Northland, MO April 2024

INNOVATING AND SUSTAINING:

How city manager Brian Platt is investing in his new hometown

Investing in Happiness

The theme for this month is new for us: investment. While I love some personal finance and economic news (not joking — do not get me started on my favorite app, You Need a Budget or the podcast Planet Money), we took a broad view of what investment means for our April issue.

As a millennial, sometimes it can feel hard for me to invest in things — quality furniture can be hard to stomach when I can easily order something cheap and quickly online, or investing in a homemade dinner can be difficult when we’ve got young kids, a busy schedule and to-go options at our fingertips. But that’s just what investing is — putting time or money into something whose usefulness will repay the cost, i.e. a homecooked meal to nourish your body or a sturdy table that will last for decades instead of months.

This month, we filled our pages with different definitions of investing. Our cover story is about Brain Platt, the city manager of Kansas City and New Jersey native who is taking time to invest in his new hometown. He’s taking basic but important government roles like snow removal and energy use and applying innovative, sustainable and cost-effective strategies in the hopes that it feels like your tax dollars are being invested in things that benefit you.

We also profile two businesses on why they’re a good investment. WellWay is a health club in Liberty that is invested in your health, and not just by furnishing a fancy gym — they go above and beyond, providing wellness advisors and amenities so your health can feel collaborative. We also look at a recent project of Budget Blinds, and why you shouldn’t be ignoring window treatments when designing your home. Investing in different treatments can really elevate the feel of your space and also change the function and comfort of your home.

Whatever you’re investing in this month, we hope it brings you joy and happiness. As always, thanks for taking the time to look through our magazine.

Until next month,

KATIE CURRID, EDITOR @NORTHLANDCITYLIFESTYLE

city scene

Want to be seen in the magazine?

1-7: The Chocolate 4 Paws fundraising event was held on February 10 at the Weatherby Lake Community Center to raise money for the Friends of the Parkville Animal Shelter. The event raised $14,720 for the shelter. Photos courtesy of Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter.

business monthly

Vote for your favorite rotating Liberty sculpture

Vote for your favorite Liberty Arts Commission rotating sculpture! Would you like to see your own art around town? Applications are open now until April 15. Selected artists receive a $2,000 honorarium and the sculptures are on display for one year starting in September. At the end of each program cycle, the Liberty Arts Commission can purchase a piece from the exhibit to be added to the city's permanent art collection. For more information, visit  libertymissouri.gov/2505/Public-Art---Sculptures

Photography by Courtesy of Liberty, Missouri

Owen Homes wins design award

The Owen Homes team won the 2024 Best of Houzz – Design award! Congratulations to the team, trade partners, and everyone who came together to help build beautiful homes!

CARPET - TILE - VINYL PLANK - HARDWOOD - LAMINATE - NATURAL

Photography by Ty Nagle with TN Creative

the CITY LIST

We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.

Auto Dealership

Northtowne Volkwagen

www.northtownevw.com | 816.436.2255

Reed Buick GMC, Inc.

www.reedauto.com | 816.436.6300

Hendrick Lexus (North/Duplicate www.hendricklexuskansascity.com | 816.942.9000

Worth Harley Davidson

www.worthharley-davidson.com | 816.420.9000

Gary Crossley Ford

www.garycrossleyford.com | 913.962.2023

Mortgage Lender

PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company: Steve Myrick lo.primelending.com/steve.myrick/ | 816.654.5690

Liz Doyle- Prosperity Home Mortgage

www.phmloans.com/mortgageconsultant/lizdoyle | 913.687.0674

Commerce Bank- Porsha Rideaux commercebank.mymortgage-online.com/PorshaRideaux.html | 816.234.7111

Want to suggest a monthly pick?

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation- Frank Battaglia fairwayindependentmc.com/branch/kansas-city-mo-202-64155-428 | 816.522.6818

Capitol Federal- Cynthia Anderson www.capfed.com | 816.584.4179

Art Gallery

The Artisan Market libertyartisanmarket.com/ | 816.407.8071

Stocksdale Gallery at William Jewell College www.facebook.com/stocksdalegallery | 816.415.7588

MOD Gallery & Space www.boommod.com/ | 913.530.2897

Jones Gallery jonesgallerykc.com/ | 816.421.2111

Cerbera Gallery www.cerberagallery.com/ | 844.202.9303

Insurance Agency

Total Insurance Solutions- Dave McCaw totalinsurancesolutionsllc.com

Reece Nichols Insurance- Ashley Meyers www.reecenicholsinsurance.com/team/ashley-meyers | 816.348.4579

