We live in a world of almost constant communication, yet we face an epidemic of loneliness. This dichotomy of an ever-increasing means of connection and decreasing feeling of community has led to multi-generational isolation. Last year, the American Medical Association identified loneliness as a public health issue. In a 2023 Gallup poll, 24 percent of young adults report feeling lonely and in a similar poll by the Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy one in three adults aged 50–80 (34%) reported feeling isolated from others. Eleanor Rigby, the titular character in Paul McCartney and John Lenon’s classic 1966 tune, would have plenty of company today. She’d also have plenty of concerns. A study released this week from the Harvard School of Public Health noted that adults older than 50 years who report experiencing persistently high levels of loneliness have a 56% increased risk for stroke. Previous studies have linked loneliness to other health risks including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, anxiety, depression and memory issues. Fortunately, we have plenty of ways to combat loneliness. Some of them are as simple as a phone call, text or letter. July 11 is National Cheer Up the Lonely Day and we can think of several ways to celebrate it. Organize a simple neighborhood potluck. Reach out to an old friend. Pop a couple of “I’m thinking of You” cards into the mail. Plan an outing for one of your regular group chats. Invite someone you know to volunteer with you at a local charity. One small step out of your comfort zone can lead to giant leaps away from loneliness. Invite someone to take a class with you, see a show, watch a ballgame or take a walk. Most people have really interesting stories to tell if you treat yourself to a conversation with them. Let’s work hard on this year’s “Cheer up the Lonely Day” so we can render next year’s obsolete.
The best advice our fathers gave us
We’re big advocates for (and providers of) formal financial education. Classes, books, blogs, and podcasts all offer great opportunities to learn about how to make, save, grow and spend your money. We don’t think anyone should ever stop learning. We also know that we learn some of the most important lessons before we even leave our childhood homes. In honor of Father’s Day, here are some of the lessons our staff has learned from their dads: Kris Kersten To put money aside every month in a different account for Christmas, a car or a vacation, so you have it available when you are ready to use it and not go in debt! Tanya Winch Pay your bills on time; under almost all circumstances, do not purchase property with an ARM loan; be curious and aware of Uncle Sam’s tax rules; find work you love and/or learn to like the work you are given and, most importantly, be a conscientious & good steward of all you are blessed with. Sam Winch Spend less than you make. Christian Peterson When I was just out of college my father said to me, “Start now saving 10% of your salary and you will retire a millionaire.” (and a million dollars back then was a lot more money than it is now!) Sandy Shultz My dad always had another job in addition to his full-time job teaching…he saved that money he made from his part-time gigs to pay extra money on the mortgage and would use it for fun things (vacation, boat, etc). He still calls it his “left pocket money!” Beth Gorr Always have a safety net of a few months of bills – you never know when you are going to need it. No one can take away what you put upstairs. And don’t put off what you can do today to tomorrow. Matt Weyers No one can take away what you put… | Read More »
Happy #MakingLifeBeautiful day!
I don’t think you have to look far to see people Making Life Beautiful every day. There’s the crossing guard who shows up promptly every sometimes sunny, often windy, occasionally downright grisly day to guide little people across busy streets. They are an oasis of calm in their frenzied world. Reliability makes life beautiful. There’s the boss who regularly buys flowers for his whole staff. The flowers come from a client, who grows them in a garden near her house. Flowers make life beautiful and so does the generosity of people who share them. And how about the smiley people at the corner gas station? Friendliness makes life beautiful. Co-workers who define their job as both their own daily duties and anything else anyone needs at any time – cheerful industry makes life beautiful. So do staff members who tell jokes, offer interesting articles, thoroughly proofread the items you ask them to, bring treats, man the router, handle challenges so smoothly no one ever knows they happened, host the weekly staff meetings, prepare the reports, meet with the clients so enthusiastically their appointments sound like parties. Here’s to the parents, grandparents, coaches, summer school teachers, playground leaders, camp counselors, daycare workers, ice cream scoopers, lifeguards, doctors, dance instructors, babysitters and everyone else making life beautiful for children and their caregivers this summer. We salute the sandcastle builders, rock painters, bird feeders, mural artists, garden planters, lemonade pourers, popsicle freezers, sidewalk chalk drawers, bubble blowers, rainbow spotters, dandelion crown makers, song writers, music makers, produce sharers, compliment givers who make this world, and especially this season, so precious and beautiful. Happy #MakingLifeBeautiful day!
