At 3:00 p.m. local time on Monday, May 25, 2020, the National Moment of Remembrance takes place by silently thanking the men and women of the United States military who gave their lives for our country.1 Originally, Memorial Day was...
Read MoreWhether they stay at home or work for a company, moms rarely have just one job. They’re event planners, coaches, interior designers, chefs, art directors, judges (and juries), housekeepers, maintenance supervisors, network...
Read MoreIf you have ever been flattened by a rogue wave while fishing or sunbathing on the shore, you probably recognize the emotional responses that have accompanied the pandemic wave crashing across the United States – shock, anxiety, and...
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Have you lately checked in your altitude of your attitude? How are you feeling about your future? Hey, let go of the past and let's build a bigger, better, bolder you starting today. Hey, good morning. I'm Jimmy Williams with Live a...
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Wednesday, April 1, 2020
What drives a human being to desire a walk on the moon or beyond? Why would you feel that push to leave the comfort of home and strike out in a world that is fraught with unknowns? The reason is that you have potential within you. As...
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Wednesday, April 1, 2020
One of the most overwhelming words in the English dictionary is fear. Fear is something that holds 95% of my friends back from realizing their ultimate potential. If you have a fear of moving forward in life to achieving your greatest...
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Monday, March 16, 2020
Have you lately checked in your altitude of your attitude? How are you feeling about your future? Hey, let go of the past and let's build a bigger, better, bolder you starting today. Hey, good morning. I'm Jimmy Williams with Live a...
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According to Pew Research Center, Millennials are individuals born between 1981 and 1996. We grew up in a time before the internet was a part of everyday life and playing outside or playing video games were the best options to keep us...
Read MoreSt. Patrick’s Day is a day of unity. In the past, St. Patrick was celebrated by Irish Protestants and Irish Catholics. As it has been said, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. See what you know about this celebration of Irish...
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Monday, March 9, 2020
In recent days, the airwaves have been inundated with all things COVID-19! At the time of writing this article, the infectious disease had not been reported as a pandemic but may be on its way. It is often the mistake of many...
Read MoreIn late February, concern that efforts to contain Coronavirus Disease 2019 (a.k.a. COVID-19) might result in slower global economic growth disrupted global markets. Share prices fell as economists and financial analysts revised growth...
Read MoreThe coronavirus, which is now officially called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), has received a lot of attention. Since the outbreak began in China, late in 2019, the disease and efforts to understand and manage it have made...
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Monday, March 2, 2020
Trust is something you earn in years and can be lost in seconds. This is a statement my father taught me many years ago when I was just a very young boy. So what are some areas in your life that need attention to build trust? Are you...
Read MoreThere was a little something for everyone in the ‘Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement’ (SECURE) Act, a piece of bipartisan legislation that was attached to the United States federal spending bill and signed into law...
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Monday, February 24, 2020
Do you ever hear of people that just do things and life just comes at them so easily? Have you ever been around one of these people that seem like they're trying to swim with their boots on? You know these kinds of people that looks...
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Monday, February 24, 2020
Have you ever had one of those moments in life where you perhaps didn't give your best thought before you executed on something? I'm a betting person in this respect only, I would say that most, if not all of us, at some point in life...
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Monday, February 17, 2020
One of the most frightening stories I have heard about a retiree is the one where her daughter came to our office and her face was ghostly pale. No, this isn’t a fictional character. Sadly, this story is too often told and true....
Read MoreValentine’s Day and love songs go hand-in-hand. If you’re looking for a way to show love and appreciation, consider sharing some of the most popular love songs of all time. Here are a few of the most popular, according to Billboard...
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Tuesday, February 11, 2020
LF: Jimmy! Jimmy, what are you singing the Love Boat? We're recording. JW: Oh! I'm sorry. Good morning! Hey, this is Jimmy Williams with my co-host with the most, Lori Few! Here at Live a Life by Design. LF: Good morning! JW: You know,...
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Tuesday, February 11, 2020
While accumulating assets for retirement, many people utilize an employer retirement plan that allows consistent contributions while investing in a growth model. Their approach is to maximize the matching contribution from their...
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Monday, February 10, 2020
Nursing home costs in the United States can easily top $70,000 per year! Assisted living centers may cost as much as $4,000 per month for a one-bedroom private-pay facility. We discuss these lifestyle changes as part of our planning...
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Monday, February 10, 2020
Good morning! It has been a wonderful weekend. Had a little bit of clouds. Life was good, because, see I want you to look above the clouds. Do you know, when you're on airplanes, and you're in the clouds, how dark and dreary it can be...
Read MoreThe best place to retire in the United States is in dispute. There’s no formal debate, but a review of reliable publications showed surveys have named different states and cities as the “best” place to retire. For instance: • Iowa was...
