John Colyer, Financial Advisor

09/29/2026

09/23/2026

If a check for $100,000 showed up tomorrow, would you know what to do with it?

Most people don't, and that's not a criticism. An inheritance or a settlement can feel like the finish line. Freedom. Breathing room. Finally.

But lump sums disappear faster than anyone expects. The money feels different from a paycheck, so the spending feels different too. A new car here, help for a family member there, a few upgrades to the house. None of it feels reckless in the moment. Then a year goes by and half of it is gone with nothing to show for it.

The smartest move you can make is the boring one: slow down. Give yourself 90 days before any big decisions. Set the money aside, and sit down with someone who helps people make money decisions every day. Not to pick investments. To build a plan.

A good plan answers three questions. What do you owe that is costing you the most? What cushion do you need so one bad month doesn't break you? And what is this money supposed to do for you over the next ten years?

Money that has a job doesn't disappear. Money without one always does.

If a lump sum ever lands in your lap, talk to someone before you spend a dollar of it. That one conversation can be the difference between money that changes your life and money that just passes through it.

09/01/2026

Why Life Insurance Matters

Life insurance isn’t about planning for death. It’s about protecting the people and plans you love if the unexpected happens.

For many families, term life insurance can be an affordable way to provide meaningful financial protection during the years when it matters most: while raising children, paying a mortgage, building a business, or replacing a primary income.

One of the most powerful features of life insurance is that it can create an immediate estate. Even if you haven’t had decades to accumulate savings and investments, a life insurance policy can provide a significant death benefit to your beneficiaries when they need it most. It is there to help cover expenses such as the mortgage, childcare, education, debts, final costs, and everyday living needs.

That’s why most families should at least have a conversation about life insurance. The goal is not to leave your loved ones wealthy, it’s to make sure they have choices, stability, and time to grieve without an immediate financial crisis.

Your income is one of your family’s greatest assets. Protecting it may be one of the most caring financial decisions you can make.

If you want to talk about your options, send me a message or schedule a call!