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Saturday, September 21, 2019

Invest in Others Scholarship For over 15 years through our Invest In Others Scholarship Program, we offer multiple scholarships to students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their education and community. It is our...

 

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Social Security can be complicated and, as a result, many individuals don’t have a full understanding of the choices they may have. Here are five facts about Social Security that are important to keep in mind: 1. SOCIAL SECURITY...

 

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Federal Reserve Cuts Rates 1/4 percent Yesterday the FOMC has cut interest rates by 25 basis points, or one quarter of one percent. What does that mean for real people? Money Market Rates First, we expect bank savings rates to be...

 

Thursday, September 19, 2019

CHOICES FOR YOUR 401(K) AT A FORMER EMPLOYER One of the common threads of a mobile workforce is that many individuals who leave their job are faced with a decision about what to do with their 401(k) account.¹ Individuals have...

 

Monday, September 16, 2019

In this episode of #nickneedsU2know, Nick discusses home affordability. #nickneedsU2know is our video series where we talk about financial planning tips we think you need to know about in 60 seconds. Check it out!

 

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Friday, September 13, 2019

Roth Conversions Would converting from a traditional IRA/401(k)/403(b) be a smart move for you? A Roth conversion refers to taking all or part of the balance of an existing traditional IRA/401(k)/403(b) and moving it into a Roth IRA....

 

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Inside the Huddle Show on WTKA with Nick Hopwood, CFP® Interviewed In-Studio Check out the live in-studio with out very own Nick Hopwood, CFP® in-studio today on WTKA talking about the Peak Income 360 Formula: Diversify Your...

 

Monday, September 9, 2019

Nick Hopwood, CFP® chats with former Michigan Daily football, basketball, and Hockey beat writer Chris Duprey. Chris wrote for the daily from 1997-2001 and covered the football beat for the 2000 season, where Lloyd Carr and Drew...

 

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

In this episode of #nickneedsu2know , NIck discusses the importance of paying off your home mortgage BEFORE retirement. #nickneedsu2know is our video series where we talk about financial planning tips we think you need to know about in...

 

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

FIRE - Financial Independence, Retire Early Nick Hopwood, CFP of Peak Wealth Management, host of Finding True Wealth talks about the growing F.I.R.E. discussion/movement (Financial Independence Retire Early) and the book, "Retire Like...

 

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Lifestyle Creep is Real This post is the podcast with Jim and Nick talking about the topic, and you can read the original article here.

 

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

#nickneedsU2know about Mortgage Amortization Few people understand the nuts and bolts behind mortgage amortization, but it is a very important component of your financial plan. In this video, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and financial...

 

Monday, August 26, 2019

F.I.R.E. - Financial Independence/Retire Early F.I.R.E. - Financial Independence/Retire Early is a fascinating topic among today’s youth. In my line of business, a traditional financial planner, a traditional financial advisor,...

 

Friday, August 23, 2019

We can all look back and remember the days when money was tight. During college or early in our career we regularly made sacrifices so that we could get by. As our income increases, we tend to get more and more comfortable spending...

 

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Tour The Big House and Crisler with Us Next Week Last year, my family had the unique experience of touring Michigan Stadium, which included going through the tunnel, locker rooms, running on the field, and hanging out in one of the new...

 

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Finding True Wealth Podcast Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management, host of Finding True Wealth talks about the growing F.I.R.E. discussion/movement (Financial Independence Retire Early) and the book, "Retire Like a...

 

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Scams Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management in Plymouth, MI talks about financial planning tips he thinks you need to know about. This episode of #nickneedsU2know discusses the recent abundance of scams and how to protect...

 

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Suze Orman said You May Need $5M - Here are My Thoughts Recently I saw on marketwatch.com that Suze Orman has talked about needing $5M to retire, and this headline suggested they did the analysis and suggested she was right. It is...

 

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Have a Cottage with a Boat? Ever Wonder the True Cost of each Boat Ride? A few years ago I did a podcast episode on the second home as the anti-dividend. Feel free to listen to it again. In that episode, I talk mostly about the effect...

 

Saturday, August 10, 2019

#nickneedsU2know about Tax Planning as part of your annual financial planning strategy. I've been a strong believer in tax planning for 20 years. Everybody can benefit, but it is especially critical for small business owners, who have...

 

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Retirement Planning Retirement is not like it used to be. Making sure you have a plan set in place is crucial to enjoying your years in retirement. Although retirement today presents many challenges such as shrinking social security,...

 

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Today we finally took delivery of the furniture for the gathering space, aka "THE SUMMIT" as well as the second conference room. Just in time for the Sixth Annual Top of the Peak Summer Party! We are excited to have you at the office...

 

Monday, July 22, 2019

Nick Hopwood, CFP of Peak Wealth Management, host of Finding True Wealth talks about the true cost of owning that dream cottage up north. He breaks down the costs per year and even the cost per boat ride. You might be shocked how much...

 

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Nick Hopwood, CFP of Peak Wealth Management, host of Finding True Wealth sits down with JJ Sovinsky, CPA of Sovinsky and Company, to talk about taxes now that we've had time to evaluate the new tax law consequences. Peak Wealth...

 

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Peak Income 360: Pt. 4 Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management in Plymouth, MI talks about financial planning tips he thinks you need to know about. This episode of #nickneedsU2know covers the final installment of the Peak...

 

Thursday, July 11, 2019

It's Officially Time to RSVP for Top of the Peak Summer Party! Please join us for our Top of the Peak Summer Party! The event will take place at the offce on Thursday, August 1st from 4pm-7pm, featuring middle eastern food from Sheesh...

