Reinventing Leftovers Do you ever get to the end of the week and are just so tired of eating leftovers? You may open and close the fridge a few times and hope something new miraculously appears before your eyes. I know I’ve been there. It’s time to think outside the box and imagine what our leftovers could be! Take Inventory Take a moment, open your fridge, and inventory what’s remaining for the week. Take a peek at the pantry and see what may be hiding behind that old bag of chips. Any soups or sauces could be frozen and used at a future date. (You’ll be thankful for the surprise when you search your freezer in the future). If you find some bread on the verge of going stale, cut it up to make some croutons for a salad or make grilled cheese sandwiches. Did you find any chicken from a previous dinner? Chop it up and make a wrap or a quesadilla with that can of beans you found in the pantry! Turn simple ingredients into something delicious with a little thought and brainstorming. Using your leftovers is a great way to save on your grocery budget. Instead of ditching them once you’re tired of them, consider another way to incorporate them into a new dish. Taking inventory of everything in the kitchen is a helpful tool in ensuring you use what you have before going out to buy more. When paying the prices for groceries these days, we want to use every last bit of what we’re spending our money on. Quesadillas are the ultimate leftover hodgepodge. Many different things in your fridge can be turned into a quesadilla or a wrap with the help of pairing ingredients and sauces. For instance – if you found chicken, cheese, and ranch, add them together, and it’ll be great! Leftover buffalo chicken dip? Throw it on a quesadilla! You’ll be thankful you’re using up what you have! Quesadillas Recipe: Serving Size: 1 serving 2 Tortillas 1 Cup Shredded Cheese ½ Protein (Chopped Chicken, Black Beans, Pork, etc.) ½ Cup Chopped Bell Peppers 3 Tb Scallion Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet on low. Add a tortilla, ½ the cheese, your fillings of choice, remainder of the cheese. Flip once the bottom tortilla starts getting crispy. Be on the lookout for more delicious recipes to come! Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers is an SEC-registered investment adviser firm. The information presented is for educational purposes only and intended for a broad audience. The information does not intend to make an offer or solicitation to sell or purchase any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers reasonably believes that this marketing does not include any false or misleading statements or omissions of facts regarding services, investment, or client experience. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has a reasonable belief that the content will not cause an untrue or misleading implication regarding the adviser’s services, investments, or client experiences. Please refer to the firm’s ADV Part 2A for material risks disclosures. Past performance of specific investment advice should not be relied upon without knowledge of certain circumstances of market events, the nature and timing of the investments, and relevant constraints of the investment. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has presented information in a fair and balanced manner. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers is not giving tax, legal or accounting advice, consult a professional tax or legal representative if needed.

Peak Season Temperatures During the height of winter, with frigid temperatures, no one wants to be surprised by a pricey heating bill. Those days are inevitable when you’ll want to crank the heat, but that comes with the anxiety of opening your next gas/electric bill. Instead of the surprise bill or fighting over the thermostat, why not look for other solutions to have your house in optimal condition for those peak season temperatures, whether in the middle of winter or summer? Let’s be proactive in our approach to cold temperatures, so we don’t shake the budget when they do hit. Ways To Save Here are some ways to evaluate your home and prepare ahead of the season to help save on that heating bill. The Thermostat Turn down the thermostat! Whether for work or an extended vacation, times you will be out of the house are great opportunities to turn the thermostat down. In addition, try turning it down a couple of degrees when you head to bed at night. Grab an extra blanket if you need to. Your Bedding There is an excellent reason stores sell flannel and wool in winter – it’s warm! Don’t forget about fleece blankets too. Add those layers to stay warm and cozy. The Ceiling Fan Did you know that even something as simple as switching the direction of your ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise actually helps you reduce your heating costs? Turning your fan counterclockwise brings the warm air back down, which is definitely what you want in colder months. Your Fireplace If you enjoy building a fire in the winter, you will want to close the damper once those final embers lose their glow; that way, you won’t lose warm air through the chimney. You should also be aware that as enjoyable as a fire is, other areas of the house may wind up losing heat as the fire typically only heats the room where the fireplace is located. Possible Air Leaks Check all doors, windows, walls, and cracks for air coming in from the outside. These areas can easily be sealed up with weather stripping or caulking. You can find these materials at any of your local stores. The Sunshine On a sunny day in the middle of winter, open your curtains and blinds to let the sunshine flow into your house! This will help warm the space, and you may be thrilled not to hear your heat working for a while. Plus, seeing the sun instead of the gray days of winter will help chase away those winter blues—just a reminder to close any blinds and curtains in the evenings to keep out extra drafts. Looking Ahead When you receive that heating bill, winter temperatures can shake the budget, but let’s not let it be the case this year and for years to come. Be proactive before the seasons change so your bills aren’t a surprise to you – instead, maybe they’re a surprise because they’re lower than in previous years. That means you did the work and are receiving the reward. Use these tips as a checklist to walk around your home and prepare it for the upcoming season. If you are looking for other ways to reduce spending in your budget, meet with one of our financial coaches today to learn ways to find extra dollars in your monthly budget. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers is an SEC-registered investment adviser firm. The information presented is for educational purposes only and intended for a broad audience. The information does not intend to make an offer or solicitation to sell or purchase any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers reasonably believes that this marketing does not include any false or misleading statements or omissions of facts regarding services, investment, or client experience. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has a reasonable belief that the content will not cause an untrue or misleading implication regarding the adviser’s services, investments, or client experiences. Please refer to the firm’s ADV Part 2A for material risks disclosures. Past performance of specific investment advice should not be relied upon without knowledge of certain circumstances of market events, the nature and timing of the investments, and relevant constraints of the investment. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has presented information in a fair and balanced manner. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers is not giving tax, legal or accounting advice, consult a professional tax or legal representative if needed.