Shelter Insurance www.shelterinsurance.com | 816.746.0818

Briarcliff Insurance Group briarcliffinsurance.com | 816.759.2133

Gary Wagner Insurance Agency 816.792.2526

Senior Living Facilities

McCrite Plaza at Briarcliff mccritekc.com | 816.888.7930

Tiffany Springs Senior Living tiffanyspringsbytutera.com/ | 816.621.3800

The Oxford Grand at Shoal Creek www.oxfordseniorliving.com/senior-living/mo/kansas-city/shoal-creek/ | 816.415.3996

The Summit at Viewcrest www.calamar.com/summit-at-viewcrest-senior-apartments | 816.205.4185

Primrose Retirement Community www.kendallwood.com | 816.468.8282

Happiness works here.

You deserve a career you love, where your talents improve people’s lives while advancing your own. A place where the mission provides a strong sense of purpose and unity – and your team makes you feel inspired, engaged and valued. At Liberty Hospital and Clinics, providing a premier patient experience starts with giving you a premier career experience. What we have here is something special, and you’ve found where you belong.

Learn more at libertyhospital.org/careers.

HOW NEW JERSEY

AND KANSAS CITY CITY MANAGER BRIAN PLATT IS INVESTING IN HIS NEW HOMETOWN

Innovating and Sustaining

ARTICLE BY KATIE CURRID | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH SCHREINER

NATIVE

Brian Platt is the young, energetic city manager of Kansas City. Though the New Jersey native didn’t grow up in the region, his dedication to sustainability and background in innovation are helping to shape the job he’s been doing in Kansas City’s government since December 2020. Brian started his career on the East Coast — he was once a teacher for Teach for America, and later city manager for Jersey City — but has become passionate about his new Midwestern hometown and the people who live here. He loves taking basic governmental problems, such as snow removal or energy use, and applying simple but innovative steps to overhaul and improve them. Brian truly believes in investing in his community, and we talked with him about how he’s doing that as a government leader of our city.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT OUR CITY AS SOMEONE WHO DIDN’T GROW UP IN THE AREA?

A: I love Kansas City for so many reasons. The people of Kansas City are the best thing about this place — everyone has been so nice and warm and welcoming and supportive, but more importantly, people here really love everything about this city and have so much pride for the home team (not just the Chiefs). The city has so much to offer — amazing restaurants, museums, sporting events, and so much more.

Q: HOW DO YOU SEE THE NORTHLAND’S ROLE IN KANSAS CITY?

A: The Northland is the future of growth potential in Kansas City. We have so much undeveloped land and so much we still need — more restaurants, more jobs, more entertainment, and more of the things that any neighborhood would want. The Northland communities will lead Kansas City’s future.

Q: SUSTAINABILITY IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO YOU. WHY?

A: Our purpose as city leaders is to make life better for people, and protecting and improving environmental conditions is the foundation of how we do this. For example, we are working on building one of the largest solar arrays in the United States here in the Northland at the Kansas City Airport. In Missouri, 70% of electricity is produced from carbon-based sources. Imagine the tremendous improvement in air quality and, as a result, the health of Kansas Citians from a project like this.

Q: WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF SINCE COMING TO KANSAS CITY?

A: I’m so proud of so many things we’ve managed to accomplish and achieve here but one project I like to talk about the most is how we’ve dramatically improved our snow removal plan.

We’ve made so many important changes to how we address snow and ice storms, including shifting to a 24-hour-a-day operation, plowing, and treating all roads curb to curb (instead of prioritizing certain roads and just doing a quick pass down the middle), aggressively pre-treating roads with salt before storms, adding 50 trucks and 100 drivers to the rotation using existing resources and staff (simply adding plow blades to trucks we already owned and shifting employees from other duties to snow removal during storms) and investing in new technology. Every plow has a tablet with a digital route map that tracks exactly which streets have been cleared.

To me, this is a great example of good government: taking concrete and specific steps to improve a crucial basic service. A lot of what we do is not flashy, and this demonstrates our commitment to the basics.

Q: HOW DO YOU MAKE AN IMPACT IN A LARGE CITY LIKE KANSAS CITY?

A: The size and scale of this city and all our communities allow our impact to be exponentially large. For example, changing your standard light bulbs to LEDs can save a few dollars on your home electricity bill every month.

