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The Power of Gratitude in Financial and Everyday Life
The Power of Gratitude in Financial and Everyday Life Discover how practicing gratitude can shape your perspective, strengthen your relationships, and bring meaning to your financial goals. As the year draws to a close, it’s natural to...
Read MoreMake the Most of Your Required Minimum Distribution
Make the Most of Your Required Minimum Distribution Explore how aligning your RMD with Giving Tuesday can bring purpose to your financial plan and meaning to your giving As the season of gratitude approaches, many of us take time to...
Read MoreBeyond the Numbers: Investing with Intention
Beyond the Numbers: Investing with Intention When most people think about investing, numbers are the first thing that come to mind. Charts, percentages, market shifts, and performance reports often dominate the conversation. At...
Read MoreBeyond the Numbers: Aligning Your Financial Plan with What Matters Most
When people think about financial planning, it’s easy to assume it’s all about numbers—balances, benchmarks, budgets, and bottom lines. But the most effective plans aren’t just built on data. They’re shaped by values, priorities, and a...
Read MoreTax Refunds Don’t Equal Tax Efficiency Rethinking Your Tax Strategy
Tax Refunds Don’t Equal Tax Efficiency Rethinking Your Tax Strategy Most people feel a small thrill when they get a tax refund. But before you celebrate, it’s worth asking, does that refund really mean your tax strategy is working? In...
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Planning With Purpose: A Fresh Look at Financial Wellness in 2025 Offering Insight to Help Turn Inte
Planning With Purpose: A Fresh Look at Financial Wellness in 2025 Offering Insight to Help Turn Intentions into Thoughtful Action As we move through 2025, financial planning continues to shift alongside changes in legislation, market...
Read MoreWhat’s a MYGA—and Is It Right for You?
What’s a MYGA—and Is It Right for You? When thinking about how to secure your financial future, especially in or near retirement, predictability matters. That’s where MYGAs, or Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities, come into the picture. A...
Read More5 Signs You Need a Financial Second Opinion
Ever had that nagging feeling that something's not quite right with your financial plan? You're not alone. Just like seeking a medical second opinion before a major procedure, getting a fresh perspective on your financial health can be...
Read MoreTax Efficiency: Helping to Optimize Your Assets with Holistiplan
Tax Efficiency: Optimizing Your Assets with Holistiplan As Benjamin Franklin famously noted, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes. While we can only address one of these certainties today, looking at taxation...
Read MoreA Thoughtful Estate Plan Could Help Protect Your Legacy and Could Help Increase Confidence
A Thoughtful Estate Plan Could Help Protect Your Legacy and Could Help Increase Confidence Planning for the future is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones. Estate planning isn’t just about...
Read MoreSecond Opinion: A Fresh Look at Your Financial Future
Second Opinion: A Fresh Look at Your Financial Future Was your New Year’s resolution to finally get a handle on your finances? If so, you’re not alone. Many people start the year motivated to improve their financial health....
Read MoreYour Month-by-Month Financial Guide to Intentional Planning
Your 2025 Month-by-Month Financial Guide to Intentional Planning As the calendar turns to a new year, it brings an opportunity for fresh perspectives and purposeful planning. It also represents a clean slate, full of possibilities and...
Read MoreLegacy Planning: A Step Beyond Estate Planning How to leave a lasting impact through thoughtful fina
Legacy Planning: A Step Beyond Estate Planning How to leave a lasting impact through thoughtful financial decisions
Read MoreBuilding Financial Resilience in Uncertain Times: Tailoring Strategies for Stability
Building Financial Resilience in Uncertain Times: Tailoring Strategies for Stability Economic volatility affects everyone differently, and so does the way we manage finances during turbulent times. Just as no two people are the same,...
Read MoreFinancial Planning for Entrepreneurs and Startups: Tips and Strategies for Managing Finances
Financial Planning for Entrepreneurs and Startups: Tips and Strategies for Managing Finances in the Early Stages of Business Development Starting a business is an exciting but challenging journey, particularly when it comes to managing...
Read MoreThe Impact of Behavioral Finance on Decision Making
The Impact of Behavioral Finance on Decision Making In financial planning, numbers and logic often take center stage. However, our decisions are deeply influenced by emotions, psychological biases, and past experiences. Behavioral...
