Blog
Update | Q1 2023
Here's what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.
Read MoreJim Sr.'s Daily Herald Article
Will the 60/40 portfolio bounce back?
Read MoreJim and Alex's Wedding!
Pictures from Jim and Alex's wedding last June!
Read MoreOutlook 2023
Jim and I discuss the 2023 outlook for the economy, stocks, bonds, and policy.
Read MoreJim's Daily Herald Article
Jim's article about the Federal Reserve and the economy was published in Sunday's Daily Herald.
Read MoreShow All
Client Video Newsletter | Q4 2022
Here's what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.
Read More2022 Client Appreciation Dinner
We hosted our 31st Annual Client Appreciation Dinner to say thank you to our clients.
Read MoreThoughts on The Market
Jim and I share our thoughts on this challenging investment environment.
Read MoreThoughts on The Market
Markets remain focused on inflation. Has that peaked?
Read MoreClient Video Newsletter | Q3 2022
Here's what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.
Read MoreSummer 2022
Check out some of these events happening around Chicagoland this summer!
Read MoreClient Video Newsletter | Q2 2022
Jim Sr. discusses what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.
Read MoreThoughts on The Market
In times of uncertainty, it can be wise to use history as a guide.
Read MoreClient Video Newsletter | Q1 2022
Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.
Read MoreThoughts on The Market
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has sent shockwaves through the financial markets.
Read MoreExpect Market Volatility in 2022
Jim's latest article was published in Sunday's Daily Herald.
Read MoreOutlook 2022
Jim and I discuss the 2022 outlook for the economy, stocks, and bonds.
Read MoreClient Video Newsletter | Q4 2021
Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.
Read MoreTop Blog Posts from 2021
Revisiting this year's most popular posts.
Read More2021 Client Appreciation Dinner
Last week, we hosted our 30th Annual Client Appreciation Dinner.
Read MoreProposed Tax Changes
Stay up-to-date with the new tax proposal.
Read More30 Years In The Making
This month Platania Financial celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Read MoreClient Video Newsletter | Q3 2021
Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.
Read More5 Lessons from Working in a Family Business
My article on Family Business from this month's Daily Herald Business Ledger!
Read More5 Month Win Streak
What's been the forward return for similar market stretches in the past?
Read MoreClient Video Newsletter | April 2021
Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreProtect Your Information
Some ways to help keep your information private.
Read MoreClient Video Newsletter | March 2021
Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreRoth Conversions
With tax rates likely increasing in 2022, here's one strategy to consider.
Read MoreTax Thoughts
Higher taxes may call for planning differently than past years.
Read MoreClient Video Newsletter | February 2021
Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreYour Portfolio in 2021
My article from this month's Daily Herald Business Ledger.
Read MoreThoughts on The Market
Jim discusses a key driver of the stock and bond markets.
Read MoreClient Video Newsletter | January 2021
Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreOutlook 2021
Jim and I discuss the economic and market outlook for 2021.
Read MoreVideo Newsletter | December 2020
Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreTop Blog Posts from 2020
Revisiting this year's most popular posts.
Read MoreCocktails and Capital
In investing, we can learn from success stories in other industries.
Read MoreVideo Newsletter | November 2020
Our team discusses what's new at Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreWhen Well-intended Plans Go Wrong
My article from this month's Daily Herald Business Ledger.
Read More2020 Virtual Client Appreciation Event
Last night, we hosted this year's Virtual Client Appreciation Event.
Read MoreDoing Nothing is a Decision
Far too often, you're better off sticking to your plan.
Read MoreVideo Newsletter | October 2020
Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreWhat Spreadsheets Don't Tell Us
There's a reason why it's called personal finance - it's as much personal as it is finance.
Read MoreVideo Newsletter | September 2020
Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreUnclaimed Financial Assets
You may not even know money may be due you.
Read MoreHonest Abe
Abraham Lincoln once said "Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most."
Read MoreVideo Newsletter | August 2020
Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreA Recipe for Success
Baking can teach us about pursuing one's financial goals.