Finding That Budget-Friendly Filling Snack Ever crave that afternoon sweet and salty snack but are tired of reaching for the potato chips and candy bar that leave you with less energy than you already had? There are other simple, budget-friendly options to satisfy that hunger! These days even snagging a $2.45 protein-packed energy bar at the grocery store might trip up your budget. But have no fear; we have the solution for you that is tasty, healthy, easy on the budget (bonus!), and full of energy to get you through the afternoon slump! Nutritious And Easy on The Wallet Energy bites are packed with great nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them nutritious and filling. They are also delicious – you’ll feel like you’re treating yourself when you enjoy them. These energy bites are only a few ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and only take a few minutes to whip up! An easy snack to pack for on the go or grab from the fridge when you get a craving. This is just another idea to help you think about your budget and keep on track if you are trying to stay health-conscious. These energy bites include: Old Fashioned Rolled Oats – packed with fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals Peanut Butter – contains heart-healthy fats, protein, iron, and vitamins Honey – the glue to these delicious snacks Dark chocolate – fiber, magnesium, iron, and zinc Flax Seed Meal - packed with fiber and protein, as well as a great source of Omega-3 if you don’t enjoy or incorporate much fish in your diet Extras: Dried Fruits, Chia Seeds, Nuts, Chocolate Chips, Shredded coconut, etc. Even if you don’t enjoy cooking, grab a bowl and a spoon (or be bold and get your hands dirty like my five-year-old), and I promise you, too, can achieve the perfectly delicious, filling, and budget-friendly afternoon snack! Energy Bites Recipe: (Yields roughly 2 dozen depending on size) 2 cups old fashion oats 1 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup honey ½ cup dark chocolate (chopped) 3 Tb chia seeds 2 Tb ground flax seed Combine all ingredients, then form into small balls. Place in fridge for about 15-20 minutes, then enjoy! If you’d rather have a bar, mix, roll onto parchment paper, refrigerate, and cut into ideal-sized snack bars. *Refrigerate in an airtight container for a few days or freeze for up to 3 months.* I promise they won’t even last this long; you’ll enjoy them too much! If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, simple, and filling snack, give this a go! If you have kids invite them into the mess. The beauty in this process is that no matter how some little hands have molded the energy bites, they’re still going to taste delicious and give you that boost of energy you need to make it through your day. Enjoy! Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers is an SEC-registered investment adviser firm. The information presented is for educational purposes only and intended for a broad audience. The information does not intend to make an offer or solicitation to sell or purchase any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers reasonably believes that this marketing does not include any false or misleading statements or omissions of facts regarding services, investment, or client experience. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has a reasonable belief that the content will not cause an untrue or misleading implication regarding the adviser’s services, investments, or client experiences. Please refer to the firm’s ADV Part 2A for material risks disclosures. Past performance of specific investment advice should not be relied upon without knowledge of certain circumstances of market events, the nature and timing of the investments, and relevant constraints of the investment. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has presented information in a fair and balanced manner. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers is not giving tax, legal or accounting advice, consult a professional tax or legal representative if needed.

Why do you invest? Ok I get it... you probably invest because you're trying to retire at some point in your life or you'd like to make some major purchase in the future. But why are we putting money in the stock market? What's the benefit of investing in companies like Apple, Boeing, Google, Berkshire Hathaway or JPMorgan Chase? Considering that the Schwab Money Market is paying close to 4.4% today, why not just keep the money in there? The answer is the same reason why some of America's richest citizens are exactly that... the richest citizens. Let's start with Jeff Bezos; for nearly two decades his salary from Amazon was $81,840. Is that how he became one of America's richest men? Certainly not! The reason was this: he owned shares of a business (that he founded) that continued to grow in value over time. Controlling shares of companies (owning a business) is a common trend amongst the world's wealthiest individuals and families. And what a time to be alive because you get to put money into these publically available companies every two weeks through your 401(k) and Roth IRA. The richest family in America? The Waltons and half their wealth is in a publically traded company, that their patriarch, Sam Walton, founded called Wal-Mart. Starting a business is the single best way to get rich in America. The next best way? Piggybacking off founders like Jeff Bezo of Amazon, Sam Walton of Wal-Mart, Elon Musk of Tesla, SpaceX, and StarLink. And the reason those companies are worth more and more over time is that over time their earnings continue to grow. They grow because their top line (sales) get larger, they grow because they cut expense through efficiency, they grow because they as a company have investments that are adding income. Earnings are what drive the value of a stock. It's called cash-flow. You're buying the cash flow, current and future, of a company when you invest in them. Yes, sometimes you invest in a company that has an erroding cash flow, and it proves to be a bad investment. But on the aggregate the stock market is full of companies that are continuing to make more today than they made yesterday in cash-flow. Therefore with that introduction - let's answer the question of what is happening to earnings right now. If you listen to my weekly market video "What We Learning in the Markets The Week," we discussed how corporate earnings are a standstill right now. Why is that? While major stock market indices have rallied this year, investors continue to receive mixed signals from the economy. On the one hand, inflation is improving, which has allowed interest rates to stabilize at a lower level. On the other hand, last week's jobs report was a significant surprise to the upside, with 517,000 net new jobs created in January and the unemployment rate falling to 3.4%, the lowest in over 50 years. Although the inflation data suggest the Fed could slow or pause its rate hikes, the jobs data mean that they may need to keep their guard up. This uncertainty creates confusion as markets adjust to financial conditions. What should long-term investors focus on to stay invested toward their financial goals? The stock market follows earnings trends over years and decades Stock market investors don't directly invest in the economy. Instead, they are impacted by economic trends through the revenues and profits of the companies in which they invest. When the economy is growing rapidly and consumers are doing well, company sales tend to improve. When inflation is rising or the job market is competitive, costs may rise. At a macroeconomic level, the job of companies is to balance these opportunities and risks. Over long periods of time, the stock market tends to follow earnings trends, which in turn follow economic cycles. Given the importance of earnings, it's no surprise how much coverage there is of individual company earnings reports in the news and in the investment industry. However, for long-term investors, the aggregate earnings picture for the S&P 500 matters much more. At the moment, about 50% of S&P 500 companies have reported fourth quarter earnings. This was a quarter during which costs were elevated compared to the year before due to inflation and rising wages, while consumer spending was weakening and there were fears of an upcoming recession. This led to lowered earnings estimates which has allowed 69% of S&P 500 companies that have reported to beat expectations so far, while 65% have beaten on revenues. Overall, S&P 500 companies are estimated to have grown earnings by 7.4% in 2022, but will only experience 3.5% growth over the next twelve months, before accelerating again in 2024. Earnings are