commentators do with all that dead air?
Just remember, You must Keep Calm and Keep Investing in every market cycle.
Whether you are building your wealth or living off of it, the fact is your contributions and withdrawals will be made during both good and bad markets.
If you are in the accumulation phase, down markets can be your friend. Every time a contribution is made to your retirement plan you are buying shares regardless of price. When the market is down, you are buying shares for less, so consider your retirement on sale!
On the other hand, when markets are down and you are withdrawing your living expenses from your investments, you are having to sell more shares at lower prices and then have fewer shares working for you. Your strategy should have a combination of income-producing vehicles distributing dividends and interest to fulfill your needs and an element of growth to keep up with inflation.
If history is an indicator, sunny days and calmer seas are ahead.
We are here to coach you, helping you navigate and ride out this storm and many more to come.
Grateful For The 401K!
40 years ago, the 401k was brought into the world. Today, it’s the most common retirement plan in the country with millions of people contributing trillions of dollars. Your 401k is your best tool to create the essential habit of Paying Yourself First!
For 2019, the contribution limits for 401k’s and 403b’s have increased by $500 to $19,000 plus another $6,000 if you are age 50 or older. For Traditional and Roth IRA’s the limits also increased by $500 to $6,000 plus $1,000 for age 50 or older.
Please Join Us In Welcoming
Heather Collins
Social Media and Community Outreach Coordinator
Heather is responsible for managing and coordinating public relations inquiries and activities. By developing and executing effective communication and media relations programs she engages audience across traditional and social media platforms. Building relationships with thought leaders allows her to evaluate opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships and advertising to grow financial planning awareness and education. She maintains a keen understanding of industry trends affecting clients and makes appropriate recommendations regarding a communication strategy surrounding them.
Heather Collins and Sharon met while working together at Lincoln Financial Advisors in 1999 and they have been friends ever since. We are thrilled to be working together again. Heather is looking forward to sharing her passion for financial literacy and the importance of financial planning.
She values family, loves to cook and travel, actively participates in her children's school activities and enjoys watching them play sports.
Stay Connected! Make sure to follow us!
Movember
Did you know...
The average life expectancy for men in the United States is almost 5 years less than women.
In the U.S., 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in young men.
Globally every minute a man dies by suicide. 6 out of 10 suicides are men.
”Movember” is an awareness campaign to bring men’s health issues to the forefront to change the face of men’s health literally and figuratively.
By growing facial hair during the month of November, men are starting the conversation about the importance of taking proactive measures to protect their health.
Why bring attention to men’s health?
Men do not openly discuss their health and how they’re feeling.
Men are 24% less likely than women to have visited a doctor in the past year.
There is a lack of awareness and understanding of the health issues men face.
The stigma surrounding mental health makes men reluctant to take action when they don’t feel physically or mentally well.
We want ALL the Men in our lives to have EPPIC™ Health. Be More Healthy Wealthy and Wise™ by scheduling your doctor appointments and discussing the importance of men’s physical and mental health with your male friends and family members today!
Long Term Care Awareness Month
Author: Sharon Grinestaff, AIF®, CRPC®
Life is not all fairy tales and happy endings. Quite frankly, the end of your life can be the most difficult for you, your caregivers and loved ones.
Taking care of our elderly is taxing emotionally and physically. So many decisions need to be made causing stress that can negatively affect a caregiver's relationships. Many caregivers will experience a loss of income due to taking off work to coordinate care, doctor’s appointments and other needs demanding their time.
Having an action plan in place is a blessing for you and everyone involved.
November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month, giving us the opportunity to start thus difficult but necessary conversation. We are here not only to guide you as you take on a caregiving role, but also as you age and eventually transition your financial responsibilities. Our final role is to continue your financial legacy upon the distribution of your estate.
This is a picture of my great grandmothers who both spent time in a nursing home. My Nana on the left required care from age 89-98.
I have seen and felt the stress of taking care of a loved one first hand with my own family members and while helping our clients and their loved ones through the final stages and end of life.
I can tell you that when there is a plan in place, all parties feel more in control and less stressed.
With 20 years of experience, we are seeing Long-Term Care Policies we positioned many years ago pay out their promised benefits. In these instances, Long-Term Care Insurance has shown its value.
When you become dependent on others for your daily care, Long-Term Care Insurance provides cash flow for nursing-home care, home health care, and adult day care.
Long-Term Care Insurance is not attainable for everyone, and some choose to self-insure for this risk. We assist clients that do not have Long-Term Care Coverage in designing an action plan to cover the cost of their care.
We apply The EPPIC Method™ when finding the solution for your Long-Term Care plan.
The prime time to explore the purchasing Long-Term Care Insurance is between your 50’s and early 60’s. For our new and existing clients in this age group, we EVALUATE your current insurance coverages, costs, and needs. We explore and educate you on the different types of traditional and hybrid policies applicable to your specific asset and income level. In some instances, if you have a cash value life insurance policy, we are able to reposition your current life insurance assets to include long-term care coverage.
If insurance coverage is not an option due to age, health or you decide to self-insure, we design an income and liquidation plan.
A well thought out PLAN can help to ensure you are well taken care, and help to PROTECT your wealth from being depleted, leaving your spouse destitute and your heirs with no estate.
It is essential you INVEST your time in exploring your options and creating a plan for this important time of life.
We are here to COACH you as you age and enter each stage of life.
We hope you had a wonderful Holiday Season filled with
family, friends and love.
