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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HOT TOPIC: AI Expectations Underpin the Economic Outlook for 2026
This article discusses economic forecasts for 2026 and the trends that are influencing them, including surging AI investment.
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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.
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Balancing Life in the Sandwich Generation
The day-to-day demands of supporting multiple generations can take a toll, but planning and support might help achieve a workable balance.
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Mega Backdoor Roth: A Tax-Friendly Retirement Strategy for Serious Savers
High earners may not be eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA, but some people can use a workplace plan to save more and create a source of tax-free retirement income.
Calculators
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Impact of Inflation
Estimate the future cost of an item based on today’s prices and the rate of inflation you expect.
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Home Affordability
Estimate of the maximum amount of financing you can expect to get when you begin house hunting.
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College Funding
Use this calculator to estimate the cost of your child’s education, based on the variables you input.
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Mortgage Refinancing
Determine whether you should consider refinancing your mortgage.