Broker Check

Blog

 

Short blog posts to help you retire smarter.

Thursday, August 10, 2023

From LPL's annual conference in San Diego!

Monday, July 31, 2023

Jim and I discuss our midyear outlook for 2023.

Monday, May 15, 2023

Here's what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.

Monday, May 8, 2023

Check out Bridget's article about compound interest.

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Here's what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.

Show All

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Will the 60/40 portfolio bounce back?

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Pictures from Jim and Alex's wedding last June!

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Jim and I discuss the 2023 outlook for the economy, stocks, bonds, and policy.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Jim's article about the Federal Reserve and the economy was published in Sunday's Daily Herald.

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Here's what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.

Thursday, November 17, 2022

We hosted our 31st Annual Client Appreciation Dinner to say thank you to our clients.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Jim and I share our thoughts on this challenging investment environment.

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Markets remain focused on inflation. Has that peaked?

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Here's what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.

Friday, July 29, 2022

Jim and I discuss our midyear outlook for 2022.

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Check out some of these events happening around Chicagoland this summer!

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Jim Sr. discusses what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

In times of uncertainty, it can be wise to use history as a guide.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.

Thursday, March 10, 2022

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has sent shockwaves through the financial markets.

Monday, February 7, 2022

Jim's latest article was published in Sunday's Daily Herald.

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Jim and I discuss the 2022 outlook for the economy, stocks, and bonds.

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Revisiting this year's most popular posts.

Monday, November 22, 2021

Last week, we hosted our 30th Annual Client Appreciation Dinner.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Stay up-to-date with the new tax proposal.

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

This month Platania Financial celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Jim and I discuss our midyear outlook for 2021.

Friday, August 6, 2021

Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this quarter.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

My article on Family Business from this month's Daily Herald Business Ledger!

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

What's been the forward return for similar market stretches in the past?

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Jim discusses the current market outlook.

Friday, April 30, 2021

Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Some ways to help keep your information private.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Friday, March 26, 2021

With tax rates likely increasing in 2022, here's one strategy to consider.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Higher taxes may call for planning differently than past years.

Friday, February 26, 2021

Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

My article from this month's Daily Herald Business Ledger.

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Jim discusses a key driver of the stock and bond markets.

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Alex and I got engaged last week.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Jim and I discuss the economic and market outlook for 2021.

Friday, December 18, 2020

Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Revisiting this year's most popular posts.

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

In investing, we can learn from success stories in other industries.

Monday, November 30, 2020

Our team discusses what's new at Platania Financial this month.

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

My article from this month's Daily Herald Business Ledger.

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Last night, we hosted this year's Virtual Client Appreciation Event.

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Far too often, you're better off sticking to your plan.

Monday, October 26, 2020

Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

There's a reason why it's called personal finance - it's as much personal as it is finance.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

You may not even know money may be due you.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Abraham Lincoln once said "Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most."

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Baking can teach us about pursuing one's financial goals.

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Reflecting on the one investment edge that was crucial to have during the last six months.

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Since 1928, the stock market has accurately predicted the winner of the presidential election 87% of the time.

Monday, July 13, 2020

Jim Sr. gives his outlook on the market.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Proud to announce we've been named a Daily Herald Readers' Choice Top Pick for 2020.

Friday, June 26, 2020

Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Jim explores LaSalle Street and the Chicago Board of Trade.

Monday, June 8, 2020

Here's what happened then.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Jim discusses what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Jim discusses risk and reward.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

If you find yourself with down time during quarantine, here are steps you can take to improve your financial situation.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

While times change, the human spirit does not.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

If you're anything like our office dog Teddy, you're probably looking for ideas to keep you busy.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Jim Sr. gives his take on the current market environment.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

It's hard to imagine the stock market moving higher right now. But this week, at least so far, it has.

Monday, March 30, 2020

These two points should be noted immediately.

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

It's an important question. Here's why.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Monday, March 9, 2020

Jim and I discuss coronavirus and its impact on the financial markets.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

My article from this month's Daily Herald Business Ledger.

Monday, February 3, 2020

LPL Research recently released their 2020 economic and market forecast.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Jim and Jim Sr. discuss what's new with Platania Financial this month.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Some key takeaways from the SECURE Act.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Last week I turned 60 - Here are some things I've learned.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Revisiting this year's most popular posts.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Let’s prepare for the ups and downs that life throws at us.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

The Dow Jones Industrial Average recently crossed 28,000 for the first time ever.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Last night, we hosted our 28th Annual Client Appreciation Dinner to say thank you to our clients.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Jim and Jim Sr. were recently quoted in the Daily Herald's Senior Resource Guide.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

7 lessons I've learned along the way.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Last week, I took a trip to historic Wall Street in New York City.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

We continue to believe the economy is strong and the markets are likely to move higher once volatility settles down.

Friday, August 23, 2019

This week, the Platania Financial team flew to San Diego for LPL Financial's annual LPL Focus Conference.

Monday, August 12, 2019

Watch LPL Financial Research Chief Investment Strategist break down the recent market pullback.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Streamlining money matters can reduce your workload and improve your financial habits.

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Spend money on what matters to you. Cut back on the things that don't.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Last month, I was invited to represent 16,000+ advisors at LPL Financial's Investor Day in New York City.

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Historically speaking, the longer you stay invested in the S&P 500, the higher the probability you wind up with a positive return.

Friday, May 24, 2019

Check out some of these events happening around Chicagoland this summer!

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

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.

Friday, April 26, 2019

It may be helpful to keep this in mind for when the next decline of 20% or more takes place.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

We can learn a lot about investing from the game of golf.

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Although this ten-year bull market is one of the longest ever, we do not believe it's over.

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

A powerful strategy that helps retirees keep their cool during market declines.

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

The wealth management industry has historically under-served one particular group: Young people.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

There's one question that every person nearing retirement needs to ask themselves.

Monday, January 28, 2019

In the investing world very few rules are absolute.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

As the new year begins, it's a great time to review your beneficiaries.

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Recapping this year's most popular posts.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Examining the five primary catalysts that can signal a bear market and what they're saying.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Last night we hosted our annual Client Appreciation Dinner to say thank you to our clients.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Removing small roadblocks can make a big difference in your results.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

As the saying goes, investing is simple but not easy. Here's why.

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Jim gives retirement advice on what to do when you turn 50.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

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.

Monday, September 10, 2018

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.

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

People get stocks. But not as many people understand bonds.

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Jim and I were recently interviewed by the Daily Herald for their article on the state's new retirement program, Illinois Secure Choice.

Thursday, June 14, 2018

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...

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

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...

Friday, May 11, 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!

Thursday, April 12, 2018

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...

Monday, March 26, 2018

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...

Friday, March 16, 2018

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...

Thursday, February 22, 2018

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.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

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...

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

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...

Monday, February 5, 2018

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...