Redeem Financial Group

05/07/2026

n a recent meeting, I sat with a family who moved from Canada to Arizona. Their savings lived inside a Canadian RRSP, their equity sat in a paid-off home here, and their “backup plan” was a prized baseball card collection. They weren’t sure if they were on track—or even where to look. We mapped out pensions on both sides of the border, set up a portal to see every account in one place, and showed how a future downsizing could unlock liquid cash without sacrificing lifestyle. The stress in the room lifted the moment the numbers finally lined up.

Clarity often starts with simply putting all the puzzle pieces on one table. When was the last time you reviewed where every dollar actually lives?

05/07/2026

Maximize your portfolio’s potential! 📈 Did you know that there are things you can control besides the actual funds you’re invested in?

In this video, I’m sharing two key strategies that can improve your long-term performance: asset location and withdrawal strategies. 💡

Asset location: Consider the types of accounts you hold your funds in. For example, tax-inefficient funds may be better suited for Roth or pre-tax retirement accounts to avoid yearly taxes.

Withdrawal strategies: As you retire, the way you withdraw money from your portfolio can significantly impact your tax liability. Depending on your situation, it might be more beneficial to withdraw from certain accounts first.

By focusing on these controllable factors, you can maximize your savings and overall portfolio performance. 💪

If you’re not already considering these strategies, let’s chat! We can run scenarios for you and show you how these small changes can make a big difference over time.

04/21/2026

What happens when five paid-off rental properties start to feel more like a burden than a blessing? We met with a couple who own a row of duplexes, a lakeside lot, a stack of silver bars, and an annuity they can’t quite decode. Their wish: simplify life today, minimize taxes, and pass wealth to family tomorrow.

Laying every asset onto one dashboard revealed two surprises: mutual funds were dumping six-figure capital gains each year, and a monthly draw on their net worth could already replace the rent checks—minus midnight plumbing calls.

Our next steps: swap hammers for a 1031 exchange, funnel future giving through a donor-advised fund, and begin steady Roth conversions so heirs inherit tax-free.

First, though, came relief: clarity beats complexity.

When was the last time you zoomed out on your entire balance sheet?

04/15/2026

“How do we keep enjoying life—and keep supporting our church—without triggering another surprise Medicare surcharge?” That was the heart of a conversation with a newly retired couple this week. A few years back, a large withdrawal for a lake-house down payment nudged their income over the IRMAA line; the significant Part B and D increase still stings. We laid out their pension, Social Security, and 401(k) and confirmed cash flow comfortably covers monthly life (and the occasional kitchen facelift). The breakthrough: channeling future gifts straight from their IRA as Qualified Charitable Distributions, then using the freed-up cash to pay taxes on steady Roth conversions. Result? Staying below the IRMAA cliff, growing tax-free assets for grandkids, and turning generosity into a planning advantage rather than a penalty. If your giving strategy isn’t synced with your tax picture, now’s the moment to recalibrate.

02/22/2026

“If Social Security dries up, I don’t want to miss the boat—should I file now?” That was the question from a 68-year-old client who still loves his job and is very effective working it. After mapping cash flow, tax brackets, and survivor benefits, we saw something powerful: waiting until 70 effectively locks in an 8% guaranteed raise for the next two years and delivers the full higher check to his wife if he passes first. Because their earnings cover today’s needs, taking benefits now would just push 85% of their social security to be taxable and effectively push them into a higher tax bracket. By deferring, we also create a two-year window to convert part of their 401(k) to a Roth—shrinking future RMDs and taxes. Sometimes the best “investment” is patience. Before you claim, ask: does the extra income help you today, or can it work harder for tomorrow?

09/22/2025

Indexing is super common these days... AND IT'S GREAT!!!!

BUT.... What if you could have flexibility in a way that the index doesn't, that gives you an investing advantage? Here is a great example of VTI (the total US market) vs. DFUS (another fund that benchmarks the total US market).

🌟 DFUS vs. VTI: Same market. Smarter approach.

Both funds give you broad U.S. stock exposure. The difference is how they get it.

Why DFUS can have an edge
• Smarter trading: Traditional index funds have to rebalance on set dates, often buying and selling at the same time as everyone else. That “crowded” trading can push prices the wrong way. Dimensional trades flexibly to seek better ex*****on and avoid unnecessary turnover.
• More than “just the market”: DFUS tilts toward smaller, more profitable, and value-oriented companies—areas research shows can boost expected returns over time.