Read MoreIntegrating Financial Planning with Personal Values
Are your financial decisions aligned with your core values? Discover how to integrate your personal values into financial planning with actionable strategies. From value-based budgeting to socially responsible investing.
Read MoreRiders for a Cause: Solstice Century Raised $100K, Making a Difference for Local Organizations
The Solstice Century 100-mile ride, hosted by Zac Larson, is more than just a cycling event; it’s a testament to community spirit and the power of shared goals. Hear from Zac in an exclusive Q+A.
Read MoreGraduation Season: Financial Tips for New College Graduates
Fresh out of college and wondering how to manage your finances? Look no further! Our latest blog post covers everything from creating an emergency fund and managing student loans, to starting your investment journey.
Read MoreRetirement Planning: Setting SMART Goals
Dreaming of a retirement filled with peace, security, and fulfillment? It all starts with SMART planning and the right financial partnership!
Read MoreSpring Clean Your Finances: Tips for Organizing Your Financial Life
Spring is the season of renewal, a time for sweeping out the old and making way for the new. While many of us equate spring cleaning with tidying up our homes, it's also an ideal time to take a good hard look at our financial lives.
Read MoreWhat Tax Bracket Am I In?
What Tax Bracket Am I In? What tax bracket am I in and why does it matter? There are seven different tax brackets in the United States, ranging from 10 to 37 percent. Your bracket will determine your tax rate, which is important when...
Read MoreHow To Reduce Taxable Income
How To Reduce Taxable Income While a higher income has allowed you to take trips or purchase the electronics you've had your eye on, rising inflation this year may have nudged you into a new tax bracket. Tax-bracket creep is when your...
Read MoreHow to Make Extra Money
How to Make Extra Money With rising inflation year after year, making extra money has become a necessary goal for many in the Naperville area. Extra money can come in handy to pay down excessive debts and improve your overall...
Read MoreHow Much Should I Contribute To My 401(k)
How Much Should I Contribute To My 401(k) When thinking of retiring, it can be easy to spiral into an anxiety attack. How much can I put into my 401(k)? Should I worry about my 401(k)? Is a 401(k) part of my net worth? Heck, what even...
Read MoreInvesting In Real Estate For Beginners
Investing In Real Estate For Beginners Do you want to start investing in real estate but feel overwhelmed? There’s so much to know before investing in your first property that knowing where to begin can feel impossible....
Read MoreShould I Refinance My Mortgage?
Should I Refinance My House to 15 Years? | IntentGen With the fluctuating state of the economy and interest rates, one of the pressing mortgage refinance questions many homeowners are asking is, "Should I refinance my mortgage?" Making...
Read MoreWhat Is A Financial Planner?
Many people often ask, what does a financial planner do? They work to help their clients manage their money to help them reach their financial goals — often long-term goals. A financial planner focuses on the many aspects of...
Read MoreHow Important is Retirement Planning?
It’s never too early to start planning for retirement, as you can figure out exactly what you need to do to achieve a secure, safe, and fun retirement. While you’re not required to plan for your retirement, you need to...
Read MoreHow To Prepare For Retirement
Whether you live in Naperville or Chicago, many people are looking for helpful ways you can successfully prepare for retirement. As your trusted resource for financing, real estate, retirement, and more! Explore our preparing for...
Read MoreWhat to Look for in a Retirement Planner
No matter your current age, income, or financial situation, taking steps now to plan for retirement will help ensure you have all the resources you need to enjoy your golden years. A retirement planner will be your ally in identifying...
Read MoreWhat Rate Of Return Should I Use For Retirement Planning?
When planning your financial future in %%target_city_1%% or %%target_city_3%%, it’s a good idea to keep your rate of return in mind - and more specifically, what rate of return to use for retirement planning. Let’s start...
Read MoreIntentGen Financial Partners Received Award from Inc. Magazine
IntentGen Financial Partners Received Award as Part of Inc. Magazine’s Annual List of Best Workplaces for 2023 Company named among best workplaces(Naperville, Illinois) May 25, 2023—IntentGen Financial Partners of...
