Next Level Articles
Cash Management
How To Find An Advisor
I Met With 11,000 Financial Advisors. Here’s How to Find a Good One. Most people don’t realize how hard it is to tell a good financial advisor from a bad one. That’s not because people aren’t smart.It’s because the industry does a great job of making simple things look complicated, and complicated things look impressive. For 11 years, I sat on the other side of the desk. I was a wholesaler. These are the guys and gals pitching investment strategies—mutual funds, ETFs, annuities, structured products, to financial advisors. I covered eight states.Met with roughly 20 advisors a week.Did that for about 50 weeks a year. Yes, that adds up to a lot of meetings. I sat in conference rooms, corner offices, and coffee shops. I saw how portfolios were built, how plans were presented, and how advice was delivered, both when markets were calm and when they weren’t. A few years ago, I left that life and became a financial planner myself. Seeing the industry from both sides taught me something important: From a consumer’s perspective, the difference between good advice and bad advice is rarely about performance. Long-Term Success Is Built on Process, Not recent Performance The best advisors I met didn’t lead with returns. In fact, many of them barely talked about performance at all. Instead, they focused on things like: A clear, repeatable financial planning process Explaining tradeoffs, not just recommendations Educating clients about risks and expectations Using modern financial planning technology to model decisions, track progress, and show clients how choices today affect outcomes over time They understood something most investors eventually learn the hard way: Markets are unpredictable.Human behavior is not. Good advice isn’t about forecasts. It’s about decision-making support, especially during periods of uncertainty. Where Financial Advice Often Breaks Down Most bad advice doesn’t come from bad intentions. It usually comes from oversimplification or misalignment. Here are some common patterns I saw over and over again: Clients sold on the bells and whistles of a product before discussing goals Investment strategies presented before conversations about taxes or cash flow Heavy reliance on recent market performance as a decision-making tool If your first meeting is mostly about a product, that’s a yellow flag. If performance charts show up before a discussion about your life, that’s worth paying attention to. These approaches can feel reasonable during strong markets.They tend to fall apart when conditions change. Incentives and Transparency Matter. A Lot. The financial industry runs on many different compensation models. Fee-only.Fee-based.Commissions.Some combination of all three. None of them are perfect. The real issue isn’t how an advisor is paid.It’s whether you understand how incentives influence recommendations. A good advisor should be able to clearly explain: How they are compensated. And how much. Whether compensation changes based on recommendations How conflicts are identified and managed Transparency doesn’t eliminate conflicts, but it gives you context. If an advisor can’t explain how they get paid, by whom, and why…You should leave. How to Evaluate a Financial Advisor Instead of focusing on returns or product selection, here are a few better questions to ask. 1. Can You Walk Me Through Your Planning Process? A qualified advisor should be able to explain, in plain language: How decisions are made How often plans are reviewed What happens when markets or your life change If the process feels vague or improvised, that’s usually a sign it is. 2. How Do You Define and Measure Risk? Risk isn’t just short-term market volatility. A thoughtful answer connects investments to goals, time horizons, and cash flow needs, not just questionnaires or model portfolios. 3. How Do You Track Progress Over Time? Good advisors don’t just pick investments. They help clients see their entire financial picture. That usually means using real financial planning tools to: Model decisions Track progress Document tradeoffs The specific software matters less than the fact that a system exists. 4. How Do You Coordinate With Other Professionals? Real planning doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Taxes, estate planning, insurance, and investments all interact. Advisors who coordinate with CPAs and attorneys tend to deliver better outcomes, not because they know everything, but because they know what they don’t know. 5. What tech do you use? This isn’t about fancy dashboards or buzzwords. It’s about whether an advisor uses modern tools to support better decisions. At a minimum, that usually includes comprehensive financial planning software, such as RightCapital, eMoney, or MoneyGuidePro, that connects investments, cash flow, taxes, and goals in one place. If an advisor can’t clearly explain how technology is used to improve planning and communication, it’s fair to ask why. One Practical Tip: Look for a CFP® Professional No credential guarantees quality. But the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation is one of the strongest indicators of a commitment to comprehensive planning. CFP® professionals must: Meet education and experience standards Follow ethical and professional conduct rules Act as fiduciaries when providing financial advice Take a holistic approach that goes beyond investments For families with more complexity—taxes, equity compensation, business income, estate planning—this tends to matter. A Final Thought Financial advice isn’t about predicting markets or finding perfect strategies. It’s about making reasonable decisions, understanding tradeoffs, and sticking with a plan through inevitable uncertainty. After spending years inside the advisory ecosystem, and now working directly with clients, the best outcomes usually come from: A clear process Transparent incentives Ongoing education A trusted professional relationship If you’re evaluating financial advice, focus less on what an advisor promises and more on how decisions are made. That’s where the real value shows up over time.