 

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Peak Income 360: Pt. 3 Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management in Plymouth, MI talks about financial planning tips he thinks you need to know about. This episode of #nickneedsU2know covers the third installment of the Peak...

 

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

War for Your Wallet Nearly everyday we are constantly bombarded with thousands of different media messages attempting to sell us a new product. Many individuals struggle with their wants versus their needs. It can be extremely...

 

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Nick Hopwood, CFP of Peak Wealth Management, host of Finding True Wealth sits down with Joe Owczarek to talk about Private Equity investing, the opportunity, how the markets have changed over the last 30+ years, and finally how...

 

Monday, July 1, 2019

Learn How to Streamline Your Parent's Situation Money management can be a very overwhelming thing for your parents as they get older. Family view allows you to store both your parent's financial and legal information all in one safe...

 

Monday, June 24, 2019

The Desire of Desire Throughout time, many people have referred to money as "the desire of desire". So what exactly does this mean? In her article Money: A Love Story, Dr. Elesa Zehndorfer explains that various physiologists have...

 

Monday, June 17, 2019

How Do You Earn $500k per year and Still Feel Average? Recently I came across this infographic which showed how you can earn $500k per year and still feel average. In this episode, Nick and Jim talk about how the assumptions may be a...

 

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Life Insurance: How much do you need? Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management in Plymouth, MI talks about financial planning tips he thinks you need to know about. This episode covers life insurance and how you may need more...

 

Monday, June 10, 2019

Plan with us Today! Whether it's your dream to own a vacation home, travel abroad, or have the ability to pay for your kids college education, the best time to start planning is today. Here at Peak Wealth Management we will work with...

 

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Eligibility In the post-pension world, we need to take full advantage of the retirement plans offered by our employers. If you work for certain tax-exempt organizations such as a hospital, university, or state/local government, you may...

 

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Social Security and When to Elect Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management in Plymouth, MI talks about financial planning tips he thinks you need to know about. This episode covers Social Security and when to elect. To learn...

 

Monday, June 3, 2019

Peak is officially 5 years old Peak Wealth Management is proud to announce that as of June 3rd, 2019 we are celebrating our 5 year anniversary of helping clients retire with confidence. We are so proud of all our colleagues that have...

 

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Net Worth Tracking and its Benefits Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management in Plymouth, MI talks about financial planning tips he thinks you need to know about. This episode covers net worth tracking and the resources Peak...

 

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Peak Wealth Management is proud to provide you with a mobile experience that allows you to oversee your entire financial life. Whether you need to view your account balances, track your financial goals, or upload important documents,...

 

Friday, May 24, 2019

Did you know that May 29 (5/29) is recognized as National 529 College Savings Plan Day? A 529 can be a powerful way to save tax free for not just college but K-12 education expenses.

 

Friday, May 24, 2019

Please join us in congratulating Jim Pilat for being selected a 2019 Five Star Wealth Manager. 5 Star Wealth Managers are part of an exclusive group in the Detroit area who are honored for demonstrating excellence in their field. To...

 

Monday, May 20, 2019

Planning, determination, and hard work are some of the key components which leads to one's financial success. However, many financial decisions involve challenges as the financial landscape is always changing. Peak Wealth's systematic...

 

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management in Plymouth, MI talks about financial planning tips he thinks you need to know about. This episode covers the term budget as well as expense tracking and the resources Peak Wealth...

 

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Meet Erin! Erin is our 2019 summer intern. Erin will be entering her Junior year at Michigan State University in the fall with a major in Communications and a double minor in Graphic Design and Health Promotion. Throughout the summer...

 

Monday, May 6, 2019

I came across an article by Christy Bieber at The Motley Fool, about 3 Money Mistakes she made. It caught my attention because they were things that we see often and talk about a lot. They involve knowing how much you need to be saving...

 

Thursday, May 2, 2019

We've been under construction for a month now, and we suspect we have another month to go. Below are some pictures of the new stone work just completed today. Up next is finishing the new restroom, a little more drywall, paint, and...

 

Monday, April 15, 2019

The decision to retire is not about finally accumulated a specific amount of money. Other factors play a huge role in your retirement readiness starting with your living expenses and extend into non-financial issues like having a plan...

 

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

From Success to Significance After reading the book, "Half-time," I thought it would be great to sit down with Chip DeClue, who is a friend and Halftime Coach. During our conversation, Chip shares and reflects on his interesting story...

 

Monday, April 8, 2019

Have You Considered a Roth Conversion? As the tax deadline approaches. so does the deadline for 2018 Retirement Account Contributions. Now is the time to make a deposit for your 2018 Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, or Solo K. For...

 

Monday, April 1, 2019

Peak Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Advisor and comprehensive financial planning firm located in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions putting them on...

 

Sunday, March 31, 2019

As your tax bill is due imminently, you may be wishing you did a little tax planning back in the fall (when you had more control to make changes). We always recommend using a CPA® and doing tax planning each fall as part of your...

 

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management in Plymouth, MI talks about financial planning tips he thinks you need to know about. This episode covers the 401k Max vs the 401k Match and why you need to know the difference! To...

 

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

5 Mistakes Teachers Are Making With Their Retirement In October 2016, the New York Times released an article titled "Think Your Retirement Plan is Bad, Talk to a Teacher". This 5 part article highlighted many of the pitfalls and...

 

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

With the tax deadline getting closer, the opportunity to procrastinate is getting away from us. While we are forced to get our tax documents together, why not take this opportunity to tackle some other commonly procrastinated financial...

