Edward Jones-Financial Advisor: Bruce Petschke

06/02/2026

Financial planning is often misunderstood.

It is not a product, a one-time document, or simply choosing investments. Real financial planning is about designing a life you truly want to live and understanding how your money can support that.

The process starts with your goals, priorities, and values, not the markets. From there, financial planning brings together multiple components, including:

• Cash flow and day-to-day decisions
• Protection strategies
• Tax considerations
• Retirement planning
• Estate considerations
• Investments

Financial planning is ongoing and adaptive. It evolves as your life changes, helping you prepare for the future.

Reach out and I can help bring these pieces together in a thoughtful, coordinated way so your plan continues to reflect what matters most to you.

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month! 🌈

This June, we celebrate love, authenticity, and the courage it takes to live as your true self.

Pride is about visibility, acceptance, and progress. It's about creating spaces where everyone feels safe to plan for the life they envision, whether that's marriage, family planning, retirement, or legacy building.

05/30/2026

Markets closed last week hopeful that a U.S.–Iran peace deal will finally help unwind the shock to global energy markets seen this year, with equities hitting new record highs and bonds rebounding.

How did the markets perform this week? Get the highlights and the latest economic news.

05/29/2026

Trying to predict the perfect moment to invest is tempting. But here's what history tells us: the best market days often show up during the most uncertain times, exactly when many investors are sitting on the sidelines.

Missing even a small number of strong market days over several decades can create a meaningful gap in long-term results. The challenge is that no one can consistently predict which days those will be.

This is why staying invested matters. A long-term approach allows you to participate in market growth over time, rather than risking being out of the market when opportunities emerge.

If you're unsure about staying invested or want to understand what approach fits your timeline, reach out. We can walk through it together.

When considering where to invest your hard-earned money, it's natural to wonder: should I wait for conditions to settle before investing?

05/28/2026

One of the most common questions about Old Age Security (OAS) is when to start taking it. The standard age is 65, but you can delay until age 70. Each choice affects how much you receive.

Starting at 65 means you begin receiving income earlier. But if you delay, your monthly payments increase by 0.6% for each month you wait, up to a maximum 36% increase at age 70.

So which option is right for you? It depends on several factors unique to your situation. Your current tax rate matters. If you're still working or have other significant income, delaying might make sense. Your total income matters too, because OAS is subject to a clawback if your income exceeds certain thresholds.

If you're approaching 65 and wondering when to start your OAS, reach out. I can help you evaluate your options based on your personal circumstances.

You asked – we answered! Here are the top 10 questions about Old Age Security (OAS)

05/27/2026

Old Age Security (OAS) doesn't exist in isolation. It interacts with all your other retirement income sources, and understanding these interactions helps you make smarter decisions about your overall retirement strategy.

Here's what to know: OAS benefits may be reduced if your income exceeds certain thresholds. This is called the OAS recovery tax or clawback. For every dollar you earn above the threshold, you lose 15 cents of your OAS benefit.

This means the way you manage your pension income, RRSP/RRIF withdrawals, investment income, and even part-time work can all affect how much OAS you actually keep. Some retirees are surprised to discover that a larger RRIF withdrawal or investment gain pushes them into clawback territory.

Planning your withdrawals, pensions, and savings together helps optimize your retirement income mix. When you coordinate all your income sources strategically, you can often keep more of what you've earned.

If you want to understand how your OAS will work alongside your other retirement income, let's have a conversation. I can help you see the full picture and make decisions that work together.

You asked – we answered! Here are the top 10 questions about Old Age Security (OAS)

05/26/2026

Getting married or becoming common law does not require having everything figured out right away but it's important to be thoughtful about how you start working together financially.

Early conversations about spending styles, saving priorities, and long-term goals can help set expectations and build trust. It is less about agreeing on every detail, and more about understanding how decisions will be made as a couple.

Financial planning can help create shared structure, so each person feels heard and informed as life evolves. Starting with alignment can make future choices feel less stressful and more collaborative.

👉 Reach out and I can help you start these conversations and build a plan that reflects both partners.

It's important to discuss your finances and long-term goals with your significant other.

05/25/2026

Most people think of budgeting as managing what's happening right now. But a balanced budget can help do something more important. It creates room for your future.

Finding that little "extra" each month can mean a lot as you move toward reaching your long-term financial goals, like retirement. When you free up even small amounts through smarter spending choices, that money can go toward education savings for your children, building an emergency fund, or contributing more to retirement accounts.

This is where budgeting stops being about restriction and becomes about possibility. It's not just tracking expenses. It's making sure your daily financial decisions support the life you want to build over the next 10, 20, or 30 years.

If you'd like to understand how your day-to-day budget connects to your bigger financial picture, let's have a conversation. I can help you see a path from where you are today to where you want to go.

These considerations can help you get a handle on how you spend money each month.

05/23/2026

Stocks continue to climb despite rising rates.

How did the markets perform this week? Get the highlights and the latest economic news.

05/22/2026

One of the most helpful exercises families can do when budgeting is distinguishing between needs and wants. Your mortgage or rent, groceries, utilities, and transportation costs are essential. They keep your household running.

But wants aren't bad. Dining out, travel, and gifts for family and friends add meaning to life. The key is setting boundaries around them so they don't pull you off course from what's most important to you.

When you prioritize together as a family, you build healthier financial habits. Small adjustments in your discretionary spending can create meaningful savings over time without feeling like deprivation.

If you're looking to align your family's spending with your values and goals, let's talk. We can help you create a budget that reflects what matters most.

These considerations can help you get a handle on how you spend money each month.