Keely Keelan, Financial Advisor

08/28/2026

Frugal Friday-Pay Yourself First

I can hear my dad saying this right now. This is one of the first financial lessons he taught me.

Even during seasons when I had to pinch pennies, I always tried to set aside something. I would automate it so the money left my account within a few days of getting paid so I wouldn't even notice it or miss it.

Today's reality makes that easier said than done. The cost of healthcare, daycare, college, groceries, youth sports, and just about everything else is staggering and seems to keep climbing.

I'm not suggesting it is easy and I'm certainly not suggesting everyone has room in their budget right now. But if your basic needs are met and you can spot a few discretionary expenses you wouldn't miss too much, consider setting a small savings goal and automating it. Even modest amounts can add up over time. I can attest to that!

Start where you are, increase it when you can, and let the consistency do the work for you. Over time, work to gradually saving 10-15% of your gross income.

It's a constant struggle, especially in America, but we must resist the marginal propensity to consume! https://www.raymondjamesconnect.com/aT1y-L

08/20/2026

GO, Greensboro!

Growing up, I knew it as the GGO. You may know it as the Wyndham Championship, but in 2027, it will be known as the Greensboro Open (GO) by Raymond James!

Greensboro is my hometown, and I grew up going to Sedgefield Country Club with my grandparents on many occasions. I am thrilled to see two places close to my heart intersect with my professional life. Excited for this news! https://www.raymondjamesconnect.com/aX-L4i

08/12/2026

Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise Wednesday- Family Ties

"A found family is every bit as beautiful as a born family. Even more so, perhaps." ~ Dan Gemeinhart

I was raised in what many would call a "traditional" family. My own adult life took a very different path than I imagined, and today I'm proud to be part of a blended family that doesn't always fit the traditional mold, but it is filled with love, growth, and lessons I'd never expected.

There have been challenges, detours, and moments of rebuilding and still, daily logistical hurdles exist because of this dynamic, but there has also been incredible beauty in redefining what family means and creating something uniquely our own.

This article really resonated with me because it acknowledges what so many of us already know: families come in all shapes and sizes. The American family is evolving and with that evolution comes greater openness, acceptance, and recognition that there is no one "right" way to build a meaningful life and support system. Family today is increasingly defined by the people who show up for us, not just by traditional structures.

And from a financial planning standpoint, those evolving family dynamics make intentional planning more important than ever. Our plans should reflect the people we love and the lives we're living, not just what tradition say they should look like.

raymondjames.com

08/07/2026

Frugal Friday: Debt-free? Maybe.

Not all debt is created equal.

In principal, being debt-free is what I personally aim for and what I encourage clients to strive towards, but having strategically managed debt may allow you to keep more money invested and working toward your long-term goals.

For example, I'll gladly keep my 3% mortgage rate. Rather than throwing extra cash at the principal, I'll keep investing my dollars and let them work over time.

On the other hand, we probably shouldn't be maxing out retirement accounts while carrying high-interest credit card balances or costly auto loans.

Before using savings or investments to pay off debt, consider the tradeoffs between liquidity, investment growth potential, and the cost of borrowing.

raymondjames.com

08/05/2026

Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise Wednesday-Hire a BOSS! A busy mom, that is!

"The wonderful thing about mothers is that you can because you must, and you just do." ~ J.A. Jance

I subscribe to Michael Easter's Two Percent newsletter and he shared insights from his interview with Jay Carson, instructor at the Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS) not too long ago.

The core message: people who thrive in uncertainty often outperform people who need a perfect plan. Surprisingly, some of the strongest performers in BOSS survival courses aren't elite athletes or military operators. They're people like busy moms!

In a world where change is constant, flexibility is a superpower. The people who succeed aren't always the ones with the best plan. They're often the ones who can lean into the uncertainty and confidently say "We'll figure it out".

Need something done? Give it to a busy mom!

Why? Because she's already mastered adaptability, prioritization, resilience, and problem-solving under pressure. You'll get a lot of heart, compassion, and care to go along with it!

07/31/2026

Frugal Friday- ConFEEnience

I was up in New York a couple weeks ago visiting my sister and jut got the toll road receipt from my rental car yesterday. The convenience fee they automatically charged me to the card on file was more than the total tolls themselves!

This got me thinking about paying for "convenience" these days and how quickly those modern little luxuries can eat into our disposable income.

By nature, I avoid paying for convenience whenever possible, sometimes even to my own detriment. But being surrounded by a lifestyle where so much is outsourced, had me doing some mental math. Even with a dual income and strong salaries, if you're paying a little extra for convenience across all the routines and necessities of daily life like grocery delivery, meal delivery, subscriptions, dog walkers, cleaners, pool maintenance, expedited shipping to name a few, you may not have as much left over each month as you think.

According to a recent survey, Americans spend an average of about $150/month (nearly $1800 a year!) on convenience-driven purchases. Nearly half say those habits feel financially unsustainable. The same survey found many people feel guilty paying for services they could have done themselves.

This article also highlights which common convenience purchases people feel are "worth it" versus the ones that generate the most buyer's remorse.

How would you rank them?

yahoo.com

07/29/2026

Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise Wednesday-Follow your plan, not your mood

The biggest threat to your long-term financial success often isn't the market. It's the emotional decisions we make during volatile times.

My job is to help clients focus on what they can control: a solid financial plan, disciplined investing, and long-term goals.

It's not about timing the markets, it's about time in the markets. https://www.raymondjamesconnect.com/a309K4

07/22/2026

Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise Wednesday-Child at Heart

"Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional." ~ Walt Disney

This is me! Anyone who knows me can attest (except for the napping part-I would love to work on that).

Making time for wonder is not just for children. Explore how embracing curiosity and simple pleasures can support well being and help you reconnect with what matters most..

raymondjames.com

07/15/2026

Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise Wednesday- A grand love

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." ~ Helen Keller

Heaven gained an angel yesterday.

My darling grandmother left us just 10 days shy of her 96th birthday. This woman exemplified strength, love, joy, perseverance, and genuine kindness. If you knew her, you knew her exuberant spirit. She never met a stranger, modeled motherhood and grandmotherhood with an innate grace, and was beautiful inside and out throughout her long life.

She was remarkably healthy up until the last few months when her body simply grew tired. Thankfully, she did not need assisted living or long-term care until the final six months of her life. Witnessing that transition firsthand also opened my eyes to the reality of long-term care costs. The expense of quality care can be shocking and is often one of the greatest financial risks retirees face. Studies show that nearly 70% of people over age 65 will need some form of long-term care during their lifetime, making proactive planning an important part of a well-rounded retirement strategy.

My grandmother's life was a reminder that longevity is a blessing and a huge reason to plan. Having conversations about future care needs can help preserve independence, protect retirement savings, and reduce the burden on those we love most.
Today, I'm grateful for the legacy she leaves behind and the lessons she taught me about living fully, loving deeply, and cherishing every moment. https://www.raymondjamesconnect.com/alB5rH

07/10/2026

Unfazed with Haze: Riding Solo(preneur)

Contribute up to $72k to a 401(k)? Yes, please!

I only wish I'd known about solo 401(k)s when I was running my speech therapy practice. They're one of the most powerful retirement savings opportunities for self-employed business owners.

Let's clear the haze and discover how an owner-only 401(k) plan can help maximize your retirement savings. https://www.raymondjamesconnect.com/alvvQ5