When I’m with my kids, I’m always telling them how incredible they are. How smart they are.  How good they are at sports. I do whatever I can to help bring their confidence up. I want them to always feel their best and be their best. I remember as a kid not feeling as confident. I was shy, never too sure of myself. Looking back, I understand why, I remember writing a letter about one of my grandparents that had passed away and how proud I was of it. My father read it and told me not to be so impressed with myself. […]

What a week it was. We had my son’s 10-year-old birthday party. I had an emergency root canal. We had the 47th presidential inauguration. And about a year’s worth of action and headlines since then. Yet the world keeps spinning. Just amazing that we keep on going. Nothing stops. Life doesn’t slow down for any of us. I share all of this because I think it’s important to remember where each of us were, where we’re going, and where we want to be. As I look at this year and think about the planning that I began the year with, it […]

“The person I look up to most is my daddy,” the essay read. “The reason I do is that he always says, ‘Never judge a book by its cover.’  He always says that people will surprise you, so let them.” We are applying for private school (again!) for my daughter, and she had to write a series of essays about who she is.  One of the questions was who she looks up to. I walked in the kitchen the other day after she had already left for school, and I spotted her essay sitting on the table. I read it […]

In 2008, we went through the credit crisis in the U.S. Markets failed all around the world. People lost their homes, their life savings, businesses failed at record levels, and much more. I remember that year well. It was also the year I got divorced. My income fell by 40%. Business was difficult to say the least. As a leader that had numerous people relying on me, I had some very difficult decisions to make. Should I keep the lifestyle I had become accustomed to, the nice car, dinners out, travel, etc.? Or should I keep my business running against all odds, ensuring a livelihood […]

Jerry Seinfeld said recently at a college commencement speech something that really resonated with me. “Focus on becoming, not having,” the iconic comedian said, addressing the crowd of young, eager graduates. “Having will come as a function of focusing on what you become.” That’s pretty incredible advice. So, as we start 2025, I encourage you to focus on working towards on becoming who and what you want – the best version of you. It’s so interesting to me; we all start the year the same way.  Gyms are packed.  Dry January.  Save more and do better with money. All these […]

As we look at 2024 in the rearview mirror, I thought I would share a story of some time I spent with a client last week. “You’re not like other financial advisors,” she told me. I perked up, wondering where this was going next. “Most advisors that give us referrals are like…ugggh,” she said. “But the people you refer to us are so nice and appreciative.” “Thank you,” I replied. “I like to think of myself as more than just a financial advisor.” She then said, “Yes, you are more like a therapist meets financial guy meets a Rabbi!” I laughed, […]

Family can be tough. And making decisions around family can be really tough. I was meeting with a client this week, working with them on some of the patriarch’s estate planning.  This individual is very committed and does everything for their family. However, while one of the siblings is not a bad person at all, they do struggle to always make the right decisions around the use of money. So, we began having discussions about why the current trust and estate plan was not be in anyone’s best interest, and better options. “If Karl runs out of money, then what?”  […]

What is real wealth? I think everyone has their own definition of what that term means. For some, it is how much money they have, or success and even health. In fact, in many polls of high-net-worth individuals, they rank health, relationships, and freedom to follow their passions as the highest value to wealth. In my experience – and certainly for me – it is all of the above. And that also includes the success of those around me: my family, friends, clients, and team. Everyone. Identify what that term means and go all in. Get crystal clear on what you […]

The passage of time gets more real every year. So, this year, I decided to take good care of my health. That led me to seek out every medical exam under the sun, from a standard physical exam to extensive blood work, and even the dreaded colonoscopy – the works! For anyone that knows me, this is a big deal as I am NOT one to get sick or go to doctors. But, at 47, I want to make sure I will be here for another 47. As I reflect on that, on the age of my children, the age […]

Is it Thanksgiving or thanks for giving? I think people often forget what it means to actually be thankful. This time of year, as we just finished Thanksgiving and we’re all looking to close out 2024 on a high note, I encourage you to keep in mind how important it is to be thankful. Account for all the things we have and enjoy with gratitude every day. But I urge you to focus not only on all of the things that have gone well or the abundance in your life, but all of the challenges and things that have not […]