Strategic insights and practical tools for advisors navigating every mile of the planning journey

        Guideposts        

Peggy Richardson Peggy Richardson

Why the Market’s Rollercoaster Feels Different After Your Clients Retire

Most clients think an average annual return is all that matters in retirement, but it’s not the average, it’s the order of returns that can make or break a plan. Sequence-of-returns risk is the silent threat that can drain a portfolio years too soon if negative markets hit early in retirement.

In this article, we show you how to explain this concept simply, give you a free client-ready visual to walk through with them, and outline how layering guaranteed income sources, Social Security, pensions, and annuity income, can neutralize this risk for their essential needs.

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Peggy Richardson Peggy Richardson

When Wealth Walks Away: Why 70% of Widows Leave Their Advisor (and How to Change That)

70% of widows leave their financial advisor within one year of their spouse’s death. Not because of performance, but because of trust, communication, and connection. The risk isn’t just losing one client, it’s losing decades of potential planning, referrals, and family relationships. In this article, we explore why wealth walks away, what women really want from their advisors, and five strategies to retain trust, and assets, when it matters most.

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Peggy Richardson Peggy Richardson

The Memory Fund: Reinvesting Everyday Spending into What Matters Most

Most people don’t realize how much money slips away on forgettable expenses. The coffee here, the takeout there, the subscription you forgot to cancel. But here’s the truth: every dollar that leaks out is a memory you’re not making.

That’s why I created Small Savings, Big Memories, a practical workbook designed to help you redirect everyday dollars into your very own Memory Fund. With simple shifts and intentional choices, you can trade forgettable purchases for unforgettable experiences — the kind your family will remember for years.

Download Small Savings, Big Memories today and start turning daily habits into lasting stories.

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Peggy Richardson Peggy Richardson

A Trip of a Lifetime: A View into “Wholistic Wealth”

Most people don’t love their work. Only 20% say they’re passionate about what they do, and 85% are disengaged. I was reminded of those numbers while floating the Madison River with my dad and uncles. Yes, we caught trout. But the real wealth was in the stories between casts, decades of meaningful work, and the freedom to still be out there together.

Real wealth isn’t measured in commas. It’s being wholistically wealthy: financially, physically, and emotionally able to create meaningful experiences with the ones we cherish.

So maybe the question isn’t “How much is enough?”
It’s “How do we plan for a life filled with experiences that last long after the numbers fade?”

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Peggy Richardson Peggy Richardson

Investing in More Than Retirement Accounts

I took a Friday reprieve to revisit the Virginia Triple Crown — a trail that once handed me my first DNF. This time, I wasn’t chasing all three peaks, just two and a sunrise view from McAfee Knob. The view never came, hidden in the clouds, but the morning delivered something better: a conversation about retirement, health, and the real investments that matter for longevity.

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Peggy Richardson Peggy Richardson

Beyond Golf and Volunteering: Why Financial Advisors Should Rethink Their Bios

Most advisor bios say a lot without saying much at all. In a profession built on relationships, are we missing opportunities to connect by playing it safe? This article explores what happens when we go beyond the expected — and why your bonsai hobby might be more powerful than your CFP® when it comes to trust.

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Peggy Richardson Peggy Richardson

Women, Wealth, and the Wake-Up Call: Why Financial Advisors Must Evolve — Now

By 2030, women will control over $30 trillion in financial assets — but most advisors are still using outdated playbooks. This article breaks down where the wealth is coming from, how women approach planning differently, and what advisors must do now to stay relevant, build trust, and drive real results. Serving women isn’t a niche. It’s the future of your business.

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Peggy Richardson Peggy Richardson

5 Podcasts I’m Still Thinking About This Week (And the Takeaways That Stuck)

Each week, I consume hours of content — but only a few pieces actually shift something in me. These five podcast episodes did just that. From Kevin O’Leary’s 80/20 discipline to David Roche’s raw honesty about failure at Western States, this roundup is packed with insights that challenged how I lead, recover, parent, and train.

If you're someone who's chasing big goals, managing chaos, or just trying to grow with intention — this list was made for you.

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Peggy Richardson Peggy Richardson

Do Your Clients Truly Understand the Cost of Market Loss?

This is something we all know—but do our clients truly understand?

When the market drops 30%, most investors think they only need 30% to recover. In reality, they need nearly 43%—and that’s assuming they don’t panic, sell at the bottom, or go to cash out of fear.

Losses don’t just bruise portfolios—they mess with decision-making. Behavioral finance tells us that the pain of losing is twice as powerful as the pleasure of gaining.

This isn’t just about performance. It’s about planning for human behavior.

Because the best financial strategy means nothing if your client can’t stick with it when the market hits back.

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Peggy Richardson Peggy Richardson

Move to Think: How Physical Challenge Enhances Mental Performance and Advisor Productivity

Financial advisors are facing cognitive overload, with only 18% reporting they feel they are thriving (Fidelity Benchmarking Study). This Concept Spotlight explores how incorporating physical movement into daily routines enhances cognitive function, sharpens focus, and improves productivity—backed by neuroscience and real-world application. At The Endurance Plan, we believe movement isn’t just wellness—it’s a strategic tool for sustained mental performance.

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Peggy Richardson Peggy Richardson

Refinance Your Retirement: A New Approach to an Old Problem

Many clients still hold annuities built in low-rate environments—products that may no longer serve their long-term goals. In today’s high-interest landscape, a Retirement Refinance gives them the chance to upgrade: stronger bonuses, higher participation rates, and significantly more guaranteed lifetime income. This article explains how to help clients reposition outdated contracts into modern solutions that better match today’s rates and tomorrow’s needs. It’s not just about new products—it’s about making their retirement plan work smarter, for longer.

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