St. Croix Insights Blog | Financial Planning Articles

Do Business with Good People: Life Lesson 45 of 50

We all have choices, including the choice to do business with good people. Why waste valuable time with those who don’t have your best interest at heart?

Broke vs. Poor – Life Lesson 44 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family, Personal Finance, Simplicity

We often say “poor” when what we mean is “broke.” Broke simply means being without material comforts; poor is a serious life-threatening condition.

Share Your Blessings by Giving Back: Life Lesson 43 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Estate Planning, Family, Simplicity

We’ve all been blessed in our life, whether we realize it or not. Want to increase your quality of life? Share your blessings with the people around you.

Shit Happens: Life Lesson 42 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family, Financial Planning

We can prepare as much as possible, but we can’t predict everything. This is real life: shit happens, and sometimes all we can do is roll with the punches.

Your Money or Your Life? – Life Lesson 41 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family, Financial Planning, Retirement, Retirement Strategies

Every choice we make influences the direction of our lives. Many of these choices boil down to the same basic question: What’s more important, your money or your life?

The Benefits of Having Children – Life Lesson 40 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family

The Benefits of Having Children BY BRETT ANDERSON/ST.CROIX ADVISORS, LLC Photo by Ben White Our messy, beautiful lives are filled with many blessings, but those of us who are parents know that children are perhaps the greatest blessing one can know. Parenthood may not...

Personal and Professional Development: Life Lesson of 39 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Financial Planning

Whatever industry you’re in, at whatever level, personal and professional development is something all of us should focus on periodically throughout our careers.

Don’t Retire with a Mortgage. Life Lesson 38 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Retirement, Retirement Strategies

Whatever you do, don’t retire with a mortgage—you want to kick back and enjoy your retirement, not spend your time worrying about making those monthly payments.

Which Side of the Check do you Want to Sign? Life Lesson 37 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Financial Advisor

A recent trip to my dentist had me thinking about the financial responsibility of being a business owner. It’s all about which side of the check we want to sign.

Trust the Professionals! Life Lesson 36 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Simplicity

No matter how handy we are or how many side skills we develop, there’s someone who’s been doing it longer. For some tasks, it’s best to trust the professionals.

Looking for Unconditional Love? Get a Dog: Life Lesson 35 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family, Simplicity

Looking for unconditional love, boundless enthusiasm, and a lifelong friend? The solution is simple: get a dog!

We’ve Lost the Art of Being Friends: Life Lesson 34 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family, Simplicity

Remember when we used to practice the art of being friends? There was once a time for meaningful conversations, but many of us have lost the knack for it.

I Don’t Want to Share: Life Lesson 33 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family, Simplicity

Just like Joey in Friends, I don’t want to share—not my food, not my clothes, and definitely not my TV remote. And you know what? That’s just fine with me.

Not All Change Is Good: Life Lesson 32 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Simplicity

We live in a world of amazing technological advancements—but not all change is good. Before embracing new things, it’s worth considering the potential cost.

Putting Family First: Life Lesson 31 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family, Simplicity

I’ve never enjoyed being yelled at by my mom. Even as a grown adult, it always upset me. Putting family first is something I’ve struggled with over the years

The Importance of Friendships: Life Lesson 30 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family, Simplicity

As we grow older, the importance of friendships has remained a constant in my life.

Pursuing Your Passions: Life Lesson 29 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family, Personal Finance, Retirement, Retirement Strategies

Pursuing your passions can feel like a luxury you can’t afford, so it’s easy to put off until the distant future. Do you really have to wait so long to live your dreams?

Living Off Your Investments: The Transition to Mailbox Money: Life Lesson 28 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Financial Planning, Retirement, Retirement Strategies

If you’re on the brink of retirement, the idea of living off your investments—otherwise known as mailbox money—can be a scary one. Take steps now to prepare.

Are You Moving Away from God? : Life Lesson 27 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family, Simplicity

Our pastor said something to our congregation recently that had me reexamining if I was moving away from God. When’s the last time you’ve done the same?

Marry Right the First Time: Life Lesson 26 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family

Marriage is a lifelong commitment, and choosing the perfect partner isn’t easy. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your values align with those of your spouse before you tie the knot.

Everyone Needs a Prenup: Life Lesson 25 of 50

by Brett Anderson | Family

Everyone needs a prenup—and no, it doesn’t have to kill the romance! With financial plans agreed to ahead of time, you and your spouse can move forward together in security and trust.