The team at Master’s celebrated our official 30th anniversary several weeks ago. When Lyle & I, along with the other founding partners, started Master’s three decades ago, we decided to build this firm on four foundational cornerstones. We sometimes referred to them as the “pillars.” They still stand firmly in place today. Independence – We would not be owned by, or beholden to, a parent company. Team Practice – Clients… Read More

On April 1st, Master’s entered a new phase in our journey as a financial planning business, launching our own Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm, Master’s Wealth Management. This follows a year of research, conversations, and planning, as we prepared to make a monumental shift in our business model. While you do not necessarily need to know all the behind-the-scenes details of the financial advice industry, I am sure you can… Read More

We have had an exciting past month at Master’s as we have worked through our transition to our own Registered Investment Advisory Firm, Master’s Wealth Management. Here are a few updates on where we stand as we continue to work through the transition process: The majority of client accounts have been transitioned from Securities America to Raymond James, our new custodian. However, there are still some accounts that need paperwork… Read More

When working with clients to help them determine a retirement savings strategy, a common question is whether to contribute on a pre-tax basis, like in Traditional IRAs or 401(k)s, or an after-tax Roth basis to Roth IRAs or Roth 401(k)s. This choice can significantly impact your financial future. Today, I will shed light on some of the key considerations to help you make an informed choice. As I begin, remember… Read More

Making large purchases is generally an unavoidable aspect of life. These can certainly be stressful experiences when they involve unfamiliar territory. Aside from acquiring homes, businesses, or properties, the next largest purchase most people will make sometime in their life is a vehicle purchase. There are a lot of layers to this process, some of which can be very confusing or misleading for buyers. I wanted to address some of… Read More

As of April 1st, Master’s has become Master’s Wealth Management, a fully independent Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm! This means we will no longer be using the back-office services provided by Securities America & NFS. The relationship we have had with them for the past 22 years has served us well, however, the time has come for us to amicably part ways and become an independent RIA-only firm. Thankfully, Master’s now… Read More

Companies marketing retirement often portray couples holding hands as they walk on the beach or sailing on the high seas with their hair blowing in the wind. These commercials give us the impression that retirement is an extended vacation filled with fun and leisure. Several months ago, I wrote a blog article exploring nine real-life retirement transitions and the factors influencing individuals’ decisions to retire. At the end of that… Read More

“Being joyful isn’t what makes you grateful. Being grateful is what makes you joyful.” – Ann Voskamp Gratitude has been on my mind recently. While it may not come naturally to many of us, myself included, gratitude can truly have a significant and broad impact. Practicing gratitude helps me to appreciate the small details in life that I otherwise may tend to overlook, particularly given the busyness of daily life…. Read More

  Within the past week we have experienced the “Super Tuesday” Primaries and a State of the Union speech that sounded much like a campaign event. Friends, like it or not, we are speeding headlong into another Presidential election year. This will be the 8th Presidential election that has occurred since Master’s was founded thirty years ago! It is safe to say that the most common question we have gotten… Read More

Since 2008, I’ve been a Facebook user. Admittedly, I lean more towards the “social media stalker” category than an active participant, yet I’ve amassed 348 Facebook “friends”. Occasionally, I’ll share a post or comment, but mostly I use it to keep tabs on old friends, especially those who aren’t nearby, and to follow updates from my favorite sports teams and other interests. Continuing our series on Core Values, this final… Read More