expected to slow across market categories Just as many economists expect flat or slightly negative economic growth in 2023 before seeing a recovery in 2024, many expect earnings growth to be meager this year as well. In this way, both sets of data point to a "reset" as the world adjusts to the shocks of the past few years - or as many investors like to refer to it, a "v-shaped recovery." In this context, there are two facts to keep in mind. First, corporate earnings are still at record levels for large cap companies with S&P 500 earnings-per-share reaching about $218 on a trailing basis. Analysts are not anticipating negative growth in 2023 - just slower growth to no growth. This does differ across market size and style categories, however. Mid caps (or Aggressive Growth in our Dave Ramsey vernacular), for instance, are expected to see earnings decline in 2023 while small caps (also Aggressive Growth) could see faster growth. However, both of these size categories are much more attractively valued than their large-cap counterparts, despite these earnings trends. Second, if inflation continues to slow, costs may improve and help support profitability across companies of all sizes. After all, rising costs due to higher goods prices and growing wages have crimped earnings over the past year. Similarly, if consumer confidence returns and spending rebounds, this could help prop up earnings. This is a balancing act since the flip side of consumer spending is wage growth, which represents higher costs for businesses. Wages are still growing 5.1% year-on-year, but this has eased from recent peaks. Corporate costs could improve as inflation eases Of course, the specific circumstances differ across individual companies and industries. Thus, it's also positive that seven of the eleven S&P 500 sectors are expected to experience positive earnings growth over the next year, despite the challenging environment. The exceptions are the commodity-sensitive materials and energy sectors which benefited from rising prices last year, and the real estate sector which has been directly hit by rising rates. It's important to keep in mind that analyst forecasts are not always accurate and are subject to change based on economic conditions. Still, expectations for this year align with slower growth trends across the economy. However, they also suggest that earnings could rebound once the underlying fundamentals improve and inflation stabilizes. Either way, record earnings continue to support valuations which are the most attractive in years. The bottom line? To cut through the noise, investors should continue to focus on their long-term goals and enjoy the fact that they're getting to own some of the best companies the world has ever seen. Continue to execute your current Baby Step and reach out to one of our Financial Coaches for help on Baby Steps 1, 2, and 3 and our Financial Planners for Baby Steps 4, 5, 6, and 7! Let's continue to live and give like no one else! Copyright (c) 2023 Clearnomics, Inc. and Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers, LTD. All rights reserved. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not necessarily complete and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of the information and opinions contained herein. The views and the other information provided are subject to change without notice. All reports posted on or via www.clearnomics.com or any affiliated websites, applications, or services are issued without regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any specific recipient and are not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future results. Company fundamentals and earnings may be mentioned occasionally, but should not be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold the company's stock. Predictions, forecasts, and estimates for any and all markets should not be construed as recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security--including mutual funds, futures contracts, and exchange traded funds, or any similar instruments. The text, images, and other materials contained or displayed in this report are proprietary to Clearnomics, Inc. and constitute valuable intellectual property. 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I like my job but need more income; what should I do? This is a common question during any period, but the continued high inflation environment is making this a more and more frequently asked question. In this article, we will share some suggestions on how to increase your income. Do I, or do I not…like my job We will start with the obvious option, if you don’t care for your job or are indifferent about it, then possibly the best solution to increasing income is getting a higher-paying job that fits your skill set. If you are trying to decide, take some time to reflect, write out the pros and cons of the job, and if the ultimate decision is to look for a job, take the time to research and investigate job options before quitting your current position. But I like my job… So, we will focus on those who either like their job or have a strong tie to it that switching jobs is not desired or even a possibility. Another fairly obvious point, but still should be brought up to those needing more income……if you work in a job that pays commissions or bonuses based on sales or production, work harder and smarter to increase your income directly through your efforts. For the rest of you that do not find it practical to switch jobs or are on a set salary, we offer some possible options: Ask for a raise This might be uncomfortable to do, but for many individuals, it is a possibility that could be explored and an excellent solution to improving cash flow. Doing a serious self-assessment and talking to trusted co-workers that feel you are in good standing to warrant a raise is a good idea. Be strategic in taking this approach. For instance, if you have a review coming up, that could be an ideal time. Another way to justifiably ask for more income is to offer to take on more responsibility. Be prepared to explain how you are capable and could be an asset to the company. Ask for extra hours Asking to work overtime is an approach that could be well received by a boss or an owner to show that you want to pursue more income. It also shows that you are willing to work for it. Work a second job or start a side hustle Although increasing the work week or having a shorter weekend may not sound appealing initially, if you genuinely enjoy the job that you are currently in, look for something similar in the same field to make this option less daunting. The same mindset goes for a side hustle; if it is outside your current field, do something you enjoy and have some know-how. For many, the need for more income is only temporary, so the extra time spent and sacrifices should feel more doable. Sell current possessions or engage in some controlled buying and selling transactions With so many online selling options, if you have some items you can part with (i.e., electronics, unused workout equipment, etc.), this could help meet a temporary income shortage. A traditional garage sale could also be utilized if more desired. Either option should be a tiny investment (if any) and likely yield hundreds of dollars. Some current possessions that could spill into controlled buying and selling would be hobby items: sports cards, coins, stamps, sports or concert tickets, quilts, or any collectibles. Here is where knowledge in these areas can help you make quick buys for quick sales at a profit. I emphasize controlled buying and selling because you do not want to get stuck with inventory that you can’t sell and hurt your cash flow rather than the desired intent of increasing your income. Make current emergency funds or ear-marked cash more productive We are focusing on the negatives of inflation squeezing budgets and thus the need for more income, but a positive that can help dampen the impact of inflation is the growing yields on cash and safe short-term options. Most money markets yield over 4%, and short-term (6-12 month) Treasury Bonds yield nearly 5% as of the writing of this article in February 2023. Short-term bond funds that are likely past most of the downside they faced in 2022 have yielded around these same levels and could have a little capital appreciation as investors are looking to lock in some return before the Fed may decide to reverse course and begin lowering rates. If you are good with assuming a little risk, bank notes still pay coupons around 10% or better. This will not be the primary income source solution, but multiple sources can all add up, and getting your cash to kick off $20-$120 extra a month can offset a shrinking income. Streamline