We are converting all our 90,000+ streetlights to LEDs to save $5 million a year on energy and maintenance costs for our streetlights, AND we will be using so much less energy. It is the same as taking 6,000 cars off the road every day from reduced carbon emissions just from the energy used to power our streetlights.

Q: WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR THE FUTURE OF KANSAS CITY?

A: Kansas City is on a rocket ship right now.  We are the hottest city in the United States. We are coming off two Superbowl victories, we just hosted the NFL draft, we’ve been ranked nationally and internationally as a city to visit, we just opened what is now one of the topranked airports in the country, and we are one of 11 cities in the United States hosting the World Cup.

The next 2.5 years leading up to the World Cup are going to be super exciting and filled with activity.  We have about a dozen new buildings and major infrastructure projects that will break ground in the next year or so, including a few high-rise residential towers downtown, new housing projects in 18th and Vine, an all-new destination park over the top of Highway 670, the solar array at the airport, and so much more.  All these projects have been years in the making and we are all so excited to see dirt moving!

BY KATIE CURRID

Little Sweden

Lindsborg, Kansas exudes small-town charm — with some Swedish flair

It shouldn’t be surprising that I, a person who lives in a small town, have a thing for small towns. I love a good historic downtown, quirky shops with adorable storefronts and just exploring a place at a slower pace. So, of course, I fell in love with Lindsborg, Kansas — also known as Little Sweden — on a recent trip there.

I visited Lindsborg as they were preparing for their Svensk Hyllningsfest last October. The festival only occurs every other year (the next one is in 2025), and is a weekend filled with Swedish folk dancing, Swedish food, Viking games — and, of course, the Smorgasbord. The whole

Opposite: 1904 World's Fair Swedish Pavilion

Above: Hemslojd gift shop in Lindsborg

town was in a frenzy getting ready for the upcoming festival, which brings thousands of tourists to their small town of about 3,500 people, located about 200 miles west of Kansas City off of I-70.

Though I wasn’t able to attend the festival, I was able to explore everything else Lindsborg has to offer — a surprising amount, for a town their size! Lindsborg has an adorable downtown, where you can find painted Dala horses aplenty — think the Kansas City CowParade, but they’re Swedish horses. If you want a Dala horse of your own, you can visit Hemslojd, Inc., where you can watch artisans carve them from wood, and they’ll even hand paint and customize one for you.

I had a wealth of activities to choose from during my short stay in Lindsborg. I particularly loved my self-guided tour of the Lindsborg Old Mill, a historic flour mill from 1898 that is still fired up at least once a year. Across the street is the Swedish Heritage Museum, which features the Swedish Pavilion from the 1904 World’s Fair. It’s almost like a little town, and kids will love exploring the barn and old schoolhouse. If you’re interested in art, I highly recommend a visit to the Red Barn Studio Museum, where you can explore the eclectic studio of Lester Raymer and also watch their artist-in-residence at work. There’s also the Birger Sandzén Memorial Art Gallery, which is a must.

“Lindsborg is a great reminder that not all small towns look alike, and many are worthy of an overnight visit.”

Top: The Välkommen Trail

Bottom Right: Anderson Butik Scandinavian gift shop

If you’re looking for outdoorsy activities, the Välkommen Trail is a paved 4.5mile path that’s great for walking or biking. It weaves its way through town, so you can take breaks for shopping. There are plenty of cute boutiques in town, plus lots of shops to find Swedish fare — both artisan goods and food. Make sure you pick up some lingonberry jam.

Speaking of food, you can start your day at The White Peacock Tea and Coffee Company, or try the Blacksmith Coffee Shop and Roastery, or both offer lunch, too. For a midday treat, Indigo Moo’d Ice Cream is a perfect stop. Then, end your day at Crown and Rye, with their great homestyle Swedish menu, or you can try the tavern-like Öl Stuga if that’s more your speed.

Lindsborg is a great reminder that not all small towns look alike, and many are worthy of an overnight visit – with plenty of culture and charm to boot.

Top Left: Hemslojd gift shop in Lindsborg

Bottom: Blacksmith Coffee Shop and Roastery

Summer Art Camps

June, July, & August

Monday thru Thursday 9:00am-4:00pm $349 per week

8 creative camp themes to choose from!

Register online

www.orangeeaselart.com/summer2024

Ages 4 -12

PLATTE WOODS

7617 NW Prairie View Rd

Kansas City MO 64151 816-216-7216

LIBERTY

249 W Mill St Ste 107

Liberty MO 64068 816-407-9266

Working with Hannah was a joy for everyone in our family. She was able to draw genuine smiles out of our small children which made family photos a fun experience for all of us! I will treasure these bright and beautiful photos forever.

