Kory Miller Financial Management, Inc.

07/10/2026

Looking for something to QUACK about??🦆🦆

Don't forget - the price of a First-Class Forever stamp is jumping from 4 cents to 82 cents this Sunday, July 12, 2026.

07/06/2026

PLANNING FOR CHILDREN

According to the latest data from the USDA, parents should expect to spend between $200,000 and $300,000 raising a child from birth to age 17. And that's just spending on necessities like food, clothing, transportation, and medical care! It's never too early to start plotting key transitions like college on your family's $Lifeline and making a plan to achieve those goals.

You and your partner probably have an extensive to-do list lined up for the next nine months. Try to tackle the following financial prep items a little at a time as you move closer to the big day.

FIRST TRIMESTER: REVIEW YOUR HOUSEHOLD BUDGET

The average cost for labor and delivery in the U.S. is over $4,500. You could easily spend another $1,000 on newborn clothes, toys, a crib, car seats, strollers, and other essentials. Add in new monthly expenses like diapers, baby food, and day care, plus any changes to your or your spouse's employment status, and it's safe to say that your new family probably needs a new budget.

One of the best ways to accommodate new budget items without adjusting your savings and investing goals is to cut back on inessential expenses. Planning out a week's worth of meals before you go grocery shopping can reduce fast food runs. Cancelling subscriptions that you don't use will give you a little extra cash to spend in the baby aisle. And paying down any monthly credit card debt you're carrying now will give you more financial flexibility once baby arrives.

SECOND TRIMESTER: UPDATE YOUR ESTATE PLAN

No one likes to think about worst-case scenarios, which is one reason why so many people put off their estate planning. But you really won’t be in the mood to write or update your will and health care directive when you're caring for a newborn. Have these tough conversations with your partner ahead of time. That includes deciding whom you want to take care of your child in the event that you are unable to.

Also, if you and your partner don't have life insurance, it's probably time to purchase some. The younger and healthier you are, the lower your rates will be and the more coverage you'll be able to afford.

Technically, you won't be able to complete the last step in this process until after your baby arrives: adding him or her to your list of beneficiaries on all estate planning documents. But you can get a head start by talking to your financial advisor, insurance broker, and attorney about what information you'll need to gather and what paperwork you'll need to complete.

THIRD TRIMESTER: PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

A 529 investment plan can help parents start saving for college expenses. Deposits and withdrawals are tax-free, and in recent years permissible uses have expanded to include partial K-12 tuition, textbooks, and student loan repayment. You have up to six months after opening an account to assign a name and Social Security number, so you don't have to wait until your baby is born to start a 529.

You will need your baby's info if you want to open a custodial investment or savings account. One simple idea as you're waiting and weighing your options is to start setting aside cash that you'll put into one of these accounts later. Once you and your spouse adjust to your new responsibilities as parents, you might have an easier time deciding on the most efficient ways to start investing in your child's future.

The only thing we love almost as much as new babies is helping new parents give those babies a head start. Let’s talk soon about how our Life-Centered Planning process can help support your growing family.

04/17/2026

Could turning 60 be the best time to launch the career you’ve always dreamed of?

Why going back to work after 60 is as much mental as it is practical, and often exactly what you need most.

04/06/2026

Envision Retirement -- Even If You Don't Want To

No, you're not the only soon-to-be retiree who's reluctant to leave your working days behind. What we do is so tied up in who we are that it can be difficult to picture yourself without a 9-to-5 job, even if part of that picture involves a beachfront condo or daily tee times. Where some retirees see carefree days and endless possibilities, you might be staring at a blank calendar worried that you're going to go crazy without meetings, deadlines, and tasks that fill you with purpose.

Answering these three questions will help you start to fill in those blanks and rethink what your retirement can be.

1. What does my ideal week look like?

Grab a calendar or a sheet of paper and divide every day of the week into three sections: Morning, Afternoon, and Night. Then, put at least one activity in every box. These don't have to be bucket list items. Start small. Schedule a post-breakfast walk with your spouse on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Reserve some afternoon time for reading. Find out when your retired friends are free and book a weekly dinner or some time on the tennis court.

Eventually, your daily boxes are going to fill up faster than you might expect. Even better, because you've put these items on a schedule, you'll be much more likely to go out and do them. Retirees who spend their days on the couch muttering, "I'll get to that," often don't. The more intentional you are with your time, the more successful your retirement is likely to be.

2. What have I observed about other retirees?

Although the classic image of retirement is a life of financial security and leisure, many of us have seen a less positive side of retirement as well. If your parents started arguing more once dad retired or if one of your newly retired friends is having money problems, you might worry that your own retirement is going to be less of an extended vacation and more of an endless worry.