the budget There are likely a few regular monthly purchases that are more of a want, not a need, and thus can be eliminated when looking at your budget. Like working a second job, if you feel like you are giving up pleasures you resent having to do, remember that it is likely only a temporary interruption. So, if cutting out Netflix, Spotify, or Starbucks is frustrating, try to view it as appreciating it more when you can return to some minor “luxuries” months down the road. Adding in savings as a priority here within the budget could be a plus, even if it is just saving change like $1 bills or $10 a week; in the end, it all adds up. Pay off debt to boost cash flow Ideally, you do not have any extra debt outside of a mortgage. But for many Americans, there are additional debt items people are trying to pay off monthly, from student loans, car loans, and credit card debt, to name a few. You lose money every month by paying additional dollars on your monthly payments with high-interest rates. As Dave says, use your largest wealth-building tool, your monthly income, to its most significant potential, and not pay someone else (i.e., credit cards, banks, etc.) besides yourself each month. If you find yourself in this boat and you have a decent emergency fund, then going from 6 months’ expenses covered down to 3 months, and applying those dollars towards paying off your debt, would make sense. It will help create extra dollars in the budget and enable you to build the emergency account back up once those debt items are paid off. And if you are truly following Dave’s baby steps, decrease your emergency fund to $1,000 and apply any existing savings towards your debt to get that paid off as fast as possible. We also suggest you refrain from borrowing from a retirement account. Stopping non-mandatory payroll deductions These are usually related to healthcare or insurance. So, although HSAs or FSAs are beneficial, if there is no specific need right now for those dollars, then temporarily delaying those probably makes sense. Also, some supplemental insurances may not be needed any longer, or could be less of a priority, and could boost your take-home pay for more pressing immediate needs if you choose to stop them at this time. Sometimes charitable contributions of organizations you no longer support or other unnecessary items you forgot about may be running through payroll and could be eliminated. Tax withholdings could also be reduced if you usually get money back on your taxes, so you use those funds sooner to address a temporary shortfall. Short-term sacrifices for long-term goals Most Americans would say they strongly desire a higher income. Surprisingly when asked, most people respond very similarly regardless of their current income level, with “about 10% more, and I would be content.” With this being a general attitude, you may get there by implementing just some of these strategies, and if you implement most of them, your cash flow may increase more than 10% higher than your current level. We mentioned multiple times that taking some of these measures or changes is temporary; you may find that you can return to the old budget and expenditures. Ultimately, you may make some of your changes permanent because you find you are happier with a reduced budget. Then pursuing your financial goals, especially if inflation subsides, becomes more accessible and accelerates even faster. We should all be good stewards and work hard at our jobs, but don’t forget to continue to work hard, and being disciplined at increasing your income can also be productive. If you are looking for ways to tackle your debt, decrease your monthly expenses, or create a budget, reach out to one of our financial coaches and schedule a meeting. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers is an SEC-registered investment adviser firm. The information presented is for educational purposes only and intended for a broad audience. The information does not intend to make an offer or solicitation to sell or purchase any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers reasonably believes that this marketing does not include any false or misleading statements or omissions of facts regarding services, investment, or client experience. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has a reasonable belief that the content will not cause an untrue or misleading implication regarding the adviser’s services, investments, or client experiences. Please refer to the firm’s ADV Part 2A for material risks disclosures. Past performance of specific investment advice should not be relied upon without knowledge of certain circumstances of market events, the nature and timing of the investments, and relevant constraints of the investment. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has presented information in a fair and balanced manner.

Easy Cleanup and Delicious Throwing a party for the Big Game yet dreading the mess you’ll have to clean up once the game is over? Any thought of opening your home and your fridge can be overwhelming when you think of the aftermath. You long for as easy cleanup (and, honestly, meal prep) as possible. I’ve got you covered - sheet tray nachos are your answer! Give Yourself a Break When you’re hosting, you always feel pressured to do it all. You want your home to be welcoming, and the assortment of food provided to be delicious! Who wouldn’t? That’s a great desire, but you don’t have to do it all. Take some pressure off yourself, and help your wallet out, and maybe this year, if you’re the host, ask your guests to each bring a dish, side, or drink. Tell them you’ll prepare the main dish (your hearty, fully loaded, sheet tray nachos) and the paper products. This will allow you more time to enjoy and interact with your guests instead of worrying about when each dish or side will be ready and if there’s enough. It’s fun to see what your friends and family will contribute to the party and one less stressor for yourself. Adaptability Tailor your nachos to you! These nachos are crowd-pleasers because they can easily adapt to your taste buds! If you prefer chicken over ground beef, go ahead and shred s, some chicken (or even easier, buy a rotisserie chicken!). If you’re a vegetarian, add beans as your main source of protein, then load it up with all the veggies! When the simple prep of this dish is finished, it is easy to throw all these ingredients on the sheet tray and in the oven just moments before your guests walk through the door. These nachos will undoubtedly be a crowd-pleaser, and your guests will ask for more! Sheet Tray Nachos Recipe: (1 sheet tray yields 6-8 servings) 1 lb Protein of Choice - Ground beef/ Shredded Pork/ Shredded Chicken/ Black Beans/ Pinto Beans 1 Bag of Chips Veggies: 2 Bell Peppers chopped 1 can of Beans rinsed/drained 1 can Corn (drained) or 1 bag frozen 1/2 Red Onion chopped or sliced thinly 1-2 Cups Shredded Cheese (Cheddar or Mexican); add more as desired Additional Toppings to garnish with once out of the oven: Guacamole, Sour cream, Salsa, Jalapeno, Chili, Avocados, Lime Wedges, Tomato, Chives, Cilantro Grab a sheet tray. Line the sheet tray with parchment paper. Preheat your oven to 400. Precook any meat as well as cut up any veggies ahead of time. Layer your ingredients evenly over the sheet tray in the order of the recipe above. Bake in the oven for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted. Enjoy! Double as needed. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers is an SEC-registered investment adviser firm. The information presented is for educational purposes only and intended for a broad audience. The information does not intend to make an offer or solicitation to sell or purchase any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers reasonably believes that this marketing does not include any false or misleading statements or omissions of facts regarding services, investment, or client experience. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has a reasonable belief that the content will not cause an untrue or misleading implication regarding the adviser’s services, investments, or client experiences. Please refer to the firm’s ADV Part 2A for material risks disclosures. Past performance of specific investment advice should not be relied upon without knowledge of certain circumstances of market events, the nature and timing of the investments, and relevant constraints of the investment. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has presented information in a fair and balanced manner. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers is not giving tax, legal or accounting advice, consult a professional tax or legal representative if needed.

