In this episode of Finance in a Flash: Plain Talk, we wrap up our three-part series on unemployment data by zooming out to the bigger picture—what the jobs report really tells us about the economy. Using the latest data from early 2026, we break down the relationship between employment and GDP, explain why job growth can lag behind economic growth, and explore how trends like artificial intelligence and productivity gains may be reshaping the labor market.
Read MoreIn this episode of Finance in a Flash: Plain Talk, we continue our mini-series on unemployment data by diving into the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Using February 2026 data, we break down what the unemployment rate actually measures, why headline job numbers can be misleading, and how key factors like labor force participation and population growth shape the broader economic picture.
Read MoreOn this episode of Finance in a Flash – Plain Talk, John and Dave kick off a three-part series breaking down one of the most talked-about economic topics: Unemployment. They start the series off discussing ADP Employment Report, explaining what it is, how it differs from government data, and why it often tells a slightly different story than the headlines you see on Friday mornings.
Read MoreOn this episode of Finance In A Flash, John interviews Beacon's newest team member, Isaac Elsasser. We really hope you enjoy this episode and get to know more about Isaac as he talks about his personal life, how he got into financial planning, and his time here at Beacon so far!
Read MoreWhether you are an existing client or newly interested in Beacon, please view this short video to learn more about what we do.
Read MoreIt is always a good idea to periodically review your tax situation to identify opportunities to reduce your tax liability and strengthen your overall financial strategy. Proactive tax planning throughout the year can help ensure you are taking full advantage of available planning opportunities.
Read MoreBecoming overly concentrated in your portfolio adds an extra amount of risk. We monitor our portfolios for this and ensure that no one company will determine the ultimate success of our clients’ portfolios.
Read MoreThe principles of efficiency, consistency, and composure bind swimming and financial success together. In both, it’s not about how hard you work, but how smartly you move forward.
Read MoreInflation has been a hot topic in financial news over the past few years, but what does it really mean for consumers and investors? In this episode of Finance in a Flash, John and Dave take a step back to break down inflation—what it is, why it matters, and how it can impact your purchasing power and investment strategy.
Read MoreOn this episode of Finance in a Flash, John sits down with Beacon’s newest team member, Dave Trettel. Tune in to learn more about Dave as he shares insights into his personal life, his professional journey in financial planning, and his experiences since joining the Beacon team. We hope you enjoy getting to know Dave!
Read MorePortfolio rebalancing is an integral part of the investment management process. On this episode of Finance In A Flash, Chip and John sit down to talk about the concept of rebalancing and discuss the benefits of implementing a portfolio rebalancing strategy.
Read MoreOn this episode of Finance in a Flash we welcome a special guest to the podcast. Stephanie Murray, Stephanie is Beacon’s Planning and Operations Manager. Stephanie is an Enrolled Agent—a federally licensed tax practitioner as well as a Certified Financial Planner™. John and Stephanie sit down and discuss important tax forms, the tax preparation process, and much more!
Read MoreOn this episode of Finance in a Flash, Chip and John explore why we prefer mutual funds and ETFs versus individual stocks!
Read MoreOn this episode of Finance In A Flash, John interviews Beacon's Client Services Representative, Patrick Lamprey. We really hope you enjoy this episode and get to know more about Patrick as he talks about his personal life, how he got into financial planning, and his time here at Beacon so far!
Read MoreGetting married is one of the biggest decisions of any persons life. On this episode of Finance in a Flash, Chip interviews John to discuss making financial decision as newly weds.
Read MoreFor better or worse, the financial decisions that young adults make have an ongoing impact on their lives. On this episode of Finance in a Flash, Chip and John give some advice to recent graduates on how to build a solid financial foundation.
Read MoreMaking the decision to retire is a difficult one. On this episode of Chip and John discuss the moving parts, many unknowns and variables that are at play that can impact the outcome and ultimately the probability of a successful retirement.
Read MoreOn this episode of Finance in a Flash, Chip and John discuss a few situations that might warrant selling an investment and some rules of thumb to consider when deciding on whether to sell an investment!
Read MoreIs it best to contribute to your company sponsored 401k plan, a Roth IRA, or a personal brokerage account? The answer depends on many factors. Chip and John hash out some of those factors on this episode of Finance in a Flash!
Read MoreWhen it comes to taking account distributions, which account is best - IRAs, Roth IRAs, Brokerage accounts or 401k plans? Chip and John discuss tax strategies and other considerations to take into account when deciding which account to take a distribution from!
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