By the numbers (annualized, as of 9/19/2025):
• 1-Year: DFUS 18.42% vs. VTI 17.95% 
• 3-Year: DFUS 21.22% vs. VTI 20.54% 
• 5-Year: DFUS 16.58% vs. VTI 15.87% 
• 10-Year: DFUS 14.70% vs. VTI 14.33% 

During the 2008 subprime crisis scenario, DFUS fell -40.25% vs. VTI -41.81% .

Bottom line: VTI gives you the market. DFUS gives you the market, plus Dimensional’s flexible trading and research-driven design.

For many institutional investors, indexing has become a default way to access the broad market, but the time has come to apply real scrutiny to this approach.For much of the past 50 years, index funds have been a net positive for investors, who moved from expensive and concentrated conventional acti...

09/15/2025

🏆 Congratulations on your stock success! But what’s next? Protecting your wealth without hefty taxes can be tricky. 🤔

Consider these strategies:
1️⃣ **Gift Shares**: Make a charitable impact and avoid capital gains taxes!
2️⃣ **Borrow Against Stock**: Access liquidity, but tread carefully with leverage.
3️⃣ **Diversify with Exchange Funds**: Swap your concentrated stock for a diversified portfolio—no tax bill until you decide to sell!

Each option has its pros and cons, but the right choice depends on your goals.

What to do with your appreciated stock position?

09/13/2025

Question: Do private markets really deliver an edge?

I recently watched a conversation about private markets, and it hit on something I see all the time with investors: we all want to feel like we’re doing something special.

Private equity, venture capital, private credit all offer exactly that feeling. They’re not open to everyone. They require higher minimums. They aren’t splashed across CNBC every day. And that scarcity lights up something in our brain that says:

“If not everyone can do this, then this must be the thing that gets me ahead.”

But here’s the hard truth: exclusivity doesn’t equal outperformance.

Why are we drawn to private markets?

Psychologists call this the scarcity effect. When something is limited, we assign it more value. It’s why we want the VIP pass, the early access drop, the “off-market” real estate deal.

Private markets trigger that same part of our brain. The sense of being early, being in the room where it happens, can be intoxicating.

But as the panel in the video pointed out, that feeling alone doesn’t translate to better returns.

What Actually Creates the Edge

Private markets can deliver strong results, sometimes even better than public markets, but only when you combine:

• Real diligence – not just buying the pitch, but digging into the numbers, management, and risks.
• Patience – accepting that you may be locked in for years before you see a payoff.
• Proper pricing – knowing when a deal is truly attractive, not just “exclusive.”

The edge isn’t in simply getting access. It’s in what you do after you get in the door.

Three Questions Before You Commit
1. Am I chasing the feeling of being special, or the reality of a good investment?
2. Does this fit my timeline and risk tolerance, or am I just afraid of missing out?
3. Would I still invest if this weren’t “exclusive”?

The Bottom Line

Wanting to feel special is human, and private markets give us that hit of exclusivity. But if we let that feeling drive the decision, we risk confusing access with advantage.

The best investors use that desire as a starting point and then slow down, do the homework, and make sure the story ends well.

If you want a great deep dive on this topic, check out the video. It’s a reminder that the best edge comes not from being early, but from being wise.

Episode 11: Do private investments deserve a place in your portfolio?Some investors may see private assets as a tool to boost returns and increase diversific...

09/10/2025

Calling all parents! We’re excited to sponsor an exclusive Youth Life Skills Workshop by Geared Up Youth for all of our clients and friends!

📅 Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | ⏰ 2:30 PM–4:30 PM (Check-in at 2:15 PM)
📍 Kiln- 2162 East Williams Field Road, Suite #111, Gilbert, AZ 85295

Your teen will learn essential career and professional development skills while enjoying:

Expert instruction on resumes, interviews, and networking
A 113-page Life Skills Workbook to take home
Exclusive swag
Tasty snacks
Spots are limited— DM to reserve now!

09/10/2025

Is the Stock Market Overvalued?

Is the stock market overvalued in 2025?

09/08/2025

Ready to explore your refinancing options? Message us to get connected directly with Corey Conkright. He’s here to answer your questions and help you determine if now is a good time to start the refinance process. Send us a DM to start the conversation.