Take a piece of paper and divide it in half. On one side, write down all of the things you've observed from people whom you consider successful retirees. How do those folks spend their time? Did they stay in the family home or move someplace new? What are their relationships like? What hobbies do they enjoy? How have they strengthened their connections to their communities?

On the other side of the paper, write down the things you've observed from less successful retirees. What words would you use to describe their mindsets and emotions? Do they seem intellectually stimulated? Are they in good health? Do they get the support they need from their social networks?

When you've finished with your lists, you should have a clearer picture of what kinds of attitudes and habits you want to incorporate into your own retirement and some potential pitfalls to avoid.

3. What's really important to me?

Even people who love their jobs rarely love working. They love the way that their jobs allow them to put their top skills to good use, the opportunities for creativity and self-expression, the feeling that they're contributing to society, and the bonds they build with other people. They also appreciate how their hard work provides a happier and more fulfilling life for them and the people they love the most.

Make a list of all the ways that your career has brought out the best in you and allowed you to put your values in action. Then, add in the people you want to spend your time with in retirement, the places you want to go, the things you want to do. Look over your complete list and you'll start making some surprising connections that could lead you to some exciting new endeavors: family vacations, volunteer opportunities, talents you want to develop into skills, skills you want to use to create a new company.

02/20/2026

Which of these quotes do you like the best?
We really ❤️ number 3.

The iconic football coach's philosophy can help retirees win at the game of life.

02/12/2026

Finding a Hobby in Retirement

No one loves every single thing about their workday. But once you no longer need to worry about earning money, it is possible to love every second of your new retirement schedule. You just need to be intentional about spending your time doing things that interest you with the people you care about the most.

1. What did we do when we were younger?

Before you were high-powered executives raising three kids, you and your spouse were carefree newlyweds who loved to … Do what? Take long bike rides? Collect vinyl records? Take day trips to new restaurants? Play team sports?

OK, maybe your coed soccer days are behind you. But even activities you can’t pick up again could lead you to a new hobby. Joining a bowling league or coaching a youth team might scratch that old competitive itch. On the other hand, if work and parenting added a few strokes to your handicap, working with a coach could get you back on the fairway.

2. Do you need to unplug or connect more?

Two common retirement pitfalls are feeling isolated and feeling like you and your spouse are driving each other crazy.

Diversifying hobbies can help address both concerns and nourish different parts of ourselves. If your house has suddenly shrunk since retirement, carve out some time and space so that you can pursue a personal hobby, and give your spouse room to do the same. Even something as simple as dedicated reading time can help you unwind and dig a little deeper into your interests.

If you’re missing the camaraderie and team building you experienced at work, think about new ways to make similar connections. You could become a consultant or mentor for young professionals in your field. Join a social club or volunteer organization that’s making a positive impact in your community. Or stop waiting for the phone to ring and reach out to other retired friends who might love to grab a cup of coffee or start up a weekly tennis match.

3. Do you want to exercise your body or your brain?

Folks who already have a healthy exercise regimen might feel a little bored without the problem solving and learning they enjoyed at work. Try enrolling in an online class or getting serious about a craft like writing, painting, or woodworking. You could also talk to your kids and grandkids about the ways they’re using technology to connect and create. Learning about the wealth of apps and websites beyond social media can help you keep pace with our rapidly changing world.

Just don’t get too comfortable on the couch with your phone or PC. With good nutrition and a regular exercise routine you have potentially decades of retirement living to look forward to. If you’ve had trouble sticking with an exercise plan in the past, it could be you just haven’t found physical activities that clicked with you. Many personal trainers and gyms have put classes online, some at no cost. That Pilates or Taekwondo class might be a little less intimidating if you can try it out in your living room.

In fact, a willingness to try different hobbies is one common characteristic we’ve seen in the happiest retirees we work with.

11/25/2025

Good thing I stopped 'CHEW'ing when I was a kid.
Almost $6 now for bubble gum!

11/21/2025

The Many Benefits of Enjoying Your Work

Very few people love everything about their jobs. But even if you're someone who just clocks in and out for a paycheck, wouldn't it be nice to get a little more satisfaction from something you spend 40+ hours doing every single week?

Whether you're looking into a career change or trying to reframe how you think about and perform at your job, here are four reasons to whistle while you work:

1. Boost your productivity.

Unsurprisingly, folks who enjoy what they do get more done. A study by Oxford University found that happy workers are 13% more productive than their grumbling peers. Owners, executives, and managers should also note Gallup research that found that "low engagement" costs businesses almost $9 trillion dollars every year.

No matter where you are in your company's hierarchy, try to find ways to keep the office humming with positive, productive energy. Help coworkers solve problems. Give employees more leeway to tackle routine tasks their way. A business that's performing at its peak is only going to keep growing and creating more opportunities for everyone involved. Some of those opportunities might include jumping to new positions that are more rewarding -- personally, professionally, and financially.

