Kurt Hagemann of Gateway Financial Partners

07/20/2026

Usually you can also and you can take an income tax deduction for the full fair-market value. It can be up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income.

07/16/2026

In giving, we discover our most profound rewards. Interested in crafting a strategic plan for your charitable efforts? I'm here to guide you every step of the way!

331.297.0173
[email protected]

07/10/2026

You don’t have to go it alone. I’d be happy to help you take the next step on your journey to financial freedom.

630.326.9007
[email protected]

06/23/2026

A 3-generation fishing trip will make you think.

Quality time is what builds a legacy. Legacy is just quality time, repeated.

So it’s worth asking:

What are you planning for?

The catch matters.

But the company matters more.

06/19/2026

For those with fluctuating income, accessible savings can reduce the likelihood of tapping into long-term retirement funds during slower periods.

This CNBC article explores the relationship between emergency savings and retirement accounts.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/15/emergency-savings-401ks.html

Although employers have been allowed since 2024 to offer two new emergency savings options tied to 401(k)s, few have done so.

06/15/2026

Rome wasn't built in a day. And neither is a thoughtful retirement plan.

In ancient Rome, the Forum brought together the systems people relied on every day. It was where decisions were made, business was conducted, and the future of the city took shape.

A retirement plan can serve a similar purpose in your financial life. It can bring together income, savings, investments, taxes, healthcare, estate planning, and lifestyle goals into one clearer picture.

It goes beyond, "Do I have enough saved?”

It also asks:

How will I create income?
What happens if healthcare costs rise?
How should I think about taxes?
What do I want my days to look like?
How do I support the people and causes I care about?
What needs to be in place before life changes?

Think about your current plan. Is it built to last?

06/11/2026

Most rollover conversations focus on moving a 401(k) into an IRA.

This article outlines the reverse scenario, where pre-tax IRA assets may be moved into a current 401(k) under certain conditions.

For professionals who have changed employers multiple times, retirement accounts can accumulate in different places. Understanding that rollovers can move in more than one direction may provide additional planning considerations.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinmckenna/2026/01/27/reverse-rollover-pre-tax-ira-to-401k-transfers/?

Non-deductible IRA contributions can cause major headaches. Learn how a reverse rollover can avoid the pro-rata rule, simplify recordkeeping, and prevent double taxation.

06/05/2026

Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain used to be free.

Rome has now introduced a 2 euro fee, about $2.35, to access the lower basin where most of those iconic photos get taken.

The reason isn't to make money. It's crowd control.

The fountain has been overwhelmed by foot traffic for years, and the city is testing ways to protect both the monument and the experience of visiting it.

It's a small example of how travel keeps shifting:
• Famous landmarks are introducing reservations, timed entries, and small fees
• Cities like Venice are charging day-trippers to limit crowds
• Popular hikes and parks now require permits where they used to be open access
• Some beaches in Europe are limiting daily visitors

For travelers, that means a little more planning. For families saving for big trips, it also means budgets need to flex with the new normal of small fees that add up.

The world is still wide open. It just looks a little different than it used to.

06/03/2026

A bucket list without a budget is just a wish list.

Most people picture the moment but skip the math. They underestimate flights, food, hotels, the small stuff that adds up.

By the time the trip lands on the calendar, the plan has drifted past the original number.

A few things that can help:

1. Set a target dollar amount, not just a destination

2. Open a separate account so it doesn't blend in with everyday spending

3. Estimate higher than you think you'll need

4. Build the savings timeline before you book

Bucket list trips don't have to wait for "someday." They just need a plan that matches the dream.

Need help on your road to retirement? I'd be happy to help.

331.297.0173
[email protected]

05/29/2026

Everyone loves the idea of the open road. No one pictures the flat tire.

Then I think of the movie RV.

Robin Williams' character desparately wanting to spend quality time with his family and when work forces him to cancel their family Hawaii trip, he tries to make lemonade from those lemons for a little RV roadtrip.

And, of course, almost nothing goes according to plan.

The route gets messy.
The vehicle has issues.
The family gets frustrated.
The trip looks nothing like what he imagined.

It’s one of those comedies where the lesson is, “When good company is with you, the destination doesn’t matter.”

And it couldn’t be more true.

Travel in retirement is no different.

You can map out the trips you want to take, the places you want to see, and the family memories you want to make. But life still has a way of adding detours.

When I talk with clients about travel in retirement, we are not only talking about where they want to go. We are also talking about how those trips fit into thei roverall plan.

Before you hit the road in retirement, it can help to have a conversation about what those trips may look like beyond the itinerary.

331.297.0173
[email protected]