Read MoreHow To Plan For Retirement In Your 50s
You’ve reached your 50s, and retirement is weighing more heavily on your mind than it did 10 years ago. Perhaps your savings isn’t as robust as you want them to be or your investments have taken a hit over the past couple...
Read MoreIs a Certified Financial Planner a Fiduciary?
Is a Certified Financial Planner a Fiduciary?A Certified Financial Planner is indeed required to act as a fiduciary in all instances where they provide advice or guidance to a client. In other words, this means that a CFP must always...
Read MoreHow Much Do Financial Planners Charge?
How Much Do Financial Planners Charge?How much can you expect to pay if you hire a financial planner? For better or worse, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question. Different financial planners charge different kinds...
Read MoreWhat to Ask a Financial Planner
What to Ask a Financial PlannerThe future is full of uncertainties, but finding the right financial planning partner can help you navigate whatever troubled waters lie ahead. For better or worse, there are an extraordinary variety of...
Read MoreWhat Is A Non-Qualified Retirement Plan?
Planning for retirement takes effort and the right financial vehicles to plug into as you get ready to save for your Golden Years. You’ve got several options, including mutual funds, a savings account, and specialized retirement...
Read MoreHow to Retire in Four Steps
There is no one-size-fits-all road map for how to retire, but that doesn’t mean you have to start making plans from scratch. The best-case scenario is one in which you can work hand-in-hand with an advisor who understands your...
Read MoreWhat Age is Retirement?
For those born during or after 1960, the full retirement age is 67—at least in the United States. What age is retirement if you were born earlier? Your full retirement age will fall between 66 and 67, as seen below:Born between...
Read MoreHow to Retire Early: 3 Steps to Success
Early retirement is a lofty goal, but the path is paved with clear and simple steps that just about anyone can follow. Setting clear intentions, securing post-retirement income, and living more frugally in the present are the three...
Read MoreHow Much Do You Need to Retire?
If you want to live comfortably during retirement, it pays to start planning at the earliest opportunity—and for many, setting a reasonable savings target is a challenge in its own right. How much do you need to retire without...
Read MoreHow To Retire Early
Want to know how to retire early at 55? This is one of the most searched questions, in addition to how much do I need to retire early? As your trusted financial source, we've created a handy guide to help you prepare for your future...
Read MoreDo You Need A Lawyer To Make A Will?
Do I need a lawyer for a will? We’ve prepared this guide to help you decide if you need a %%target_city_1%% will and testament lawyer or if you should try to go it alone.
Read MoreWhen Do You Need A Will?
Many people want to ensure that their families are aware of their wishes so as to avoid potential conflicts—but the particularities of planning for the future aren’t always clear. When do you need a will, and how long after...
Read MoreWhen Do You Need a Trust?
Estate planning can be a complicated process because everyone’s situation is unique. A cookie-cutter process for managing an estate is never a good idea. Creating a trust, sometimes called a living trust, as part of your estate...
Read MoreWhat Does An Estate Planning Attorney Do?
Are you planning for the future and want your loved ones to know how your assets and affairs should be managed? Hiring an estate planning lawyer helps prepare for your family's future. If you're asking yourself, "what is an estate...
Read MoreHow to Preserve Wealth
How to Preserve WealthPreparing your family financially for when you're gone can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. The purpose of estate planning is to preserve your wealth, the assets you've spent your life creating and...
Read MoreWhat Does Required Minimum Distribution Mean?
What Does Required Minimum Distribution Mean?When you reach retirement age, you’ll need to start making withdrawals from your retirement account—and that’s true even if you plan to retire later on. This minimum...
Read MoreStarting Healthcare Conversations
Managing your money is just one part of aging well—and we here at IntentGen Financial Partners know that well-being can only be defined holistically.
Read MoreTax Now, Tax Later, Tax Never
Tax Now, Tax Later, Tax NeverTax season is coming up, and we are sure you have questions. Wondering if you have to pay taxes on savings accounts? Do I have to pay taxes on my checking account? When is a ROTH IRA taxed? How are...
Read MoreWhat Happens If You Contribute Too Much To Your Roth IRA?
What Happens If You Contribute Too Much To Your Roth IRA?A Roth IRA is a great way to build funds for your future retirement, and it’s a popular option with investors. But, did you know that overcontributing to your account can...