 

Monday, March 4, 2019

Join Nick and Jim as they Talk about Why 401k's are Not Fair IRA, Roth IRA, 401k, Roth 401k, Simple IRA, SEP IRA, Single K, Solo K, say what? These are usual suspects when it comes to #retirement funding. Which are you eligible for,...

 

Monday, March 4, 2019

Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management in Plymouth, MI talks about financial planning tips he thinks you need to know about! This episode is all about the HSA and why it may be the biggest NO-BRAINER in the history of the...

 

Monday, March 4, 2019

Slaying 1099 Requests for over 15 years Meet Garrett’s mom (Patti) aka "The 1099 Tax Slayer." Legend has it she completed 50+ 1099 requests in one day! If you need your 1099, just call our 1099 Tax Slayer! #taxslayer If you don't...

 

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

It that time of the year where we need to start the tax filing process. Unfortunately, every year we hear stories about how someone was taken advantage of because of a tax scam. While some tax scams can be seen from a mile away, others...

 

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management in Plymouth, MI talks about financial planning topics which he thinks you need to know about! Subscribe today here on Youtube.com/peakwealthmgmt or visit us at peakwm.com

 

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Small Business 401k Plan Design Nick Hopwood, CFP® chats with Scott Westgate, founder and president of MBC Retirement Services, located in Rochester, MI. Peak and MBC have worked together on many plans since 2002 with tremendous...

 

Friday, February 15, 2019

We start every New Year with great intentions of keeping our resolutions. Whether you wanted to get in better health, be more disciplined or get control of your finances, it's not to late to get back on track. See the attachment for...

 

Friday, February 15, 2019

Gwen has worked in the financial services industry since 2007 and her client-centered approach is a result of 30 years in administrative operations and customer service. She joins us after spending the past 11 years with a boutique...

 

Friday, February 15, 2019

Don’t Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford You may have noticed that each month on the first of the month, I like to re-post the podcast episode 13 “Track Your Expenses and Net Worth!” It is a highly recommended, simple...

 

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Schedule an Appointment Health savings accounts, or "HSA" for short, have been around since 2003, when President Bush improved upon medical savings accounts and flexible savings accounts. HSAs are superior compared to their...

 

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Social Security Insights for Younger Clients This article written by Mark Hulbert on Social Security funding caught my attention today, because it clearly explains what I've been telling people for years: Social Security is not going...

 

Sunday, February 3, 2019

1099's Available by Feb 15 Many of you are inquiring about your 1099's for 2018. Here is the scoop: If you took a withdrawal from an IRA, your 1099-R is available now at Advisorclient.com or in the Advisor Client app. If you have an...

 

Saturday, February 2, 2019

Still starting slow but we do have some updates to share with the conference room (new chairs and counter). Jim stumbled upon a drinking fountain (or bubbler if you live in Wisconsin), and Nick is perplexed in the new kitchen!

 

Friday, February 1, 2019

We have all heard about the government shutdown and the employees who were not receiving a paycheck. What if we put ourselves in their shoes. How well positioned are we to miss a paycheck or two or more. We always encourage clients to...

 

Friday, February 1, 2019

The first of the month means it is time to update our spending and net worth spreadsheet for the prior month. This should be posted each month on the first as a reminder for all of us. This month should be a lot better than last month!

 

Monday, January 28, 2019

Star Wars meets Financial Planning Tune in for my take aways from Donald Miller's "Building a Story Brand." All great movies follow a traditional formula - we have a Hero, a Villain, and a Guide/Coach as three of the main characters in...

 

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

A client recently forwarded us an article on 5 money mistakes people make. She thought it sounded like the advice we had been giving her and we agree.

 

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Stop! Listen to EP 026 first, which is the 2018 edition of Nick's Personal Financial Plan. It gives you the foundation for this episode. The goal here is demonstrate our 100% transparent and 100% authentic approach to offering sound...

 

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Peak Wealth Management Global Headquarters Remodel Update Not a lot of action yet, but we did add a new TV in the lobby for some active signage! We expect to take over the full space by the end of the month, so we're running a month...

 

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

We are pleased to introduce you to the 2019 Invest In Others Scholarship recipients. Breann Allen: Breann is currently enrolled at Lake Erie College in their masters level Physician Assistant Program. Her goal upon graduation is to...

 

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

President Donald Trump recently slapped tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on foreign aluminum, prompting significant concern and discussion about the wisdom of this action. As an economist who shares some of those...

 

Monday, January 14, 2019

The Markets People love rules of thumb. Sometimes, mental shortcuts are helpful. Other times they are not. When it comes to investing, seasonal shortcuts are not uncommon. In fact, January boasts two: The January Effect explains why U...

 

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

2019 Outlook While nobody knows what 2019 has in store for us, we came across a couple reports we would like to share with you from Vanguard, 3D Asset Management, and LPL Research. In a year that is sure to have continued volatility,...

 

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Top 5 Episodes of Finding True Wealth It's always fun to look back and review the the prior year. We put a lot of effort into the podcast to bring you quality content. We find existing clients listening as well as people who are...

 

Monday, January 7, 2019

The Markets Investors will think of the last quarter of 2018 for years to come, but they won’t remember it fondly. The Economist described it like this, “After a rotten October and limp November, the S&P 500 tumbled in...

 

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

The Markets Investing during the month of December was like traversing an icy mountain stream. It delivered a staggering shock to the senses that triggered the instinct to, “Get Out!” When it comes to investing, that...

