St. Croix Insights Blog | Financial Planning Articles

What is Halloween?

What is Halloween? Why do we dress up in silly costumes and knock on the doors of strangers with expectations of free treats? Why do we intentionally surround ourselves with spooky stuff? How did it all begin?

9 Must-Do Activities in Minnesota this Fall

by Brett Anderson | Family

Get out and enjoy the fall season throughout the twin Cities area. There’s plenty to do and plenty of fun! to have.

Dream Board Session

by Brett Anderson | Budgeting, Financial Advisor, Financial Planning, vlog

What are your goals? What does your dream life look like? We are going to explore the concept of dream boards.

How Much to Spend on a Wedding Gift

by Brett Anderson | Budgeting, Family, Financial Planning, Simplicity

It’s something we’ve all thought about when invited to celebrate that special day – how much to spend on a wedding gift.

9 Unique Father’s Day Gift Ideas

by Brett Anderson | Budgeting, Family, Simplicity

It’s not to say your previous Father’s Day gifts have not been appreciated, but it’s time to buy into the idea of a Unique Father’s Day Gift. Here are 9 different gift ideas.

Ways You Know You Have Too Much Stuff

by Brett Anderson | Family, Simplicity

Man…the older I get……when I look at all the stuff I’ve gathered over the years, I can’t believe it. Wife, 2 kids, dog (he’s the only minimalist in the family) and myself. We’ve packed our entire house up and we have been working on downsizing.

5 Steps on how to travel for less

by Brett Anderson | Family, Retirement, Retirement Strategies

I have a bucket list of travel; those go to places I want to get to before I die. We have a calendar outlining when we’d like to go to various places. When you are in your working years, you don’t always have time to get away …

RIP – Big Guy 3/7/2018

by Brett Anderson | Family

You know what I’m talking about….it’s never good news when your phone rings at 2:30 in the morning. No one is calling to invite you to breakfast, but I wished that was the call I received this week.

Disney World – 5 ways to improve your Disney experience

by Brett Anderson | Family

The most magical place on the earth, people are patient and polite. Or maybe they are just like me, hiding it because we can’t believe we agreed to go.

Here are 5 tips to make your 2018 tax season better than 2017

by Brett Anderson | Financial Advisor, Financial Planning, Financial Services

Uncle Sam comes collecting taxes; again. One of my measures in life is how soon I have to write out another check. You know what I’m talking about.

Financial Simplicity – becoming empty nesters

by Brett Anderson | Personal Finance, Retirement, Retirement Strategies

Sometimes even the shoemaker needs new shoes. With my kids getting older and one living in Texas, our life continues to change as the kids get older. One thing I’ve noticed as the kids get older, so do I. Aging is a privilege but I’m not a fan of getting old and at times I think I’m in my late 20’s (you can stop laughing!).

Certified Financial Planner & Fiduciary – What’s the difference

by Brett Anderson | Financial Advisor, Financial Planning

It’s a great question I receive a few times a week; what is a Certified Financial Planner? I have a financial planner, but they are not certified? I keep hearing this term also; fiduciary. What does that even mean?

Why limit ourselves to only 52 Saturdays a year?

by Brett Anderson | Personal Finance, Retirement, Retirement Strategies

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my profession, but I can’t wait to enjoy 365 Saturdays’ a year. Saturday’s to me represents freedom. Freedom to pick and choose what I want to do. Not what I have to do to pay the bills. For many individuals I meet with, one major worry on their minds is that they’ll be bored in their retirement years. We’ve worked for 30, 40 or 50 years.

4 Steps on how to afford college – High School graduation is in the air.

by Brett Anderson | Budgeting, Financial Planning

How to afford college? I’m not worried about having to pay $10,000, $15,000 or $30,000 each year for four or five years for my kids to attend college. I used to worry about having to save or pay for college. I don’t anymore. My perspective completely changed based on my personal experience that wasn’t even related to paying for college.

How to Hire a Divorce Attorney

by Brett Anderson | Family, Financial Advisor, Financial Planning

How to hire a divorce attorney? So, you are contemplating a divorce, or your spouse just announced they wanted a divorce? Going through a divorce can be financially expensive and emotionally stressful. But does it have to be financially stressful and expensive; I say no. Yet for many going through a divorce, they want or need to hire a divorce attorney.

3 Key Steps for women to manage your money and investments after a divorce

by Brett Anderson | Family, Financial Planning, Personal Finance

One major reality for many women who have experienced a divorced is learning to manage their money and investments. It seems for many couples I meet with, one spouse takes the lead on paying the bills, making investments and financial retirement decisions. Before you finalize your divorce or even if your divorce is finalized, here are three key steps to take.

How to Save a Million Dollars

by Brett Anderson | Financial Advisor, Financial Planning, Financial Services

Everyone I encounter is a millionaire…including you, even though your checking account doesn’t show it today. Doubtful? Let me prove it to you!

Women: Three ways to recover financially from a divorce

by Brett Anderson | Family, Financial Planning, Personal Finance

It’s not surprising these days when I receive a phone call from female clients looking to review their financial options before or after a divorce. Each has some common themes: “Will I be Ok financially?” “Can I afford to keep my home?”

Values, money and financial planning

by Brett Anderson | Financial Planning

The other day, I attended the Minnesota Men’s Breakfast in Naples, Florida. The CEO of Cargill spoke about his organization and what the consumer is demanding from its food providers and suppliers. He talked about values-based food, where it came from, how it’s grown, GMO or not, etc. Today, consumers are demanding a personal connection and relationship with their food and grower. That got me thinking about my clients, their money and values toward financial planning.

Advantages of retiring to Florida

by Brett Anderson | Financial Advisor, Financial Services, Personal Finance, Retirement, Retirement Strategies

Sure, we all have some very obvious reasons to retire in Florida; Sun, warm weather, no estate or income taxes. From my perspective, how many more reasons do you need? As I write this on a Saturday night, watching playoff football, tomorrow morning’s low will be 43 degrees (No, that’s no typo) here in Naples, Florida. Down here they consider that cold.

How much to spend on a wedding gift?

by Brett Anderson | Budgeting, Family, Personal Finance

It’s exciting when you receive that wedding invitation in the mail. You open it with anticipation wondering when’s the date, time and location. Can you make it? Can you find a sitter? What should you wear?