Pillar Wealth

05/25/2026

05/19/2026

"When you don't know how you will handle a situation, when it feels as if it will all be too much, then simply focus on doing the next right thing & go from that point." -from the Champagne Letters by Kate MacIntosh. This is advice from V***e Clicquot to her great-granddaughter. It is excellent advice for dealing with transitions, job loss, and spousal loss. Amazing story!

05/11/2026

If you are looking for assistance with transitioning your benefits after the Spirit shutdown, please reach out. We are experienced and here to help you during this difficult time.

Spirit Airlines workers face layoffs and industry challenges after sudden job cuts. Some may find new opportunities, while others struggle to transition.

05/05/2026

Top 5 Action Items if your employer goes out of business:
1. Health insurance typically ends on your last day of employment. You may be offered COBRA - or you may need to secure your own coverage. If you are married, your layoff opens a 30-day window for a "qualifying life event". Other options include private or marketplace insurance.
2. Download and print digital pay stubs, W-2s, and benefit information immediately, as access to company systems may be cut off.
3. File for unemployment benefits through your state immediately, as your layoff is considered involuntary.
4. Typically, you will be given 30-60 days to move your retirement account. Meet with a financial professional and thoughtfully make your decisions.
5. Reduce or eliminate waste in your budget in order to lengthen the amount of cash in your emergency "bucket". Review subscriptions, insurance and services that you pay for when working - you may find savings there.

04/03/2026

One of the astronauts on Artemis II is a widower.
He had a conversation with his children to prepare them as best he could before he left - he does love them to the moon and back! If only more people would put these documents in place and have these conversations. Thank you Reid Wiseman! Godspeed to our astronauts and prayers for their families. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1496078578542224&set=a.311213743695386

Astronaut Reid Wiseman lost his wife to cancer in 2020. Yesterday he blasted off on an historic mission around the moon. The 50-year-old said he had to have a heartbreaking discussion with his two teenage daughters about the plan for them in the event of his own death.

Wiseman has raised daughters Ellie and Katherine as a single dad after the death of his wife Carroll. He was prepared to quit his job as an astronaut when she was was diagnosed, but Carroll refused to let him give up his dream job.

Wiseman said he wanted to mentally prepare his girls on the possibility he might not return from the 10-day Artemis II mission.

Wiseman told them: “Here’s where the will is, here’s where the trust documents are, and if anything happens to me, here’s what’s going to happen to you.”

He said, “I actually wish more people in everyday life talked to their families in that way because you never know what the next day is going to bring."

God bless Reid Wiseman and the Artemis II crew. Praying for their safe return. 🙏

01/15/2026

I'm looking forward to starting this year with an engaging discussion that is so important for International Educators!

🎓 Thinking about retirement after a career in international education?
Join us for a thoughtful, candid conversation hosted by your NAFSA peers.

📅 January 29, 2026
🕐 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET
💻 Virtual • Free to attend

Whether you’re contemplating the “right time” to retire or simply planning your next chapter, this webinar offers real insights from experienced international educators on how they approached retirement decisions, what preparations mattered most, and lessons they learned along the way.

Featuring:
• Christine Sjoblom (Pillar Wealth)
• Kerry Geffert (Retired International Educator)
• Kay Thomas (University of Minnesota Retiree)
• Rose Mary Valencia (The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center)

👉 Register today: https://www.nafsa.org/events/when-retire-refocusing-global-impact-personal-horizons

11/26/2025

From our family to yours, we wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

04/16/2025

Thank you Cardinal Gibbons High School Fort Lauderdale, FL for inviting me to be part of the first Career Day! It was a pleasure to spend time with students who were so engaging and polite! Go Chiefs!

03/26/2025

Sharing for International Education colleagues.

Special NAFSA Webinar: Empowering an International Education Workforce to Navigate Career Uncertainty

Join us on Wednesday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m. (EDT) for a free and webinar featuring Nick Martin, CEO, TechChange; Sora H. Friedman, PhD, Life/Career/Executive Coach, Professor of International & Global Education, SIT Graduate Institute Professional; and Marc St Hilaire, Senior Talent Partner, Corporate Functions, Global Executive Talent Acquisition, Adobe. Gain perspectives on developing a positive mindset for navigating transitions and strategies for leveraging relationships.

REGISTER FREE: https://bit.ly/4j3kJyX

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine's Day to all of our clients and friends! Happy Birthday to Brad!