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Ryan Redfern
Chartered Market Technician® (CMT®)
Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®)
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Laura Redfern
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) Professional
Certified Financial Transitionist®
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Learn more about active management from the author of “Why Bad Things Happen to Good investments”
Will Hepburn
Vice President of Investment Research
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Phil Lebkuecher
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Heather D. Johnson
Investment Advisor Representative
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Blog
November 2025 Market Commentary
Ok, NOW we get the pullback that was expected in the September/October period. It already looks like the wave of fear has passed and we got a common 5%-ish pullback (I’m showing -5.07% on the SPY ETF). Textbook typical, nothing out of the ordinary. We still are in...
Savings in the New World of AI
You already know an emergency savings account is a core piece of any solid financial plan. That part isn’t changing. What is changing – and fast! – is the world around us, especially with AI reshaping jobs and careers rapidly. An emergency fund still does its classic...
Quantum Computing, the Next Big Thing
Quantum computing has been in the news more and more these days, and as I study this subject, the more I am convinced that quantum computing will become the next great investment paradigm. Now, what do I mean by paradigms? These are not investments, per se. They are...
How Gratitude Shapes Smarter Investment Decisions
As we move into a season that naturally invites reflection, it’s worth asking a simple but powerful question: How often do we pause to appreciate what our money has already made possible? The roof over our heads. The vacations we’ve taken. The comfort of knowing we...
October 2025 Market Commentary
While October hasn’t been as “scary” as it could have been, the S&P 500 did manage a very quick -2.98% drawdown in two days (Oct 9th & 10th). But this pullback gave us an opportunity to add stock market exposure in a couple of models where we were looking to...
Turning Taxes Into Opportunity: How Retirees Can Benefit From the New Senior Deduction
If you’re nearing retirement, one of the most important things you can do is understand where your “paycheck” will come from once you stop working. How will you be “paid”? And importantly, how will you be taxed? Different income sources are taxed differently, and...
Index Fund Investors Facing a Decade with No Returns?
I have long been a believer in active investment management. Personal experience has taught me that having different investment styles is as important to managing risk as having different investments themselves. From my experience, the ability to just step out of...
From Paychecks to Purpose: How to Plan for Your Future and Your Family
October marks a season of change — crisp mornings, shorter days, and the quiet reminder that a new year isn’t far away. It’s also a natural time to pause, reflect, and prepare for what lies ahead. Just like nature, financial planning invites us to prepare today for...
September 2025 Market Commentary
Contrary to market norms and general expectations, September has been surprisingly quiet, with no signs of market volatility. As of this writing (9/24/25), we’re halfway through what is typically the worst week of the entire year, but we’re only seeing very mild...
What Not to Buy in Retirement
In 20 years of helping retirees transition to a retirement lifestyle, all too often, I see people make uninformed decisions which they regret later. I want to address this topic in the hope that we can help people avoid those regrets! Don’t buy this in...
I Loved AI—But Now, Not So Much
Let Me Vent Before we get lost in the weeds of finance, allow me a small rant that relates to the following insight. The other day I wanted to visit my brother, so I dove into the challenging world of airline ticket shopping. Prices? Outrageously high. I thought my...
Thrift and Thrive: Your Fall Success Strategy
Sometimes the most effective financial strategies are also the simplest. I believe one such approach—Thrifting and Thriving—offers a powerful way to save money, build resilience, and create long-term success. Thrifting doesn’t just mean shopping at thrift...
