financial planning

Ten minutes into my spin class last night, clipped in with beads of sweat forming along my forearms, Dianna our instructor said exactly what I was anticipating: “add significant resistance and feel the burn”. I turned the evil red knob below me...

Many years ago I wrote “Never Worry about Money” along with some other personal goals on a small laminated card that I carried around in my wallet. That was, and remains today the primary focus with regard to my own personal finances. For me,...

Over twenty years ago, I remember standing on the bridge wing of the USS John Rodgers, a US Navy Destroyer. As Officer of the Deck, I was in charge. We were cruising at 15 knots, receiving fuel and supplies from a tanker alongside just 150...

I love Christmas. I love all of the Christmas music, getting together with friends and family, and of course giving and receiving Christmas gifts. However; the gifting tradition intrigues me as a financial planner and father to four kids. There...

It is pumpkin carving time at The Schulz house. My youngest daughter is old enough to carve on her own and the other night we prepared for the annual ritual with craft paper on the kitchen table and all of our carving tools at the ready. G has a...

As a plan sponsor, many of the important administrative tasks associated with your plan’s operation happen behind the scenes with your vendors. Because of this, sometimes it’s easy to be lulled into complacency. If left unchecked the Plan can...

I recently read about Vince Young’s Bankruptcy Filing “From 25.7 million guaranteed to Chapter 11”. Like most people, it amazes me every time I see something like this. At the other end of the spectrum, I am fortunate to have a good number of...

It has been six years now since the doors opened for 401(k) plans to allow ROTH contributions. Most employers by now have amended their plans to allow these contributions but few employees understand the rules or even know it exists. Here’s the...

As you get closer to Financial Independence Day (the day you start taking money out of your retirement accounts), the reality of what was an intangible concept for so many years can be a little stressful. Here are some thoughts and concepts I try...

Yes, I love market risk! The risk associated with the stock markets is completely beyond our control so most investors would not make such a bold statement. Instead, many make it harder than it has to be by timing the market, making sector or...

by Rob Schulz, CFP® June 24, 2011 There is a lot of negativity out there and the stock market has reacted with increased volatility. If I were a gambler, I would bet the market will continue it’s downward trend over the course of the summer. But...

by Rob Schulz, CFP® June 6, 2011 I always ask my clients “why” when we discuss their financial goals and objectives. Why do you want to reduce debt? Why do you want to save for retirement? Reducing debt and saving are not goals, they are...

By: Rob Schulz, CFP® June 25, 2010 A large insurance company is currently running an advertising campaign, “Do You Know Your Number?” and I like it so much I am going to steal it! You should know your number because the first step towards a...