 

Monday, December 24, 2018

Santa’s sleigh is usually pulled by reindeer. This year, it looks as if it will be pulled by a team of bears. My nine year old son witnessed me reviewing market charts on my iPad Saturday morning and correctly remarked...

 

Monday, December 24, 2018

Financial Planning expert Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, AIF® talk about the 403b investment landscape, focusing on a NYT article from a few years back. Fortunately we have arrangements with non-profit institutions such as...

 

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

The Markets Ouch! It never feels good when the stock market heads south, and that’s what happened last week. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500), Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite all moved into...

 

Monday, December 17, 2018

Markets have been extremely volatile as of late, so financial planners/financial advisors/wealth managers Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, AIF®, talk markets and react to Facebook Guy, who makes fear-mongering posts when the...

 

Monday, December 10, 2018

The Markets We’re off to a slow start. December is usually the best month of the year for the stock market. It has been since 1950, according to Randall Forsyth of Barron’s, but not so far this year. Two issues made...

 

Monday, December 10, 2018

Recently a couple decided to partner with Peak as their advisor/planner and we were reviewing what their former advisor put together for them. At first glance, the former advisor's fees were in line and the investments looked fine, but...

 

Sunday, December 9, 2018

The BluePrinting Process is the best place to start! The Blueprinting Process is a series of exercises we created to help you live your life by design, not be default. The purpose of these exercises is to help ignite your relentless...

 

Friday, December 7, 2018

Guaranteed pensions don’t exist like in the past. Peak Income 360 seeks to replace that pension by adding multiple passive retirement income streams. Most people will be relying on Social Security and their 401k - is that enough?...

 

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Social Security is More than a monthly check. Do you realize it can be worth well over a million dollars? Its a pension with cost of living inflation adjustments, which pretty much do not exist anywhere else. It is a pension for a...

 

Monday, December 3, 2018

Examining Donor-Advised Funds - Making it Easy to Make A Difference Americans donate billions to charity annually. If you give to charity, you need to know about one of the best tools to facilitate generosity: Donor-Advised Funds...

 

Monday, December 3, 2018

The Markets Hold on to your hats! Recently, stocks have delivered a wild ride. During Thanksgiving week, U.S. stock markets took investor uncertainty on the chin, suffering a 3.8 percent drop, which was the worst performance in eight...

 

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Today we are speaking with Brian cook, who is the founder and editor of MGOBLOG. From Go Blue Cook Family Supports You to breakfast on campus with Sexy Grandpa to earning $10 per post from AOL, loyal readers of MGOBLOG finally get a...

 

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

The Markets It was a turkey of a week. The United States and China continued to spar over trade and other issues. An expert from Moody’s told Frank Tang of the South China Morning Post (SCMP) the United States-China dispute will...

 

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Hurry! The Deadline for Scholarship Applications is fast approaching! The Invest in Others Scholarship Application deadline is Friday, November 30th. Each year, Peak Wealth Management awards multiple $1,000 scholarships to deserving...

 

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Have you been waiting for The Peak Times? Your wait it over! The Fall 2018 edition is now available - Click Here! Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing...

 

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Higher Social Security checks, lower health-insurance costs and a longer-lasting nest egg are possible when spouses stagger their retirements For many couples, retiring at the same time seems like the obvious thing to do. But from a...

 

Monday, November 19, 2018

The Markets Keep your eyes on the horizon. Motion sickness happens when your body receives conflicting signals from your eyes, ears, and other body parts. One way to manage the anxiety and queasiness that accompany the condition is by...

 

Friday, November 16, 2018

The tricky thing about this industry is that it is hard to understand who is qualified and who is not. Just check out this commercial the CFP Board put out a few years ago - click here. Experience is good for an advisor to have, but...

 

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

The Deadline for Application Submittal is Dast Approaching The deadline for receipt of the Invest in Others Scholarship applications is the end of November. If you know of a young adult who is heading off to college or currently in...

 

Monday, November 12, 2018

If you haven't taken a look at our planning software, consider spending ten minutes watching the demo below:

 

Monday, November 12, 2018

The IRS has increased the 401k limit in 2019 to $19,000 The basic employee contribution limit for 2019 is $19,000, up from $18,500 in 2018. To encourage those nearing retirement to accelerate their savings, the IRS allows 401(k)...

 

Monday, November 12, 2018

The Markets How are you feeling about financial markets? Some votes are still being counted but investors appear to be happy with the outcome of mid-term elections. Major U.S. stock indices in the United States moved higher last week,...

 

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

The Markets Stocks recovered some ground last week and then stumbled over unemployment. Major U.S. stock indices faltered Friday after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on a popular ‘lagging’ economic indicator...

 

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

The Markets Why did the stock market fall when the economy is doing well? The answer is that one reflects the past and the other anticipates the future. Last Friday’s advance estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis showed...

 

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

If you are not utilizing the Plan with Peak portal you are missing out on an invaluable tool for staying current on your financial picture. Your financial success starts HERE. Plan with Peak is your complete financial portal. It is our...

 

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

The Markets The world remains full of opportunities and challenges. Although we’ve seen global markets moving in tandem in recent years, Sara Potter of FactSet pointed out, “…we’re starting to see the end of...

 

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Tripling Our Office Space We are happy to announce that we are growing. We recently added a new advisor, Jim Pilat, AIF® to our team and are now looking at expanding our office space to better serve you. Effective January 1, 2019,...

 

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Financial Planning Spotlight - The Monte Carlo Stress Test If you have been a Peak client for more than a few months then you have experienced our robust financial planning software, which we call PlanwithPeak.com (PWP). One unique...

