William Spruill, III- Investment Advisor Representative

06/04/2026

They Never Taught Us This Stuff...

In school, I learned how to find the area of a triangle.

Nobody taught me:
💰 How investing works
🏠 How to prepare financially for buying a home
👨‍👩‍👧 How to protect my family if something happens to me
📈 How to build wealth over time
🎯 How to plan for retirement

The truth is, a lot of people feel overwhelmed by money simply because nobody ever taught them the basics.

That's one reason I'm passionate about financial education. Everyone deserves the opportunity to understand how money works and how to make it work for them.

If you could add one class to every high school's curriculum, what financial topic would you choose?

Send a message to learn more

05/13/2026

For those looking to make the most of their short-term savings while still maintaining flexibility, a CD layering strategy (also called a CD ladder) can be an effective approach. Here’s a simple example:

Let’s say someone has $12,000 in savings they want to set aside. Instead of placing the full amount into one CD, they could divide it equally into four CDs with staggered maturity dates:

$3,000 into a 3-month CD

$3,000 into a 6-month CD

$3,000 into a 9-month CD

$3,000 into a 12-month CD

This creates a schedule where a CD matures every 3 months. Why structure it this way? Typically, longer-term CDs offer higher interest rates than shorter-term CDs. With a layered strategy, part of the money remains accessible on a regular basis, while another portion has the opportunity to earn the potentially higher yields associated with longer-term CDs.

As each CD matures, the funds can either be used or reinvested. For example:

➡️ When the 3-month CD matures, if the funds are not needed, they could be reinvested into a new 12-month CD.

➡️ Three months later, the 6-month CD matures and can also be reinvested into a new 12-month CD.

Once the ladder is fully established, a 12-month CD would continue maturing every 3 months — creating recurring liquidity opportunities while consistently keeping a portion of the savings in potentially higher-yielding longer-term CDs. Potential benefits of this strategy may include:

🔹 Maintaining access to cash at regular intervals

🔹 Taking advantage of potentially higher long-term CD yields

🔹 Reducing the risk of locking all funds in at one rate

🔹 Creating a more structured and disciplined savings approach

While CDs may not offer the same growth potential as market-based investments, they can serve as a useful tool for conservative savings goals, emergency reserves, or funds intended for shorter-term needs. For more information on this or other savings strategies, feel free to contact me.

Send a message to learn more

05/07/2026

A lot of financial stress has nothing to do with intelligence.

Too few people in our society were taught how money actually works. It's not that you aren't capable. It's more likely that nobody showed you a clear system.

Financial stability usually isn’t built through huge breakthroughs. It’s built through small decisions made consistently over time.

-Spend with intention.

-Avoid unnecessary debt.

-Plan ahead.

-Repeat.

Simple doesn’t always mean easy. But simple works.

Send a message to learn more

05/06/2026

One thing I’ve noticed after years in sales and financial services:

The people who build lasting businesses usually aren’t the ones trying hardest to “sound like a salesperson.” They’re the ones who make people feel comfortable, understood, and respected.

Anyone can learn techniques. Anyone can memorize scripts. But genuine connection is hard to fake over time. The professionals who consistently win long-term are usually the ones who lead with relationships first and transactions second.

That approach may take longer upfront, but trust compounds — and so do referrals, opportunities, and reputation.

Send a message to learn more

05/01/2026

04/28/2026

I tell my clients all the time- a budget is not a set of restrictions on what you can do with your money. Instead, it's a plan for what you WANT to do with your money. Need help developing (and sticking with) your budget? Contact me

Send a message to learn more

04/23/2026

Next month, I'm conducting a workshop for the Maryland employees of Nando's, discussing company benefits, retirement, and general planning tips. Companies need to have more education/training like this, especially if they offer benefits. A 2025 survey shows that 75% of employers report that benefits positively impact retention, recruiting, and performance. 78% of employees say they are more likely to stay because of benefits, in addition to flexibility, training and culture.

Here's one key: utilization of benefits is strongly tied to retention. So, if your company is offering benefits, but your employess aren't utilizing them, it may be a factor in your retention/job satisfaction numbers.

If you're an employer in the DMV area and want help educating your employees about their benefits, contact me. Additionally, if you're an employer that does not offer benefits but are considering it, contact me and I can help you explore options.

Send a message to learn more

04/22/2026

I’ve worked with people making $50K who are very comfortable, and people making $250K who are very uncomfortable.

Income doesn’t automatically create peace of mind.
The difference usually comes down to having a plan (and executing it) vs. just having income.

04/21/2026

One of the most overlooked financial habits:

Reviewing where your money went after you spent it- not to feel guilty, but to gain awareness. A good budget starts with awareness, and awareness breeds accountability.

Send a message to learn more

04/20/2026

A common mistake I see people make with their finances-

They focus only on what they’re earning—but not on what they’re keeping or building. Income matters, but it’s only one part of the picture. What often makes the biggest difference over time is:

• How money is being managed

• Whether there’s a clear plan and,

• If decisions are aligned with long-term goals

I’ve had conversations with people across all income levels, and the ones who feel the most confident aren’t always the ones earning the most—they’re the ones with clarity.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re making the most of what you have, it might be worth taking a closer look.