502.295.2251

hannahschreinerphotography.com

ARTICLE BY TIFFANY KILLOREN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH SCHREINER

A PARTNER IN HEALTH

Hear the words “invest in your future” and you tend to think of your bank account, investments and actions that you’ve taken for retirement and to protect your family. Although planning for your financial future is important, you have to take care of

receive a dedicated wellness advisor as part of their membership, along with regular health assessments!”

“To maximize goals, it’s important to focus on the right things,” Lauren continues. A client’s lab results and assessment might indicate a need to

“WELLWAY IS MORE THAN A GYM. IT'S A LIFESTYLE.” TIM HOLCOMB, WELLWAY MEMBER

your physical health to enjoy all of the life you have ahead.

WellWay in Liberty is redefining the modern-day health club by providing so much more than just fitness. It centers around three core beliefs: everyone should have a wellness advisor; people should be more engaged in their health data than checking in once a year; and everyone should have a plan customized to that data.

“We’re going to help clients reach the goals they have and identify potential goals they didn’t even know they had,” says Director of Health Services Lauren Schultheis, RD.

WellWay accomplishes this through an innovative and comprehensive approach that focuses on the use of wellness advisors to guide clients each step of the way. Describing these advisors as the “secret sauce” of their services, Lauren emphasizes the science behind their approach and the need for people to understand their entire health picture for optimal wellness.

“What’s exciting is that our members

make lifestyle changes they hadn’t considered. “The guidance that we give clients often challenges the status quo. Sometimes we tell people to work out less, recover more or tell them they’re actually not eating enough.”

Investing in your health is just as important as following the progress of your retirement fund and WellWay can partner with you through the process in a number of ways:

• Wellness advisor: Consider this person the guide on your wellness journey, helping you to assess your current health regularly, set goals, a timeline for achieving them and keeping in touch regularly to give you the help and motivation you need. And, with specialized healthcare professionals all under one roof, they can collaborate regarding your wellness needs to customize a unique plan just for you.

• Customizing care: Health assessments can help you understand how your body works and changes needed to obtain the optimal results

– both inside and out. Physicianvalidated lab testing, personal trainers, innovative therapy options and nutrition resources can take your individual results and apply them to a personalized approach.

• Holistic health: Of course, health clubs include trips to the gym and your favorite fitness classes, but WellWay understands that health isn’t limited to the weight room and healthcare professionals are an important part of the process. With a physician on staff, you can get a comprehensive picture of your health with holistic care options that fit your lifestyle, and WellWay partners with neighbor Liberty Hospital to extend care for those who need it.

• Innovative approach to healthcare: Although WellWay works with medical professionals to customize your care, they do not intend to replace your medical provider. Utilizing a variety of onsite services, however, might help to avoid some preventable trips to the doctor. With therapeutic options like dry float therapy and other resources for the body and mind, clients can partner with their wellness advisor to take their health to the next level.

“TO MAXIMIZE GOALS, IT’S IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ON THE RIGHT THINGS.”

WellWay understands that joining a health club is a big commitment given the many ways in which our time and money are stretched these days. By offering clinical, physical and therapeutic support in one location, a membership actually makes staying healthy easier than ever before. A comprehensive investment in your health is one that you can’t afford not to make. And, because WellWay is committed to making sure everyone has the information needed to take the next step in their wellness journey, a dedicated Wellness Advisor and regular health assessments are included in your membership, and anyone can go through the initial personal assessment process for free before committing to a membership.

“We want to make sure people are spending time on the right things and not spinning their wheels,” Lauren says. “When you take care of yourself in the right ways, you can show up better for the things that are important to you.”

A S T Y L ISH INVESTMENT

BUDGET

BLINDS HELPS COMBINE STYLE AND EFFICIENCY AS AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR HOME

ARTICLE BY TIFFANY KILLOREN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH SCHREINER

Natalie Kesselring, owner and design consultant manager at Budget Blinds, understands that choosing the right window coverings, although a necessary part of home ownership, can be overwhelming. With so many styles and designs to choose from, it’s easy to get paralyzed by the process and fear buyer’s remorse if you pay for custom window coverings only to regret the type, style, or color later on. Thanks to her talented team in the Northland, including a furry office mascot named Muffin who is motivated by treats and new friends, Budget Blinds can remove the stress and work within a budget that will make you feel even better about your decision.