New Year New You With the majority of the holiday festivities now behind us, and the anticipation of the new year upon us, are you trying to decide on a new year’s resolution? Not sure what to set as your goal for the coming year? Keep thinking to yourself “New Year, New Me!”? A lot of times new year resolutions focus on creating new habits and most of the time, these center around a new healthy lifestyle. And although eating healthier, working out more, losing weight, and getting more sleep are excellent new routines to try and build, don’t forget the importance of practicing good behaviors with money/finances. Set Finances as a Priority Much like any new year resolution, you have to set your finances as a priority. Whether it be deciding to track your checking withdrawals, setting goals on saving for a specific reason (or just throughout the year), scheduling a meeting with an advisor and start investing, or deciding to sit down and commit to a monthly budget, the first step is acknowledging that focusing on your finances is just as important for a healthy lifestyle as losing 10 pounds. Be Intentional While meeting with a client recently, we were discussing the importance of being intentional. This included not only being mindful of what they were spending their money on, whom they were spending it on, or how much they were spending, but also when they were spending their money. This means thinking through if there are certain times of the year that you know you will be spending more than normal, or if there are upcoming situations where you may be spending money outside of your monthly bills. Knowing ahead of time when you may be spending more than you normally do, will help you smartly spend your money, finding either meaningful gifts, items at a discounted price, or just helping you save for the large purchases to come. Be Proactive During the meeting that I mentioned above, we started talking about ways to be more proactive. And through the conversation, the idea of reviewing your upcoming year now can help set you and your budget up for success. They threw out the idea of the week between Christmas and New Year, or even the first week after the new year, they would take out their 2023 calendar and look over each month. They are going to write down birthdays, holidays, and special occasions (i.e., weddings, anniversaries, graduations, etc.) that they were aware of, and jot them down. Not just on the calendar, but also on a spreadsheet to start thinking through how they will need to allocate more dollars for those specific months, or how to plan for these things in the coming months. Just as important as it is to meal plan when you are starting with a new healthy eating regimen, as it is to do the same when mapping out your monthly finances. Be Consistent Doing something once doesn’t make it a habit. Even doing something twice, doesn’t make it a change. Doing something over and over, especially when you are starting a new routine, is what will give you the most success in sticking with it. In the beginning, this can be hard. Especially if it is something you don’t care to do or something that makes you uncomfortable. However, the more often you can set aside time to focus on finances, and working on a budget, the more it will become second nature. Making and setting up your budget is the easy part. Tracking your expenses throughout the month and making them fit into your budget is the hard part. But you have to keep with it to make it worth it. Pencil in 2-3 times a week you can dedicate to checking in on your budget and making sure it is up to date. The more you do this over and over again, the fewer errors you will have, and will be less likely to overspend. Be Patient Remember this new habit or lifestyle isn’t going to be instant. It’s going to be a work in progress, but it will become normal for you if you stick with it. You just have to be patient and give it time. Stretching those “muscles” of focusing on your finances by setting a budget, reviewing expenses, and doing it daily, will soon feel as if you have always done these things. Sticking to new year’s resolutions can be hard, but are worth it in the end. If you want to make focusing on your finances a new year’s resolution, reach out to a member of our team. We have 11 financial advisors on staff and a certified master financial coach ready to help you make your finances a priority!

