
Welcome to our Web site, where you’ll find a wealth of information in the form of newsletter articles, calculators, and research reports.
We hope your visit will help you understand the opportunities and potential rewards that are available when you take a proactive approach to your personal financial situation. We have created this Web site to help you gain a better understanding of the financial concepts behind insurance, investing*, retirement, estate planning, and wealth preservation. Most important, we hope you see the value of working with skilled professionals to pursue your financial goals.
We’re here to help educate you about the basic concepts of financial management*; to help you learn more about who we are; and to give you fast, easy access to market performance data. We hope you take advantage of this resource and visit us often. Please check out the RESOURCES tab for articles, newsletters, E-seminars and much more valuable information.
*These services are offered by Richard Cepak through his affiliation with Avantax Investment ServicesSM and Avantax Advisory ServicesSM.
Helpful Content

From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.

The Business Cycle
Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.

The Facts About Income Tax
Millions faithfully file their 1040 forms each April. But some things about federal income taxes may surprise you.
What the New Tax Bill Means for You
What does the Tax Reform and Jobs Act mean for you?
When Life Insurance Becomes Taxable
Life insurance proceeds are generally tax-free. But not in all cases.
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
TIPS for Inflation
If you are concerned about inflation and expect short-term interest rates may increase, TIPS could be worth considering.
All Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal
Gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.
Insurance Needs Assessment: Married With Children
When you’re married and have children, insurance needs will be different.
View all articles 
Inflation & Retirement
Estimate how much income may be needed at retirement to maintain your standard of living.
Assess Your Life Insurance Needs
This calculator estimates how much life insurance you would need to meet your family's needs if you were to die prematurely.
Should I Pay Off Debt or Invest?
This calculator will help determine whether you should invest funds or pay down debt.
What Is My Current Net Worth?
Use this calculator to estimate your net worth by adding up your assets and subtracting your liabilities.
Comparing Investments
This calculator compares the net gain of a taxable investment versus a tax-favored one.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
View all calculators 
Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
View all presentations 
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
Saving for College 101
Here’s a crash course on saving for college.
What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
The Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.