Valerie Schmitz, CEPA, CPFA President
Welcome to our Web site, where you’ll find a wealth of information in the form of newsletter articles, calculators, and research reports.
We hope your visit will help you understand the opportunities and potential rewards that are available when you take a proactive approach to your personal financial situation. We have created this Web site to help you gain a better understanding of the financial concepts behind insurance, investing, retirement, estate planning, and wealth preservation. Most importantly, we hope you see the value of working with skilled professionals to pursue your financial goals.
We’re here to help educate you about the basic concepts of financial management; to help you learn more about who we are; and to give you fast, easy access to market performance data. We hope you take advantage of this resource and visit us often. Be sure to add our site to your list of "favorites" in your Internet browser. We frequently update our information, and we wouldn’t want you to miss any developments in the area of personal finance.
Newsletters
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Keeping Cool in Volatile Markets
Overreacting to market movements or trying to “time the market” by guessing its future direction can create additional risk that could negatively affect long-term portfolio performance.
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Tips to Help Preserve Your Inheritance
It’s important for heirs to consider how a windfall might be used to strengthen their finances now and over the long term.
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Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2026
This article provides 2026 contribution limits for retirement plans and various tax deduction, exclusion, exemption, and threshold amounts.
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Closed-End Funds May Offer Higher Income
Closed-end funds are considered to carry higher risk but may provide a higher income stream than traditional mutual funds holding similar securities.
Calculators
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Tax-Deferred Savings
Compare the potential future value of tax-deferred investments to that of taxable investments.
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Retirement Portfolio Lifespan
How Long Will Your Funds Last?
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Cash Flow Analysis
This Cash Flow Analysis form will help you weigh your income vs. your expenses.
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Taxable Equivalent Yield
Calculate the rate of return you would have to receive from a taxable investment to realize an equivalent tax-exempt yield.