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Briefcase Study: The Aspect of Debt You May Not Have Considered

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Briefcase Studies, SLC Winter 2023, Winter 2023 by Scott Dougan

If you’re like many of our fellow Americans, you’re considering what rising inflation, a declining stock (and bond) market, and higher interest rates mean to you and your financial choices. And while there are a lot of varied consequences to this new ‘normal’, I think we can agree that one big change is that it’s immediately more painful to borrow …

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Fall Festival

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Community Involvement, Fall 2022 by Scott Dougan

We’re looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, October 20th.  Proceeds from the evening benefit CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties.  Visit online to get a peek at some our auction items or register for the event: https://bit.ly/ergfallfest We’ve set our goal @ $50,000 to help local children who have experienced abuse and neglect. We’re sure we can do it …

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Back to the Basics: Financial Decision Making a Four-Year-Old Would Approve Of

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Back to the Basics, Fall 2022, SLC Fall 2022 by Scott Dougan

I fear that we’re all victims. All too often, we’re victim to forces that surround us that are pushing us to act in ways that appear to be rational but lack something critical: a clear purpose. In the busy-ness of daily life, we act on instinct and sometimes in haste. I do it and I suspect you do too. It’s …

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Briefcase Study: The One Word Retirement Plan

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Briefcase Studies, Fall 2022, SLC Fall 2022 by Scott Dougan

Working in the retirement planning realm for so long has given me the opportunity to talk with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people about what they hope to experience during retirement. Discussions of money, time, and purpose lead to so many interesting insights about what a life well-lived might look like. A simple question like, “What would you like retirement to …

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2022 Fall Newsletter: Kansas City

In Newsletters, Newsletters: Kansas City Office, Newsletters: Kansas City Office by Scott Dougan

A recent article in The Guardian put the spotlight on a man – a lawyer – who was overcharged for a train ticket in India. He chose to fight it.  After 100 court hearings and 22 YEARS, he won. He was awarded the outstanding amount, a $188 fine plus interest, and the satisfaction of having been proven right. He said …

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Save the Date: Fall Festival

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Community Involvement, Summer 2022 by Scott Dougan

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, October 22nd for the 2022 Fall Festival Raffle and Silent Auction at The Lodge at Ironwoods. Proceeds benefit CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties Thursday, October 22nd Lodge At Ironwoods 147th & Mission Rd, Leawood, KS Silent Auction  –  Raffle  –  LIVE Entertainment Wine Pull  –  Dinner, Drinks & Dancing  Previous & …

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2022 Summer Newsletter: Kansas City

In Newsletters, Newsletters: Kansas City Office, Newsletters: Kansas City Office by Scott Dougan

I wonder if you’ve ever experienced this. You’re sitting at your computer looking at some not great news; maybe it’s your 401(k) account that’s taken a dive, or an email that just seems to miss the mark on every possible level and drives you to near your breaking point. You stand up, walk outside, and realize the sun is still …

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Briefcase Study: Breakthrough in a Box

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Briefcase Studies, SLC Summer 2022, Summer 2022 by Scott Dougan

When an Amazon box arrives at the front door, it’s an exciting moment. Is it…for me? Boy, I sure hope so (having forgotten what I may have ordered in the first place). Generally, the thing in that box is the result of a decision process that was either minutes long or one that took months of research. Either way, taking …

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Back to the Basics: Proof and Belief

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Back to the Basics, SLC Summer 2022, Summer 2022 by Scott Dougan

Money and Markets  Beware: I’m going to get existential for a moment. I’ll be quick about it. Beginning in 2007 and through 2009, I found myself having a particular conversation about money with a lot of people. What started as a discussion of the happenings in the markets and economy became a journey into the historical role of gold and …