We heard from a listener who has managed their own money for years and done well. So why would they need an advisor now that retirement is around the corner?

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Website: https://crystallaketax.com/

Phone Number: 815-526-3092

A new proposal out of Washington is adding a fresh angle to the Social Security solvency debate. Today, we're breaking down what's proposed, if it might cost you money in the future, and what questions it raises for anyone planning around Social Security right now.

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Website: https://crystallaketax.com/

Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Financial media loves simple answers: always do this or never do that. But real financial planning doesn’t work that way. Most of the biggest decisions people face in retirement live in the gray.

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Website: https://crystallaketax.com/

Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Everyone’s got an opinion about money (especially the people with a book deal or a TV show). Some of that advice is useful. Some of it sounds better on a stage than it works in real life. Let’s break it down.

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Website: https://crystallaketax.com/

Phone Number: 815-526-3092

There’s no shortage of financial advice out there, and unfortunately, not all of it is good. Some of the most damaging retirement mistakes don’t come from reckless behavior, but from ideas that sound reasonable and get repeated often enough to feel true. Today, we’re busting some of the most common retirement planning myths and explaining why believing them can quietly derail an otherwise solid plan.

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Website: https://crystallaketax.com/

Phone Number: 815-526-3092

After a year marked by volatility, uncertainty, and more than a few economic curveballs, it’s understandable if optimism doesn’t come easily. But at least one economist is arguing that the outlook for 2026 may be brighter than many people expect.

Allison Schrager's Article: https://www.fa-mag.com/news/five-reasons-to-be-optimistic-about-the-2026-economy-85324.html?section=68

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Website: https://crystallaketax.com/

Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Nothing will mess with your financial confidence faster than comparing your savings to your brother, your coworkers, or that guy on YouTube who claims he retired at 35. Your retirement number isn’t a competition. Let’s talk about what really matters when you’re trying to figure out if you’re behind on your savings goals…and what to do if you actually are.

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Website: https://crystallaketax.com/

Phone Number: 815-526-3092

A lot happened in 2025… Big political swings, stubborn inflation, new tax rules, and even a historic government shutdown. But what actually matters for your financial life? Today, we’re breaking down the year’s biggest headlines and what they may mean for your plan moving forward.

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Website: https://crystallaketax.com/

Phone Number: 815-526-3092