 

Monday, October 8, 2018

The Markets The stock market tends to be a leading economic indicator. Last week offered some insight to economics and stock market behavior. The U.S. unemployment rate reached its lowest level since 1969 and wages moved higher, yet...

 

Monday, October 1, 2018

The Markets It wasn’t headline news… But, if newsprint was still popular, last week’s key economic news would have appeared below the fold. The Federal Reserve raised rates for the third time in 2018, as expected. In...

 

Monday, September 24, 2018

The Markets Did you hear the news? A tech company introduced a microwave you can turn on using Wi-Fi – as long as you have one of the company’s voice assistants at home, reported Kaitlyn Tiffany of Vox. Soon, the voice...

 

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Join Nick and Jim as they rap about a recent meeting which did not work out as planned. We had the chance to help someone go from good to great, but it turns out that we are not the right fit for everyone! Peak Wealth Management is a...

 

Monday, September 17, 2018

The Markets All investors are consumers, but not all consumers are investors. The September installment of University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Survey reported Americans are feeling pretty optimistic. Consumer sentiment...

 

Monday, September 10, 2018

The Markets Remember: Volatility is normal. Major U.S. stock market indices climbed into record territory during August. They gave back some gains last week. Peter Wells of Financial Times explained: “Speculation about a fresh...

 

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

The Markets Where is our country’s biggest export market? Markets were fired up last week after the United States and Mexico agreed on new trade rules. The Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) Index reached an all-time high and...

 

Monday, August 27, 2018

The Markets Tick, Tock. Not everybody loves meetings and even fewer enjoy reading the minutes, but investors make an exception with the Federal Reserve. This week the Fed published the minutes from its August 1 meeting. While no...

 

Monday, August 20, 2018

The Markets As Maxwell Smart used to say… Missed it by THAT much! After a rocky start, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index came within 1 percent of an all-time high last week, reported Ben Levisohn for Barron’s....

 

Monday, August 13, 2018

Get to know Jim Pilat, AIF® our newest team member at Peak Wealth Management! Jim shares with Nick his background and story as to how he became an advisor, and why joining the firm is a "Nash Equilibrium."

 

Monday, August 13, 2018

Often people will ask me how should they prioritize their retirement funding vehicles - should they should fund their Traditional 401k, Roth 401k, Traditional IRA or Roth IRA? What makes the most sense when it comes to contributing to...

 

Monday, August 13, 2018

The Markets Let’s talk Turkey! So, how did a country that represents just about 1.4 percent of the world’s economy spark a global selloff? Turkey was once a rising star. The country’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip...

 

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Meet Patti! Patti is our Operations Manager. Patti currently resides in Plymouth and has two kids, Paige and Garrett. She came to the firm with over 25 years of experience in the operations, compliance, and customer service industries....

 

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Meet Renee! Renee is our team's Operations Assistant. She currently resides in Canton with her husband, and has a son and daughter-in-law who live in New York. Renee recently joined our firm after working many years in the client...

 

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Peak has experienced significant growth over the past few years and we've been searching for an associate advisor to join our team who shares our beliefs, core values, and mission. A planner who believes in planning and inspiring our...

 

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Meet our Intern, Will! Will has been our intern throughout this summer. As school time approaches, he will soon be heading back to the University of Michigan for his senior year. Will is looking forward to his final year of school, but...

 

Monday, July 30, 2018

#nickneeds2know are you a preventer or a reactor when it comes to your personal health #healthyieldswealth. Join in the conversation using #nickneeds2know. embed video here

 

Monday, July 30, 2018

The Markets Is it a sugar rush or something more sustainable? Economic growth in the United States was strong during the second quarter. Gross domestic product (GDP), which is the value of all goods and services produced in the United...

 

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Please join us for our Top of the Peak Summer Party. The event will take place at the office on Thursday, August 16th from 4pm-7pm, featuring Mediterranean food from Sheesh, live music from R&R Acoustic Duo, and of course, your...

 

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

embed video here #nickneeds2know which painting do you like better? The one on the left or the right? One of them was painted by me, and one by my wife. Vote below using #nickneeds2know and I will let you know who painted which one...

 

Monday, July 23, 2018

The Markets Last week, there was some good news and some notable news. Here’s the good news: Corporate earnings have been strong. As of July 20, 17 percent of the companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index had reported...

 

Monday, July 16, 2018

The Markets Investors are becoming more discriminating. Trade tensions escalated as the U.S. administration expanded tariffs on Chinese goods last week. You wouldn’t have known by watching the performance of benchmark indices,...

 

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

#nickneeds2know what your experiences have been with camping? Have you been a camper your whole life, or just recently started picking it up? Or, are you an anti-camper? Feel free to engage in the conversation about your own personal...

 

Monday, July 9, 2018

#nickneeds2know are you crazy enough to ride this trap door water slide? The boys did it in exchange for some dippin dots! Join the conversation below using #nickneeds2know

 

Monday, July 9, 2018

The Markets What a rollercoaster of a quarter! When it comes to the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) Sentiment Survey, respondents tend to be more bullish than bearish about U.S. stock markets. The survey’s...

 

Monday, July 2, 2018

The Markets There’s a bear in China – and it’s not a panda. The Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) Composite Index, which reflects the performance of all shares that trade on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, dropped into bear...

 

Monday, June 25, 2018

The Markets What time is it? The yield curve may be the pocket watch of economic indicators. It’s been around for a long time and it’s often right, but not always. The yield curve is the difference between the interest paid...

