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  • Woman Drinking Coffee On Bench With Dog At Her Side, 9 Crucial Steps to Ensure You’re Prepared for Retirement

9 Crucial Steps to Ensure You’re Prepared for Retirement

2025-03-25T12:40:57-05:00March 26, 2021|Categories: Resource Center, Weekly Update|Tags: , , , |

9 Crucial Steps to Ensure You’re Prepared for Retirement

As retirement approaches, it’s crucial to have a plan in place to ensure a smooth transition. The pre-retirement checklist is an essential tool to help you assess how ready you are. By breaking down key elements, you can better understand your goals and progress. Start by determining your goals—consider when and how you want to retire, your desired lifestyle, and where you plan to live. Whether you plan to downsize your home, travel, or enjoy a more relaxed pace, defining these aspects will shape your retirement.

Health insurance, long-term care, and Medicare strategies are also important considerations. Since 52% of people turning 65 will require long-term care, planning ahead is essential. Similarly, understanding your health coverage options and preparing for potential medical costs is vital. When it comes to finances, reviewing your spending and budget is crucial. Assess your current savings and …

  • Person Rock Climbing, Benefits of the Right Amount of Active Management

Benefits of the Right Amount of Active Management

2025-03-25T13:07:23-05:00April 29, 2020|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , |

Benefits of the Right Amount of Active Management

Benefits of the Right Amount of Active Management

For years, the debate has been whether active or passive management investing was ideal.

When it comes to investing, many people fall into one of two extremes: being too passive or too active. Passive investors often rely on tools like target date funds or robo-advisors, which can be risky during market volatility due to their equity-heavy portfolios. On the other hand, too-active investors may fall into emotional traps like market timing or buying and selling based on fear of missing out, which often leads to underperformance compared to the broader market.

A balanced approach is ideal, and this is where professional financial advice can make a significant difference. A trusted advisor provides active management that goes beyond stock picking. They help assess your risk tolerance, ensure proper diversification, and tailor investment strategies based on your long-term goals. …

  • Three People on Edge of the River, Estate Strategies, Estate Strategies - Critical Elements of an Estate Plan

Estate Strategies – Critical Elements of an Estate Plan

2025-03-26T08:12:34-05:00December 12, 2019|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , , |

Estate Strategies – Critical Elements of an Estate Plan

Estate Strategies – Critical Elements of an Estate Plan

Taking steps to protect your estate is an important financial decision. Proper strategies can maximize opportunities and reduce stress for your loved ones. Yet, around 50% of people over 50 don’t have a will, even though almost 60% of Americans plan to leave an inheritance. By creating an estate plan, you can put your financial house in order and save money. Documenting your wishes ensures that your family won’t face a costly and lengthy probate process, and it helps make sure your legacy is honored.

A will is essential for outlining how your assets will be distributed, naming an executor, and designating guardians for minor children. However, wills can be contested in court, which is why additional documents like a letter of intent can be helpful to clarify your intentions. A power of attorney …

  • Christopher Much Proust Questionnaire

The Proust Questionnaire Journey Continues with Christopher Much

2025-03-26T09:02:29-05:00September 7, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , , |

The Proust Questionnaire Journey Continues with Christopher Much

The Proust Questionnaire Journey Continues with Christopher Much

Christopher Much steps up to the Proust Questionnaire plate today, giving us some visibility into what makes him tick. Did you know that when he’s not crunching numbers and consulting with clients, Chris throws on a Gi and can be found studying the art of jiu-jitsu?

Maxim Lukawski, Director of Tax Services, enjoys financial planning because it blends data analysis with helping clients. He feels fulfilled when he sees the relief in clients’ eyes as they create a solid plan.

He views his greatest trait as tenacity, though his wife might call it stubbornness. He never gives up on tough tasks and pushes forward until he succeeds. Maxim values generosity in his friends. He believes it’s essential for being a good person.