The SECURE ACT 2.0 and the ROTH IRA As I write this article, one quote from my kid’s favorite Christmas movie comes to mind, “keep the change you filthy animal.” The Secure Act 2.0 is being met with mixed feelings. It is viewed by some as an unexpected lump of coal, and to others as a special Christmas gift. The second edition of the Secure Act is a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill - 4,100 pages detailing dubious plans for spending that just don’t make sense to many ordinary voters. The Secure Act 2.0 presents numerous changes to existing retirement savings and withdrawal rules. Let’s look specifically at how it changes the valuable retirement investment tool of the Roth contribution. What is a Roth IRA? A Roth IRA is a personal retirement savings plan that offers certain tax benefits to encourage retirement savings. What are those tax benefits? A Roth IRA grows tax deferred, but unlike a Traditional IRA, if certain conditions are met, distributions (including both contributions and investment earnings) will be completely tax-free at the Federal level. Let’s look specifically at the language in the Secure Act 2.0 and look at three sections that will impact the Roth IRA. SECTION 107: Increase in RMD AGE to 73 and 75. Current law has the age for Required Minimum Distributions set at 72. The Secure Act 2.0 would move the RMD age to 73 for anyone reaching this age in 2023. If you reached age 72 in 2022, you are subject to the age 72 RMD. And then on January 1, 2033, the applicable RMD beginning age will be 75. This change makes Roth conversion planning opportunities a very important topic to discuss with your Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers financial advisor. Pushing back the RMD age gives people more flexibility over when to spend their money, more planning opportunities for Roth conversions, and an increased ability to create intelligent spending strategies from their taxable retirement accounts. This conversation will allow you and your advisor to look for low-tax rate years where you can do some conversion from a traditional IRA or retirement account to a Roth IRA and keep taxes low. SECTION 126: 529 to Roth Accounts The SECURE Act 2.0 creates a way to do a tax and penalty-free rollover from a 529 account to a Roth IRA under certain conditions. Currently, money in a 529 that’s distributed for non-education expenses can be subject to penalties and taxes. Under the new provision, beneficiaries would be able to do a rollover of up to $35,000 aggregate in life from a 529 to a Roth IRA in their name. These rollovers would have to abide by the Roth IRA annual contribution limits and the 529 would need to have been open for at least 15 years. The income limitation to contribute to a Roth IRA is removed for the 529 to Roth IRA rollover. This change removes the uncertainty of what happens if you were to overfund a 529 or if your kids don’t need it. If you overfund your child’s 529, your child gets a scholarship, or your child doesn’t go to school that money can now be used for the child’s retirement inside of a Roth IRA. This may be another possible topic to talk to your Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers financial advisor about when you consider how to start saving for your child’s education. Section 604: Employer Matching can be Roth or Pre-Tax The Secure Act 2.0 will allow employers to let participants in 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans to get matching contributions on a Roth basis. It doesn't require plans to offer this but creates it as an option. This provision allows for matching contributions to go into a Roth account. This can make sense for many lower-income employees that don’t benefit that much from tax deferral, especially early in their careers. Roth tax treatment can give them a better overall tax outcome. Because this is at the discretion of the employee, it gives additional savings and tax management flexibility. In Conclusion with the Secure Act 2.0. When analyzing this complicated and lengthy bill, experts conclude that there is a focus by the legislature on specifically Roth accounts. Why? Roth contributions push tax revenue forward for the government. The Secure Act 2.0 provides plenty of additional tax flexibility as you choose between Roth or tax-deferred accounts. Moving forward, those saving for retirement and their Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers financial advisors will have more control over how their money is taxed than they did under the prior law.

New Year’s Resolution: 2023 When it comes to fresh starts, there is no better time than the start of a new year. People are hopeful, excited, and have new energy to start the year strong. This article aims to help organize, create a process, and ensure the correct actions are being taken. These actions will help one to thrive now, and in the future, and relieve an immense amount of stress. Through discipline and optimism, one could find themselves on the path to a healthy and happy financial life, no matter their income level. This is all made possible by paying off debt, saving up, and automating one’s investing. Pay Off Debt Some people feel like they can never dig themselves out of debt. When every month you have expenses that go to a credit card, a car, and other debt, it may seem like there is nothing that can be done. To focus on paying off debt, it is important to realize that as long as you aren’t going backward each month, it is very important to put any excess into paying down debt. Some people carry debt with them, yet have a lot saved up in a checking/savings account. It is crucial to use those funds to pay down or pay off items that are being paid for month over month. This concept is so important to financial freedom that it is necessary to sell some things you may not need any longer. Being debt free allows someone to build up an emergency fund, save aggressively for retirement or other goals, and grow net worth exponentially. Pay for your future self, not a bank or a creditor. If you need help starting a budget and paying off debt, our Financial Coach, Lindsey Curry would be more than happy to help you with that. Save Up Your non-mortgage debt is paid off, congratulations! Your monthly expenses are still going toward taxes, rent/mortgage, utilities, etc. What should be done with the rest? Whatever it may be, it is important to treat yourself as a reward for your diligent work on paying off debt and completing baby step 2. Having this extra money per month is the greatest advantage someone can have as they start to save. Building up an emergency fund should be the next priority. An emergency fund is a personal budget set aside as a financial safety net for future mishaps or unexpected expenses and should be in the amount of 3-6 months of expenses. For example, if someone pays a $1,200 mortgage and their other utilities, etc. add up to another $1,300, then in this situation, they would need to have $7,500 at the very least in their savings account at all times. Saving an emergency fund is great because there is a buffer when something unexpected comes up that you wouldn't have previously been able to afford. This could be needing tires, paying for an unexpected injury, etc. Events like this could possibly lead to going into debt if not properly buffered by the emergency fund. Automatic Investing Fantastic, you have moved on to investing! Debt is paid off, an emergency fund is funded, now what? The extra money first went towards paying down and paying off debt. Then the extra money went to an emergency fund. The next place it goes is into a managed investment account. That is the fun, but difficult part. It is a great feeling to have peace of mind. No immediate debt, and a fully-funded emergency savings account. Now it is time to enjoy all that extra money, right? Yes, and no. As previously mentioned, it is so important to reward yourself for the multi-year efforts that have been given. Go on vacation, and buy yourself something nice. One thing to know about human nature is that if there is money in your pocket, you’re going to spend it. If there is no money in your pocket, you just have to go home. That is a lot of what disciplined savers do. Now that you are in a position where there is surplus cash flow, the greatest thing to do for yourself is to set up an automatic withdrawal from your bank account, into your investment account. Check out this video about Dollar Cost Averaging for the benefits of regular investing. This removes the temptation to spend money on things that aren’t always needed and delays gratification for the future. The power of speaking with your advisor As overwhelming as the stock market, timing, capital losses, and more can become, always feel free to use an advisor you know to just ask questions. It is our passion to help people understand these topics. When it comes to the life work of our clients and prospects, no decision is ever taken lightly. No account value is disregarded because all concerns and questions hold such a heavyweight in a time like this. We hope you’ve learned a great deal from this article, and more importantly, reduced some stress from your life today.