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Monday, January 27, 2020
And now it is a Monday morning, another beautiful day. And as I look out the window, the snow is falling and it has just been a fantastic scene of a winter wonderland. Hey, this is Jimmy Williams. Good morning! I'm glad you're joining...
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Monday, January 27, 2020
If you are like most individuals, considering the scope of the changes from an active career to retirement brings anxiety and a sense of loss. As specialists in retirement planning, we guide our clients in the process to, and through,...
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Monday, January 27, 2020
Good morning! Hey, this is Jimmy Williams with Live a Life by Design. Today is another wonderful Monday as we start off our new year of 2020. You know, this year, to me, so far has been filled with some wonderful experiences. And we're...
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Wednesday, January 22, 2020
“You can see real quickly why we as children of aged parents-- that may be showing some impairment-- need to have the assistance of the children to make good decisions, but we have to do it in a way that we leave the dignity...
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Monday, January 20, 2020
“I want to live by the beach,” said his wife. “I want to live in the mountains,” said the husband. Differences of retirement plans typically exist within the same family. One person may wish to retire in a...
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Monday, January 20, 2020
Good morning! Here we are again this Monday morning. Ready to start off a week in the best of terms. One of the things that I always admire about starting on a Monday is an attitude of gratitude. And that leads in to my co-host. Man, I...
Read MoreIn 2019, a Pew Research Center survey reported many Americans were pessimistic about the future. Their worries included the national debt, the gap between the rich and the poor, and automation.1 Martin Luther King was sometimes...
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Monday, January 13, 2020
One of the most difficult decisions in retirement planning is to relocate. If you reside in a state that has a high income tax rate, sales tax rate and/or ad valorem tax, it may be something to consider. During the retirement phase of...
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Monday, January 13, 2020
Good morning! Oh! Another beautiful day as we start off 2020. Man, looking back, who would have thought in our lifetime, that we would have reached the year 2020? You know, I was born in the 60s, and I've got to tell you, I think back...
Read MoreSince 2011, the number of Americans owning smartphones has increased from 35 percent to 81 percent, although there remains a significant digital divide, demographically. A Pew Research survey found the vast majority of younger...
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Monday, January 6, 2020
A couple of bills containing significant changes to retirement planning were signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2019. We will provide just a few of the sweeping changes that affect most of us planning or currently in...
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Monday, January 6, 2020
We’re gonna start off 2020, now, sharing with you today a secret that I use to keep me motivated and inspired in reaching my potential, no matter what others around me or the environment around me may dictate. You see, you are in...
Read MoreNot everyone is financially prepared for retirement. Earlier this year, the Employee Benefit Research Institute estimated almost 41 percent of American households will run short of money in retirement. That’s an improvement over 2014...
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Monday, December 30, 2019
Good morning! Man, a beautiful day, Christmas has just passed. I hope you and your family have enjoyed a wonderful time of Christmas. It is just one of those times of year that our family has the best memories, and has a wonderful...
Read MoreIf you’re not fond of New Year’s resolutions, then start or adopt new traditions that help get the year off to a positive start. Your new tradition should be something you can repeat each year with family and friends. Here are a few...
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Friday, December 27, 2019
Most retirees have heard the word “IRA” and may not fully understand this retirement savings plan. An IRA, or Individual Retirement Account, is merely a type of account that allows for the owner to grow, tax-deferred, the...
Read MoreNo matter what holiday you celebrate, we hope it’s filled with joy, laughter, and heartfelt happiness. That said, we know holiday cheer can be overwhelmed by the pursuit of perfection and opinions of relatives. Just in case your...
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Monday, December 23, 2019
When you look at the calendar and realize another year has passed, it is time for a few more strategies to enhance your retirement account. Some of these actions may seem simplistic in nature but investing is not as difficult as many...
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Monday, December 23, 2019
You know, we have nothing as a goal on this episode, but to make your life bigger, better, and bolder on Christmas Day. We want you to feel like you’ve got nothing but the world beneath your feet and you are in command of how...
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Monday, December 16, 2019
In this episode, we’re going to dig down a little bit deeper on our goal setting and provide you the formula for success so that you may, in 2020 realize your greatness that’s within you. We will explore a better formula....
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Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Are you one of those people who lose sleep at night, suffer anxiety and, generally, feel miserable when it is time to file your individual income tax returns? One of the best methods of experiencing a better way of life is to take...
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Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Are you happy with where you are in your life today? Are you satisfied this late in the year, December 2019 that you have given your best to reach your goals for the year? Or have you been frustrated, as many of our listeners have been...
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Monday, December 2, 2019
This is part three part series on Women in Leadership. As your host, Jimmy Williams, I want you to know I've been surrounded by powerful, capable, intelligent and beautiful women, and that's all just in my own household. I have two...
