P1 Financial Planning and Wealth Strategies

08/08/2026

Your financial future is calling. Develop a strategy for your investments today.

Don't let procrastination keep you from pursuing your financial dreams and goals.

08/07/2026

Hard to believe we have a freshman in high school this year!

Back-to-school season always seems to come with a longer list than expected. School supplies. New shoes. Lunch accounts. Sports fees. Activity costs. And somehow, at least one thing we were certain still fit no longer does. As a parent, I’m reminded every year that planning is not about predicting every expense perfectly. It is about creating enough margin that the unexpected does not immediately become stressful. This season can be a helpful time to review the family budget, upcoming fall expenses, and any automatic savings or debt-payment goals that may need a temporary adjustment. That is not failure. It is planning. Good stewardship means giving every dollar a purpose while still leaving room for real life. A strong financial foundation should support the people we love, not make us feel guilty when their needs change.

What fall expense tends to surprise your family every year?

08/06/2026

I can fill an entire day with emails, meetings, follow-ups, and a long checklist...and still wonder what actually moved forward. Today’s economic report gave that thought a broader context. During the second quarter, U.S. business productivity increased at a 1.4% annualized rate. Output rose 1.7%, while hours worked increased only 0.3%. In simple terms, more was accomplished without simply adding more time.

Financial planning can work the same way. More accounts, more activity, and more complexity do not automatically create more progress. Sometimes the most meaningful step is simpler: consistently saving, reducing unnecessary debt, reviewing protection, or reconnecting the plan to the people and purposes it is meant to serve. Good stewardship is not about staying busy with money. It is about using our resources intentionally.

What is one financial task that could create real progress this week?

U.S. worker productivity grew faster than expected in the second quarter and further gains are likely ​as businesses invest in artificial intelligence, which is expected ‌to keep wage inflation contained.

08/06/2026

Wondering how much to set aside for college? Use this calculator to get a clearer picture of what you may need to save and when to start.

08/05/2026

The older I get, the more I appreciate that good financial planning rarely comes from one big decision. It's usually the result of dozens of small, intentional ones made consistently over time. That's especially true when it comes to retirement planning. While it's easy to focus on investment returns, I've found that many of the most meaningful conversations with clients begin with a much simpler question:

"Am I taking advantage of the opportunities available to me today?"

For 2026, retirement contribution limits have increased. Some of the changes won't apply to everyone, but they create a good reminder to review your plan rather than letting another year pass on autopilot.

Our Tower Planning Process has never been about chasing the next big thing. It's about building intentionally—one layer at a time, with clarity, strength, and purpose. Sometimes the best financial decision isn't dramatic. It's simply making sure you're still building.

08/04/2026

Leasing a car? Consider gap insurance to protect against losses that may not be covered by your current policy.

If you’re thinking of leasing a new car, then you shouldn’t forget about gap insurance.

08/04/2026

One thing I try to teach my kids is that making a mistake does not make you a failure, but hiding it can make the problem harder to solve. Unfortunately, scammers understand the embarrassment people often feel after losing money. The FTC issued a warning this week about “recovery scammers.” They contact people who have already been victimized and claim they can recover the lost money, usually in exchange for an upfront fee or sensitive financial information. If this happens to you or someone you love, slow down. Do not pay an unexpected caller. Verify the organization independently, and talk with someone you trust before taking another step.

Good financial planning is not only about growing money. It is also about creating relationships where people feel safe asking for help when something goes wrong. There should be no shame in speaking up.

They’re the worst of the absolute worst: scams that target people who have already lost money to a scam. If you or someone you know paid a scammer, here’s what to know to avoid scammers who pretend to be helpers.

08/03/2026

Unexpected expenses are not unusual. The Federal Reserve’s latest household survey found that 59% of adults experienced at least one major, unexpected expense during the previous year. Vehicle repairs were the most common, followed by home or appliance repairs and major medical expenses. Yet only 63% said they could cover a hypothetical $400 emergency expense using cash, savings, or a credit card paid in full at the next statement. That is why emergency savings belong near the base of a financial plan—not as an afterthought. The right reserve will look different for every household, but the purpose is consistent: to create breathing room when life does not follow the plan. Building financial strength is not only about pursuing growth. It is also about preparing faithfully, protecting the people who depend on us, and making thoughtful decisions before the unexpected arrives.

08/01/2026

As an investor, you’ll encounter times when volatility picks up and markets cycle lower. But if you’re approaching retirement, you may need to consider how a down-market could impact your next chapter.

07/31/2026

The latest employment data offers a helpful reminder: earning more does not always mean being able to afford more. Private-sector wages and salaries increased 3.1% over the past year, but after accounting for inflation, their purchasing power declined 0.4%. Meanwhile, the latest household data showed a personal saving rate of 2.7% in June. This is why financial planning cannot focus only on income. As costs change, it is worth reviewing how much of each paycheck is going toward necessities, debt, savings, protection, and long-term goals. Small, intentional adjustments may be more sustainable than waiting for the next raise to solve the problem.

A strong financial foundation is not built by what we earn alone, but by how purposefully we manage what has been entrusted to us.

Personal income increased $54.9 billion (0.2 percent at a monthly rate) in June, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).