Blog

Top 10 Things to get you and your money (back) on track in 2022

Wendi Strom

Thursday, February 17, 2022

2020 for many was a year of getting 'off track'.  #ThankYouCOVID Then came 2021, many of us excitedly greeted the New Year with enthusiasm and were anxious to get back 'on track'.   But, what I've heard from many of you (and experienced

You are a Bada** at Making Money: Where Financial Goal Setting Meets ‘The Secret’

Wendi Strom

Friday, December 17, 2021

I will admit, when I finally sat down several years ago to watch “The Secret” it was hard for me to run with. While there was a lot I could get behind (visualization, give to receive, and that thoughts were powerful...

It’s Not Just the Plan, It’s Also the Conversation

Wendi Strom

Monday, November 1, 2021

Many people come to me ready to roll-up their sleeves, work on cash flow, learn about investments and ultimately make sure they aren’t missing the unknown.  And then they end up talking.  And listening.  In fact,...

Why Buying a Business Could Be Your Next Best Step in 2021 Covid 19 changed the trajectory of so many people’s lives; But that doesn’t mean the change has to go in a negative direction. The challenges of 2020 forced quality...

Going Self Employed, a Checklist for Success

Wendi Strom

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

I’m hearing more and more about employees that “post pandemic” have decided to change jobs, and sometimes even careers. There’s nothing like being stuck in your house, or working in conditions you don’t...

We’ve Moved….Again, and THANK YOU!

Wendi Strom

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

We’ve Moved….Again, and THANK YOU! This past year in business quickly reminds me of those times I’ve walked into a local store in the throws of remodeling that posts a sign that says something like “Open during...

Contemplating Divorce? Why Consulting a Divorce Coach First Can Save You Time & Money I viscerally remember the moment I found out my husband was having an affair. I remember doubling over from the shock of it, being unable to catch my...

Cheers to positive change in 2021, thanks (in part) to the lessons of 2020!

Wendi Strom

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Cheers to positive change in 2021, thanks (in part) to the lessons of 2020! One year ago today, there were so many things about our lives that seem so foreign now. So many things we’d like to do and can’t wait to do...

Why is Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period important? The leaves are changing. The sun is setting earlier. Fall is here! Why is it important to talk about Medicare coverage this time of year? Because the decision you make on your...

Long Term Care: Is It One of Your Big Concerns Too?

Wendi Strom

Monday, November 2, 2020

Long Term Care: Is It One of Your Big Concerns Too? A quote in a recent article on Yahoo states that “The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a wake-up call to Americans about their vulnerability to unforeseen illness and mortality,...

Making A Difference: Election Season, How You Can Help

Wendi Strom

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Making A Difference: Election Season, How You Can Help Did you know that much of the staff and volunteers that it takes to put on our elections are older adults? Amidst the uncertainty our older adults now face with COVID-19, that...

> Divorce has always been something to plan ahead for, 2020 makes no exception. Since live has evolved so much this, and with the courts too, I've asked local family law attorney Kelley Rider Goodwin to let us know what she's seen...

With many people staying (or stuck) at home right now, tensions can be high with family, and even neighbors. I've asked Amber Hill Anderson, an expert at conflict resolution, to weigh in on the subject. If litigation sounds too...

Book Review: the art of money, a life changing guide to financial happiness

Wendi Strom

Monday, August 24, 2020

Since I joined the financial services world in 2000, I’ve learned that there’s more to money than just dollars and cents (and charts and graphs!). I observed this most especially once I started more in-depth planning with...

I've spent the last few weeks oscillating between anger, shame, tears, frustration and hope. What started with the tragic end to George Floyd's life has become an opportunity for us all to look around and re-examine what we are seeing,...

When is it OK to Take Money From Your Retirement Plan or IRA? Maybe you’ve heard from early on, save, save, save. Maybe you’ve also heard, contribute to an IRA! And then contribute, contribute, contribute! And with that...

Now is different, how to plan for things you never planned for. (And how to change the plan you had when your world changes) It is well known that creating a plan (for pretty much anything), can increase your success at accomplishing...

Special thanks this month to small business and marketing consultant Cathren Kayce for contributing this guest blog on the skill (or shall I say the art?) of pivoting! I'm not sure anything defines the last two months better than the...