 

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

#nickneeds2know are you still drinking soda? If so, is it regular or diet? Engage in the conversation using #nickneeds2know and let me know what you think!

 

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

This year, we were fortunate enough to have Ben Lavine, CFA®, CAIA, and Chief Investment Officer of 3D Asset Management, come speak with us again. The event was held at The Inn at St. Johns and involved a general speech from Ben as...

 

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

** embed podcast/bean link here ** Nick Hopwood, CFP® chats with Benjamin Lavine, CFA®, CAIA, and Chief Investment Officer of 3D Asset Management. Benjamin discusses his take on the markets and economy from the first half of...

 

Monday, June 18, 2018

The Markets Deal or no deal? Last week opened with heightened trade tensions between the United States and its allies. It closed with the United States imposing new tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese goods. The Chinese declared it was...

 

Friday, June 15, 2018

In the inaugural #nickneeds2know as we have spring break behind us and summer vacation ahead, we want to know if you’ve experienced the vacation blues?

 

Friday, June 15, 2018

Some "Financial Planners" don't do any Financial Planning at all - they are simply salespeople who sell financial products like insurance, annuities, and mutual funds. At Peak, it is a little bit different. We don't sell financial...

 

Monday, June 4, 2018

The Markets If the countries were instruments, last week sounded like a fifth grade garage band. World markets were buffeted by a clamor of good, bad, and unexpected news last week. Events that captured media and investor attention...

 

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Nick Hopwood, CFP® chats with Rick Guttersohn, the Executive Director at New Hope Center for Grief Support. Rick teaches us about "Fun" raising, Blueprinting as it relates to grief support, and the generational impact New Hope has...

 

Monday, May 21, 2018

The Markets Too much? Too little? Or just right? U.S. stock markets were relatively calm, although they finished the week lower. U.S. Treasury yields hit a 7-year high and finished the week above 3 percent. While these were notable,...

 

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

I hate the word budget. It reminds me of being on a diet. For some reason, people hate diets AND budgeting. This ten minute podcast uncovers a new spin on budgeting – expense tracking. Learn how to combine expense tracking with...

 

Monday, May 14, 2018

The Markets Splash! How do employers lure staff in a tightening labor market? The curly tail grubs and spinnies of the business world are higher wages and better benefits. During the past decade, the employment picture in the United...

 

Monday, May 14, 2018

Have your contracts reviewed! Nick chats with Rick Hoeg of @HoegLaw about Star Wars, Michigan Football, and course, Business Law! Given Rick's background and experience with small business and venture capital, he has unique insights...

 

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Don't Die Intestate! Nick chats with Estate Planning Attorney Marc Wander of the Marc Wander Law Firm. Learn about Marc's "Retirement Trust" concept as well as discussing many of the common pitfalls he sees people making with their...

 

Monday, May 7, 2018

We've updated our New Client Questionnaire! If you are a new Peak client, be sure to download that form and fill it everything which applies to your situation. And if you're a long time Peak client it wouldn't hurt to review it to make...

 

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Nick chats with Shawn Presnell from Academy Mortgage about America's Refinancing Addiction, the state of the mortgage industry, and how he approaches his loan design. Shawn has over 15 years of experience and is a trusted resource for...

 

Monday, April 23, 2018

Hot off the press! The latest edition of The Peak Times is now available in pdf format. Click the image below to download the latest edition or click here to view past editions! The printed edition should show up in your mailboxes...

 

Monday, April 23, 2018

The Markets The world is in debt. The April 2018 International Monetary Fund (IMF) Fiscal Monitor reported global debt has reached a historically high level. In 2016, debt peaked at 225 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP)...

 

Monday, April 16, 2018

What would you do if you were retired and had a new $7,000/mo bill from the nursing home each month? Nick is joined by Michael Tepper from Capitas Financial, who has over 25 years of experience in the Long Term Care Insurance...

 

Monday, April 16, 2018

What do you think? Are you bullish, bearish, or neutral about the U.S. stock market? Are U.S. stocks undervalued, overvalued, or fairly valued? What is the biggest threat the U.S. stock market faces this year? During the first four...

 

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Nick chats Social Security Disability with veteran attorney Jason Steinhelper of the law firm Levine Benjamin. Jason has represented thousands of clients seeking to obtain Social Security Disability over the last 11+ years. Learn more...

 

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Congratulations Nick for your Investment News 40 Under 40 Nomination! InvestmentNews' 40 Under 40 project aims to reveal the tremendous potential in the financial advice industry by finding young talent doing remarkable things. Key...

 

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

For the 8th year in a row, Nick has been recognized as a Five Star Professional in Wealth Management! Five Star Professional conducts market research to define and promote professional excellence in the profession they serve. For the...

 

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

We are pleased to announce our Partnership with TriState Capital We can now offer clients a securities-backed line of credit Just like a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) for your house, this is a securities-backed line of credit from...

 

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

The Markets You could almost hear the spurs jingling. Trade tensions ratcheted higher last week as the United States and China staked new positions on the not-so-dusty main street of trade. It was the latest round of posturing in what...

 

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

People are always asking me, “Do I have enough to retire?” They expect me to be able to look at their 401(k) statement and give them a yes or no answer in two seconds flat! The truth is it doesn’t matter how much...

 

Monday, March 26, 2018

The Markets Why am I saving and investing? After a week like last week, it’s an important question. There are many reasons people save and invest, including to: Live the life they want today and in the future Accumulate resources...

