Blog
What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.
Why You Should Take Advantage of Our Partnership With Jelms Insurance Today

Home & Auto Insurance Through Blakely Walters' Partnership with Jelms Insurance Did you know Blakely Walters can help you with your home, auto, and liability insurance policy needs? Many people mista
Read MoreAfter-Tax Contributions 2021

After-Tax Contributions 2021 Super-Charging Your Retirement Savings Plan An increasing number of employers offer 401(k) plans with unique features. One of those unique features is the ability to make after-tax contributions -- distinct...
Read MoreHow to Solve Your Barbell Savings Problem

How to Solve Your Barbell Savings Problem The Overview: The barbell savings plan is one that is cash heavy, and retirement account heavy, but ignores funding all goals that happen in the middle section of your life Once your emergency...
Read MoreMy First RV Trip

My first RV trip…how I stayed at Vineyards for free, Rented an RV for $1/day, and got to stay at camp sites that weren't teaming with other RV goer's over 4th of July weekend. As a financial planner I find RV Purchases to be a...
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The Pro Rata Problem

The Overview Employer sponsored retirement plans are amazing for accumulation Most employer sponsored retirement plans are terrible for distributions due to pro rata liquidations from your investments Pro Rata Definition: When...
Read MoreCARES Act Summary

We wanted to provide you with a summary of the CARES act that was recently passed. If you or your loved ones have been affected because of the Coronavirus please read this and share. There are important considerations regarding:...
Read More2020 After-Tax Contributions

After-Tax Contributions: Super-Charging your Retirement Savings Plan By Sloan Walters An increasing number of employers offer 401(k) plans with unique features. One of those unique features is the ability to make after-tax...
Read MoreOur View in the Markets? Stunning.
Tuesday, March 24, 2020Our View on the Markets? Stunning.March 24, 2020 The speed and magnitude of the equity-market decline have been record-setting. Investors have been stunned and are responding with panic. The pace of change - market movements, virus...
Read MoreFinancial Planning: New Years

The New Years article is designed to be simple in nature. Everyone can benefit from it, but I wanted to target people who need help with some of the foundational elements of financial planning. New Year’s Goals There's...
Read More5 Ways to Strengthen Your Finances Before the Year Ends

As the year comes to an end, it's important to make sure you have considered all the steps that can help strengthen your finances. Here are a few ideas to make the most out of 2017 and beyond: Review Charitable Giving Contributions...
Read MoreHomegrown Wealth Management Firm Launches Partnership Local First Arizona

Business partners Sloan Walters and Jim Blakely are Co-Founders of the local financial planning company, Blakely Walters Wealth Management, in Tempe, Arizona. Having been Local First members for years, Sloan and Jim decided to increase...
Read MoreThe Equifax Data Breach: What to Do
Wednesday, September 13, 2017If you have a credit report, there’s a good chance that you’re one of the 143 million American consumers whose sensitive personal information was exposed in a data breach at Equifax, one of the nation’s three major...
Read More4 Reasons to Save in your Company Sponsored Retirement Plan

So your company offers a retirement plan for its employees. That's fantastic! But why should YOU put money away into it? You've probably heard both good and bad things about your plan. In what follows I'll answer a few of the...
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