Blog

When Should I Start Taking Social Security: 5 Factors to Consider

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Social Security decisions are often framed as a single question: “When should I start drawing benefits?” That question matters, but it can also be limiting. The better question is: how does Social Security fit into my overall...

1st Quarter Update

Eric S. M. Kee

Friday, April 10, 2026

In this video, Eric S. M. Kee provides a 1st Quarter Update.

Replay: Crude Awakening - Potential Fallout from the Iran Conflict

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Replay of March 30, 2026 Webinar - Crude Awakening - Potential Fallout from the Iran Conflict Kara Murphy, President and CIO of KIM, and Ryan Bohl, Senior Middle East and North Africa Analyst, RANE Network dissected the conflict in...

Teaching Teens and Young Adults Financial Literacy Through Real-Life Decision Making

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Thursday, April 2, 2026

If you are a parent of a teen or young adult, how do you teach them to make confident money decisions before the stakes are high? Teaching teens and young adults about money is less about formal instruction and more about repeated...

Rising oil prices amid an escalating Middle East conflict are creating new challenges for consumers, markets, and policymakers alike, with inflation risks and economic growth both hanging in the balance. This week’s Markets in a Minute...

The Dollar Chase – March 2026 Newsletter

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, March 20, 2026

Read the March 2026 edition of The Dollar Chase Newsletter.

Market Flash – Military Action in Iran

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, March 6, 2026

Recent U.S. military action in Iran has raised questions about geopolitical risk and market stability. In a special Market Flash, Kara examines how investors are responding. While markets have been volatile, historical patterns suggest...

Master Your Money: From Budgeting to Building Wealth

Fred Apodaca III CFP®

Thursday, February 26, 2026

In today's video Fred and Dylan share how to Master Your Money: From Budgeting to Building Wealth //

Tax Prep vs. Tax Strategy: The Difference Matters More Than You Think

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Key TakeawaysTreat tax strategy as a continuous process, not a once-a-year filing exercise.Coordinate with financial and tax professionals throughout the year to identify opportunities for efficiency.Review contribution limits,...

Tax Update 2026

Dylan Birkinsha CFP®

Friday, February 13, 2026

In today's video Lynae and Dylan go over the 2026 US tax changes. //

Understanding the Emotions Behind Financial Decisions

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Key TakeawaysEmotions and biases might influence financial choices more often than most people realize.Behavioral patterns, such as loss aversion, familiarity bias, and herd mentality, can impact long-term results.Recognizing emotional...

AI and the New Face of Fraud: How to Protect Your Identity and Finances in 2026

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most revolutionary technology of our time, with industries scrambling to embrace its possibilities. AI’s early influence seems similar to the positive disruptions brought about by past...

Federal Employee Seminar: Furlough-Proof Your Finances | Smart TSP Moves to Make Now

Fred Apodaca III CFP®

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Today, Fred and Eric share an important webinar for federal employees on furlough-proofing your finances, making smart TSP moves and changes that are occuring to the TSP in 2026. //

Webinar Replay: Kestra Investment Management Q4 2025 Market Review and OutlookJoin Kara Murphy, Chief Investment Officer of Kestra Investment Management as she discusses recent market trends, the outlook for economy and markets, the...

The Dollar Chase – January 2026 Newsletter

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, January 16, 2026

Read the January 2026 edition of The Dollar Chase Newsletter

On The Mark | Are We in an AI Bubble?

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, January 9, 2026

Today, we would like to share with you an article from AssetMark: On The Mark | Are We in an AI Bubble?

What We Offer At Personal Benefit Financial | Advisory

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, January 9, 2026

Today, Sharla and Ron sit down to discuss the services we offer at Personal Benefit Financial | Advisory.

2025 in Review and What You Should Know

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

As we begin a new year and consider the opportunities ahead, reflecting on the past year helps put today’s financial landscape into perspective and informs the strategies that can move us closer to our goals.2025 was a year marked by...

2025 at Personal Benefit Financial | Advisory!

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, December 26, 2025

'Felicity' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au //

Goal Setting That Sticks: Simple Ways to Turn January Motivation into Lasting Wins

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Key Takeaways and Suggestions for Successful Goal Setting Use SMART Goals for Clarity and FocusSet goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This proven method helps break big ambitions into manageable...

Year-End Giving Strategies: Tax-Smart and Impactful

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Key Takeaways A third of annual donations: About one-third of all charitable contributions are made in December. Donating before December 31 may offer tax advantages. New rules starting in 2026 (via the OBBB Act) may affect deductions...

“When you see one cockroach, there’s probably more,” said JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon in an Oct. 14 comment referring to cracks he’s seeing in the banking sector. The now-infamous cockroach quote sparked important debate about the $1.6...

The September Effect

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Saturday, September 27, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Interest Rates: What’s So Interesting?

