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Author: Dave Conley

I am a Certified Financial Planner™ who has helped our investment clients in their pursuit of financial peace. My 25+ years of financial planning EXPERIENCE has allowed me to help our clients as they pursue financial peace. My definition of financial peace is "having the resources (time, health & money) to do the things you enjoy with the people that you love." What's you plan for financial peace?

Navigating Investment Challenges: Insights from Three Decades of Financial Planning

by Dave Conley on February 2, 2024.

Let me start by stating one can gain investment know how (knowledge) by reading books listening to podcasts, and studying investment materials. In the same way one can learn to walk a tightrope by practicing in the backyard on a rope 6 inches off the ground. You can become very good at navigating that tightrope in the backyard. When the tightrope is strung between two buildings 300 foot off the ground that "experience" isn't as valuable.

Investing wisdom from an Octogenarian’s 50-Year Journey

by Dave Conley on January 26, 2024.

Welcome to the complex yet fascinating world of investing. Like you, I am an investor and over the past five decades, I've had the privilege of witnessing the intricacies of financial markets, making my fair share of mistakes, and, most importantly, learning from them. As you embark on your investing journey, I'm here to share with you the ABCs of investing, with a touch of wisdom gained through experience.

What is in an Estate Plan?

by Dave Conley on August 25, 2023.

What is in a simple Estate Plan? If you’re like most people, with a few kids and a house, you only need a will. You can use an online service like www.freewill.com or www.mamabearlegalforms.com. The most common option is to meet with a local lawyer to help you discuss and setup the three documents needed...

Estate Planning 101

by Dave Conley on August 11, 2023.

Estate planning is just a fancy legal-ish word for what you want to happen to your money and stuff when you die or become disabled.

July 4th, 2023, is America unique in history?

by Dave Conley on July 3, 2023.

What is American Exceptionalism? There is no other country in the world that represents the blend of classical philosophy, Christianity, and even Enlightenment ideas in the way America did in the founding of the republic from 1776 to 1789. It was an exceptional (meaning uncommon) mixture of liberty, limited government, natural rights, and religious liberty...

Economic Outlook for 2nd half of 2023

by Dave Conley on June 16, 2023.

Below is a recent (June 1, 2023) Economic Outlook diagnosis from the folks at Capital Group. A few highlights and a link to the entire article (10 minute read). Link to short report, Economic outlook: Mild recession, strong recovery.

How to Maximize your Social Security benefit (pt 3)

by Dave Conley on June 16, 2023.

If you have wondered: When should I start my Social Security ? Age 62... 67 or wait until 70 . What is the difference in benefits at the different ages ? I have heard that it is best to start as early as possible in case you don't live very long. If I start early how much can I earn before being penalized by Social Security ? Can I collect based on my spouse (or ex-spouse) earnings history?

Debt Ceiling, crisis or charade ?

by Dave Conley on May 26, 2023.

Every few years we have this discussion about whether or not we are going to raise the debt ceiling. Let’s just be honest, the debt ceiling will be raised. Since 1960, it’s been raised 78 times (more than once a year). The chart below shows the times the debt ceiling has been raised since 1970....