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2022 Winter Newsletter: Kansas City

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

I think we don’t spend enough time and energy discussing compounding. Sure, we feel its effects when we look at our account statements from the last couple of years (especially when compared to statements from a decade ago!), but what about other areas of our lives? Is there a compounding effect that’s possible in our careers, relationships, and families that …

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Briefcase Study: How Low Can You Go?

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

Reduced Stress Through Rehearsed Austerity  A recent client review meeting reminded me that money can be stressful. This is a statement so obvious that it seems silly to write it out, but there it is. It can stress me out, and I’ll bet you feel it from time-to-time as well. While I won’t suggest that money’s emotional and intellectual burdens …

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Back to the Basics: Inflation’s Effects on Your Retirement

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

The headlines are screaming, and the data is real: inflation is on the rise. In fact, we’re seeing higher rates of inflation now than we’ve seen in 40 years.  Prices are going up and that can be a very scary reality for retirees. But how does that actually impact you? If you’re retired now or planning to retire soon, what …

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2021 Fall Festival Update

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

Our Fall Festival at the Lodge at Ironwoods was a resounding success! Your contributions will bring a brighter future to children. We appreciate your generosity and caring commitment to CASA’s important work. We appreciate those who were able to join us this year at The Inn @ Ironwoods in support of CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates of Johnson & Wyandotte …

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2022 Winter Newsletter: Kansas City

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

If there’s one thing that we can all agree upon, it’s the uncertainly of the future. As we near the end of 2021 and look ahead to a new year, we have to shake our heads at the mystery of it all.  Who would have predicted the events of this past year, from politics to pandemic to prosperity in the …

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Back to the Basics: The Forced Savings Solution

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

If you were to ask retirees what was the single biggest factor in their ability to retire, the answer might lie in the fact that they began saving early, saved consistently, and didn’t stop saving.  Sure, some people have retirement saved for them, in the form of a pension, but the reality is that nobody lives off of their money …

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Briefcase Study: Financial Independence is a Myth

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

‘Financial Independence’ is a wonderful goal, a beautiful aspiration, a worthy pursuit. But it’s impossible. If true financial independence is the point at which we have enough money to be free from needing to serve or be served by other people, then we’ve missed the point entirely. If we look at a pile of wealth – money, property, possessions – …

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2021 Fall Newsletter: Kansas City

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

Have you ever wondered how the world would be different if there were no mirrors? If we couldn’t see ourselves, how would our self-esteem and interactions with others change? Taken even further, it seems that we view the larger world through a reflective lens too. “I see what’s happening out there but how does that make me look or make …

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Team Spotlight: Kathleen Sherman

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Fall 2021, Team Spotlights by Scott Dougan

Kathleen Sherman Elevated Retirement Group Event Coordinator 3 years, 7 months WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MY JOB: I love my opportunities to help grow ERG through partnering well matched pre-retirees with Scott and his advisors, as well as, developing relationships with major corporations locally and nationally in helping them provide financial literacy to their employees through education and retirement planning. …