Andrew Doan, CFP, EA

08/27/2026

Somewhere in your 40s and 50s, something quiet happens. You're busier than ever — work, kids, aging parents, the daily grind — and yet you realize the deep friendships that used to feel effortless have slowly gotten harder to maintain. Or find.

You're not imagining it. Research shows that loneliness tends to rise steadily through midlife, and more and more adults are admitting they feel genuinely disconnected — even when surrounded by people every day.

Here's the part that surprised me: a large study of more than 270,000 people across nearly 100 countries found that friendships are actually a better predictor of happiness and health in older adulthood than relationships with family members.

We plan our finances for retirement. We think about our health. Friendship deserves the same intentionality.

https://medium.com/wise-well/why-its-so-hard-to-make-friends-after-40-49c34cf6ea9f

Feeling lonelier in your 40s or 50s? You’re not alone. Discover why midlife friendships matter more than ever—and how to rebuild meaningful connection.

08/25/2026

If you're raising kids and helping aging parents at the same time, you already know the feeling. There's a name for it: the sandwich generation. A new report from Care.com found that 82% of people in this situation feel financially strained and more than half have turned down a promotion or raise because of their dual caregiving responsibilities.

That's not just emotionally exhausting. That's a retirement planning issue that most people don't see coming. If this is your season of life, it's worth having a plan for it.

Care.com's 2026 Sandwich Generation Report: dual caregiving starts at age 34 on average and takes 24 hours a week. See the data on costs, careers and burnout.

08/20/2026

You've probably heard "don't go grocery shopping when you're hungry." Turns out the same principle applies to money more broadly — stress, sadness, celebration, and even boredom all quietly shape how, when, and why we spend.

Understanding your emotional triggers around money isn't soft advice. It's one of the most practical things you can do for your financial life. Really good short read on this.

www.jackson.com/your-financial-future/educational-resources/emotional-spending.html

08/18/2026

This one is worth sharing, especially if you have women in your life who are doing the lion's share of caregiving, career-pausing, or family financial juggling.

Women make up nearly 55% of Social Security recipients over age 62, but the average payment for women is about 21% less than for men. And because women tend to live longer, that gap compounds over time.

It's not a hopeless situation. There are real, specific strategies that help. But only if the conversation starts early enough.

Women tend to live longer but save less. Here’s how they can make their money go further.

08/13/2026

Here's the simplest version of a truth I share with clients all the time: starting retirement contributions at age 25 instead of 35 can turn the same lifetime contribution into more than double the outcome at age 65 — a gap of over $1 million driven entirely by compound growth.

The math doesn't care about excuses. It just cares about time. And the second best time to start is always today.

On a recent episode of The Money Guy Show titled “Even Smart People Make These Massive Money Mistakes,” co-host Bo Hanson framed the cost of procrastination in terms most savers have never seen laid out plainly: “They have the exact same amount of money in this, $225,000 each. They even have t...

08/12/2026

When income rises, it’s tempting to upgrade your lifestyle. But that can derail long-term goals. Instead, make it a habit to increase savings first whenever you get a raise or bonus. This simple shift helps your wealth grow as fast as your income, keeping you on track for bigger goals.

Want to create a plan that grows with you? Let’s connect.

08/11/2026

Money stress doesn't just affect your bank account. A new survey found that 43% of Americans worry about money multiple times a week and the average person loses three nights of sleep a month because of it. One in three say financial stress leads to arguments with their significant other.

That ripple effect into sleep, health, and relationships is something most financial conversations skip right over. But it's real and it's one of the reasons having a clear plan matters as much as having money in the account.

Americans spend the equivalent of 96 days a year worried about money, according to The Penny Hoarder's 2026 Financial Anxiety Barometer Report. Amid persistent inflation and economic instability, Americans worry often about money, the survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted in April 2026 found. And th...

08/06/2026

One of the most common things I hear from clients is "I'm going to claim Social Security early before it runs out." I understand the instinct. But it's based on a myth that could cost you significantly.

Social Security is not going broke. The worst-case scenario is a reduction in benefits, not elimination. Claiming early to "beat the system" often backfires.

This short Motley Fool piece clears up three of the most common misconceptions around filing. Worth a read before you make a decision you can't take back.

Buying into the wrong information could cost you.

08/04/2026

Back to school season is here — and if you have kids, you're probably feeling it in your wallet right now.

Here's something a lot of families don't know yet: 529 plans expanded significantly. The annual limit for K-12 expenses doubled to $20,000 per student starting in 2026, and funds can now be used for a broader range of expenses including curriculum materials and digital learning tools.

If you've been thinking a 529 is only for college, it's worth a second look.

Families can now use 529 funds for credentials, CE courses, and more K–12 costs under new federal law.

07/30/2026

After decades of saving and being financially disciplined, the hardest part for a lot of retirees isn't building the nest egg.

It's trusting themselves enough to actually spend it.

Many people hang on to a paycheck for years after they could have retired — not because they have to, but because letting go is harder than they expected. This list is worth a read whether you're 10 years from retirement or already there.

74% of retirees have financial regrets. These 15 planning mistakes are the most common, and every one of them is still fixable.