When the Economy goes down, one thing DOES go up. 5 Tips to protect yourself from fraud. It’s been a long standing tradition that when the economy goes through rough waters, fraud and theft increase. So, while you’re...

We are continuing to adjust to a new way of life, and for many of us doing so has seen holidays come and go with a fraction of the fan fare that they are used to, that includes last weeks Earth Day! In honor of Earth Day/Earth Month...

It's interesting to watch how our economy and doing business is continuing to evolve in this Quaran-time many of us our finding ourselves in. Most recently changes have been made that affect how those in need of relocation will...

Congress recently passed the CARES Act to help reduce the financial burden many Americans are experiencing in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic. As you've watched or read the news, you may be familiar with some of the provisions...

Our normal (pre-coronavirus) lives, tend to find many of us busy to the point that our financials can become woefully neglected. The good news out of all of this time stuck at home, and social distancing, is that many of those...

It’s been hard to turn on the TV these last few weeks without hearing consistent updates on the Coronavirus. From its start in China in December, to news that it’s now surging in South Korea…and that Italy is putting...

Much of the media world has been abuzz about a commercial recently released by Peloton. Peloton, a company that produces a high-end stationary bike, with on demand streaming fitness classes released a holiday ad depicting a young wife...

Mars & Venus, Part II: Investing

Wendi Strom

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Have you ever sat down, listened and paid attention to the differences that men and women have when talking about their investments? I have. Years ago, I read an article that really stuck with me. It was titled something like "The Best...

Most holiday shoppers report year after year that they spent more that season than expected, and many of us take on unwanted debt to make this happen. Whether it resulted from buying gifts not originally on our list, expensive last...

Identify your goals, write them down, come up with a plan to get there... check progress at least annually and tweak what you need to. A vision board can be a great motivator here. When we can envision what we want, it makes it more...

Two years ago this month, Equifax announced a data breach that affected much of America. Information is now unfolding about the settlement for those affected. Click here for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website to see if your...

Again, over the last few weeks, the news has been rife with stories about the threat of a recession and stock market volatility. As a practitioner, I want to start by saying ~ I see it and no, you're not alone if it affects you, it...

I've been getting questions from you all about interest rates. What's going on now and what could rates be doing next year? So this month, I've asked LeAnne Merciez of Universal Lending for her response on the recent rate cut. Here's...

One of my main roles is helping people not get caught in the trap of making long term decisions based on emotions ~ fear and greed being the two biggies. With the now present 24/7 news cycle, news... good news and bad, is in front of...

Inheriting Money? If so, there are lots of things to consider, and these decisions can come with deadlines and unintended consequences. Here's a checklist of things to think about as you build your action plan. Do your research. What...

Have you ever managed the estate of a loved one or inherited money? If so, you know that it can be easy to stumble into some snafu's as you are putting your ducks in a row. If things aren't done correctly, these snafu's can cost us...

Last month I touched on investing and addressed some of the challenges we have as investors each year as we try to digest and make decisions based on market news and forecasts. In that write up I mentioned alternatives to that...

It's been 10 years this month since the stock market bottomed in 2009. It's crazy to think about, in many ways it seems like yesterday and yet it also seems like so long ago. For the last few years as I've been listening to market and...

Have you ever bought something large and skipped negotiating the price? Or followed advice from the TV to later realize that what you got was only half of the advice you needed? Or not negotiated a salary? Was it because of fear? Me...

Often times we don't realize how our finances can directly affect our health and peace of mind. This is especially true in a society like ours where it's so taboo to talk about money. I've spent the last 19 years working in a career in...

A year in review: How 2018 Impacted our finances and investments Interest rates have continued to tick upward. For our investments that means we saw bond prices go down some. The interest we receive off of many of those bond...

Have you ever felt overwhelmed, or discouraged with the mechanics and the demands placed on your life by money? Over the years working with my clients, I've found that when we start thinking of money as just MONEY, it's not uncommon to...

Welcome to Life Clarified!

Wendi Strom

Friday, September 8, 2017

Let's get started. Working so closely with women for so many years, I’ve decided to create a blog dedicated to addressing some of our biggest concerns, our most pressing challenges and, most of all, lending a little clarity to...

It’s been almost 10 years now that I’ve been advising clients on investments and financial planning. That’s lots of people and LOTS of conversations. When I started back in 2008, I was blessed to work with a variety...