Have you ever jumped off the sofa declaring “I need a vacation” and then sped off in your car toward the airport? Of course not! You planned. After everyone agreed on where to go, you checked calendars, chose dates, and reserved flights, hotels, and various activities. Then you waited weeks or months for the special date. In the meantime, you squared everything away at work so nothing would interrupt your big trip.

Are you looking to learn how to achieve financial independence? David L. Blain, CFA has written a book that outlines the steps to invest in living, not just investing to live.

BlueSky Wealth Advisor John Gjertsen CFA, CFP®, EA is located in Acworth, Georgia. The beginning of a calendar year is the perfect time for employees to re-evaluate their strategy for saving in a retirement plan, such as a 401(k). With limits that frequently change and a complicated array of tax and plan rules, taking full advantage of employee benefits can sometimes be a tricky proposition.

If you were building your dream home, would trust a robot to pick out the floor plan, the wall color, the fixtures, the décor? Chances are you would probably answer no. How about trusting a robot to choose and manage your investment decisions?

The thought of early retirement is appealing to many people. Perhaps we are too easily enticed by the pull of idealized visions of leaving the workforce early: walking leisurely on a white-sand beach, enjoying a sunset at some far-off destination, spending time with family and friends. These romanticized depictions of early retirement can be appealing even to those who still get great fulfillment from their avocations. It’s no surprise, then, that early retirement in some form can be a common goal.

Life is a journey filled with the certainty of uncertainties. Despite what is often our best intentions and efforts, it’s the rare occasion when the path from Point A to Point B is a straight line. Frequently, the route more closely resembles the loops and curls of a plate of spaghetti.