2. Increase your confidence.

There can be real satisfaction in a job well done, even if you don't love the job. Doing something to the best of your abilities puts your mental, physical, and emotional skills to their highest uses. You'll be much less likely to make routine errors that could slow down your own productivity and create unwelcome friction with other members of your team -- including your supervisor. And if you approach a routine task with a slightly more positive attitude, or if you put in just 10% more effort, you might find that the end result is exponentially better. Pushing yourself could also reveal talents and interests that you didn't realize you had. That can give you a big boost as you move on to the next task.

And if you try just 10% harder yet again? Your investment in yourself and your work is only going to compound and grow.

3. Improve physical and mental health.

Those kinds of investments in how we feel about ourselves and what we do can pay off in other areas of our lives as well. If you find ways to enjoy work more, you'll likely feel less stressed overall. According to the American Heart Association, lowering your stress can also lower your risks of heart disease, chronic headaches, stomach pains, anxiety, and depression. You'll also be more likely to have positive interactions with coworkers and ask for mental health support if you're experiencing burnout.

Outside of the office, channel that extra energy and positivity into wellness goals, like exercising more and eating healthier. You'll head back to work every morning refreshed and with even more confidence to keep excelling.

4. Improve personal relationships.

A more positive and productive you might be able to unlock some extra free time away from the office.

Coach your child's soccer team. Play an extra round of golf with your friends. Cook dinners with your spouse. If worries and frustrations about work aren't constantly running through your head, you'll be more available and more present for the people who matter the most.

Are you struggling to find happiness in your work? If a change in perspective isn’t helping, it might be time to plot a career change. Give us a call and let’s discuss how a Life-Centered Financial plan could help you make a switch that’s good for you, your career, and your long-term goals.

05/09/2025

What's Your Routine for a Better ROL?

Establishing a consistent morning routine can give your physical and mental health a massive boost. Routines help us to organize and prioritize what we want to accomplish, which can reduce stress and anxiety and help us focus on larger goals. Folks who stick to a sleep schedule tend to sleep better and wake up with more energy and in a better mood. And establishing a set of go-to breakfasts can help you eat well even on those days when kids, pets, or a work emergency demand some flexibility from other parts of your routine.

Mix and match ideas from this list to build a new routine that will start your mornings on the right foot and improve your life throughout the day.

1. Exercise first.

Many folks try to squeeze in exercise around the rest of their daily responsibilities. And then, when a meeting runs late or the kids need some extra help with homework, that workout time vanishes. Instead, put your morning run or yoga practice at the very top of your daily to-do list. If you commit to exercising as soon as you wake up, you might discover a 20-minute block of time you've been losing to puttering around the house. Or, start waking up a little earlier. It might take you some time to adjust, but soon you will come to treasure that extra time you're devoting to your health.

2. Eliminate distractions.

Worried that you'll wander off course on your way to your morning hike? Put your workout clothes in front of the bedroom door.

Do you want to devote part of your morning to learning the guitar? Leave your instrument and your lesson book in the middle of the living room so you can't walk past them.

Not making enough progress on your New Year's reading list? Leave your current book on the kitchen table before you go to bed and leave your phone on the charger when you wake up.

Tiny hacks like these can be extremely effective at nudging you towards a healthier and more fulfilling morning routine. With repetition, your progress through your day and towards your goals will become almost automatic.

3. Plan and prep breakfast ahead of time.

Grocery shopping is one of the easiest ways to cut both calories and costs. Stock up on fresh fruit, eggs, and healthy grains and you'll always have some quick meal options that won't bog down the rest of your morning routine with lots of cooking and cleaning. For a more grab-and-go breakfast, mix up a berry and granola parfait or overnight oats before bed, and start using the brew timer on your coffee machine so that your cup of joe is waiting for you when you get up.

4. Stack your habits.

An effective morning routine creates momentum that leads you from one task to the next. Being intentional about how you order your to-do list can help you to reinforce your habits and move through your routine more effectively. "Atomic Habits" author James Clear calls this "habit stacking." For example, start telling yourself, "After I get out of bed, then I'm going to put on my workout clothes. After I put on my workout clothes, I am heading out the door." Notice how there's no space in that framework for checking your work email or taking out the trash. Leave things you can do later for after you've crossed off the essentials.

Repetition, automation, and planning ahead can also help you to develop better financial habits. Schedule a meeting and we can discuss how Life-Centered Planning keeps you progressing through your life’s to-do list.

05/07/2025

What??? "Retirement is nonsense"

What are your thoughts & feelings about retiring?

Is retirement “sad” or a “myth,” as some have said?