James A Moore - Advisory Services - Planning Alliance

10/27/2026

Early in my career, I thought was mostly a math problem. After decades of advising clients, I know better.

After reviewing a recent workplace benefits study, these stats jumped off the page:

- 34% of retirees said they didn’t expect to feel so bored or to miss their careers.
- 27% were surprised by the loneliness or by how little time they spent with family.

And loneliness isn’t only an emotional issue. It’s linked to higher risks of heart disease, depression and dementia.

Last week, I shared a post about business owners feeling emotionally conflicted about life post-exit. When it comes to developing sustained happiness in retirement, the steps to follow are like those adhered to by owners after their exit:

- Lean into friendships outside of work
- Discuss your hopes and dreams with those closest to you, especially a spouse or primary loved one
- Decide what you’re passionate about and align those interests with new routines

Stats like the ones above may evoke fear but I’d encourage you to consider them a wakeup call to action. A fulfilling retirement is something you can design, and it’s never too early to start.

10/23/2026

Ideally, a successful business exit will result in overall prolonged happiness. That is the ideal and it isn’t always the case.

When a business owner’s entire identity is wrapped up in being a business owner, post-exit life can be emotionally harrowing.

I’ve spoken with owners vulnerable enough to share that they feel a sense of loss they never saw coming, and some feel lost in a way they’re embarrassed to admit, because on paper they did everything right.

For decades, the business gave them purpose, structure, status and most of their friendships. Now that the business is gone, those things go with it.

The good news is it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are some steps owners can take well before the sale that can set them up for a fulfilling second act:

✅ Keep a running list of things you’re curious about, with no deadlines.

✅ Write down what you’d regret not doing in the next 1, 3 and 5 years, then turn each item into a real goal.

✅ Build friendships and routines apart from the company.

✅ Talk it through with your primary loved one. This change reshapes the whole household.

A financial plan tells you whether you can retire. It doesn’t tell you who you’ll be when you do. That part deserves a plan too.

10/16/2026

It's no surprise that many American workers are behind on their retirement savings. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the numbers, it's important to take a deep breath and assess where you are to plan for where you want to end up. I like the road trip analogy in this article from Park Avenue Wealth Management and reading it won't produce any pain at the pump. ⛽

Discover key strategies to avoid running out of retirement income. Learn about longevity, market, and inflation risks—and how to plan a secure, sustainable retirement journey with guidance from Park Avenue Securities.

10/13/2026

Are you better at making money or keeping it?

Most retirement advice focuses on the accumulation phase, which is mainly about three things:

- Save more

- Invest wisely

- Compound returns

But what about the other half of the equation? The distribution phase should account for a wide range of strategies as well as different risks, priorities, and planning.

What's your plan for turning your retirement savings into sustainable income?

10/07/2026

Losing a top performer costs more than most business owners realize, often more than double an employee’s salary. Turnover is something most employers will eventually face, but having a framework to keep great people on your team should be part of your overall strategy for long-term growth. Great insights here from ASBN Small Business Network .

Retention expert David Alemian shares how tying benefits to long-term goals helps businesses reduce turnover and keep top talent.

10/02/2026

Though Life Insurance Awareness Month ended on the 30th, there is no end to the need for conversation around this important protection asset. So, let’s extend it. Here’s an answer to the final question in this series:

How much personal life insurance do you already have?

Many people have some coverage through work and may not realize it's often not enough and usually doesn't follow you if you change jobs. Families that are dependent on one income don’t always consider the stay-at-home partner – parent or not – as a financial asset to cover. Then there’s the gig economy workforce that relies on 1099 income. Sole proprietors and self-employed professionals don’t have the employer life insurance policy as a benefit.

Trying to calculate the type of coverage you may need and can afford can be complicated. It’s worth a conversation. DM me or share a comment if you would like to start that discussion.

09/30/2026

How much would you like to set aside for an emergency fund?

This is the 6th question in our 7-question Life Insurance Awareness Month. It’s true that life doesn't pause for grief. The death benefit can enable loved ones to cover the unexpected, without dipping into savings or going into debt while they're still processing the loss. But there’s more that permanent can do, particularly when you consider a policy’s cash value. The following details 10 ways to use as a living benefit.

09/28/2026

College costs keep climbing every year. This includes community college and trade schools. Being able to pay for tuition and all that comes with it is one of the biggest financial goals parents have in caring for their kids. This brings us to the 5th question in our 7-question Life Insurance Awareness Month series:

How many children will need college funding?

Beyond the primary death benefit, whole life insurance policies provide the living benefit of accrued cash value. This is a great article on how permanent life insurance can complement 529 plans, grow flexible cash value, and help families manage rising college costs while preserving financial aid options.

How can permanent life insurance help when saving for college?

09/24/2026

Childcare can be an enormous expense for parents. This goes beyond a daycare facility. This includes daily school pickups, after-school activities, health care, groceries, and more.

Now imagine if you were to pass away leaving your child’s other parent or guardian with those costs to shoulder on their own. This brings us to the 4th question in our 7-question Life Insurance Awareness Month series:

How much would you like to provide for childcare?

can help cover these and other costs that pertain to childcare. No one wants to contemplate these scenarios but doing so is a part of parenthood.

This can be a difficult conversation but a necessary one.

09/22/2026

In keeping with my love of football and my passion for educating others on the importance of , here’s a graphic I shared last year that puts a creative spin on the value of coverage.