by Judy Carlson | Jul 9, 2026 | Financial Advisor, Investments, Retirement, Social Security, Wealth Management
Why That Question May Be Asked Backwards Every week, I see some version of the same headline. “I’m 65 with $1.1 million saved and a $2,800 Social Security check. What’s my retirement budget?” Or “Is a million dollars for retirement enough?” This week it was Kiplinger....
by Judy Carlson | Jun 18, 2026 | Investments, Life Insurance, Retirement, Social Security, Wealth Management
Legacy Dollars in Action It was December 2024. My son and his girlfriend had been living in apartments for five years. They had to move again by March. Notice was due by the end of January. Denver is expensive. Housing prices are high. They were talking about moving...
by Judy Carlson | Apr 30, 2026 | Financial Advisor, Retirement, Social Security, Wealth Management
2,923 days…That’s how many chances you may have to get Social Security right. Most people never think about it that way. They may think about Social Security as a form you fill out when you’re ready to retire. Or a benefit that you turn on at 67, because...
by Judy Carlson | Jan 7, 2026 | Annuities, Long-Term Care, Medicare, Social Security, Taxes, Wealth Management
It may not be a comfortable question. Most couples may not want to think about it, talk about it, or imagine it. And yet, planning for the death of a spouse may be one of the most important financial planning questions a couple can ask—before they ever need the...
by Judy Carlson | Jan 5, 2026 | 401(k), Investments, Retirement, Social Security, Taxes, Wealth Management
There’s a moment I see happen in my office during retirement planning for couples — not every time, but often enough that I’ve learned to watch for it. A couple sits down across from me, ready to “talk money,” and within a few minutes the conversation shifts. Instead...
by Judy Carlson | Nov 20, 2025 | Annuities, Investments, Social Security, Wealth Management
If there’s one financial topic that sparks strong opinions, it may be annuities. You’ve probably heard people say, “Annuities are bad.” But what does that really mean? That statement can be as vague, and misleading, as saying, “Trucks are bad.” Are we talking about a...
