Douglas Ballard, CRES, QPFC, TPS Financial

10/30/2026

Is your estate strategy full of cobwebs? Does your investing approach have too many tricks and not enough treats? Does your retirement timeline read like a ghost story?

These things have a way of going bump in the night.

Knowing where you stand is the first step.

10/21/2026

True family wealth isn’t just finances—it’s the values, meaningful relationships, and legacy that shape your family’s future. Plan today for generational wealth that lasts beyond money.

10/19/2026

Life insurance is often framed as something you only think about "just in case."

But for many people, it can be part of a broader financial foundation—supporting both current flexibility and future considerations.

From how coverage works to what employer benefits actually provide, understanding the basics can make it easier to decide what fits your situation.

Several factors affect the cost and availability of life insurance. And any guarantees associated with a policy depend on the issuing insurance company's ability to continue making claim payments.

10/16/2026

Carrying debt into retirement is a reality for an increasing number of Americans, but that doesn't mean it has to stall your long-term plans. Read our overview on debt to learn strategies to help you reduce yours while also prioritizing saving for the future. For personalized guidance, contact me to schedule a meeting so we can discuss your situation and take steps toward stability now and through each stage of life.
https://equitable.com/perspectives/life-planning/2024/debt-and-retirement-planning-a-guide-for-gaining-peace-of-mind

10/14/2026

🌅 Is retirement on the horizon?

📊 Are you concerned about market volatility?

💭 Maybe we can help you strategize for the future or even navigate uncertainty.

Ready to get started? Comment "Ready" below ✏️

10/12/2026

📌 Higher rates sting borrowers, but they can be a real win for savers.

As rates rise, banks may increase the yields they offer on savings products to attract deposits. The average U.S. savings account still pays just 0.64% annual percentage yield. Some high-yield accounts are paying more than six times that, up to 4.2%, for the exact same deposit.

🔎 Certificates of deposit, or CDs, can offer even higher rates, but the tradeoff is access: your money is locked in for a set term, and pulling it out early usually costs a penalty.

Higher yields don’t erase the effects of inflation, and they won’t necessarily transform household finances. But if your savings account is still earning close to that 0.64% average, that gap alone might be worth a second look.


Source:

The Federal Reserve recently raised interest rates for the first time since 2023.

10/09/2026

🛠️ The richest person in your town probably isn't a tech founder or someone in finance. It's more likely the dentist running four offices, or the owner of the HVAC company whose trucks are everywhere.

New research from economists Owen Zidar and Eric Zwick, based on IRS and Treasury data, found nearly 5 million U.S. households worth at least $5 million, holding combined wealth more than 13 times that of the Forbes 400.

A few patterns stood out:
➡️Most started their business themselves rather than inheriting it
➡️Most run ordinary, brick-and-mortar businesses rather than tech or finance
➡️Independence mattered more to them early on than getting rich ever did

🌭 Case in point: Dick Portillo started a hot dog stand in 1963 with just $1,100. Decades later, he sold the business he'd built for $1 billion.

Building wealth often looks much more ordinary and attainable than the headlines suggest. If growing or eventually stepping back from a business is part of your picture, that's worth talking through together.


Source:

Getting rich in the U.S. is still possible, but the most common path to wealth doesn't involve working for other people, according to a new book.

10/07/2026

For many Gen Xers, retirement is starting to feel less like a distant milestone and more like a looming financial reality.

The oldest members of the generation will turn 62 next year, the earliest age to claim Social Security. At the same time, many are approaching retirement with limited savings and fewer pensions than previous generations had.

The median Gen X retirement savings balance is about $107,000, while members of the generation estimate they’ll need roughly $700,000 for retirement. Social Security may also become an increasingly important source of income, with 41% of workers over 55 saying they expect it to be their primary source in retirement.

That gap is prompting some Gen Xers to rethink when they’ll stop working, how much they may need to save, and what retirement could realistically look like.

If retirement is getting closer, this may be a good time to review your savings, expected Social Security benefits, and other sources of retirement income.


Source:

Millions of Generation X Americans expect to depend on Social Security as their main — or only — source of retirement income.

10/05/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

We take this time to honor the strength of those who have faced a diagnosis, support those currently going through it, and recognize the families and communities who stand beside them.

Awareness matters. Support matters. Presence matters.

We stand with you.

10/02/2026

🌴 More Americans are deciding that enjoying life now matters just as much as making financial progress for later.

A recent SoFi survey found that 72% of Americans would be willing to make slower progress toward their financial goals so they can spend more time with family, travel more, and prioritize meaningful experiences.

That doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning long-term goals. In fact, 59% of respondents said enjoying life is how they define financial progress, compared with 27% who pointed to owning a home.

The challenge is finding a balance between what matters now and what matters later. ✈️ That can mean making room for a vacation, concert, or family event while still keeping an eye on retirement savings and debt.

But charge that trip to a credit card and carry a balance, and interest can turn a two-week memory into a much longer bill.

What does financial progress look like to you: reaching the next milestone, enjoying more of life now, or some mix of both?


Source:

SoFi found 72% of Americans are willing to make slower progress on financial goals to prioritize family, travel and meaningful experiences.