Sandy Shultz named to the LPL Ambassador Council
Sandy Shultz from Winch Financial, based in Appleton, Wisconsin, announces that she has been named by LPL Financial as a new member of the LPL Ambassador Council Program. Sandy is one of 60 members selected from among nearly 23,000 LPL advisors and institution leaders nationwide for one of three councils designated by the members’ affiliation with LPL. The Ambassador Council serves as a voice for LPL’s broader advisor base and helps deepen relationships with a diverse cross-section of highly dedicated financial professionals. These earnest and respected individuals serve as valuable and well-informed extended community advocates for LPL. Ambassador Council members are important assets to LPL, closely connected to LPL’s strategic roadmap and key executives – sharing their industry experience, offering beneficial feedback and supporting peers by affiliation type. Council members serve a multi-year term and attend a series of in-person meetings during their tenure. They also contribute through year-round ad hoc participation supporting LPL media relations opportunities and other communications, events and initiatives, and by connecting with LPL colleagues on an ongoing basis to ensure their perspectives are brought forward. About Winch Financial Founded in 1981, Winch Financial has developed an education-based, client-centric approach to retirement planning. With an in-house investment management team and dedicated insurance and tax management departments, we offer a unique combination of real wealth management and financial planning. We take the time to build a long-term relationship with each client and, together, we design an action plan to meet each unique goal. About LPL Financial LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) was founded on the principle that LPL should work for advisors and institutions, and not the other way around. Today, LPL is a leader in the markets we serve, serving nearly 23,000 financial advisors, including advisors at approximately 1,100 institutions and at approximately 570 registered investment advisor (“RIA”) firms nationwide. We are steadfast in our commitment to the advisor-mediated model and the belief that Americans… | Read More »
Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting lived up to its hype
Last weekend, we had the opportunity to attend the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. “Woodstock for Capitalists” is a bucket list item for many investors and we finally crossed this epic event off our lists. For as long as we can remember, our Investment Team has discussed traveling to Omaha to take part in the Annual Shareholder’s Meeting and have the chance to see and hear Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger in person. Of course, our trip was one year too late, as Munger passed away in November, just one month short of his 100th birthday. It was the first time any of us had been to Omaha and we thought it would be fitting to have lunch at Buffett’s favorite steakhouse, Gorat’s. Gorat’s isn’t fancy or modern, but reservations were hard to come by and the restaurant was filled with Berkshire Hathaway shareholders from around the world. A cut-out of Buffett is just inside the door and we could tell why he likes this place so much. Since Gorat’s is a popular destination in Omaha, they added lunchtime hours to accommodate more people and featured a special menu on Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders weekend, complete with commemorative merchandise. The scheduled activities started on Friday afternoon with the Shareholder Shopping Day at the CHI Health Center, which featured unique products from Berkshire Hathaway companies including Benjamin Moore, BNSF Railway, Duracell, GEICO, Jazwares, International Dairy Queen, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Oriental Trading, Pampered Chef, Pilot Company and See’s Candies. We explored the exhibits, enjoying $1.00 treats from Dairy Queen, taking pictures of the Marmon Wasp, cutouts of Buffett in his Pampered Chef apron, and Buffett and Munger outside the Borsheim’s store. CHI Health Center was also home to the Shareholders Meeting and because of our proximity, we could walk to the arena Saturday morning. While the meeting didn’t start until 8:45 am, our adventure started before sunrise as… | Read More »