Black Diamond Planners

06/07/2026

Some days on the calendar mean more than others. Today is one of them. 💙

If someone you love has faced a cancer diagnosis, you know the journey doesn't end when treatment does. The fear doesn't just disappear. The follow-up appointments keep coming. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, there are these unexpected moments of pure gratitude that are hard to put into words.

Cancer doesn't just touch one person. It's the spouse who rearranged their whole life. The kids who grew up faster than they should have. The friends who showed up and kept showing up.

Behind every survivor is a family that went through it too.

Today is for all of them.

06/04/2026

If you've watched a parent or grandparent navigate this disease, you already know.

It changes everything, and not just for them.

Families are often so focused on the day-to-day of caregiving that the legal and financial side quietly falls behind.

▪️ Who has the authority to make decisions if something changes?
▪️ Is there a long-term care plan?
▪️ Does anyone know where the documents are?

A power of attorney, a healthcare directive, a conversation about what care actually looks like.

These are so much easier to put in place when everyone is healthy and clearheaded than after a diagnosis.

If you have aging parents, this month is as good a time as any to start that conversation. We're happy to be part of it. 💙

06/02/2026

As of September 30, 2025, federal law and Executive Order 14247 require federal benefits to be paid electronically. To improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance security in federal payments, the Department of the Treasury is phasing out paper checks. Social Security plans to complete the full transition to electronic payments for all beneficiaries this year.

Making the Switch to Electronic Payments: What Beneficiaries Need to Know...

As of September 30, 2025, federal law and Executive Order 14247 require federal benefits to be paid electronically. To improve efficiency, reduce costs, and …

06/02/2026

True or false: Americans in March 2026 are applying for fewer mortgages than they were during the Great Recession.

True. And it's not even close.

96 OF THE 100 LOWEST NUMBER OF WEEKLY MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS SINCE 1999 HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST 3 YEARS! (according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Mortgage Application Index)

Yet, unemployment today is a fraction of what it was during the financial crisis.

People aren't staying out of the market because they can't qualify. The market is gridlocked. Here's why. 👇

1️⃣ Millions of homeowners locked in at 3 percent during the pandemic. Selling means giving that up for another mortgage that may have a higher interest rate. So they're not moving.

2️⃣ If existing owners aren't selling, inventory can become thin, prices might stay elevated, and buyers wait for something to change.

3️⃣ Most are waiting for rates to drop. But when they do, demand may pick up, competition returns, and that window closes faster than expected.

Here's the truth about market timing: it almost never works the way people picture it.

The better question isn't "When is the right time to buy?" It's "Am I financially ready to move when the right opportunity comes?" 📋

06/02/2026

We’re hiring! Check out the job opening on Indeed.

06/02/2026

We're hiring! Black Diamond Planners is looking for a Client Service Associate to join our growing financial planning and investment management firm in Downers Grove, IL.

If you're organized, client-focused, and interested in a career helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals, we'd love to hear from you.

05/06/2026

Americans over 70 hold more than 30 percent of the country's wealth, even though they represent just 11 percent of the population.

May is Older Americans Month, and whether you're in this chapter, approaching it, or helping a parent navigate it, here are some of the considerations that come into play:

1️⃣ Required minimum distributions that force withdrawals whether you need the income or not

2️⃣ Sequencing decisions about which accounts to tap first

3️⃣ Medicare timing and long-term care options, including whether a continuing care retirement community makes sense

4️⃣ Protecting against elder scams and financial exploitation

5️⃣ Power of attorney conversations and making sure the documents are accessible

6️⃣ Considering the possibility of cognitive decline before it happens

None of these has one right answer. They depend on your health and what your family goals look like.

The earlier these conversations start, the more options there may be on the table. 🙌

05/04/2026

Behind every small business is someone who believes in themselves. 💼

Business owners carry a weight most people don't see.

You're the CEO, the HR department, and sometimes the night janitor, all in the same day.

The financial picture is more complicated, too.

Choosing a retirement account, balancing what you pay yourself with reinvesting in the business, and making sure the company serves your life, not the other way around.

Think about your local coffee shop, the local family-owned restaurant, and the flower shop—those places exist because someone took a risk and kept showing up.

This week, skip the chain and stop by a small business instead. 🙌

05/02/2026

According to the American Psychological Association…

Money stress is one of the leading causes of anxiety—ahead of work, relationships, and health concerns.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it's worth acknowledging what we see in this work every day: financial decisions carry emotional weight.

Will I have enough? Am I doing this right? What if something changes?

Looking ahead can help make the weight lighter, not heavier. If your financial life feels like a source of stress instead of clarity, that's worth paying attention to.