Maxim admires Batman for his skills and humility, and Bruce Lee for his contributions to martial …

  • Jonathan Much Takes the Proust Questionnaire

Jonathon Much Takes the Proust Questionnaire

2025-03-26T09:16:35-05:00July 12, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , |

Jonathan Much Takes the Proust Questionnaire

Jonathan Much Takes the Proust Questionnaire

In the late 1800’s, the Proust Questionnaire emerged as a popular parlor game and a way for friends and associates to better get to know one another.

The CTS Vice President values the balance between work, family, and martial arts training. He finds happiness in watching his daughters grow and spending time with his family. His biggest fear is not having enough time to visit every country he wants to see with his wife. He admires Bill Gates for his work as a technologist and philanthropist, and he strives to be loyal and respectful.

He also values loyalty and respect in others and dislikes being late. He treasures his grandparents’ wooden and glass bookcases, which are rare and irreplaceable. He doesn’t see any place better than Chicago and believes life without love would be unbearable.

In terms of talents, he’d like to …

  • Choosing a Financial Advisor: What to Know Before You Invest

Choosing a Financial Advisor: What to Know Before You Invest

2025-03-26T09:18:46-05:00June 28, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , , , |

Choosing a Financial Advisor:  What to Know Before You Invest

Choosing a Financial Advisor: What to Know Before You Invest

Choosing a financial advisor may be one of the most important financial decisions that you’ll ever make, and the quality of this advisor’s advice could heavily influence your long-term financial success.

Choosing the right financial advisor is crucial. The advisor you select will influence key financial decisions, from investments to estate planning. It’s important to understand your needs, whether it’s retirement planning or tax strategy. Advisors often specialize in different areas, so make sure you find one with the right expertise for your goals.

Check the qualifications and experience of potential advisors. Professional certifications, such as CFP® or ChFC, can indicate a higher level of training and commitment. Use tools like FINRA’s BrokerCheck to verify credentials and review complaint history. It’s also helpful to interview multiple advisors to compare their experience, qualifications, and …

  • Active Management - Man Running, Active Management: A Potential Cure For The Volatility Blues

Active Management: A Potential Cure for the Volatility Blues?

2025-03-26T09:39:01-05:00April 27, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , |

Active Management: A Potential Cure for the Volatility Blues?

Active Management: A Potential Cure for the Volatility Blues?

Even when markets seem to be steadily climbing, investors can find it difficult to maintain the discipline required to stick with a long-term investment plan. When markets become volatile, that discipline can be even more challenging.

Market volatility can challenge even disciplined investors, especially when it triggers emotional reactions. People often value stability and predictability, and during volatile periods, fear of loss can overwhelm the desire for gains. This natural tendency, called loss aversion, makes investors more sensitive to losses than gains. Unfortunately, during times of market turbulence, the constant barrage of media warnings and expert predictions can push people to make impulsive decisions, which often undermine their long-term strategies.

Despite common fears, market volatility is not inherently bad. In fact, market corrections are vital for the health of the stock market, acting as a …

  • Family Wealth Management Process, financial roadmap, Taking an Active Role in Your Family’s Wealth Management Process

Taking an Active Role in Your Family’s Wealth Management Process

2025-03-26T10:01:57-05:00October 25, 2017|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , |

Taking an Active Role in Your Family’s Wealth Management Process: Four tangible steps to follow your family’s financial roadmap

Taking an Active Role in Your Family’s Wealth Management Process

Likely, your parents haven’t shared their financial goals, intentions and legacy wishes with you. A discussion of family financial values and wealth transfer plans is an inherently difficult, albeit necessary, conversation. While no one wants to have this conversation with their parents or loved ones, we think it’s a necessary step that can provide you with the roadmap you need to follow and thoughtfully execute your family’s financial plan.

A 2016 survey revealed that nearly half of wealthy baby boomers hadn’t discussed family financial values or wealth transfer plans with their adult children. While these conversations can be difficult, they are essential for understanding your parents’ financial goals and wishes for the future. At CTS Financial Group, we offer support to help …

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