Estate Planning
Leaving a Legacy, Not a Headache: 5 Smart Estate Planning Moves
If I’m being honest, I’m not sure how estate planning attorneys stay in business. If talking about money is taboo, talking about your money and your own mortality? That’s the perfect recipe for “I’ll deal with this next year.” But when you look at it through a different lens, legacy planning is actually one of the most profound acts of kindness you can perform for your family. It’s the final roadmap you leave behind, one that helps guide the people you love through an already difficult moment. If you want your impact to be felt exactly as you intended, here are five essential things worth thinking about today: 1. Be Clear About What You Want In estate planning, ambiguity is the enemy of peace. Leaving “everything for the kids to figure out” sounds fair in theory, but in practice it often turns into a group project fueled by grief, stress, and high emotions. Brené Brown says it best: “Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” That idea applies perfectly here. When intentions aren’t clearly documented, it creates space for assumptions, resentment, and unnecessary family conflict. Being clear means: Having a complete estate plan in place, including a will, trust (if appropriate), and financial and medical powers of attorney Completing a personal property memorandum, because we’ve seen more conflict over mom’s wedding ring or dad’s firearms than over brokerage accounts and IRAs Including a short “family love letter” that explains the why behind your decisions, so no one is left guessing or feeling overlooked Clarity doesn’t create tension. It prevents it. 2. Give While You’re Still Here Why wait until you’re gone to see the impact of your generosity? Using the annual gift tax exclusion allows you to transfer wealth to loved ones today, without triggering gift taxes or dipping into your lifetime exemption. As of 2025, you can gift $19,000 per person, per year, to as many individuals as you like. If you’re married and elect to split gifts, that number effectively doubles per recipient. This can be a powerful way to help with a grandchild’s education, a child’s first home, or a family business, while also reducing the size of your future taxable estate. More importantly, you get to see the impact while you’re still around to enjoy it with your loved ones. 3. Know Your Tax-Friendly (and Tax-Unfriendly) Assets We all owe our fair share in taxes, but most people don’t want to leave the government a tip. Not all inherited dollars are created equal. The tax bill attached to assets can vary dramatically, depending on what you leave and to whom. Tax-friendly assets: Roth IRAs, taxable brokerage accounts, and life insurance proceeds are generally received income-tax free by heirs Tax-unfriendly assets: Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s can become tax bombs. Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, often during your children’s peak earning years, sometimes at rates north of 37% Thoughtful asset placement, deciding which assets go to which heirs, can dramatically reduce the tax burden your family inherits. 4. Charitable Giving — During Life and at Death For many families, legacy planning isn’t just about passing wealth forward. It’s about passing values forward, too. Charitable giving can be one of the most powerful and tax-efficient tools in an estate plan, both during life and at death. During your lifetime, tools like donor-advised funds (DAFs) allow you to: Take an immediate tax deduction Invest charitable dollars for potential growth Support multiple charities over time in a thoughtful, intentional way DAFs are especially useful in high-income years, after liquidity events, or when you want to involve children in philanthropy before wealth transfers occur. At death, charitable giving can be just as impactful: Charities can be named directly in a will or trust Retirement accounts, especially traditional IRAs, are often ideal assets to leave to charity, since nonprofits don’t pay income tax Charitable bequests can reduce estate taxes while ensuring assets go exactly where you intend When coordinated properly, charitable giving can reduce taxes for heirs, align money with values, and create an impact that extends well beyond your family. The goal isn’t complexity. It’s alignment. 5. Start the Conversation with Adult Children Now The worst time to talk about your estate is during a crisis. Start the conversation with your adult children while everyone is healthy, calm, and thinking clearly. You don’t need to disclose every dollar if you’re not comfortable, but you should cover the logistics: Where are important documents kept? Who is serving as executor and financial or medical power of attorney? What are your wishes regarding medical care and end-of-life decisions? Normalizing these conversations removes the taboo and ensures that, when the time comes, your family can focus on grieving and honoring your life, not hunting for passwords and paperwork. Final Thought You don’t need a perfect plan.You just need a clearer one. Start with this: get your estate plan in place and have one honest conversation with your kids. Because clarity is a gift. And the best legacies aren’t measured only in dollars, but in how easy you made it for the people you love to move forward without you.
