Impact – Wealth Management

The Financial Checklist for Your 50s: A Three Part Series

This article is the first in a three-part series designed to help you prepare for retirement during one of the most important decades of your financial life.

In Part 1, we’ll focus on building the financial foundation—your retirement income, spending, savings, and investments.

In Part 2, we’ll tackle taxes, Social Security, estate planning, and long-term care.

In Part 3, we’ll cover insurance, family conversations, finding purpose in retirement, and choosing the right financial advisor.

You’re Not an Imposter

When she was eight years old, “Susan” lived in the backseat of a Chevy with her parents and two brothers. Today, she has more than $3 million invested for retirement. And yet, she still saves every twist-tie from the bread bag—just in case. I’ve sat across the table from clients who once relied on food … Read more

Your Money and the Meaning of an Empty Nest

By Richelle Hofer, CEO & Financial Advisor at Impact Wealth Management This post is deeply personal. It’s a reflection I wrote the night before my youngest son graduated from high school—and the season of life that followed. I’m sharing it here not just as a financial advisor, but as a mom entering a new chapter. … Read more

Are You Underestimating Your Retirement Spending? Here’s Why It Matters.

If you’re getting close to retirement and working with a financial advisor, chances are you’ve been pretty organized. Most of the prospective clients I meet for the first time come in with: But there’s one question that almost always stumps them: “How much are you spending each month?” It’s the most important—and most underestimated—part of … Read more

Investor Biases: The Poodle Principle

In today’s blog: a poodle named Scarlett, offended by my investment advice, teaches us an important lesson about the biases that can hinder our financial success. A couple of weeks ago in our blog looking back over 2023, I compared the different sectors of the stock market to the many different breeds of dogs.  In … Read more

How to Get the Pay Raise You Deserve in 2024

negotiating a pay raise

Strategies for Securing A Raise and Advancing Your Career For many people, the new year signals a compensation review with their employer. Compensation reviews can be intimidating and often dreaded, but they are obviously extremely important.  Securing a raise not only affects your immediate budget and spending power, but it also impacts your future retirement.  … Read more

Christmas is Ruined (Part Two)

Growing up, my favorite family tradition happened every year on Christmas Eve at my Grandma Helen’s house.  My grandma embodied Christmas to me.  And then it all changed.  Christmas was ruined. Christmas at Grandma’s House Each year on Christmas Eve around 5:00 p.m. the family started gathering at Grandma’s house. Almost nothing kept us away … Read more