Blog
Dreams to Memories
It's taken me over 50 years to get to a place where I could consider traveling annually. My younger self had no reason to believe I would leave my American borders to travel, hunt, and fish. I certainly thought about it. As a matter...
Read MoreThe Natural Way of Things: The Problem with Domesticatoion
Have you ever heard someone say, "Well, haven't you become domesticated?" Or maybe it was, "he's become so domesticated." Is it a comment intended to be a compliment or a cheeky remark about becoming soft? In human history, the...
Read MoreHappy New Year!
Happy New Year! As we embark on a new year, you may know that I'm not much on New Year's resolutions. I realize it's all about good intentions, but if it was all that important, why wait for a new year to start? You see, that's...
Read MoreMy Holiday Wish for You - Believe!
For me, the theme this year has been one of belief. The last twenty-four months have brought me many firsts. And as I look ahead, I see more on the horizon. Some of which I could hardly imagine when I was in my teens, twenties, or...
Read MoreRequired Minimum Distributions from Inherited IRAs
On December 20, 2019, the SECURE Act was passed. Accompanied by a long list of other items, it attempted to address how required minimum distributions (RMDs) would be handled, starting with anyone passing away after January 1, 2020.
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Hunting Season: The Walk Back
There is something truly special about spending a cold, gray day in the woods during hunting season. Despite the chilly weather, being outdoors all day is an experience like no other.
Read MoreHerds & Natural Way of Things
What can we observe from this picture aside from a mere image description? For me, it’s a symbol of two things: a way of life, part of the circle of life that is in jeopardy not just in the Serengeti but in many other parts of the world.
Read MoreGrowing Your Financial Arsenal
What is in your financial arsenal? Just like having multiple guns in your safe, diversifying your financial portfolio is essential. It enables you to protect and grow your wealth. But why would you need another gun?
Read MoreThe Mayfly Project
Flyfishing in August in Western Pennsylvania may sound out of place. However, the regional Mayfly Project fundraiser is an excellent time of year. If there is an off-season for flyfishing guides in Southwest PA, the dog days of...
Read MoreEmbracing Natural Transitions
Transitions come in all shapes and sizes—some sudden, like the immediate awareness of driving off the pavement and onto a gravel road. For me, that usually means I'm heading for a better place. Or maybe it's the rough transition...
Read MoreWhat Are You Worth?
I have asked it before, and I'm sure I'll ask it repeatedly. What is the value of your time? Very few people know. Sure, everyone says, "My time is valuable," particularly when they're upset and in a hurry. But that's usually nothing...
Read MoreTimes Have Changed, And So Have Our Expectations
I still wear a suit to the office. Not every day, but on the days I'm going to see a client. I've heard other Advisors say, "My clients don't expect me to wear a suit anymore." This statement is yet another example of how we get what...
Read MoreMoney and Emotion
Can you recall a time when you purchased something you didn't need? It probably happened yesterday. It's ok. You can be honest and know you're not alone. It's safe to say that most Americans enjoy a comparatively high standard of...
Read MoreThe Debt Ceiling Crisis Production
Like it or not, if you watch TV, cable or otherwise, and tune in to the news, you have purchased your ticket to today's show. Whether you like theater or not, you're watching. Everything that is happening around us becomes exaggerated!...
Read MorePLAN: To Intentionally Shape Your Future
Last month, I shared a blog and video about BPG Planning’s Build Phase that focused on your time allocation and vision for your life’s future. PLAN is the second phase of the planning process, and the focus shifts to your...
Read MoreVision Building
Why? Poor Vision = Poor decision. Vision building is about allocating your most precious asset, your time. It only makes sense to start at the beginning, but, as Stephen Covey said, with the end in mind. Living intentionally requires...
Read MoreBUILD: A Plan That Intentionally Shapes Your Future
Happy New Year! It is that time of year when most of us begin to set goals and intentions for the year. We start laying the foundation for the year and begin building. An important piece of planning that most people need to consider is...
Read MoreGift Your Presence to Someone this Holiday (Be Present)!
Gift Your Presence to Someone this Holiday!It's amazing that the change in the calendar can bring about such a collective change in moods. 'Tis the season," of many things. Things like decorations, libations, celebrations, and giving...
Read MoreBear Markets and Bears
I find many parallels and lessons when comparing economics and markets to the natural world, which means Mother Nature. Think about how Economists talk about market patterns, behavior, and predictions and compare that to how...
Read MoreRMD Calculation and QCDs
We recently shared some important information about “What You Should Know About RMDs” and making sense of them. Part two of this video series discusses RMD calculations and QCDs (qualified charitable distributions).Brian...
Read MoreThe BPG Philosophy - Time Is Your Most Valuable Asset
At BPG Planning, we believe your time is your most valuable asset, and we strive to see that our clients are fully involved in life, creating their future by living intentionally. We partner with you to help you achieve this by...
Read MoreThis is not your Father’s Stock Market
We have all heard the saying, “Times Change.” When it comes to the stock market its always one of those times. Over the past 20 plus years we have seen the tech bubble burst, a terrorist attack that sent the country and...
Read MoreVison – living intentionally
“If you don’t prioritize your life someone else will.” We have all had things in our lives that have or are currently influencing our behavior. Whether it’s a person, a substance, or an activity, it’s...
Read MoreFinancial Planning
What is Financial Planning? We’ll in 1999 it was an industry buzz word. And since that time the financial services industry as well as what financial planning looks like has changed. In the early years several large, well...
Read MoreTime is an Asset
The intrinsic value of all time is the same. How we perceive and experience each moment can greatly influence how we feel about our time. As humans our resource of time is finite. Unlike our currency, you can’t print more time....
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