Read MoreWhat Is a Required Minimum Distribution?
What Is a Required Minimum Distribution?When you save up for retirement, you spend decades contributing to building a financially secure future. But when you turn 72, it’s time to start thinking about systematic withdrawals as...
Read MoreWhy A Financial Planner Is Important
Why A Financial Planner Is Important Whether you have a specific goal in mind or you need help shaping your finances in general, a financial planner can give you greater confidence moving into the future. So, what is a financial...
Read MoreShould I Have Life Insurance in my 20s?
Is life insurance worth it in my 20s? Find out the compelling reasons that investing in life insurance in your 20s is well worth your consideration!
Read MoreHow to Start Planning for Retirement in Your 30s
What’s your strategy for saving for retirement in your 30s? Find out the smartest long-term saving solutions that will take you into the future with ease!
Read MoreShould You Take Social Security at 62?
Should you take Social Security at 62 or wait a few extra years? Find out with the Medicare and Social Security retirement advisors at IntentGen!
Read MoreWhy a Beneficiary Matters
Whether you’re purchasing life insurance, setting up an investment fund, or making adjustments to your retirement account, deciding where your money will go after your death is an important part of the...
Read MoreHow to Plan for Retirement in My 40s
Tips for saving for retirement and tools for investing in order to set yourself up for retirement in the Naperville area.
Read MoreHow to Improve Credit Score
Explore tips for improving credit score with the help of IntentGen, and get your score up before your next big purchase in Naperville.Explore tips for improving credit score with the help of IntentGen, and get your score up before your next
Read MoreWhat is Debt-to-Income Ratio?
Learn how to calculate debt-to-income ratio with IntentGen and why it’s important to know your debt-to-income ratio.
Read MoreIRS Tax Brackets
People who earn more fall into higher IRS tax brackets, and therefore pay a larger percentage of what they earn. However, they might not have to pay as much as their IRS tax bracket seemingly suggests.
Read MoreWhat is a Stretch IRA?
You’ve probably heard of 401(k) and Roth IRA accounts, but what is a Stretch IRA? The Stretch IRA definition was “an estate planning strategy that applied to an individual retirement account (IRA) inherited by a non-spouse...
Read MoreShould I Do My Own Taxes or Pay Someone?
When tax season rolls around, many customers can't help but wonder, should a professional do my taxes or should I do my own taxes? The tax experts at IntentGen are proud to serve as your guide to doing your taxes and other financial...
Read MoreTax Rules When Selling Your Home
Selling a home is an exciting yet stressful time for many Naperville area residents. At IntentGen, we provide online resources and tax articles that help make things more efficient and hassle-free.
Read MoreShould I Have Life Insurance at 30?
Naperville customers often wonder, "do I need life insurance when I am 30?" This is a common question as those in their 30s are looking for ways to prepare for their futures.
Read MoreHow Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
Many people often wonder how much life insurance is needed, down to the penny, but there's a way to estimate how much you'd need. In general, you should add up your long-term financial obligation, which would be your mortgage payments, coll
Read MoreHow to Set up a Special Needs Trust
If you're looking for financial tips and information like what is a special needs trust and how to set it up, we have your guide below! A special needs trust, or a supplemental needs trust, is an estate planning tool for people with...
Read MoreTerm vs. Permanent Life Insurance: What's the Difference?
If you're starting your research with basic life insurance, there are two options to choose from: term and permanent.
Read MoreHow to Estimate Estate Value
A variety of factors go into determining the real value of an estate. Naperville locals trying to sell an estate are going to have to deal with the fact that the real value can change over time.
Read MoreEmployer-Sponsored Retirement Plan
The employer-sponsored retirement plan is a benefit plan companies offer at an affordable price. These plans include HSA and 401(k) and cover a variety of services like healthcare and retirement savings.
Read MoreWhat is a Qualified Retirement Plan?
Planning for retirement is critical to your future and should be carried out with significant thought and consideration. A qualified retirement plan is a great way for employers to help their employees thrive, and set them up for success.
Read MoreValue vs. Growth Investing
IntentGen Financial Partners is proud to serve as your go-to destination for your investing and financing needs. What is value investing and what is growth investing? Learn the definitions of both and how these compare.
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