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Economic Update – August 2025

Eric S. M. Kee

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

The Big Beautiful Bill

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Thursday, July 24, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Some Things Known & Some Things Unknown

Ronald L. Blair CFP®, AAMS

Friday, July 11, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

The Tyrannosaurus Deficit and National Debt, Why Do We Care?

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, June 27, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

What’s New in Social Security?

Eric S. M. Kee

Friday, June 13, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

VERA, VSIP, RIF: What Happens to Me?

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Does it Really Matter?

Ronald L. Blair CFP®, AAMS

Friday, May 2, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Policy vs Politics

Eric S. M. Kee

Friday, April 18, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Keep Calm and Invest On

Lynae Douthit

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

If you’d like to register for AssetMark’s Market Volatility Webinar for Thursday, March 27th, click the invite below our newsletter.

Uncertainty is Certain

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Thursday, February 27, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

The Social Security Fairness Act

Eric S. M. Kee

Thursday, January 16, 2025

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Not So Scary Tax Season Prep

Lynae Douthit

Thursday, December 12, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Rising Costs?

Melissa Constant

Friday, November 15, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Halloween 2024 at PBF!

Lynae Douthit

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Fred, Dylan, Sharla, KC, and Becca all dressed up for Halloween!

Click the links below to see the material that was handed out during our spooky client seminar about investing during the election year! Click Me Click Me Click Me We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

October 01, 2024 Kara Murphy, CFA – Kestra Financial As the presidential election gets down to the wire, we’re fielding a lot of questions about where the candidates stand on issues with big economic implications. It’s not hard to see...

What’s The Deal With Inflation?

Eric S. M. Kee

Thursday, October 3, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

2.9 Billion People’s Data Was Leaked This Summer…Are You One of Them?

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, September 20, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Lynae & Eric Talk About the Economy

Eric S. M. Kee

Thursday, August 22, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Pet Insurance

Melissa Constant

Monday, August 5, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We invite you to join us for an interactive webinar hosted by our friends at Kestra Investment Management, featuring Chief Investment Officer, Kara Murphy, CFA, who regularly appears on CNBC and Bloomberg. In this webinar, she’ll take...

Great News! Or…is it?

Ronald L. Blair CFP®, AAMS

Friday, July 12, 2024

A discussion on what happens to money in 529 accounts if not used for college education. We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Economy, Interest Rates, and the Market

Eric S. M. Kee

Friday, June 21, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Smart Travel Strategies

Lynae Douthit

Friday, June 7, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Market Update: May 2024

Eric S. M. Kee

Friday, May 24, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

A Look Back on the Stock Market in an Election Year

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, March 22, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Inflation, Interest Rates and the Upcoming Election

Eric S. M. Kee

Friday, February 23, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

2024 – Not So New Concepts

Melissa Constant

Thursday, January 25, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Trust it or Will it?

Ronald L. Blair CFP®, AAMS

Thursday, January 11, 2024

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Fall 2023 Seminar: Market Update

Eric S. M. Kee

Thursday, November 16, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Fall 2023 Seminar: Discussion on New State Tax if You Don’t Have Long Term Care

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, November 3, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Understanding Credit Scores

Melissa Constant

Thursday, October 12, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

The September Federal Reserve Meeting Update

Eric S. M. Kee

Thursday, September 28, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Kara Murphy’s 9/11 Story

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Click Here to Read Kara's Story

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Help! I Can’t Use My Writing Hand. Now What?

Ronald L. Blair CFP®, AAMS

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Quarterly Market Review and Outlook Webinar

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Thursday, July 13, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Dueling Perspectives: International vs Domestic Investing

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Monday, July 3, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Quick Update on Federal Reserve, Interest Rates and Inflation

Eric S. M. Kee

Thursday, June 22, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Insurance Tips & Tricks with Ron

Ronald L. Blair CFP®, AAMS

Friday, May 12, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

1st Quarter 2023: Markets, Inflation, & Politics

Eric S. M. Kee

Thursday, April 20, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Secure 2.0 Act

Melissa Constant

Thursday, April 6, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Is the Banking System at Risk?

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows in their last report in 2020 that retirees are going out and getting part-time jobs. Furthermore, this number is expected to more than double from 33 million in 2000 to 72...

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Thoughts on Crypto Currency

Eric S. M. Kee

Friday, January 13, 2023

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Identify Theft and Cybercrime Here at PBF, we have seen an uptick in attempted cybercrime among our clients. We continue to strive to protect you, your personal information, and your accounts by using encrypted email portals,...