Lifestyle & Personal
Treasure Valley Holiday Event Guide
As the holiday season draws near, we can’t contain our excitement! To make this season extra special, we’ve curated a list of amazing local holiday events that will surely bring joy to your heart and a twinkle to your eye. Scentsy Commons Lights Winter Wonderland at Indian Creek Plaza, Caldwell Shindig Farms Lost in Christmas Illuminated Maze Christmas in Color Drive-Thru Light Show at Roaring Springs Boise Trolley Tours Christmas Lights Tour Holiday Movies at the Egyptian Theatre Light The World Giving Machine at The Village 12/5 Meridian Winter Lights Parade and Tree Lighting 12/6-12/7 Boise Christmas Show Expo Idaho 12/9 Boise Film Festival Presents: ELF with Faizon Love 12/13-12/23 Ballet Idaho: The Nutcracker 12/19 Christmas Movie Trivia 12/24 Skate With Santa 12/31 Idaho Potato Drop
Cash Management
7 Smart Financial Steps to Take Before the End of the Year
7 Smart Financial Steps to Take Before the End of the Year As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to review your finances and ensure you’re on track for long-term success. A little planning before December 31 can help you reduce taxes, strengthen your investment strategy, and start the new year with confidence. At Next Level, our team financial planners helps clients create personalized strategies to reach their financial goals. Here are seven year-end steps that can make a big difference in your overall financial picture. 1. Review Your Retirement Contributions If you’re still working, take a close look at your contributions to retirement accounts such as IRAs or 401(k)s. Maximizing your contributions before year-end can provide valuable tax benefits and help grow your nest egg for the future. 2. Take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) If you or your spouse is age 73 or older, make sure you’ve taken your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) by December 31. Missing the deadline can lead to a 25% penalty tax on the amount you should have withdrawn. 3. Make Charitable Contributions Before Year-End Charitable giving is a wonderful way to support causes you care about while potentially lowering your taxable income. Donations made before December 31 can be claimed as deductions on this year’s tax return. 4. Review Your Budget and Spending Compare your actual spending to your budget for the year. Understanding where your money went can help you identify areas for improvement and create a more accurate budget for the coming year. 5. Plan for Income Changes in the New Year If you expect to earn more next year, consider directing part of that increase into savings or investments. Allocating funds early can help you reach your goals faster and prevent lifestyle inflation from eating up your extra income. 6. Revisit Your Investment and Asset Allocation Market changes, inflation, and life events can shift your portfolio away from its original goals. Review your investments to ensure your asset allocation still reflects your risk tolerance and long-term objectives. 7. Set Clear Financial Goals for 2026 Take some time with your family to discuss what matters most next year. Do you want to save more for retirement or college? Is a particular budget category consistently over budget? Are you anticipating large expenses such as tuition or home renovations? Setting clear goals now gives you a plan for the months ahead and helps your financial advisor tailor strategies to your needs. Start the New Year Financially Strong By reviewing these key areas now, you’ll be ready to step into the new year with clarity and confidence. At Next Level Wealth Planning, our experienced financial planners in Meridian, Idaho can help you analyze your unique situation and develop a customized plan for success. Contact us today to schedule a year-end financial review and take the next step toward your financial goals.
Lifestyle & Personal
Five Ways to Stay Secure Online
Five Ways to Stay Secure Online One of our priorities is protecting your personal information, which is why we wanted to share advice that may help keep your finances secure. There are certain things we can do at least once a year to ensure that our financial lives stay on track, including filing your taxes or reviewing your estate and financial plans. As we head into the second half of the year, consider taking steps to secure your finances in the digital realm as well, so you don’t become a victim of identity fraud. Here are five ways to help protect your information online, as recommended by the Federal Trade Commission: Beware of scams Never give out your information over the internet, phone or by mail, unless you’re sure about who will be receiving it. The “Prince of Nigeria” is alive and well and looking for easy targets. So, if it seems too good to be true, investigate first! You can learn about the latest scams by visiting usa.gov/common-scams-frauds. Additionally, if you receive an email from a company and are unsure if it’s legitimate, consider double-checking the validity of the company by closing the email, opening a new browser, searching for their official sites and contacting them through their customer service. Dispose of your personal information privately Be sure to securely shred or delete sensitive documents and information. Wiping your retired electronics of all information before you dispose of them can also help prevent identity fraud. Get creative with passwords Create a strong password using more than six characters, a mix of letters and numbers, both upper and lowercase letters, and punctuation marks, such as exclamations. Avoid using your pet’s name, date of birth or other easily identifiable personal information. Secure your browser If you want to ensure your browser is secure, look for “https” at the beginning of the web address (the “s” stands for “secure”). Only access your accounts using networks and computers that you know are safe. Stay sly on social media Review your privacy settings on each site and enact privacy measures you’re comfortable with. Consider omitting your date of birth or full name from public online forums and limiting who can view your profiles. These five steps can help protect your private information online. To learn more about safeguarding your digital life, visit consumer.ftc.gov.