 

Friday, March 23, 2018

In this episode, Coach Ben and Coach Kevin, from the InFlow Wellness Academy, sit down with Nick Hopwood, CFP and chat about "How much is enough?" Learn more about InFlow. Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment...

 

Thursday, March 22, 2018

We are pleased to host Nick Hopwood, CFP, President and CEO of Peak Wealth Management, LLC, to discuss his path towards independence following his departure from LPL Financial and turning Peak Wealth Management into a successful...

 

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Social Security is more than a monthly check. Do you realize it can be worth well over a million dollars? A $1,500/mo SS payment with 1.5% inflation will add up to over $675,000 in 30 years. If your check is $2,000/mo for 30 years the...

 

Monday, March 19, 2018

The Markets It’s a good time for a gut check. Last week, after sliding lower for four days, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index recouped some of its losses on Friday. The reasons behind the week’s poor showing were...

 

Monday, March 12, 2018

The Markets It’s a bird…It’s a plane…It’s a labor shortage! There is little doubt the Millennial generation has been reshaping our world. One of the most remarkable aspects of this demographic group is a...

 

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Schedule an Appointment Recently a bunch of things have happened which got me thinking. The teacher at school was teaching about loans, or bonds; a wholesaler for one of the mutual fund companies introduced me to a program they are...

 

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

The Markets As Yogi Berra once said: It’s déjà vu all over again. Last week, global stock markets took a bit of a dip after President Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum....

 

Monday, February 26, 2018

The Markets U.S. Treasuries are offering a lesson in supply and demand. Last week, the U.S. Treasury auctioned $258 billion in bonds. Treasury auctions are the way the United States government finances its debt. The Treasury sells...

 

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

The Markets As New York Fashion Week ended, inflation strutted its stuff. Ever since the Federal Reserve began raising the Fed funds rate in 2015, analysts have been anticipating higher inflation. The fact that price increases remained...

 

Monday, February 12, 2018

The Markets Back to reality... After months of eerie calm, stock market volatility has returned. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) – a measure of how turbulent investors expect stock markets to be during the next 30 days –...

 

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Dr. Russ Dore of PCS Counseling and Dore Productions sits down with Nick to chat about Finding a Satisfying Second Career. Dr Russ has consulted with hundreds of individuals in transition and shares some stories and takeaways from his...

 

Monday, February 5, 2018

The Markets It was not a good week for stocks. Last week, stock markets around the world lost value. In the United States, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500), Dow Jones Industrial Index (Dow), and NASDAQ all finished lower...

 

Monday, January 29, 2018

The Markets The numbers are coming in. Publicly-traded companies report their earnings and sales numbers for the previous quarter in the current quarter. For example, fourth quarter’s sales and earnings are reported during the...

 

Monday, January 22, 2018

The Markets Last week, the United States government might as well have hung a sign on the front door of the Capitol that read, “Gone negotiating. We’ll be back in…however long it takes.” In 2013, the U.S....

 

Monday, January 22, 2018

Retirement is a major life transition, but its stages are predictable. Sadly, most people don’t think it through all the way. Many retire simply because they hate their job or as soon as they have enough money. But, they work...

 

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

2017 was by far the best year ever for Peak. Join Nick as he reflects on some of the things going on driving growth and what we are working on for 2018. This is your chance to to kick the tires and look under the hood on how a...

 

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

The Markets Inflation, inflation, where’s the inflation? The U.S. Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates in anticipation of higher inflation. In its 2018 forecast, Goldman Sachs indicated it expected to see “a...

 

Friday, January 12, 2018

Ever wonder how a CFP manages their own money? Listen as Nick talks about his personal financial plan for 2018. Everything from cash flow, investments, debt, and real estate. January is the perfect time of year to evaluate and update...

 

Friday, January 12, 2018

Thinking of a cottage up north or a condo in Florida? Listen to EP 025 of Finding True Wealth and hear about Nick's personal experience as well as what he has learned from client experiences and why owning a second home is The...

 

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Congratulations to our 2018 Scholarship Recipients! We are pleased to announce the recipients of our 2018 Peak "Invest In Others" Scholarship! These students have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, as well as significant...

 

Monday, January 8, 2018

The Markets Whoosh! Bang! Flash! Fizz! Whistle! U.S. stock markets delivered their own version of fireworks to celebrate the New Year. During the first week of 2018, the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a new all-time high, moving...

 

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Weekly Market Commentary January 2, 2018 The Markets How good was 2017? It was so good, the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index finished in positive territory every month for the first time ever (on a total return basis), reported...

 

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Join Nick as he talks Real Estate Investing and updates you on his personal real estate porfolio and why he loves real estate. If you haven't heard EP 006you should start there. Investing in real estate is part of the Peak Income 360...

 

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Join us Jan 11, 2018 for Health Yields Wealth 2.0

 

Monday, December 18, 2017

The Markets Here we come a tax-reforming… The reconciliation of Congressional tax reform bills proceeded apace last week, and Congress is expected to vote on the measure early this week. If tax reform passes, Dubravko...

 

Monday, December 11, 2017

The Markets “It's the hap- happiest season of all.” While holidays don’t make everyone happy, investors should be feeling festive. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is up more than 18 percent year-to-date. The Dow...

 

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Many thanks to the 134 clients and guests who joined us at Fox Hills for our annual Christmas Party! Thanks for helping make the 2017 edition was the best party yet! Another great big THANK YOU to those who donated non-perishables to...