Read MoreYou’ve probably never asked your adult children and younger relatives whether they have security software on their computers and devices. Why would you? They’re digital natives, born with keyboards under their fingertips.It may be time...
Read MoreThanksgiving is all about gratitude. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists shared an autumn feast with the Wampanoag Indians. They were celebrating survival and friendship. It’s also a poignant story.1About one-half of the passengers who...
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Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Good Morning! This is Live a Life by Design coming to you on this Monday morning, a few days before Thanksgiving. Oh, this is one of my favorite weeks, can you hold on for just a second tho. *shuffling pages off mic/”Where did I...
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Wednesday, November 20, 2019
During my thirty year career of guiding individuals to realizing their retirement goals, I have reduced the most critical of mistakes people commit when accumulating retirement assets in their employer’s plan. These mistakes can...
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Wednesday, November 20, 2019
How do you make good decisions? Have you made any bad decisions in life? Now I’m certain right now, I can’t see through the microphone, but I’m betting I’ve got many heads listening to this podcast shaking up...
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Monday, November 11, 2019
For many years you saved taxes by contributing to your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or employer-provided retirement plan. Now, it is time to retire and the IRS says, “Do you remember all of the tax savings you realized for...
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Monday, November 11, 2019
Several strategies that we share today will give you the edge over your competition and enable you to truly have it all. And I don’t just simply say that. I believe it. When you awake in the morning, are you feeling empowered and...
Read MoreAfter World War I, many nations celebrated the end of “The Great War” by establishing Armistice Day. Eventually, the holiday was broadened to celebrate those who served in all wars. In the United States after World War II and the...
Read MoreOne of the most discussed topics in the United States is retirement security. Few Americans have set aside enough savings to live comfortably throughout retirement. In fact, the most recent National Retirement Risk Index (NRRI)*...
Read MoreAmericans expect to spend $8.8 billion on costumes, decorations, candy, and other Halloween purchases, according to the National Retail Federation.1That’s enough money to purchase the New England Patriots ($3.8 billion), the Los...
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Tuesday, October 8, 2019
So what is a legacy? You know legacy to me is far more than extravagant buildings with my name on it, streets that are named after me. Or even charitable foundations that simply require riches to be built. Legacy is much more than that...
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Monday, October 7, 2019
For most investors, including retirees, it is critical that they understand the philosophy of investing. If you utilize the services of a professional to assist with the implementation of your retirement goals, the logical approach to...
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Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Jimmy J. Williams is a certified public accountant, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, and founder and president of Compass Capital Management in McAlester. Two weeks ago, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a...
Read MoreThe simple answer is probably.Historically, the American economy has grown in fits and starts, otherwise known as recessions and expansions. As a result, it is likely there will be another recession in the United States.What are...
Read MoreWould you give up a share of $62 billion?Would you give up a share of $62 billion?If your answer is no, then you may be a member of the relatively small group of Americans (36 percent) that takes all of the vacation days available to...
Read MoreThe world is becoming smarter and more connected all the time – and that has serious implications for people who want to protect their personal data and their privacy. If you’ve been enjoying the convenience of smart utilities and...
Read MoreLife, Liberty, and Tax-Advantaged InvestingAmericans are passionate about taxes. We have reason to be. In recent years, Americans have spent more on taxes than on food, clothing, and housing combined.1 The Tax Foundation estimates...
Read MoreThroughout history people have made inheritance choices that are inexplicable to others. In 1926, Harry Houdini left his magical equipment to his brother, his pulled-from-the-hat rabbits to the children of friends, and a series of...
Read MoreWhere do you set aside the money you’re saving for retirement? If you’re like many Americans, you save for retirement primarily through an employer’s retirement plan, according to Pew Research.1Unfortunately, less than one-half of...
Read MoreIt’s no secret healthcare costs are going up. Medical expenses have been steadily increasing for years. In 2007, costs were up almost 12 percent. However, the rate of increase slowed to 6 percent during the past five years and that...
Read MoreHow many password-protected accounts do you have?If you keep mental inventory, use a password manager, or have a written record of your passwords (which is not recommended by anyone), take a quick count. You’re likely to find you may...
Read MoreWhether you own a house or rent an apartment, building a smart home is easier than it has ever been. Homeowners and renters can purchase kits that integrate specific smart items or they can select smart home products, such as light...
Read MoreBella. Coco. Charlie. Lucy. Max. No matter the name, many pets are considered to be members of the family, providing companionship, protection, and unconditional love. The pet-owner relationship has some powerful benefits, which may...
Read MoreIt’s only January, but you may want to jumpstart your 2018 taxes since there are a slew of new regulations that may affect you. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 goes into effect this year so make sure you understand how tax...
Read MoreWhen the ups and downs of stock markets leave you stressed and wondering whether stocks really will help you pursue your long-term financial goals, there are two things to remember:1. Historically, over long periods, stocks have tended...
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