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Northstar Financial Planners

Home
About
How We Help
Who We Help
Pre-retirees
Florida Retirement System Special Risk Employees
Families of Children with Special Needs
Our Process
Book
Resources
Our Blog
Newsletters
Holiday Card Archive
Contact Us
Client Login
May 1, 2025
Allen Giese, ChFC®, CLU®
One of the Best-Kept Secrets in Charitable ...

Discover how donor-advised funds offer a flexible, tax-smart way to simplify and amplify your charitable giving—without the hassle of a private foundation.

May 21, 2021
Retirement Planning
Allen Giese, ChFC®, CLU®
The 5 Biggest FRS Retirement Mistakes

Watch this video to learn about the five biggest mistakes we see FRS Special Risk participants making.

March 24, 2021
Investment Management
Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
To Bit or Not to Bit: Investing in Crypto

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are receiving intense media coverage, prompting many investors to wonder whether these new types of electronic money deserve a place in their portfolios.

March 24, 2021
Investment Management
Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
Tales from The Crypto: Cautionary Bitcoin ...

Bitcoin and related cryptocurrencies are the subject of much debate and fascination. Given bitcoin’s dramatic price changes, it is not surprising that many are speculating about its possible role in a portfolio.

February 25, 2021
Investment Management
Steve Tepper, CFP®, MBA
Trading into Stock Frenzies: A Lesson in ...

Forget GameStop. Here’s some real-life investing lessons to learn from fictitious company LameSlop.

Steve Tepper, CFP®, MBA
May 26, 2022

Investing with the Russian Bear

Steve Tepper, CFP®, MBA
May 26, 2022

With the Russian Bear Market (copyright pending) on us, we have yet another opportunity to talk about the folly of market timing.

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
May 16, 2022
Investment Management

Why Geopolitics Shouldn’t Change Your Investment Strategy

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
May 16, 2022
Investment Management

Geopolitical events like the Russia-Ukraine war can alarm investors. But if you follow these guidelines, you have less to be concerned about.

Tagged: Ukraine, Russia, Geopolitics, Diversification

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
May 2, 2022
FRS Special Risk

[Video] What Could Be the Biggest Threat to Your FRS Investment Plan

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
May 2, 2022
FRS Special Risk

Is inflation, legislation, or the markets the biggest threat to your FRS investment plan? It’s none of them. Watch this video to learn the biggest risk.

Tagged: Investment Plan, Risk, Inflation, Legislation, Market Volatility

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
April 18, 2022

Inflation: Are Dividend Stocks the Answer?

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
April 18, 2022

It is natural to be concerned about the potential impact of high inflation and rising interest rates on portfolios. However, we believe our analysis shows there is no reason to expect dividend-paying stocks or high dividend payers to offer more protection and higher returns during these periods.

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
April 15, 2022
Financial Planning

Combat Inflation Now and in the Future: 4 Steps

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
April 15, 2022
Financial Planning

Here are four steps to help reduce inflation’s bite now and in retirement.

Tagged: Inflation

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
April 1, 2022
FRS Special Risk

[Video] Survivor Benefits for Special Risk FRS

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
April 1, 2022
FRS Special Risk

Survivor benefits for Florida Retirement System Special Risk employees based on the pension and investment plans.

Tagged: Survivor Benefits, Pension Plan, Investment Plan, Line of Duty

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
March 24, 2022

All Eyez On P: What Will Powell Do Next?

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
March 24, 2022

Against the macroeconomic backdrop of inflation, the monetary policy response of the US Federal Reserve has become the center of attention for many US and global fixed income investors.

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
March 24, 2022

War Is Sell: What Investors Get Wrong About Global Conflicts and Their Impact

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
March 24, 2022

Geopolitical events like military or economic conflicts can affect stock markets in many ways. These events are normally widely followed by investors. We believe current market prices quickly incorporate expectations about the effects of these events on economies and companies.

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
March 14, 2022
FRS Special Risk

[Video] The Most Important Question You Can Ask Your Financial Advisor

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
March 14, 2022
FRS Special Risk

Here’s one question you should ask a potential financial advisor and why this question is so critical.

Tagged: Fee-Only, Commission, Financial Planning, Fiduciary

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
March 14, 2022
Retirement Planning

3 Things to Do Before You Retire

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
March 14, 2022
Retirement Planning

Don’t just jump into retirement—you might come up short. Here are three steps to take before you retire to help create a retirement you desire.

Tagged: Retirement Income, Retirement Lifestyle, Social Security, Legacy

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
February 28, 2022
FRS Special Risk

[Video] What's the Big Deal About Retirement and Age 50?

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
February 28, 2022
FRS Special Risk

If you’re a qualified public safety employee and planning to retire around age 50, make sure to understand this important rule.

Tagged: Florida Retirement System, Special Risk, Qualified Public Safety Employee, Retirement, Age 50

Steve Tepper, CFP®, MBA
February 23, 2022

What Goes Up … Keeps Going Up? Inflation Basics

Steve Tepper, CFP®, MBA
February 23, 2022

Many factors can contribute to above-average inflation, and it is often a combination of several. Here are a few common causes.

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
February 14, 2022
Tax Planning

Key Tax Changes for 2022

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
February 14, 2022
Tax Planning

Start your tax planning early for the 2022 tax year. Here are the key tax changes you can anticipate.

Tagged: Standard Deduction, Income Tax Bracket, Capital Gains, 401(k)

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
February 14, 2022
FRS Special Risk

[Video] Do You Need Life Insurance in Retirement?

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
February 14, 2022
FRS Special Risk

Generally, most special risk FRS retirees won’t need life insurance. Here’s why—plus a couple of reasons for having life insurance in retirement.

Tagged: Florida Retirement System, Special Risk, Life Insurance, Retirement, Special Needs Planning

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
January 31, 2022
FRS Special Risk

[Video] Don't Make These Mistakes When Naming Your Beneficiaries!

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
January 31, 2022
FRS Special Risk

Have you looked at your account beneficiaries lately? Listen to this video on common beneficiary mistakes that you might be making.

Tagged: Florida Retirement System, Special Risk, Beneficiaries

Steve Tepper, CFP®, MBA
January 26, 2022

A Peak … or a Cliff?

Steve Tepper, CFP®, MBA
January 26, 2022

It is easy and very tempting to look at stock market charts and see doom and gloom coming no matter what the shape of the chart or direction of the price.

Steve Tepper, CFP®, MBA
January 26, 2022

Margin Loans

Steve Tepper, CFP®, MBA
January 26, 2022

Most brokerage accounts allow the account owner to take out a margin loan and withdraw money from the account by borrowing rather than selling investments.

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
January 13, 2022
Financial Planning

5 Financial New Year’s Resolutions for 2022

Northstar Financial Planners Inc.
January 13, 2022
Financial Planning

Here are five New Year’s resolutions to boost your financial health in 2022.

Tagged: Investing, Savings, Automation, Credit Score, Credit Report, Emergency Fund

Allen Giese, ChFC®, CLU®
January 3, 2022
Investment Management

[Video] The Investment Funds You Should Consider Using in Your Deferred Comp

Allen Giese, ChFC®, CLU®
January 3, 2022
Investment Management

Watch this video to find out a little secret about picking the right funds for your deferred comp or 401(k) plan.

Tagged: Deferred Compensation, Florida Retirement System, Target Date Fund, Special Risk

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