Jacob Baxter, Modern Woodmen of America

06/08/2026

05/28/2026

What High Gas Prices Really Mean for Your Finances

When gas prices spike, most of us feel it immediately at the pump. The real impact goes far beyond the extra $10–$20 per fill-up. Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:

It’s not just your tank—it’s everything you buy
When fuel costs rise, businesses pay more to manufacture and transport goods. Those costs often trickle down to consumers in the form of higher prices on everyday essentials.

Spending priorities start to shift
As more income goes toward necessities like gas and groceries, many households naturally pull back on non-essential spending—sometimes without even realizing it.

Less margin for saving and investing
Even small increases in recurring expenses can reduce the amount you’re putting toward long-term goals like retirement, college funding, or wealth building.

A ripple effect on the broader economy
Energy costs play a major role in inflation trends, which can influence interest rates, market performance, and overall economic confidence.

Moments like this are a great reminder of why having a flexible, well-structured financial strategy matters. External factors will always change—your plan should be built to adapt with them.

Please enjoy this picture of me waiting 30 minutes to save 30 cents/gallon at Costco. What should I do with the $3.30 I saved!?

05/27/2026

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04/23/2026

Inside a Real Financial Planning Conversation

I recently met with a Wisconsin teacher retiring this year who came in feeling behind.

Why?

Because she had heard, over and over again, that you need at least $1 million saved to retire. She had about $250,000 in her 403(b) and assumed she was falling short.
What that general rule‑of‑thumb overlooked was her Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension and how it actually works.

When we walked through her plan, we accounted for:

Guaranteed lifetime income from WRS
Cost‑of‑living adjustments (COLA) built into the pension
Social Security benefits
Her projected retirement spending needs

The result? Her pension and Social Security essentially covered her baseline income that she wants in retirement. Her 403(b) became a supplement, not the foundation of her retirement.

That leads to an important (and often missed) question: What is the real value of a pension with COLA?

When you translate guaranteed, inflation‑adjusted income into typical retirement dollars (401k, IRA, 403b), pensions like this can represent millions in value. AND peace of mind of knowing your income doesn’t depend entirely on market performance.

Retirement planning isn’t about generalized headlines or savings targets. It’s about understanding your benefits, your income, and your actual needs.

Question for you:
Have you ever been told you need a certain number to retire—without anyone first considering your goals and your situation?

📅 If you’d like clarity around your own financial picture, schedule a consultation today!:
👉

Please schedule a meeting at a time that works best for you. I look forward to talking to you soon.