Investments
Is NOW the Right Time to Take Action?
Is NOW the Right Time to Take Action? Market volatility brings out a range of emotions—uncertainty, fear, even paralysis. When those emotions take over, the default response for most people is to do nothing. That feels safe. It feels rational. But over time, it can actually be the costliest move you could make—especially emotionally. Psychologists Thomas Gilovich and Victoria Medvec coined the term “inaction effect” back in the ’90s. They found that while people might initially regret mistakes from taking action, the regret that lingers the longest usually comes from the things they didn’t do. This plays out in investing all the time. Rarely do people say, “I wish I hadn’t invested back then.”What they say instead is, “I wish I had done something when the market was down. Here’s the real talk: Every market dip feels like “maybe this is the big one.”Spoiler: it rarely is. See in the below data—only 6 out of the last 99 years have dropped more than 20%, and half of them were in the 1930s. While most people are refreshing headlines and debating whether to “wait it out,” a few others are taking action—not flashy, but smart, boring, compounding decisions that their future selves will appreciate. So what does smart action look like right now? Glad you asked. Here are 4 moves that aren’t fancy but work: Rebalance your portfolio.When markets move, your portfolio shifts. Rebalancing gets you back to your target allocation, which usually means buying what’s gone down and trimming what’s gone up. It’s a built-in system for buying low and selling high—no prediction required. For retirees, this can be especially powerful—it’s a disciplined way to stay invested while still “buying in” during down markets, even if you’re not putting in new cash. Put your cash to work (slowly).Trying to time the bottom is nearly impossible. But if you have cash on the sidelines, consider dollar-cost averaging into the market over a few months. It spreads out the risk and keeps you from sitting in cash too long. Tax-loss harvest.If you’re holding investments at a loss, you can sell them, take the tax loss, and reinvest in a similar holding. This doesn’t change your market exposure, but it can reduce your tax bill—now and in the future. Convert to Roth while it’s on sale.When values are low, you can convert more IRA dollars to Roth for the same tax cost. You’re pre-paying the IRS today so future-you gets tax-free growth forever. That’s a trade you want. The Bottom Line: When we look back, we don’t regret the small missteps.We regret the missed steps. Taking the right action during uncertainty doesn’t feel good in the moment.But it’s usually the seed of your biggest financial wins. Most people will wait for things to “feel better.”The people who win?They move before it does.
Lifestyle & Personal
Recommended Reading
Recommended Reading: A Curated List From Our Advisors As financial advisors, the team at Next Level Wealth Planning is not only committed to helping you manage your wealth, but also to providing you with the tools and knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your financial future. One of the most effective ways to gain insight into the world of personal finance and investing is through reading. We’re sharing a selection of books that have had a profound impact on our team of advisors. Each of these books offers valuable lessons on everything from mindset and behavior to wealth-building strategies. Whether you’re new to financial planning or an experienced investor, these recommendations are sure to provide great insight and advice. Great Reads for All Investors: The Psychology of Money by Morgan HouselThis book explores the emotional and psychological factors that shape our financial decisions. Success in finance isn’t just about knowing the numbers; it’s about understanding how our behaviors, biases and personal experiences influence how we manage money. The Psychology of Money is a great read for those looking to improve their mindset to make more informed decisions about their wealth. The One-Page Financial Plan by Carl RichardsThis book simplifies the process of creating a financial plan by focusing on key goals and values that matter most. Whether you are just starting out or reevaluating your current situation, this book will help you prioritize what’s important and align your finances with what matters most to you. The Behavior Gap by Carl RichardsAnother book by Richards, this focuses on the emotional barriers that often prevent people from making smart financial decisions. The Behavior Gap is perfect for anyone who has struggled with impulse spending, poor investment decisions or emotional financial decisions. The Thin Green Line by Paul SullivanThis book shows how you can make better financial decisions—and come to terms with what money means to you. Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth by Nick Murray This book lays out a practical long-term strategy for working with an advisor to achieve real wealth in equities. Great Reads for Retirees: Values Over Valuables by Harmon KongThis book is a thought-provoking and deeply practical guide to rethinking the role of wealth in our lives Die with Zero by Bill PerkinsPerkins challenges the conventional notion of saving every penny for retirement. Die with Zero advocates for balancing spending with saving and that the true goal of wealth should be to maximize life experience rather than accumulate wealth for the sake of accumulating it. Great Reads for Young Investors: I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit SethiSethi provides actionable advice on everything from managing credit cards and savings to investing in stocks and real estate. His approach is designed to make managing money fun, accessible and easy to understand. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert KiyosakiIn this book, Kiyosaki contrasts the financial philosophies of two dads- his biological father (Poor Dad) and his best friend’s father (Rich Dad). He teaches the importance of financial literacy and is ideal for those who want to challenge their preconceived notions about money and learn to think like an investor. Cash Flow Quadrant by Robert KiyosakiThis expands on the concepts introduced in Rich Dad Poor Dad, focusing on the four types of people who makes up the “Cash Flow Quadrant”: Employees, Self Employed, Business Owners and Investors. Kiyosaki explains the different mindsets and behaviors that accompany each quadrant and shows how shifting from one quadrant to another can lead to greater financial freedom. At Next Level Wealth Planning, we believe that financial education is a lifelong journey. The right mindset and knowledge are critical to making informed, successful financial decisions. Whether you’re working on building wealth, planning for retirement, or simply trying to understand your finances better, the books listed above are invaluable resources. Happy reading!
Cash Management
New Year, New Financial Resolutions
New Year, New Financial Resolutions: Setting Yourself Up for Success January marks the beginning of a new year, making it an ideal time to reflect, reset, and refocus on your financial goals. Whether you’re looking to grow your savings, pay down debt, or invest more strategically, now is the time to set the tone for a successful year. Here are some actionable tips to get started: 1. Take Stock of Your Financial Situation Begin by reviewing your current financial landscape. Assess your income, expenses, debts, and savings. Understanding where you stand is the first step toward making meaningful progress. Learn more about our process here. 2. Define Your Financial Goals for the Year What do you want to accomplish this year? Setting clear, SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) will give you direction and purpose. Examples include: Saving $15,000 for a down payment on a home by December. Paying off $7,500 in student loans by June. Contributing the maximum allowable amount to your IRA or 401(k). 3. Refresh Your Budget A new year calls for a fresh look at your budget. Adjust for any changes in income or expenses and ensure your spending aligns with your priorities. 4. Build or Boost Your Emergency Fund If you don’t already have an emergency fund, make it a top priority. Aim to save at least three to six months’ worth of expenses to protect yourself against unexpected events like medical bills or job loss. 5. Optimize Your Tax Strategy Take advantage of tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and HSAs. Contributing to these accounts can reduce your taxable income while helping you save for the future. Start early to maximize your contributions throughout the year. 6. Focus on Debt Reduction High-interest debt can be a significant obstacle to achieving financial freedom. Consider using the snowball or avalanche method to tackle debt strategically. Set a goal to pay off a specific amount by year-end. 7. Review and Update Your Financial Protection Ensure your insurance policies are up-to-date and provide adequate coverage. This includes health, life, auto, and homeowners insurance. Additionally, review your estate plan and beneficiaries to ensure everything aligns with your current wishes. 8. Track Your Progress Regularly Schedule monthly or quarterly check-ins to monitor your progress. Adjust your strategies as needed to stay on track and maintain momentum throughout the year. Partner with a Financial Advisor The start of the year is an excellent time to consult with a financial advisor. Whether you need help setting goals, creating a plan, or optimizing your investments, an advisor can provide the expertise and accountability you need to succeed. Let’s make this the year you take charge of your financial future. Reach out today to Next Level in Meridian to discuss your goals and build a personalized roadmap to achieve them. Together, we can turn your resolutions into reality. Contact us today to get started! Have questions? Let’s talk. Contact Us
Perspective & Insight with Jake
Moments In Time
