Joe Chighizola - Northwestern Mutual

10/17/2026

This one stuck with me.

“You can’t build a life around only doing what you feel like doing. Because the life you want is often on the other side of something you don’t want to do.”

Discipline isn’t always exciting. But neither is staying where you are.

Great perspective from Ryan Leak’s podcast.

10/16/2026

Three takeaways from ELEVATE:

Growth happens when you put yourself in rooms where people think bigger than you do.
Some of the most valuable lessons come from conversations between sessions, not just the presentations themselves.
Success means very little if you're not becoming a better person along the way.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to attend, for the relationships that were built, and for the ideas that I'll be bringing back to my practice.

Most importantly, I left reminded that personal growth and professional growth go hand in hand. Becoming a better advisor starts with becoming a better leader, friend, husband, father, and member of the community.

Excited for what's ahead and grateful for everyone who helped make the experience possible.

10/15/2026

You’ve worked hard for your money—don't let fraudsters cheat you out of it.

Scammers are smarter than ever—targeting everything from bank accounts to life insurance. Here are eight ways to protect yourself.

10/14/2026

The wealthy people I know don’t have more discipline than you. They have fewer decisions.

Their saving happens before they see the money. Their investing doesn’t depend on how they feel that week. Their plan runs whether the market is up, down, or on the news.

Willpower is a terrible financial strategy. Systems aren’t.

Comment SYSTEM and I’ll send you the 3 things worth automating this month.

10/13/2026

Helping your kids with college is a priority—but so is your own retirement. I can help you build a plan that balances both. Reach out and let’s talk through your options.

How to prioritize retirement, college savings, and debt paydown without shortchanging your future.

10/12/2026

Every dollar you own has a job. Most people’s money is unemployed.

It’s sitting in checking “just in case.” It’s in an account from your last employer. It’s in something you picked years ago and never looked at again.

Money with no job doesn’t build the life you want. It just sits there.

Comment JOBS, and I’ll send you the 4-question check to see which of your dollars are working and which are just there.

10/08/2026

Last day of Elevate in Milwaukee. Grateful to learn alongside such a driven group of advisors. Back to work with new ideas for serving my clients.

10/08/2026

Thinking about becoming an advisor? Here’s a straight look at what the role involves, where it’s challenging, and who tends to do well. Reach out if you want to talk about whether it fits you.

Considering a career as a Northwestern Mutual advisor? Here's a candid look at prospecting, compensation, training, and fit.

10/08/2026

A great day at Northwestern Mutual's Elevate Business Accelerator.

The best part of days like this is the room full of advisors who are all trying to get better at the same thing: serving people well.

I'm heading home with new strategies and fresh ideas to bring to the conversations that matter most to the families and professionals I work with.

Grateful for the time to sharpen the craft.

10/06/2026

In Milwaukee for a few days of professional development, kicking off tonight. Third trip here this year, and it's still one of my favorite cities. The weather was too good to waste, so I got in a midday 6 miles along the lake at 7:15 pace. Always investing in getting better, at work and outside it.