Like any design firm, client satisfaction is Budget Blinds’ top priority and the best testament to their talents. Megan Witkowski and her husband arrived at a crossroads that many homeowners reach – whether to stay in their house and remodel or take the leap and build their dream home. Choosing to take on a new build project that will be their forever home, they wanted to surround themselves with a team that they trusted for those big decisions that turn a house into a home. The right window treatments can elevate a space, so they chose Budget Blinds to help guide them through one of the most important function and design elements of their new build.

“I met Natalie through my career and had the opportunity to learn about her company, Budget Blinds of the Northland, and get to know her personally,” Megan says. “I was so impressed with her passion, dedication, and eagerness to thrive, both personally and professionally. I knew as soon as we decided to build that I wanted to work with her and her team for our window treatments.”

Design choices don’t just consist of blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery these days. With motorized window treatments, child-safe window coverings, room darkening options, and more, working with a team with years of industry experience is more important than ever to ensure your investment is the right one for your home and family. And, for Megan, window treatments serve more than just function in a home.

“Privacy is important, but for me, window treatments bring warmth and life into the space,” says Megan. “The added textures help with the coziness.”

Working with Joey Jones, their Budget Blinds design consultant, they looked through options in the store’s Briarcliff showroom, and Megan selected a roller shade option for her windows that she didn’t even consider at first.

“Joey had this whole book of different textures and colors,” Megan says. “She suggested a color that has an amazing texture to it, and it is an exclusive brand to Budget Blinds with a great price point.”

As they settle into their new home, Megan looks forward to the next steps in her home design process which include working with Budget Blinds on custom draperies that will add true personal style to their space.

“Their team has been incredible to work with. Every associate I have encountered, from the office team to the design team to the installation crew has been friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient,” Megan says. “It’s a true nod to Natalie because it starts at the top. Our design consultant feels like part of the family at this point. There are so many decisions to make when you build a home so it was nice to just breathe during this process, knowing I was in good hands.”

APRIL 2024

HEATING AND COOLING SINCE 1948

YOU

CAN TRUST

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

Your family’s comfort is important to us here at Gladstone Furnace & A/C Co. That’s why we only install the very best Heating, Air Conditioning, and indoor air quality products available in Kansas City, MO. Our trained and seasoned staff is fully equipped to handle your HVAC equipment and indoor air comfort questions and needs.

www.gfac1948.com

APRIL 4TH

Chocolate Walk

Historic Downtown Liberty | 4:00 PM

Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings with the most exciting event of the season -  First Thursday's Chocolate Walk from 4-8 pm. You don't want to miss this opportunity to indulge in all things chocolate, including both edible treats and non-edible chocolate items. Grab your $15  tickets for a chocolatey adventure.

APRIL 5TH

April Blood Drive at NKCPL

North Kansas City Public Library | 10:30 AM

Looking for a way to give back this spring? On Friday, April 5, NKCPL will partner with the American Red Cross to host a Blood Drive at the library (2251 Howell in NKC). Donors are encouraged to register in advance at  nkcpl.org, though walk-ins are welcome, too!

APRIL 6TH

Boneanza

Waggin' Trail Dog Park: 432 E 32nd Avenue in North Kansas City | 1:00 PM

Bring your dog for an afternoon of Easter fun at Waggin’ Trail Dog Park! For a $5 donation, your pup will receive a goodie bag and get to participate in a dog-only Easter Egg Hunt. There will be prizes, pet vendors, and photo op.

APRIL 20TH

Firehouse Market

201 Main Street, Platte City | 9:00 AM

Mark your calendars for the 3rd Saturday of every month, starting at 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. We're bringing the market indoors to make your weekends sizzle! Discover unique treasures, local

crafts, farm-fresh produce, delicious treats, and so much more! From artisanal goodies to must-have finds, it's a shopper's paradise.

APRIL 21ST

8th Annual Platte County Derby Tea

1890 Event Space: 15640 Hwy 92, Platte City | 2:00 PM

Attend Tea at The Derby, a fundraiser for the arts, with tea tables decorated to celebrate the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, "The Run for The Roses." For more information, visit plattecityfriendsofthearts.com

APRIL 27TH

Purse Dogs and Cat Clutches Luncheon

The Pavilion at iWerx: 1520 Clay Street in North Kansas City | 11:30 AM

This event, benefitting the Friends of the Parkville Animal Shelter, includes a sit-down lunch, door prizes, raffle and silent auction items, including trips to Florida and baseball tickets. Browse the Pawsome Treasures Shop while you're there! Tickets are $39. Visit parkvilleshelter.com for more information.

