Collin Lyon - First Command Financial Advisor

Collin Lyon - First Command Financial Advisor Coaching those that serve in their pursuit of financial security. Please view them here: https://www.firstcommand.com/social-media-guidelines/.

Periodically I post information regarding my employer First Command Financial Services and the social media usage guidelines that apply to First Command also apply to my pages.

10/11/2023

So I read a lot of books ๐Ÿ“š . I was reading this morning about a script people can use to talk about money when they are in a tough spot. The general idea is to go up to someone you trust and you know cares about you and ask:
1. What is the roughest financial patch youโ€™ve been through?
2. How did you get through it?
Then when they have answered, ask the following:
โšกโ€œCould you give me some advice on what Iโ€™m currently experiencing?โ€โšก

It might seem awkward, but how do you think your financial life could change after having a conversation like this? ๐Ÿคฏ

Having money conversations with those that care about you could be beneficial to those stressed about their finances. In a world where we are increasingly more distant from others, choose to not suffer in silence. If you have difficulties, reach out to a trusted person you admire. You might be surprised at just how much it can strengthen your relationship๐Ÿ’ช. I have seen too many people struggle privately and struggle needlessly. Lean on your friends and family!

10/10/2023

๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™‚๏ธHow do you make friends after a PCS?!

A common question I ask clients when retirement planning is โ€œIf you didnโ€™t have to work anymore, what would you do with your time?โ€ Many people say things like visit family, travel or vacation with friends. Iโ€™ve noticed a lot of clients say things that require others to enjoy the experience with them. Building wealth is important, but another important part of life planning is investing in your connections with others. ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ

Many service members ๐Ÿช–have additional challenges in this sphere. As a military spouse, we would move every few years. This made it hard to make long term friends. So how can you make friends and build community as a military family? Here are some ideas:
1. Join the family organizations like the spouse and ๐Ÿ“šbook clubs.
2. ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธGet involved with the USO service projects. Service is a great way to meet new friends.
3. ๐Ÿ›Head outside! Iโ€™ve made several friends with the other dads at parks or just taking my son for walks.
4. ๐Ÿ—“๏ธGo to local events. At any given time there are events happening, find some you are interested in and take the time to go.

These are just a few suggestions.

โšก Let me know what helps you make new friends after a PCS. Iโ€™d love to hear your ideas so I can better help clients with this part of their life planning! ๐Ÿ’ช

Got to love a nice morning hike on an office retreat!
09/29/2023

Got to love a nice morning hike on an office retreat!

09/21/2023

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Hey Military Community! ๐Ÿš€ As we approach the final quarter of the year, let's dive into an important topic: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts!

๐Ÿ’ฐ Your TSP can be a valuable tool for building financial security, and the end of the year is a great time to see how it's working for you.

Here are some key points to consider:

1๏ธโƒฃ **Contributions**: Are you making the most of your TSP contributions? It's worth reviewing and adjusting if needed.

2๏ธโƒฃ **Asset Allocation**: Take a moment to check if your investments align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

3๏ธโƒฃ **Year-End Review**: Consider reviewing your TSP account to see if it still meets your financial objectives.

4๏ธโƒฃ **Roth or Traditional**: Explore the tax implications of both options to make an informed choice.

5๏ธโƒฃ **Catch-Up Contributions**: If you're 50 or older, remember to explore catch-up contributions to boost your savings.

Your financial future is important, and your TSP can play a role in it.