Dueling Contributions Beginning Baby step 4 (Funding retirement accounts) can be exciting for anyone who has emerged victoriously from their suffocating debt pile. A common phrase is often shared among our Baby step 4 clients once they breathe a deep sigh of relief: “What now?” Besides the obvious next steps, meeting with a financial advisor, creating a financial plan, and opening retirement accounts, there can sometimes be confusion surrounding the topic of funding those accounts. In this article, we will examine some of the options and which ones are appropriate, and when. Go Corporate Once you’ve paid down debt, it’s time to start investing 15% of your income in retirement accounts. Whether you work for a company that offers a 401(k), or you’re a government employee and take advantage of the TSP, it’s important to know whether your employer offers a matching contribution. If they do, then we recommend contributing up to that amount, maximizing your exposure to “free money.” Not every workplace plan offers a match, so don’t just assume either way. Do the proper research and determine what is available to you. Depending on the plan, there may be a vesting schedule with the matching contribution, so be careful. If you don’t plan to be with an employer long-term, then it might backfire if your money isn’t fully vested and you terminate employment. All things considered, employer plans are generally a good opportunity to begin funding your retirement, so make sure you take advantage of the opportunity if it exists. Roth Until You Can’t Once you’ve met your matching employer contribution, the next thing to do would be to max out a Roth IRA. Starting in 2023 the contribution limit is $6,500 for an IRA. If you file taxes as an individual, or head of household, the maximum modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) for a full contribution is $138,000, and contributions phase out at $153,000. For married couples filing jointly the MAGI limit is $218,000 with a $228,000 phaseout. If you think there is a chance that your income will bump into the ceiling, then a Roth might not be for you. If your income exceeds the respective threshold and you make Roth contributions then you will be subject to a 6% excise penalty each year the funds remain in the account. If you know your income will be within the permissible range, then a Roth IRA allows you to take advantage of tax-free growth. That could turn out pretty nicely for you when you start taking tax-free distributions in retirement. Contributions to a qualified plan can help lower your MAGI if you’re on the cusp and hoping to contribute to a Roth IRA. Traditional IRA If you exceed the income limits for the Roth IRA, then a traditional IRA is your next best bet. The same $6,500 contribution limit exists, but the income limit does not apply here. A traditional IRA is pre-tax, so your earnings grow tax-deferred. When you take distributions in retirement, you’ll pay at your tax rate at the time of distribution. There is a silver lining to a traditional IRA, however. Since the contributions are tax-deferred, you may be entitled to some tax deductions during the year of your traditional IRA contributions. Other Considerations If you can put away more than 15% of your income for retirement, then the next move for you would be to go back to your employer plan once you’ve hit the maximum on a Traditional or Roth IRA. The 2023 limit for elective deferral plans is $22,500. This higher limit allows you to contribute more toward retirement, but it comes with a cost, perhaps. The investment options might be somewhat limited on these plans, which is another reason we recommend maxing out an IRA if at all possible before going back to the employer plan. A Taxable brokerage account is another option for those who want to retire early. Since you can’t draw money from an IRA before the age of 59 ½ you would need another source of income in early retirement. Dave Ramsey calls this a bridge account because it bridges the gap between early retirement and that magic number of 59 ½. Retirement planning has many moving pieces and every situation is different, which is why it is important that you talk with a financial professional about your objectives. At Whitaker-Myers, we have a team of advisors who utilize sound financial planning as part of our comprehensive approach to serving our clients. Reach out today to schedule a meeting and begin planning your future.

A year (and meeting) in review This past week our team traveled to Franklin, TN. It was a quick trip, but one of those trips that fills your (hypothetical) cup. We reflected on the past year, both successes and things to improve upon, and set goals for the upcoming year. Through thought-provoking discussions, we challenged ourselves to do better and brainstormed ideas to achieve this. We talked about ways to help us grow. We laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. We spent time at Ramsey Solutions’ Headquarters with Dave and his team. And we shared our opinions on the superior flavor of cheesecake at our team dinner. All in all, it was a great few days getting out of the office, spending some time together as a team, and reflecting on this past year. And a practice we suggest doing in other facets of your life. The benefits of a yearend recap Personally, I feel like January, February, and March take like 9 months to get through, but once April hits, I blink and it is already the middle of December. And I often feel like I only checked off two of the things that I wanted to accomplish. But taking the time, sitting back, and reminiscing on what actually happened in the last 365 days, helps me put things into perspective. Often times I realize I accomplished more than I thought I did and even things I did not have on my “to-do board” at the beginning of the year (i.e., have a baby as I am now back from maternity leave!). Now all your accomplishments may not be or feel all that life-changing. But even wins like putting in a garden, losing 10 pounds, joining an art class, learning to cook, reading for pleasure again, or committing to starting a budget (my personal favorite suggestion) are things that are good to acknowledge for yourself. These are the things that are good for your soul, and help recharge you for the new year to come. Outside of fueling your fire to take on the coming year, reviewing the last 12 months can help you learn to do things differently. This can be both personal and professional. Maybe when you look back, you wish you would have handled a situation differently, or started (or ended) something sooner rather than waiting. Whatever the case may be, looking back can help you move on and grow for things to come. Looking to the new year As all wise people say, you can’t live in the past. So, take the lessons learned, and accomplishments gained and carry them with you into the next year. But build upon them. Set your goals higher, or modify them to help you become a better version of yourself. A great way to do this is to sit down and give yourself a few minutes to reflect. Write down all the things that made you feel good, feel accomplished, and happy that you did this past year. Ask yourself, am I done with these accomplishments, or can I do better? Then, write down some action points to get you there and make them your goals. As Dave says, “a goal without a plan is just a dream”. Lastly, challenge yourself. Swinging for the fences is the type of energy we want you to have, but make it attainable so you can succeed. Set yourself up with wins (even if small wins) along the way to keep the momentum and excitement going for these goals. (Is it me or does that sound familiar?) And remember to give yourself grace. I think sometimes we all need this reminder. Between trying to keep up with the daily grind, eat healthily, workout, take care of the kids and succeed at work, it can all be a bit overwhelming. Be kind to yourself. Wrapping the year (and meeting) up So as the days start to dwindle down, give yourself a pat on your back. As I said, you probably have accomplished more than you have realized this past year. And then take that energy and move into the new year with excitement. The trip to Tennessee last week was a good trip. I laughed with coworkers I hadn’t seen since I was out for three months and got to meet a new colleague that joined us while I was gone. It was good to reconnect and see how we all wanted to grow ourselves (and the company) in the coming months. It filled my cup. Both figuratively and literally as I sipped on my peppermint mocha latte in the lobby of Ramsey Solutions.

