LampPost Planning

LampPost Planning We are financial advisors. We objectively guide committed clients along a thoughtful, simple path to building wealth and knowledge.

We specialize in planning, investments, and insurance.

Why So Bearish?
10/09/2026

Why So Bearish?

I'm a sucker for a good deal, always have been. So when I told my mom Ghirardelli was doing $7.25 mini hot fudge sundaes...
10/07/2026

I'm a sucker for a good deal, always have been.

So when I told my mom Ghirardelli was doing $7.25 mini hot fudge sundaes for National Hot Fudge Sundae Day, she didn't hesitate. Guess I know where the deal-hunting and the sweet tooth both come from. 🍨

The store was easily twice as busy as I'd expect for a random weekday. And I couldn't help but think about the business behind it, Ghirardelli's barely making anything on that sundae, food cost is probably under a dollar, but that was never really the point. Promotions like this are about getting people through the door and letting the rest of the visit do the work.

Rough math: if they're seeing 100 customers an hour, half came for the promo, and half of those spend an extra $20 while they're there, that's $12,000 in additional revenue in a single day. Numbers will vary, but the principle holds: a good promotion drives way more than the discount itself costs.

What made this one work:

Limited-time, so there was real urgency
The offer was genuinely good (half off!)
It tied into something fun
It got pushed hard on social media

The best promotions don't just cut a price. They give people a reason to join the moment.
..and that's from a Mind of a Financial Advisor. 💭

Politics has a funny way of shaping how we see the economy, even when we're all looking at the same numbers.Take inflati...
10/05/2026

Politics has a funny way of shaping how we see the economy, even when we're all looking at the same numbers.

Take inflation expectations. Right now, Republicans expect prices to rise about 2.4% over the next 12 months. Democrats? 4.7%. Same economy, same data, nearly double the outlook.

This is what economists call "motivated reasoning", our political identity quietly coloring our financial predictions.

As election season heats up, it's worth remembering: markets don't run on opinions. They run on fundamentals. Don't let the noise of the news cycle drive your financial decisions.

Stay focused. Stay grounded. And when in doubt, talk to a professional who can help you separate the signal from the static. 📊

What is Universal Life Insurance?Unlike term life insurance, universal life insurance is permanent, it stays in force fo...
10/02/2026

What is Universal Life Insurance?

Unlike term life insurance, universal life insurance is permanent, it stays in force for your entire life. But its standout feature is flexibility: you decide how much to pay above a set minimum, and that shapes your policy's face amount.

Other key features:
✅ Cash value grows tax-deferred
✅ Policyholders can typically borrow against that cash value under favorable terms
✅ Beneficiaries receive a death benefit (which may or may not be taxable, depending on structure)

It's not a one-size-fits-all solution, whether it's right for you depends on your goals, health, and financial circumstances. 📋

Curious if universal life insurance fits into your financial plan? Click below
https://www.lamppostplanning.com/post/universal-life-insurance

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎀We take this time to honor the strength of those who have faced a diagnosis, s...
10/01/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎀

We take this time to honor the strength of those who have faced a diagnosis, support those currently going through it, and recognize the families and communities who stand beside them.

Awareness matters. Support matters. Presence matters. We stand with you.

Retire in your 30s, 40s, or early 50s? 🔥 It's not a daydream for everyone, it's a movement.FIRE = Financial Independence...
09/28/2026

Retire in your 30s, 40s, or early 50s? 🔥 It's not a daydream for everyone, it's a movement.

FIRE = Financial Independence, Retire Early. The formula: save 25x your annual expenses, then retire and live off a 3-4% withdrawal each year.

Example: need $50K/year to live on? You're aiming for $1.25M.

It takes serious discipline, but for the right people, it's a real path to a work-optional life. 💪

Is FIRE right for you? Learn more on our blog

https://www.lamppostplanning.com/post/fire-retirement

With penny production ended, some merchants have started rounding cash purchases up or down to the nearest nickel.Depend...
09/25/2026

With penny production ended, some merchants have started rounding cash purchases up or down to the nearest nickel.

Depending on the total, that could mean a few cents more or a few cents less. Paying by credit card may come with another wrinkle.

Some retailers and service providers are adding surcharges to help offset card processing costs, which may increase the final price. That means the same purchase could cost slightly different amounts depending on whether you use cash, debit, or credit.

Before you pay, take a second to compare the total for cash, debit, and credit so you know which option makes the most sense for that purchase.

Ever notice how certain products are always right at eye level? Every time I grab lunch at Brother's Deli in Oakland, I ...
09/23/2026

Ever notice how certain products are always right at eye level?

Every time I grab lunch at Brother's Deli in Oakland, I end up staring at their chips and soda display before I even order. It’s not by accident. Those are almost always the highest-margin items, placed exactly where they're easiest to see and grab.

Visibility alone can boost sales anywhere from 10–30%. So I started running the numbers on a place like Brother's:

Say they sell around 300 chips and sodas a day, and each higher-margin item earns about $0.25 more. Bump sales by just 20% with better placement, and that's an extra $15 a day. Over a year, roughly $5,400 without touching the menu, raising a single price, or selling one more sandwich.

Restaurant margins are brutal. A 10% profit margin is considered a great year. So an extra $5,400 can be the difference between a stressful year and a comfortable one, all from where you put the chips.

…and that's from a Mind of a Financial Advisor. 💭

Higher mortgage rates are pushing some homebuyers to look for lower-cost alternatives. 🏠The average rate for a 30-year f...
09/21/2026

Higher mortgage rates are pushing some homebuyers to look for lower-cost alternatives. 🏠

The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.79%, while the average rate for a 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage fell to 5.94%.

That gap is drawing more attention to ARMs, which made up 8% of mortgage applications last week, their highest share in five weeks.

The tradeoff is that an ARM’s rate can change later, which means the lower initial rate may come with more uncertainty down the road.

For buyers comparing mortgage options, it’s worth looking beyond the starting rate and understanding how the loan could change over time.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is here, and it reshapes the tax landscape for 2026.Some highlights:✅ Individual tax rate...
09/21/2026

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is here, and it reshapes the tax landscape for 2026.

Some highlights:
✅ Individual tax rates (12–37%) are now permanent
✅ Standard deduction rises to $16,100 (single) / $32,200 (joint)
✅ QBI deduction made permanent for small business owners
✅ Estate & gift tax exemption jumps to $15M (individual) / $30M (married)

Not every change is permanent, though. Some valuable deductions (like the senior bonus and tips/overtime write-offs) are set to expire after 2028.

Know what applies to you before year-end planning season hits. Talk to your tax professional to map out a strategy. 📊

https://www.lamppostplanning.com/post/2026-tax-law-changes

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