Read MoreSix Months Ago
Reflecting on the one investment edge that was crucial to have during the last six months.
Read MoreVideo Newsletter | July 2020
Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MorePredicting The Election
Since 1928, the stock market has accurately predicted the winner of the presidential election 87% of the time.
Read MoreDaily Herald Readers' Choice Top Pick
Proud to announce we've been named a Daily Herald Readers' Choice Top Pick for 2020.
Read MoreVideo Newsletter | June 2020
Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreChicago's Financial District
Jim explores LaSalle Street and the Chicago Board of Trade.
Read MoreVideo Newsletter | May 2020
Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreAction Items During Quarantine
If you find yourself with down time during quarantine, here are steps you can take to improve your financial situation.
Read MoreVideo Newsletter | April 2020
Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreTimes Change, People Stay the Same
While times change, the human spirit does not.
Read MoreDog Days of Quarantine
If you're anything like our office dog Teddy, you're probably looking for ideas to keep you busy.
Read MoreThoughts on The Market
Jim Sr. gives his take on the current market environment.
Read MoreLooking Ahead
It's hard to imagine the stock market moving higher right now. But this week, at least so far, it has.
Read MoreCARES Act: What You Need to Know
These two points should be noted immediately.
Read MoreWhat (or Who) Drives Market Volatility?
It's an important question. Here's why.
Read MoreVideo Newsletter | March 2020
Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreThoughts on The Market
Jim and I discuss coronavirus and its impact on the financial markets.
Read MoreVideo Newsletter | February 2020
Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreThe Three Investment Edges
My article from this month's Daily Herald Business Ledger.
Read MoreOutlook 2020
LPL Research recently released their 2020 economic and market forecast.
Read MoreVideo Newsletter | January 2020
Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this month.
Read MoreSECURE Act: What You Need to Know
Some key takeaways from the SECURE Act.
Read MoreReflecting on 60
Last week I turned 60 - Here are some things I've learned.
Read MoreTop Blog Posts from 2019
Revisiting this year's most popular posts.
Read MoreWeathering The Storm
Let’s prepare for the ups and downs that life throws at us.
Read MoreInvesting at All-time Highs
The Dow Jones Industrial Average recently crossed 28,000 for the first time ever.
Read More2019 Client Appreciation Dinner
Last night, we hosted our 28th Annual Client Appreciation Dinner to say thank you to our clients.
Read MoreDaily Herald Senior Resource Guide
Jim and Jim Sr. were recently quoted in the Daily Herald's Senior Resource Guide.
Read MoreMy Stroll Down Wall Street
Last week, I took a trip to historic Wall Street in New York City.
Read MoreThoughts on The Market
We continue to believe the economy is strong and the markets are likely to move higher once volatility settles down.
Read MoreA Renewed Focus
This week, the Platania Financial team flew to San Diego for LPL Financial's annual LPL Focus Conference.
Read MoreDog Days of Summer
Watch LPL Financial Research Chief Investment Strategist break down the recent market pullback.
Read MoreFull Plate? Automate
Streamlining money matters can reduce your workload and improve your financial habits.
Read MoreWhat Matters to You?
Spend money on what matters to you. Cut back on the things that don't.
Read MoreJim Sr. at Investor Day in NYC
Last month, I was invited to represent 16,000+ advisors at LPL Financial's Investor Day in New York City.
Read MoreThe Opposite of a Casino
Historically speaking, the longer you stay invested in the S&P 500, the higher the probability you wind up with a positive return.
Read MoreSummer 2019
Check out some of these events happening around Chicagoland this summer!
Read MoreDaily Herald Readers' Choice Top Pick
Platania Financial is proud to announce that we've been named a Daily Herald Reader's Choice Top Pick in two categories: Best Financial Planner and Best Wealth Management Firm.
Read MoreA Snapshot of Stock Market History
It may be helpful to keep this in mind for when the next decline of 20% or more takes place.
Read MoreGolf and Your Time Horizon
We can learn a lot about investing from the game of golf.
Read MoreThoughts on The Market
Although this ten-year bull market is one of the longest ever, we do not believe it's over.
