CBTC Investments

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is a time to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States. They will always be remembered. Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful Memorial Day holiday.

05/24/2026

After years of saving and preparing, some retirees hesitate to spend.

That's understandable.

But retirement isn't only about preserving what you've built. It's about using it to support the life you want to live.

The first year isn't a test.

It's a transition.

And it's okay to take it one step at a time.

If you'd like to talk through what this season looks like for you, give us a call at 731-641-9332.

05/23/2026

Please join us in welcoming Will Jelks, CPA to the CBTC Investments team! A dedicated LPL Financial Advisor, Will is deeply rooted in the Paris community through his service with the First Baptist Church and as Treasurer with the Paris Lions Club.

Outside of the office, Will enjoys time with his wife, Caitlin, and their daughters, Violet and June. You might also spot him on the field, officiating high school football, or enjoying the great outdoors.

Will's key to financial success? Start early. He emphasizes that consistent, small steps in budgeting and investing can build the foundation for life's most important moments.

Ready to plan for your future? Contact Will at (731) 641-9333.

, TN

05/21/2026

Retirement gives you time.

A lot of it.

And while that sounds freeing, it can also feel overwhelming at first.

When you're working, much of your day is structured. In retirement, you decide what today looks like.

Some people find it helps to create a little rhythm:
▪️A weekly volunteer day
▪️Lunch with friends
▪️A standing class
▪️Mornings reserved for exercise or hobbies

Not to recreate work — just to have something to look forward to.

Freedom often feels better with a little shape.

05/18/2026

One adjustment many retirees don't expect?

Spending can feel emotionally different.

For decades, income came in the form of a paycheck, and saving was the goal. In retirement, you're drawing from what you built.

Even if the numbers work, the shift can take time.

Separating essential expenses from flexible choices often helps. Once core needs are covered, the rest becomes intentional — not stressful.

Confidence tends to grow as you settle into your new routine.

05/16/2026

Meet Michelle Conroy, Financial Advisor with our Investments team.

With 29 years in the financial services industry, Michelle brings steady guidance and a heart for service. She volunteers on the Board of Directors for Paris Arts Academy, serves on the Finance Council at Holy Cross Church, and helps with the Oktoberfest committee. Outside of work, she loves the outdoors, family time, and her Springer Spaniel, Re*****on.

Michelle is a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®), which means she helps clients pursue their goals through a biblical perspective and align their investments with their personal values. She enjoys working with clients as they plan for milestones and make confident decisions.

Give Michelle a call and learn how she can help your family (731) 641-9417.

05/15/2026

Some retirees describe the first few months as a honeymoon phase.

Travel. Projects. Rest. Catching up on everything that was postponed.

And then something shifts.

After the glow wears off, deeper questions start to surface:
▪️How do I want to spend my time?
▪️What feels meaningful now?

That transition is normal.

Retirement creates space. The first year is about deciding what deserves it.

05/12/2026

There's a moment early in retirement that catches many people off guard.

You wake up… and there's nowhere you need to be.

At first, that quiet feels wonderful. After years of deadlines and responsibility, it's a relief.

And then the question comes:

Now what?

If that feels familiar, you're not alone. Retirement isn't just a schedule change. For many people, it's an identity shift.

The first year isn't about having everything figured out. It's about finding your rhythm.

05/08/2026

Stocks surged in April, delivering their strongest monthly gains in five years as solid economic data, easing geopolitical tensions, and upbeat first-quarter earnings lifted investor sentiment. The Nasdaq climbed 15.29%, the S&P 500 rose 10.42%, and the Dow gained 7.14%, while Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 3.65%. With no Fed meeting in May, attention turns to remarks from Fed officials and how evolving economic data may shape expectations moving forward. From \$34.1 billion in U.S. spending to the popularity of Mother’s Day dining and gifts, this month’s By the Numbers highlights how families celebrate the occasion.

Stocks surged in April, notching their best month in five years as investors cheered upbeat economic news, efforts to lower tensions in the Middle East, and first-quarter results.

05/04/2026

Here's a tip most students miss: when you file the FAFSA for state aid, you're automatically filing for federal aid, too — so there's no reason to wait for the federal deadline.

State deadlines are often much earlier than the federal cutoff, sometimes arriving as early as February or March. Many states also set hard deadlines or use priority dates for first consideration.

Either way, students who file during the first few months tend to receive significantly more grant funding, on average, than those who file later.

The bottom line: aim for the earliest deadline on your list, whether that's your state's or your school's. That single submission covers you for all aid opportunities.

👉 Look up your state's specific FAFSA deadline at studentaid.gov and file as early as you can. Future-you will be glad you did.