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We’re Moving!

In Articles, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, SLC Summer 2023 by Scott Dougan

It’s official – we’re moving! Thanks to wonderful clients like you, we have outgrown our current workplace and have found a building that will accommodate us. Elevated Retirement Group & Elevated Capital Advisors will be relocating to: 11925 South 700 East Draper, Utah, 84020 We hope to be fully moved in late summer/early fall so keep an eye out for …

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Money, Health, and the Hedonic Treadmill

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

Much has been written about the real or perceived links between money and happiness. In a nutshell, once basic needs are met, more money doesn’t strongly correlate to more happiness. But what about health? Does having more money equate to improved health and wellness? Again, there can be a link, but it’s not a universal one. What is fascinating about …

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Briefcase Study: Clutter: When Too Much Is Just Not Enough

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

Clutter: When Too Much Is Just Not Enough  It may be time to declutter. Nobody is forcing you to declutter, but if I were to guess, I bet you’re probably feeling that desire on some level. You may have done some decluttering during the pandemic, but clutter doesn’t rest; it grows and sneaks up on you. Looking back, we spent …

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Back to the Basics: Key To Success

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Back to the Basics, SLC Summer 2023, Summer 2023 by Scott Dougan

Key To Success: Get Organized Financially If you’ve ever witnessed or even participated in a catch-a-pig contest, it can be quite exciting. The chaos of watching – and hearing – little pigs trying to outrun little kids is truly something to behold. The pigs clearly don’t want to be caught while the kids enjoy what seems like an easter egg …

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Rise Against Hunger 2023 was a HUGE success! 

In Articles, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, SLC Summer 2023 by Scott Dougan

Again, we can’t thank those that joined us for the event enough. About 80 people came to our event. You helped measure food, seal packages, box up meals and stack heavy boxes on pallets. These pallets of food will be transported by boat to Rise Against Hunger’s partnering countries. Not only do they send food, but the non-profit also provides …

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Calculate How Much Money You’ll Need to Retire

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

Planning done well should feel like a state of flow. Money flows in, money flows out; the rate of this flow is determined by your chosen lifestyle. Ideally, your lifestyle conforms naturally to your desires and needs, as they shift with your health and interests. Thus your accumulated assets should provide you with enough income (flow in) to match your …

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Are You A Vagabond?

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

There’s a term being used that began with the millennials: ‘lifestyle design.’ While there’s no single definition, it roughly translates to designing the work-life balance that is ideal for you. By being intentional about making work fit your lifestyle aspirations, and vice-versa, the outcome of lifestyle design is one where there’s a sense of balance achieved. As an example, there’s …

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Are You Settling, and What Is It Costing You?

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

In discussion with retirement planning clients, I’m often reminded that the best outcomes to challenges and opportunities are generally realized after asking the right questions. And since we all only have one shot at living a great life, there’s a fair amount of responsibility I feel in learning how to ask great questions, which hopefully lead to better outcomes. With …

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How Do You Know When It’s Time to Retire?

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

Retirement means something a bit different to everyone. To some, it’s a financial finish line. To others, retirement represents a transition from paid work to volunteer work. Whatever it means to you and those close to you, retirement happens, whether by choice or by force. As a person nears ‘retirement age’, a litany of decisions arise that must be carefully …

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Can There Be a Retirement Planning Formula?

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

For years, I’ve been on a quest to determine the optimum set of inputs to design the ideal retirement plan. And while the topic of formulas may not appeal to you, I hope you’re somewhat comforted that it does hold some appeal for me, a retirement planning guy. I’ve thought much about the ideal blend of guaranteed income sources, risk-based …