APRIL 27TH

Bigfoot Search

Various locations in Weston | 11:00 AM

He’s back! Bring the family for the 3rd Annual Weston, Missouri Bigfoot Search. Tickets/search licenses are available at westonmo.com, the Chamber of Commerce, or Beverlin’s Statuary. Adults are $5 and kids under 12 are free. There will be Bigfoot specials and excitement all around town.

APRIL 27TH

Weston Moonshiners Car Club

Downtown Weston | 5:00 PM

Weston Moonshiner's Car Club hosts monthly cruise-ins on Main Street in Historic Weston on the 4th Saturday of the month. No rain outs, no need to pre-register, and no charge. Bring your family and friends and join us for oldies music, a 50/50 raffle, and a variety of vehicles for kids of all ages.

APRIL 27TH

Parkville Microbrew Fest

Downtown Parkville | 1:00 PM

Parkville Microbrew Fest is one of KC’s largest beer festivals with live music, handcrafted ales, and great food in Historic Downtown Parkville. Festival admission includes a commemorative logo tasting glass, live music, and all the beer you care to sample from 1-5pm! For more information and tickets, visit parkvillemicrobrewfest.com.

APRIL 27TH-MAY 12TH

Spring Parade of Homes

Various locations throughout Kansas City | 11:00 AM

Owen Homes will have an entry in the Spring Parade of Homes event. Homes are open daily from 11am – 6pm and admission is free. This is a great opportunity to connect with the Owen Homes team if you’re interested in building, remodeling or just getting inspiration for your next project. To preview their entry and others, visit kc.paradeofhomes.io

RETIREMENT INCOME PLANNING: MAXIMIZING WEALTH AND LEGACY

YOU ONLY GET ONE RETIREMENT

Retirement marks the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance and sound financial choices. A key element of effective retirement planning is diversifying your income sources. While staples like 401(k)s or IRAs are foundational, it's equally important to branch out.

Tax considerations significantly influence retirement strategies. Each financial action, from asset sales to account withdrawals, can carry tax consequences. Knowing these details can greatly influence one's overall retirement income. Tactics such as Roth IRA conversions can help distribute tax liabilities over time, allowing for tax-free withdrawals later on. Using strategies like tax-loss harvesting can balance out capital gains, ensuring proactive steps to reduce tax impact.

SOURCES OF INCOME DURING RETIREMENT

Annuities have long been recognized as a popular retirement income source. An annuity is essentially a financial contract that can offer a steady and predictable income, with options that might even extend to lifetime payouts. Retirees should also be aware of certain drawbacks. These might include fees

and expenses, issues around liquidity, and potential concerns related to inflation.

Delving into the world of Alternative Investments, retirees can consider assets such as hedge funds, private equity and real assets, among others. These investments may promise higher returns and provide diversification away from traditional stocks and bonds. However, the complexities of these investments mean they often come with challenges like illiquidity, higher fees and the need for a thorough understanding of the investment itself.

The backbone of many retirement plans, Social Security Income, provides a safety net for millions. Established with the intent of financial assistance, the amount one receives depends on various factors. There are also strategies retirees can employ to maximize these benefits, such as deciding on the optimal time to claim or considering the implications of working while receiving benefits.

You only get one retirement. In the ever-evolving world of finance, staying updated and flexible is essential to ensure the continued relevance and efficiency of one's retirement strategy.

Disclosures

Securities offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Csenge Advisory Group, LLC. MAS, Csenge Advisory Group, LLC and Impact Wealth, LLC are not affiliated entities.

Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. This is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. Our firm is not permitted to offer and no statement made during this presentation shall constitute tax or legal advice. Our firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any governmental agency.

Every retirement journey is distinct, and each vision merits expert guidance. Impact Wealth is based in Boulder Colorado. You can contact them at Impact@ImpactWealth.com.

EXTERIOR EXTERIOR SHADES SHADES

Solar Shield is locally owned by Tim & Denise Sanders. With 20 years experience in window treatments, they have focused on building amazing customer service experiences. Because of this, Solar Shield has become the highest rated window treatment company in the KC Metro on Google with more than 470 5-Star reviews. Solar Shield is not brand or product specific, so they can offer the best solution for any type of window treatment project imaginable. Their team is made up of professionals who value customer experience as much as Tim and Denise. They are always excited to earn new clients and would love to help you too!