Life Stages and Transitions

Phyllis Johnson (Phil’s mom and Marcus’ grandmother) passed away on October 17, 2017, at the age of 92.  She was a colorful woman—inside and out—known for her red hair and lipstick.  Above all, she loved her family and she was the matriarch of 11 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren. We have been responsible for overseeing her…

We work so hard to build a life, but do we give thought to what we will leave behind when we are gone? Author Stephen R. Covey notes that there is a real human need “to learn, to live, to love, and to leave a legacy.” The need to leave a legacy is our spiritual…

No one can plan for every variable in life, but a key part of financial planning is to build a safety net to prevent financial disasters caused by catastrophic illness or other personal tragedies.  Below is a list of the different types of insurance coverage that should be considered, depending on your circumstances.  We also…

At JFA, retirement is our specialty! Over the years, we’ve helped over 800 clients navigate the maze of decisions that come prior to and during retirement. Retirement should be a time of celebration—especially if you have done your pre-retirement planning! But life doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes retirement comes sooner than you planned due…

From their mid-fifties and up, many individuals become increasingly concerned about retirement. “Will I have enough savings?” “Can I take early retirement, or will I need to keep working?” “Will I maintain my current standard of living?” “What if I outlive my money?” Fear usually comes lack of knowledge. You can overcome your concerns about…

Thanks to birthdays and holidays, our society has created countless opportunities to buy gifts for our children and grandchildren.  While these gifts are fun for a day or a week, there are opportunities to give gifts that will benefit him or her for a lifetime. More jobs than ever before require a college education, and…

Owning a home has always been part of “the American Dream.” But the recent real estate downturn (actually a “depression” here in Arizona) has reminded first-time homebuyers that purchasing a home is a big decision and should not be taken lightly. Pros of Owning a Home Ownership brings a sense of pride that renting can’t…

Each of us can find joy in life—but how sweet it is when we can experience life’s journey with someone we love.  If you have recently married, it’s important for you to start planning your financial future together and creating a “team approach” regarding your financial goals and responsibilities. What is your net worth? You…

Congratulations on beginning your career!  Although you may now be making more money than ever before, you have probably realized it is not nearly enough to do all the things you thought you could.  So even though you are just beginning your “earning years,” there are several steps you can take that will put you…