 

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Listen to the latest edition of Finding True Wealth as Nick reminisces about the industry twenty years ago and reflects on what he would be looking for when selecting a CFP/financial planner. CLICK HERE

 

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

The Markets There was a lot to be thankful for last week. Stock markets around the world may have ripened to full-slip sweetness this year. Emerging markets have delivered the most attractive returns year-to-date. The MSCI Emerging...

 

Monday, November 20, 2017

Are You Ready to Retire? There is a simple and unsettling reality in the United States. Most Americans are not financially prepared for retirement. Some are completely unprepared. The Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI)’s...

 

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

The Markets Selling it overseas. Most of the companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) Index have reported third quarter earnings per share (EPS), which is the profit earned per share of stock outstanding during the...

 

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

The Markets “Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society.” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes’s statement is engraved on the front of the Internal Revenue Service building in Washington, D.C. Some...

 

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Smartphones are incredibly handy. That may be why about three of every four Americans own them.1 On average, smartphone users spend almost three hours a day – 86 hours every month – using their phones. They send texts and email,...

 

Thursday, September 28, 2017

How times change! In 1940, half of Americans finished their education in eighth grade. College degrees were relatively rare. Just 6 percent of men and 4 percent of women had one.1During the past 80 years, college has become far more...

 

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Labor Day is about a lot more than the end of summer and the start of a new school year. The holiday, which celebrates American workers, became a federal holiday in 1894 and was created to recognize the contributions and achievements...

 

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

In a 2002 interview with Mike Wallace, former First Lady Nancy Reagan said she often reread the love letters written by her husband, former President Ronald Reagan. The letters, which had sustained and enriched their relationship,...

 

Friday, July 28, 2017

While some may be concerned about the iconic American meat that arrives in a rectangular 12-ounce tin (and is inexplicably popular in certain island states and American territories), more should be wary of its namesake – the spam that...

 

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

The idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) may bring to mind movies like Terminator, Wall-E, and Transcendence, but the reality of AI is expected to help people find answers to some significant issues. For example, a PwC survey found:1 •...

 

Friday, June 30, 2017

On July 4, 1776, the American colonies claimed independence from Britain. This declaration eventually led to the formation of the United States. As we celebrate the birth of our great nation, test your knowledge with this brief quiz.1...

 

Friday, June 30, 2017

Nick sits down with Dr John Mlinarcik talking personality styles. Understanding your own personality style helps you understand your own needs and why you do what you do. The same can be said about the other people in your life-...

 

Thursday, June 29, 2017

The bull market in U.S. stocks has been charging ahead for more than eight years.1 While that’s young in people years, it’s ancient in bull market terms. Since World War II, the longest bull market in U.S. stocks lasted for almost...

 

Monday, June 26, 2017

A majority of people I speak with about investment portfolio risk carry a risk profile of “balanced,” or “growth with income,” or for a lack of a better term, “in the middle.” For many people, these...

 

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

In the post-pension world, we need to take full advantage of the retirement plans offered by our employers. If you work for certain tax-exempt organizations such as a hospital, university, or state/local government, you may be eligible...

 

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

People are always asking me, “Do I have enough to retire?” They expect me to be able to look at their 401(k) statement and give them a yes or no answer in two seconds flat! The truth is it doesn’t matter how much...

 

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Despite everything you have heard, your house and your 401k are not your largest asset – your career path and income are your biggest asset by far. Listen as we give one simple tip on how to maximize your largest asset,...

 

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Learn about the sweet spot of Roth IRA Conversion from Nick Hopwood, CFP. How do some people convert their IRA to a Roth IRA with little or no tax due? http://peakwm.com/podcast/Rothconversion.mp3

 

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

As Published originally on Investopedia.com Attention Millennials: Your house and your 401(k) are not your largest assets. Despite everything you may have read or heard, your house and your 401(k) are not your largest assets—your...

 

Monday, May 22, 2017

The First $100,000,000 is the hardest! We are proud to announce that Peak Wealth recently reached $100M in client assets! Many thanks to our loyal partners over the past 17 years!

 

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

0Meet Renee Kowal, the newest edition to our team! Renee has recently joined Peak as an Operations Assistant. She comes to Peak with many years of professional experience in a client based service industry. She has been married to her...

 

Monday, May 1, 2017

Pensions don’t exist like they did in the past. Peak Income 360 seeks to replace that pension by adding multiple passive income streams. http://peakwm.com/podcast/Income360.mp3

 

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Did you miss the Naked Retirement Workshop? Listen in and get caught-up as Nick chats with Donna Martin, CEO of Change Engine, a business and retirement coaching firm. At Change Engine, she works with professionals who want to achieve...

 

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

I hate the word “budget.” It reminds me of being on a diet. For some reason, In this day and age our human nature struggles with limits. So when I speak with people about their cash flow, I don’t talk about budgeting,...

 

Monday, April 10, 2017

Nick speaks with John Diehl, SVP at Hartford Funds and liaison to the MIT Age Lab, where they do a lot of cool research! Our topic today is the 5 ways technology will change the way we age. Check out this white paper which covers the...

 

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Our goal when we meet is to determine if there is a fit between what you are looking for and the services we provide. In order to make the best use of our time, please use the resources below to help prepare. Prior to your initial...

 

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

From success to significance: Chip shares his story about reaching “Halftime” in his life. Learn why he walked away (in his early 50’s) from his successful 26 year career as VP of Finance at Enterprise Car Rental and...

 

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Peak Blueprinting Booklet Small File The Blueprinting Process is a series of exercises we created to help you live your life by design, not be default. The purpose of these exercises is to help ignite your relentless burning desire,...