Greetings, Jake here. It’s that time of the year when we start to think about how fortunate we are to have the freedoms we enjoy and gratitude for our blessings. Not everything is perfect in the world, but we are fortunate for so many things. Recently I’ve been looking at family pictures, both from my childhood and present with my own family. I’ve discovered that there are “Moments in Time”, if I could only go back to that time, and freeze it, I would. Pictures tell stories. Below is a picture of an evening in July with my son. He was catching more fish than I was that night (that’s normal) but this photo represents such a fond memory and when I look at it, I can remember vividly the fishing and camping trip. It’s remarkable how smells, tastes, sounds, songs, and pictures can transport us back to a time in our life. I would encourage you to take a moment during the holidays and go back through photos, past and present…it’s incredible the feelings of love, longing, and gratitude that can surface while taking a visual walk down the lane of history. James Barry, the author of Peter Pan, wrote “God gave us memories so that we might have Roses in December”. It’s fun to look at past photos and experiences, which leads me to ask myself, “what new experiences am I going to create”? What “moments in time” will you create that you’ll want to freeze? I would encourage you, no matter your circumstance, think of one (or many) things you want to accomplish in the next year. Make it fun, exciting, dream a little. Have you always wanted to learn something? Is there someone you want to connect with? Someone you can help? A place you want to travel? A few years ago I was visiting a client in the hospital who passed soon after our visit. As I walked into the hospital that day, a picture frame in the gift store caught my eye. Curiously I walked over, and for the first time I read, “The trouble is, you THINK you have TIME.” This statement made an immediate impact on my life. I purchased the frame and I have it displayed in my office as a constant reminder to be proactive in creating experiences with my family, friends, and those I want to spend time with. I hope that each of you will be proactive in creating additional “moments in time” so that you may have Roses in December.
Perspective & Insight with Jake
Navigating Thunderstorms | Investment Advisor Perspective & Insight
Greetings, Jake here. In Idaho, summer thunderstorms blow into the valley. The dark clouds threaten from the southwest and gather momentum. These unwelcomed storms show up unannounced, bringing with them high winds, lightening, and a chance of forest fires in the mountains. These storms would often arrive with a downpour of rain, but it came with a price. When my sons were younger, these storms didn’t scare them. They saw it as an opportunity to grab an umbrella, dash outside (often barefoot) to the nearest flooded area to play. Peter Lynch, who was a famed money manager at Fidelity Investments, once said, “The key to making money in equities is not to get scared out of them”. To put things in perspective, on average, a stock market correction (defined as a decline of -10% or more), blows in every year. Bear Markets (defined as a decline of -20% or more) have occurred on average every 5 years since 1946. Why does this matter? It provides context that corrections and bear market declines are a routine part of investing. We can’t get scared out of them. My point isn’t to trivialize or make light of our current economic circumstances, just to give perspective. Morgan Housel, in his book, The Psychology of Money, writes, “Like everything else worthwhile, successful investing demands of us a price…It’s volatility, fear, doubt, uncertainty, and regret – all of which are easy to overlook until you’re dealing with them in real time.” If you’ve felt any of these feelings recently, you are not alone. When we’re in the middle of a bear market, some investors are consumed with pessimism. They may start to feel that the market will never rise again, that their losses will only deepen, that the storm will last too long. Reminder, the storm will pass, followed by blue skies and wonderful summer days. In fact, every single bear market decline in US history has been followed by a bull market, without exception. This time will not end any different. With Next Level as your trusted Investment Advisors, we will navigate the months ahead, together.
Perspective & Insight with Jake
Next Level
Greetings, Jake here. I strive to improve and get better. I often fall short of my goal, but I enjoy the challenge. It’s in the doing, not the sitting that I love. You’ll often find me listening to a podcast or reading a book. I search out ways to gain knowledge. The desire to get better was rooted from a young age. My father was an athlete, a coach, a high achiever. I’ve spent my life competing, playing sports, keeping score. I’m no longer concerned about wins and losses. As I evolve (that’s a nice way of saying “as I get older”) my focus changes. For me, it’s not about the score, it’s about growth. Next Level is defined as; a better, more advanced, or more successful situation than before. I believe, whatever your Next Level is, it’s very personal to you. This idea is not about doing better than your neighbor, or having more success than a friend, co-worker, or family member. It’s not about having more. It’s about progression. Recently my client realized her dream. It wasn’t more money. Through proper financial planning, I encouraged and supported her to take action – she gained confidence to create a charitable foundation, funding a cause that she loves. Her next level wasn’t something she received; it was something she gave. Through the years, people have shared with me where they want to be better; create meaningful connections, reduce phone time, be more present, go on more vacations, spend time with friends, automate savings, be more aware of their spending.