Value Monitoring, Inc.

05/28/2026

The traditional "4% rule" has guided retirement planning for decades, but inflation, market volatility, and longer lifespans are changing the conversation.

Retirement planning is anything but one-size-fits-all. Flexibility matters now more than ever.

The 4% rule has stood for three decades. Now, it's getting an update.

05/11/2026

Today we celebrate the moms, grandmothers, stepmothers, and mother figures whose guidance leaves a lasting impact. Wishing you a day filled with appreciation, love, and well-deserved recognition. 💐

05/06/2026

A rare article suggesting anything other than "pay down your mortgage as fast as possible." The author does an excellent job of identifying some of the many variables that go into this evaluation. In my opinion, there are even a few more. If you are considering home purchase or refinance, the only thing that is clear is that getting help from a professional is more valuable than the common wisdom would make it seem.

On a recent NerdWallet Smart Money Podcast segment, the host worked through a scenario any retirement-minded homeowner has considered. Take a $1,000 mortgage payment. Throw it at principal and you save interest. Invest that same thousand in the S&P 500 instead. And, depending on which average return...

03/15/2026

A recent New York Times story describes how a retired attorney lost nearly his entire retirement to a highly sophisticated scam.

The criminals impersonated financial institutions and government agencies, created urgency, and convinced him to move his own money.

A few reminders worth keeping in mind:

• No legitimate institution will ask you to move money “for safekeeping.”
• Urgent requests involving money are a major red flag.
• Requests involving secrecy are another.

We wrote a short post highlighting the warning signs.

Read more:

Let’s take a moment to discuss an important issue that’s becoming more common—and more sophisticated—especially for people with retirement savings. The New York Times published a detailed story about a ...

01/29/2026

Consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level since 2014. In times of economic uncertainty, it’s important to stay informed, focus on sound financial planning, and support one another through the challenges.

The overall consumer confidence index fell by 9.7 points in January from December’s reading, hitting its lowest point since May 2014.

01/01/2026

Wishing you a year filled with fun adventures and unforgettable moments. 🎉 🏖

Happy New Year from our family to yours!

12/21/2025

Join us for our Annual Ice Skating Holiday Party!

Direct message for the RSVP link!

12/15/2025

Choosing the Right Financial Advisor Goes Beyond Investments

Picking a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions for your financial future—and it’s about far more than managing a portfolio. At Value Monitoring, we deliver holistic financial planning that’s practical, easy to understand, and actionable.

From budgeting and debt management to retirement planning and long-term wealth strategies, the focus is on a complete financial picture, not just individual accounts. The approach helps clients make confident, informed decisions—without the jargon.

Before choosing an advisor, ask: Does the advisor help you see the full picture? Does the advisor offer guidance that is practical, clear, and tailored to your goals?

At Value Monitoring, the answer is always yes.

💡 Take control of your financial health with expert planning: valuemonitoring.com

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours 🍁 🦃

11/26/2025

Recent wild swings on Wall Street remind us how fragile investor confidence can be — market rebounds may feel good, but they’re not always built on firm ground. Our focus is on smart diversification and helping you stand strong when sentiment wavers.

Friday’s market rebound was “not built on anything solid but something very ephemeral,” says strategist.