First Command Financial Services, Inc. and its related entities are not affiliated with, authorized to sell or represent on behalf of or otherwise endorsed by any federal employee benefits programs referenced, by the U.S. government, or the U.S. Armed Forces. TSP funds have very low administrative and investment expenses and, low expenses can have a positive effect on the rate of return of your investment. First Command does not provide legal or tax advice, and this information does not contain any legal or tax advice. Should you require legal or tax advice specific to your situation, you should consult with an attorney or qualified tax advisor. The information provided to you herein is provided for informational purposes only, is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and should not be used for the purpose of avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code

09/16/2023

๐Ÿ’ฐ Ready to take control of your finances? Let's talk BUDGETS! ๐Ÿ’ธ

๐Ÿ“Š What's a budget? It's your financial roadmap! ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ

๐Ÿ” Tracking your income and expenses can help you:
1๏ธโƒฃ Prioritize savings ๐ŸŒŸ
2๏ธโƒฃ Cut unnecessary spending โœ‚๏ธ

๐Ÿ’ก Here's the secret sauce: PAY YOURSELF FIRST! ๐Ÿ’ฐ๐Ÿ’ช

๐ŸŒŸ Save a portion of your income right off the bat. It's like giving your future self a high-five! ๐Ÿ™Œ

Tips to follow your budget:
1๏ธโƒฃ Set clear goals ๐ŸŽฏ
2๏ธโƒฃ List all income ๐Ÿ’ฐ
3๏ธโƒฃ Categorize expenses ๐Ÿ“ฆ
4๏ธโƒฃ Monitor regularly ๐Ÿ“†
5๏ธโƒฃ Adjust as needed ๐Ÿ”„

๐ŸŒŸ Share your budgeting wins and challenges below! Let's support each other on the road to financial success. ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ฐ

09/14/2023

๐Ÿ‚ Fall Financial Tip for Federal Employee Families! ๐Ÿ

๐ŸŒŸ Principle: "Open Season" for Benefits โ€“ Optimize Your Federal Employee Benefits! ๐Ÿ’ผ๐Ÿ‚

Federal employees, it's almost that time of year! During the Federal Benefits Open Season next month, review your healthcare, dental, and vision plans to see if your choices align with your family's needs, and don't forget to explore flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to save on taxes. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ’ฐ

First Command does not provide legal or tax advice, and this post does not contain any legal or tax advice. Should you require legal or tax advice specific to your situation, you should consult with an attorney or qualified tax advisor. The information provided to you herein is provided for informational purposes only, is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and should not be used for the purpose of avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code.

Had such a great time during our districtโ€™s quarterly off-site! ๐ŸŽ‰ I had the opportunity to share what I have learned abo...
08/29/2023

Had such a great time during our districtโ€™s quarterly off-site! ๐ŸŽ‰ I had the opportunity to share what I have learned about facilitation introductions with prospective clients ๐Ÿค. Two key principles are to:

๐Ÿ”‘ Remove the uncertainty around how you handle introductions from clients.
๐Ÿ”‘ Make sure the introduction is comfortable for all involved.

โ‰๏ธWhat ways do you prefer to be introduced to a professional? Share the ways that make you most comfortable!

07/21/2023

๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿ“š Join Us for an Informative College Planning Seminar! ๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿ“š Are you a parent with dreams of providing the best education for your child? ๐ŸŒŸ We know the journey can be overwhelming, and our College Planning Seminar is here to help you navigate the way! ๐Ÿš€

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Date: Aug. 10, 2023
โฐ Time: 6:00 p.m.
๐Ÿข Location: First Command Office 51 Plum St. Suite 260 Beavercreek, OH 45440

At this seminar, you'll learn ways to estimate college expenses, explore savings strategies, and uncover financial aid opportunities! ๐Ÿ“ˆ๐Ÿ’ฐ Bring along fellow parents and friends who share the same aspirations for their children's future! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ก RSVP to me and spread the word! ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Together, we can create a plan to help pursue the college education goals you have for your kids!

๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŽ“

07/17/2023

WARNING: NOSTALGIA๐Ÿšจ We all had that friend whose social status skyrocketed ๐Ÿš€when he opened his duct tape wallet making business in middle school ๐Ÿ˜Ž. As a kid, it never occurred to me that he was trying to model the financial behaviors set by his parents ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ. They had wallets, those wallets were filled with the stuff needed to get what they needed!

This is just a small example of how kids learn ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿซ financial behaviors from their parents. Being mindful and intentional about how we model financial behaviors can have an impact on our children and their futures.

โšกWhat are some things you have done to role model good financial behaviors for your kids?

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