Read MoreThe Three Bucket Approach
A powerful strategy that helps retirees keep their cool during market declines.
Read MoreBridging the Gap
The wealth management industry has historically under-served one particular group: Young people.
Read MoreThe Big Question
There's one question that every person nearing retirement needs to ask themselves.
Read MoreRules and Exceptions
In the investing world very few rules are absolute.
Read MoreReminder to Check Your Beneficiaries
As the new year begins, it's a great time to review your beneficiaries.
Read MoreTop Blog Posts of 2018
Recapping this year's most popular posts.
Read MoreThoughts on The Market
Examining the five primary catalysts that can signal a bear market and what they're saying.
Read More2018 Client Appreciation Dinner
Last night we hosted our annual Client Appreciation Dinner to say thank you to our clients.
Read MoreRemoving Roadblocks
Removing small roadblocks can make a big difference in your results.
Read MoreSimple But Not Easy
As the saying goes, investing is simple but not easy. Here's why.
Read MoreJim's Daily Herald Interview
Jim gives retirement advice on what to do when you turn 50.
Read MoreThe Big Three
In the NBA, the phrase “The Big Three” gets thrown around every now and then. But there’s another "Big Three" that you, like a lot of NBA teams, have probably spent a lot of money on.
Read MoreStaying Organized through Technology
I’ve found that many of our successful clients were good at and took pride in two things: 1) Staying well organized with their finances and 2) Knowing where they stood in relation to their financial goals.
Read MoreWhat's the Deal with Bonds?
People get stocks. But not as many people understand bonds.
Read MoreA Look at Illinois' New Retirement Program
Jim and I were recently interviewed by the Daily Herald for their article on the state's new retirement program, Illinois Secure Choice.
Read MoreCelebrating 5 Years at the Triangle Building
2018 marks 5 years since Jim and I moved Platania Financial's office location from Mount Prospect, where we had operated for 26 years, to our current location in downtown Arlington Heights. At 2 W. Northwest Highway sits the building...
Read MoreThe Illinois College Savings Summit
When it comes to college planning, a 529 account is about as big of a no-brainer as you'll come across. Earlier this month, I attended the 2018 Illinois College Savings Summit in downtown Chicago for a presentation on the ins-and-outs...
Read MoreSummer 2018
There are a lot of great things happening around Chicagoland this summer. We hope you can find time to attend some of these events with friends and loved ones and make this summer the best one yet. Enjoy!
Read MoreBack to the Basics
The most important personal finance concept is simple but often overlooked: It sounds easy, but a lot of people become more concerned with fine-tuning the bells and whistles of their portfolio than focusing on the basics that make...
Read MoreMarkets Die on Euphoria
Trees don’t grow to the sky, but they can get pretty tall. With much of the pessimism surrounding some of the recent 2018 stock market highs, I thought I would quote one of the greatest investors of the last 100 years, the late...
Read MoreAmerican Resilience
Every once in a while I come across a graph or chart that tells a powerful story about the markets. Here's one that I think fits the bill: The above image is from J.P. Morgan’s “Guide to the Markets” research and...
Read MoreControl What You Can Control
Separating the things you can control from those you can't isn't just good for your stress levels, but your retirement outlook too. Take a look at my article from last month's Daily Herald Business Ledger. It's a quick read, I promise.
Read MoreImportant 1099 Information
Hi everyone! Tax season is upon us and the Platania Financial Team wants to ensure that you stay up-to-date with 1099 statement developments for tax year 2017. To refresh your memory, a 1099 is a statement generated by your investment...
Read MoreThoughts on The Market
The last few days in the market have been a wild ride as the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a 1175 point decline on Monday. But in times like these it can be important to think in terms of percentages, not points. Although it was the...
Read MoreWelcome to the new Platania Financial website!
The Platania Financial Team is thrilled to usher in 2018 with a fresh website to match. By reestablishing our digital footprint, we have two primary goals: 1) to deliver more effective client access and 2) to become a platform for...
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