Should I consider expanding my investing beyond stocks and bonds? For most time periods, some combination of stocks and bonds has worked fairly well. In fact, only 3% of the time are stocks and bonds both down in the same year. Meaning 2022, looks like the first time since the 1930’s that we will have that phenomenon take place. So generally speaking, most financial professionals are not abandoning traditional stocks and bonds, but there are several alternative class investments that clients may want to consider, as a tool for further diversification or a hedge against unique market behavior like that of 2022. In this article, we will explore a variety of alternatives that both advisors and investors may consider using in their portfolios for either short or long-term time-horizon. Private Real Estate Although using publicly traded real estate (REIT’s) is common and provides some level of diversification, private real estate has a much lower correlation to stocks and bonds. The main reason for this is that real estate markets react to many economic conditions as all markets do, so those reactions have to be valued daily or even on a minute-by-minute basis with ETF’s. Because of this, publicly traded REIT’s end up moving very similarly to stocks that are reacting to a constant flow of new economic data and thinking. Private real estate appraisals are taken only once per quarter or as infrequently as once a year, so the constant speculation and head fake that REIT’s react to is removed in the private real estate funds and therefore offers a much less volatile investment vehicle that provides some true diversification to the stock and bond markets. Structured Notes These are bonds, with maturities that are usually five years or less, issued by large banks. The moving parts and terms can vary quite a bit, but generally speaking there is some type of downside protection and the return is much more defined and predictable. Banks build these notes using options and zero-coupon bonds, to be able to offer attractive returns to investors, while taking on minimal risk themselves. In a year like 2022, where traditional stocks and bonds are suffering mostly double-digit losses, both downside protection and any return that is positive, have made these notes attractive to investors, this year. Just like with any other investment or asset class, research is necessary and structured notes are no exception as some can entail a high level of risk or offer minimal returns and value. Doing research and working with an advisor that has access to and knowledge of structured notes should offer you lots of value and a well-diversified portfolio. Finding quality structured notes that focus on income, will often outperform most bonds and bond mutual funds. One downside to notes is that although they can usually be sold at any time, you are much more likely to lose out on some principal if, in fact, you don’t hold it to maturity, versus holding to the stated maturity date of the note. Because of their liquidity, it’s still important to maintain a balanced portfolio of traditional stocks, bonds, and money markets in addition to structured notes. Precious Metals Gold has always been the go-to metal when seeking a hedge against inflation or the falling value of the dollar. Silver is also a common choice, although silver does have more industrial uses and technically gold and silver are commodities, they are usually put in a separate class and are purchased and invested in commonly as either a store of value or on speculation of near-term increases. People like gold and silver because of their proven staying power. Gold and silver are referenced in the Bible as a form of money and the desired investment, so people figure if they have a 6,000-year track record as an investment, then those precious metals will never become worthless. Casual investors many times make the mistake of thinking that gold and silver are not volatile and are safer than stocks, but precious metals can in fact fall in value and stay down for long periods of time. Gold was trading at $667 an ounce in September 1980 and it wasn’t until August 2007 that gold exceeded that level. So, you would have waited almost 27 years, just to break even. Stocks have rarely been negative over a 5-year span and have never been negative for any 14-year or greater span. Commodities Commodities are physical assets but can be traded via mutual funds, ETF’s, or options. These assets are generalized into soft commodities, which are food and livestock, and hard commodities that need to be drilled or mined for, like oil, coal, aluminum, and gas. Much like precious metals, commodities have appeal because they are tangible and have longevity in society. Also, like metals, they can be perceived as “safe” but can fall fast and stay down for several years. This year is an example of commodities being a good play and are mostly up and up strong in a year the stock and bond markets are down. So non-correlation is a benefit to investing in commodities, but because stocks are up nearly ¾ of years, commodities are not usually desirable to buy and hold long term. Crypto Although bitcoin has been around for over a decade, it and others like cryptocurrencies have been accepted into the mainstream of investing within the last few years. Just as crypto was starting to be more accepted, FTX (a major crypto exchange) just recently declared bankruptcy and is embroiled in a fraud scandal that is still unfolding, which has resulted in a loss of traction for the crypto world. Cryptocurrencies can be appealing because of their low correlation to the market and lack of dependence on the ebbs and flow of fiat currencies as well as the ease of quickly making transactions in foreign countries. However, the fact that still, such a small percentage of the population has crypto, makes it difficult to view it as a reliable and battle-tested currency. Other investors view crypto as a store of value or “digital gold” but because it cannot be physically seen and is often confusing to some investors, it faces an uphill battle as it aims for wide acceptance. So, what is the answer? Although we covered most of the common alternatives to stocks and bonds, it is not an exhaustive list. Collectibles, rare cars, currencies, options trading, physical real estate, and timeshares are just some of the other alternatives that investors may also consider. We have all heard success stories and big gains in these various alternative asset classes, but none of them is a sure thing and should not be used in place of stocks and bonds anytime soon. There are several variables to weigh with adding alternatives to your investment portfolio, but they are good to consider as a way to diversify or add value under certain circumstances. As a general rule, not going above 5% of your portfolio in any of these classes is usually a good approach to maintain a healthy level of risk, while still achieving some extra diversification. Be careful about attempting to over-diversify into alternatives. An example would be selecting 2-3 alternative assets that make sense at a specific time for a specific reason, keeping investors from taking on more risk than they intend. At Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers we feel that well-managed stock and bond funds should be a core component of most investors’ portfolios, but we do not want clients to miss out on sensible opportunities that could add value to their portfolios, so we will do our homework, aiming for the right time to utilize various alternative investments. In short, you should use alternatives, but they need to be the right ones at the right times, with sensible percentages, which can be a challenging balance to achieve. This is why it’s important that you talk to your financial advisor about these options and what makes sense for you.