Charles Schwab Independent Branch, Saginaw Michigan

02/24/2024

Congratulations Chris!

08/31/2023

It’s our Schwanniversary! This day, 5 years, we opened the Saginaw Charles Schwab Independent Branch to serve the investing and financial planning needs of our neighbors in the Great Lakes Bay Region. It's been an exciting 5 years!

It's been an honor and a pleasure to meet so many new friends and reconnect with old friends who too are excited about what Schwab has to offer. When I began my career in the financial services industry, over 25-years ago, interacting with clients and helping them make a difference in their lives, the lives of their loved ones, and the broader community, was what really excited me. I'm happy to say it still excites me today.

We're honored to serve our community and look forward to continuing to help the people of the Great Lakes Bay Region reach their goals in the years to come!

05/31/2023

What’s trending in your future? Take our retirement quiz to find out what kind of life you’ll lead in your golden years and how to plan accordingly. https://bit.ly/3MM8WGC

05/26/2023

About a week ago, I had the opportunity to meet and listen to this American hero, Major Jonathan Turnbull, U.S. Army, Retired. He’s the author of Zero Percent Chance, the chance of survival he was given after he and his Special Operations team were attacked by a su***de bomber in Syria. His team was killed, he survived. It’s not my place to re-tell his story, everyone should buy his book for that. I will share his closing remarks as we approach Memorial Day. He reminded us to remember what the holiday is about, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country and died in combat, and his most poignant comment, "If you want to honor them, live a life worthy of their sacrifice – Be Worth It!” That's a powerful request. Can we be worth it for them?

05/15/2023

About a year and a half ago, and after 20+ years in the financial services industry, I decided to invest in myself and pursue the Certified Financial Planner™️ designation. It wasn’t a requirement but something I thought would challenge me and expand my knowledge. Nearly two months to the date after taking the 6-hour exam in March, the certificate arrived in the mail. Even though the results came out in April, it now finally feels official to me. Special thanks to Janna Witten and my kids for their patience as I completed the course work and prepped for the exam. Next step - getting it framed and hung on the wall.

02/09/2023

Spending the next several days at Northwestern. Always great when I get a chance to invest in myself so I can do an even better job serving our clients.

02/06/2023

After a volatile 2022, investors may be wary about 2023. Kevin Gordon, Schwab's senior investment strategist, joins host Mike Townsend to discuss how the markets have been reacting to the Feds messages about inflation, interest rates, and the economy. https://bit.ly/3jAEAfK

Last year's big concerns, inflation and rising rates, have carried over to 2023 and are joining declining earnings to challenge the markets. When will investors catch a break?

12/30/2022

Simplify and personal peace…

Because I’m not big of New Year’s resolutions, I'm making an end-of-year resolution - simplify my life and preserve my inner peace.

How? We’ll here’s my thoughts:

1) Unsubscribe - I’ve committed to unsubscribing from at least three email distribution lists daily, or until I’m unsubscribed from all. I’m hopeful this will reduce my email clutter and help me avoid going down the email marketers’ rabbit hole. If I need something they're peddling, I’ll find them.

2) Avoid the comments - perusing the comments on other’s social media posts is another time suck, often raises my blood pressure, and affects my inner peace as I find myself mentally arguing with total strangers. I wouldn’t walk down the street and randomly ask total strangers their opinion, so why would I essentially do the same thing in the privacy of my home? Comments on others’ posts will no longer affect my state of mind.

3) Slow down - as a child I remember my parents talking about how fast time went. I didn’t agree. Now as the old guy, I agree 100%. Rather than spending time focusing on what’s next, I’m going to slow down and appreciate what’s right in front of me - especially my family and friends. The time with my children is slipping through my hands and in a blink of an eye they’ll be on their own. That’s a good thing, but I’m going to savor every moment while I still can. And as for my friends, I hope to reconnect on a more meaningful level. I was able to do that with a couple friends this year and it’s good for the soul - I highly recommend it.

Here’s to a great 2023, cheers!

12/23/2022

We wish you a happy holiday season filled with warmth and joy!

11/25/2022

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I think it’s the combination of the weather, the great food, the people I’m going to be able to spend time with and it marking the beginning of the Christmas season. As I sit here the day after, with a carbohydrate hang over and a still too full belly, I realize just how fortunate my family and I are. Conversely, there’s people and families in our communities who didn’t wake up with full bellies, who didn’t have a meal yesterday that was over-abundant and who are worried where their next meal is coming from.

As we head back to the office on Monday, I hope you’ll join me in Schwab’s Season of Giving Food Drive benefitting theSaginaw East Side Soup Kitchen. Non-perishable items can be dropped off at our branch, 2685 Tittabawassee Rd, Suite 2, between 9:00 and 4:00 November 28 - December 16th. They are also in need of items such as socks, tooth brushes, and other personal care items. Please join us in helping battle food insecurity in our community.

11/24/2022

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

11/11/2022

Happy Veteran's Day to all our veterans. Your sacrifice and dedication to serving our great country is appreciated more than words can express. Thank You!

Pictured is my favorite veteran, the late LTC Kenneth Witten, who proudly served our country for 20 years.