We Are Here To Help You Put Your Financial Puzzle Together (303)238-5123

Would you prefer to download the PDF version of our newsletter? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

Would you prefer to download the PDF version of our newsletter? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

Would you prefer to download the PDF version of our newsletter? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

Would you prefer to download the PDF version of our newsletter? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

Would you prefer to download the PDF version of our newsletter? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

Economic Update – January 2022

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, January 28, 2022

Dow Industrials Four-Year Presidential Cycle U.S. Incremental Hospitalization Rate and S&P 500 S&P 500 Performance After First Fed Rate Hike Fed Balance Sheet Outlook for S&P 500 Companies in 2022

Jill, Regina, Bryan, KC, Mel and Eric Bryan, Sharla, Ron, and Karen Ron and Bryan pointing fingers! KC as Lucy Legs and Regina as Security Sam Karen as Hustling Hailey clutching her pearls!

Sharla, Mel, KC, Regina, Jill, Bryan, and Lynae all dressed up for Halloween!

Would you prefer to download the PDF version of our newsletter? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

Mel, Ron, Regina, Karen, Jill Bryan, Sharla, Lynae, Eric, KC Eric, Regina, Sharla, Jill, KC, Lynae, Ron, Mel, Karen, Bryan

To DOWNLOAD or Access The PDF of This Newsletter Click or Right Click HERE

The Dollar Chase Newsletter – May-June 2021

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, July 2, 2021

If you would like to DOWNLOAD or access the PDF version of the newsletter just click HERE.

Innovation, Pent Up Demand, New Trends!! All Turning Points to Watch…..

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, April 2, 2021

Would you prefer to download the PDF of this file? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

The Dollar Chase Newsletter – March 2021

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Friday, March 26, 2021

If you would like to DOWNLOAD or access the PDF version of the newsletter just click HERE.

Guide To The Markets

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Would you prefer to download the PDF of this file? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

The Dollar Chase Newsletter – January 2021

Sharla Rountree CFP®

Thursday, January 28, 2021

If you would like to DOWNLOAD or access the PDF version of the newsletter just click HERE.

Would you prefer to download the PDF of this file? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

Would you prefer to download the PDF of this file? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

If you would like to DOWNLOAD or access the PDF version of the newsletter just click HERE.

Click here to view the recipes or right click to download the recipes to your computer.

Happy Halloween! From All of Us at Personal Benefit Financial, Rountree & Associates

Would you prefer to download the PDF version of our newsletter? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

Pros and Cons of Converting Traditional IRA Funds to Roth IRA Funds

Ronald L. Blair CFP®, AAMS

Friday, September 25, 2020

Disclosure: Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA – Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is a taxable event and could result in additional impacts to your personal tax situation, including the taxation of current social security benefit...

Would you prefer to download the PDF? Right Click ThisLINKto Download the PDF

Would you prefer to download the PDF? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

Watch the replay of the AssetMark webinar to hear Retired FBI Agent Jeff Lanza how criminals get out information and what we can do to stop them. Jeff Lanza will discuss: Simple steps to keep identities safe How to protect yourself...

Link To Mels’ Related Video Would you prefer to download the PDF version of our newsletter? Right Click This LINK to Download the PDF

Watch the replay of the AssetMark webinar to hear Dr. Kevin Elko share the strategies that can help you manage change throughout your lifetime. Dr. Elko will discuss how to: Identify the change in your world Develop a new vision Create...

Your Questions Answered by Eric: Recent TSP Changes

Eric S. M. Kee

Friday, June 5, 2020

'

To DOWNLOAD or Access The PDF of This Newsletter Click HERE

Your Questions Answered by Ron: What’s The Required Minimum Distributions?

Ronald L. Blair CFP®, AAMS

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Your Questions Answered: What’s The Required Minimum Distributions?

Your Questions Answered by Ron: What’s the Federal Government currently doing that is affecting the

Ronald L. Blair CFP®, AAMS

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Your Questions Answered: What’s the Federal Government currently doing that is Affecting the Financial Market?

How to address short-term needs to take money out of my portfolio?

Your Questions Answered by Eric: Where is the relief money coming from?

Eric S. M. Kee

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Where is the relief money coming from?

Your Questions Answered: What About Our Future Tax Rates?

Eric S. M. Kee

Saturday, April 18, 2020

What About Our Future Tax Rates? Will taxes be raised to cover these costs?

Here is another video from our interns. In this video, the interns will be talking about Buying a Car. Enjoy!

Here is another video from our interns. In this video, the interns will be talking about College Financials. Enjoy!

“When eveything seems crazy sometimes all you need is a way to get other people to smile” – Sharla Look who came to work ready to get us all to smile. Everyday has the potential to be a fun day!

To Download This PDF Guide Right Click on This Link to Save It To Your Computer

To Download This PDF Guide Right Click on This Link to Save It To Your Computer

To DOWNLOAD or Access The PDF of This Newsletter Click or Right Click...

If you would like to DOWNLOAD or access the PDF version of the newsletter just click...