Tenured Wealth Management of Raymond James

07/17/2026

I spent last week in Colorado with Bridget and our two daughters at the Raymond James Summer Development Conference in Denver, and I came home feeling deeply grateful.

It is not often that a company brings together colleagues and families from all over the country in a way that feels this genuine.

For me, that was the heart of the week. We had a wonderful time together as a family, and I also came away energized by the time spent learning alongside fellow advisors.

The breakout sessions were thoughtful, practical, and encouraging. Just as meaningful was the chance to reconnect with old friends from different parts of the country and spend time with people who care deeply about serving others well.

One quote stayed with me all week: "We rise by lifting others."

I saw that spirit show up again and again in Colorado:

Generosity from colleagues willing to share their time and perspective

Collaboration that made every conversation more meaningful

A sincere willingness to support one another and share wisdom

That kind of culture does not happen by accident. It is built over time, through relationships, shared values, and leaders who set the tone.

That is why it was especially meaningful to recognize Tom James and his extraordinary 60 years with the firm.

It was a powerful reminder of the values and culture that continue to define Raymond James.

I left Denver with renewed energy and a deeper appreciation for the people who make this journey so rewarding.

I am thankful for the memories my family made, and for the kind of culture that gives all of us something meaningful to grow with together.

07/16/2026

The Iran conflict's ripple effects could have lasting implications. Read more about how the oil supply disruption could influence policymakers, businesses and consumers in the long term:

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07/15/2026

Two of the people I golfed with last month at Northville's inaugural outing for the high school golf teams weren't sure they wanted to hire me when we first met.

That's how it usually goes. First meetings often consist of careful questions and a little distance, both sides working out whether it's a fit.

I couldn't tell you the day that changed. There wasn't a single moment. Our regular meetings just kept happening year after year, and at some point, the two of them stopped being just people I advised and became people who'd call for a Saturday morning tee time.

If you've spent years working with the same people, you don't decide to become friends. You look up one day and find that you already have.

That's the part of this work I didn't expect when I was first getting started. I spend my days helping people plan for a future they can't quite picture yet, and every so often, I look up and some of it's already arrived.

07/13/2026

You built your whole career at one university, and you earned your full professorship there. The 403(b) you've contributed to all along is less a line on your paycheck now than the retirement it's been building toward.

After you turn 50, you get to set aside more than the usual yearly limit. That extra room is your catch-up contribution, and it's built for exactly the stretch you're in now.

Without much fanfare, a new federal rule changed one thing about it: once your income clears $150,000, your catch-up has to go in after tax as a Roth contribution. That rule's in effect now, whether you teach at a private institution or a public one.

What you may not realize is that there's a second catch-up underneath that one, and this new rule doesn't apply to it. It's the part of the plan meant for people who stay put throughout their careers.

Fifteen years with the same employer, and you can set aside up to $3,000 more a year. And, that money gets counted first, before the age-related catch-up. Because of the order, it stays pre-tax no matter what you earn.

Your plan has to offer it, though, so before you set this year's contributions, a quick look at your plan documents or a note to HR will confirm it. It's the one part of your catch-up the change left in your hands.

07/10/2026

Members of the Raymond James Investment Strategy Committee share their views on the markets, the economy and key themes that are impacting investors.

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07/07/2026

Should I manage my own investments?

Managing your own investments can be one of the smartest choices you make, if you truly have the right mix of knowledge, discipline, and time.

A lot of people ask whether they should hire a financial advisor or handle things themselves.

In my view, plenty of people can do a perfectly good job on their own, and for them, paying someone else may not make sense.

The better question is whether you are actually set up to do it well.

I usually start with three questions.

1. Do I have the expertise?

A solid portfolio should be low-cost, globally diversified, and rebalanced from time to time so your allocation stays aligned with your goals.

With enough research, you may be able to build that on your own. But investing mistakes can be expensive, and sometimes the cost of getting it wrong is much higher than people expect.

2. Do I have the discipline?

This is where things tend to get harder. It is easy to feel confident when markets are rising.

It is much harder to stay the course during temporary declines or long stretches where your portfolio seems to go nowhere.

Emotional decisions made at the wrong time can do lasting damage to a retirement plan.

3. Do I have the time?

Investment management takes time at every stage. It takes time to research what you own and why you own it.

It takes time to make adjustments along the way. And later in life, it often gets more complicated, especially when required minimum distributions enter the picture.

If you can honestly say yes to all three, you may be a strong candidate to manage your own investments.

Over the years, I have met many people who do exactly that and do it well.

For them, an ongoing advisory fee would feel unnecessary.

At the same time, I often see capable people choose to work with an advisor anyway.

They want the burden off their shoulders. They want help making decisions, and they do not want to second-guess every move.

There is real peace of mind in knowing someone trustworthy is looking out for you, and for your spouse if you are no longer here to do it yourself.

There is no universally right answer, only the one that fits your family best.

If you want help thinking through that decision, I'm happy to talk it through with you.

07/04/2026

A quarter millennium of big dreams.
Happy Fourth of July!

07/02/2026

For business owners, stepping away from your business and entering retirement can be a significant shift.

After years of building, leading, and creating value, stepping away can leave a gap in both structure and purpose. This shift in identity makes it even more important to intentionally build a lifestyle that supports your health, passions, and sense of meaning.

Whether it's starting an encore venture, mentoring others, giving back, or focusing on relationships, there are many ways to create fulfillment in this next phase.

I'm sharing a Thrive Guide with ideas and inspiration—and if you'd like help turning those ideas into a plan that fits your life and aligns with your finances, I'd be happy to connect.

raymondjames.com

07/01/2026

You teach in a system older than the state itself.

The Land Ordinance of 1785 set aside land in every township across the territory to fund public schools. That was more than 50 years before Michigan became a state, while the area was still mostly native forest.

When I moved here at seventeen from Albania, that's the kind of long-term planning that really caught my eye. It's such a deliberate, forward-thinking way to build community: funding the classroom before the town even exists.

Your public pension is the modern extension of that same commitment.

The building you walked into Monday morning might be brand new (or over 150 years old, like the Wood School in Bangor); either way, the state's agreement to help fund your retirement has been the backbone of every Michigan public school for generations.

This Saturday, the country turns 250. Public education here has been part of the American project from almost the very beginning.

Happy 250th, and thank you for adding so much to such an extraordinary legacy!

06/30/2026

The road to peace with Iran continued to hold the attention of cautious investors last month, as the outlook for oil price stability and its impact on global markets loomed over an otherwise strong economy. Get the details in the June market recap:

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