Chris Balcerowiak

12/22/2025

This weekend, 'The Intern' (my grandson) got to experience his first Red Wing hockey game.

Who enjoyed it more? 👶

12/22/2025

🏡 When downsizing in retirement, is it better to buy or rent?

For many retirees, selling a long-time home can free up some capital, but the next step isn’t always obvious.

The decision comes down to several key factors:
▪️ Liquidity: Proceeds from selling a home can be invested, but buying again may lock up some capital.
▪️ Flexibility: Renting is one approach to testing a new city, preparing to relocate again, or wanting to avoid maintenance obligations.
▪️ Costs: Buying can offer some stability on housing payments (especially with no mortgage) but adds property taxes and upkeep, while rent might rise over time.
▪️ Legacy goals: Ownership may still be appealing if passing property to heirs is part of the strategy.

💭 Downsizing is often one of the biggest financial transitions in retirement, and the buy-versus-rent choice can meaningfully impact cash flow, lifestyle, and estate management.

Working with a financial professional can help you evaluate which option best aligns with long-term goals. We’re here to help if you or someone you know is facing this decision.

12/18/2025

❓ Why do most New Year’s resolutions fade before spring?

Nearly half of Americans set resolutions each year, yet most give up within four months.

The good news…
Small changes in how you set goals can dramatically improve your chances of success.

Here are 5 tips to help make goals stick in 2026:
1️⃣ Use SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound
2️⃣ Write Them Down: Increases success rates by 42 percent
3️⃣ Share Them with Someone You Trust: Follow-through can jump to 95 percent
4️⃣ Keep It Simple: Focus on 2–3 priorities at a time
5️⃣ Celebrate Progress: Recognizing wins builds motivation

The same principles that make a personal financial strategy work apply to all areas of life: clear goals, steady progress, and accountability.

✨ Taking time this December to set your goals may be one of the best gifts you give yourself.

What’s one goal you want to pursue in 2026?

#2026

12/17/2025

In observance of Christmas our office will be closed from 1pm on Wednesday, December 24th through Friday, December 26th.

The CRSG Team will return emails and voicemails that were received while closed when we return to the office on Monday, December 29th.

Is there anything you would like to connect about before our holiday closure?

We wish you happiness and health as you enjoy the holiday with your loved ones!

12/15/2025

🕎 Happy Hanukkah!

Wishing all who celebrate eight bright and meaningful nights filled with joy, good company, and celebration.

We hope this season of light brings happiness and hope as the year comes to a close.

12/13/2025

As we wrap up another year at Creative Retirement Solutions Group, our office is feeling a little more festive and a lot more grateful.
Thank you for trusting us with the financial decisions that matter most. We don’t take that confidence for granted—ever. It’s a privilege to help you simplify the complex, stay focused on what matters, and move toward retirement with greater clarity and peace of mind.
From our team to you and your family: Merry Christmas. May your holiday be filled with meaningful time together, good health, and the kind of rest that resets you for a strong new year.

12/12/2025

💭 What Would You Do With an Additional $17,000/year?

That’s roughly the annual cost of raising a child in the U.S., adding up to a total of $320,000 by age 18 for a middle-income family.

For some families, the number is often higher when you factor in:
• Private school tuition
• Travel and enrichment activities
• College savings goals (often fully funding four years)

💡 Why It Matters for Wealth Strategies
Even if cash flow isn’t an issue, raising children introduces a series of long-term financial decisions:
• When and how to fund education
• Preparing for potential multigenerational wealth transfer

🧠 A Useful Thought Exercise
If you knew your annual spending would increase by $17K–$50K+ for nearly two decades, how would you adjust your investment strategy, estate strategy, or gifting approach today?

For many families, these aren’t questions of affordability, but rather questions of intentional design: aligning financial resources with the life they want to create for their children and grandchildren.

12/10/2025

Most Americans get retirement preparation wrong.

💊 Healthcare costs can make up around 15 percent of a retiree's annual spending by age 75, which is roughly two times what it typically is during the working years.

📉 Lower-than-expected returns early in retirement can change projections (sequence-of-returns risk).

⏳ The number of Americans living to age 100 and beyond is expected to quadruple over the next 30 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For couples, there’s a 20 percent chance that one partner will live to at least 100!

Ask yourself:
❓ How does my strategy manage market volatility?
❓ Am I factoring in healthcare inflation?
❓ Will my income last as long as I do?

The takeaway: Retirement isn’t about a number in your retirement account. It’s about a strategy that addresses all the risks that could impact your goals.

Let us know if you’d like to review to see if you’re on track.

12/08/2025

❓Would you pay double for the same degree? 🎓

Many families are facing that decision right now as college acceptances arrive in high school seniors’ inboxes through April.

The next question is whether to choose a public or private university.

A 2025 analysis from Chase shows just how big the gap can be. Private school tuition averages more than double public in-state rates, but generous aid packages can help narrow that difference.

And when you factor in outcomes, some public schools deliver similar value at a fraction of the price.

💭 The real decision isn’t just about cost — it’s about value.

Consider:
• The net price after scholarships and grants
• Debt load vs. future earning potential
• Fit, support systems, and opportunities that will shape the next four years

🧠 The best choice is the one that balances financial reality with personal goals.

If you or someone you know is weighing college offers this winter, now is the perfect time to sit down, compare numbers, and make an intentional decision about this major investment in the future.

12/05/2025

The day we've been waiting all week for! ☺️

12/05/2025

Markets ended November on a five-day winning streak, softening earlier losses driven by concerns over tech valuations, consumer sentiment, and rate uncertainty. While the Nasdaq slipped 1.51 percent, the S&P 500 held steady and the Dow inched up 0.32 percent. All eyes now turn to the Fed's final meeting of the year on December 9–10.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.13 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 1.51 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.32 percent.1

12/04/2025

🚗 Do you lease or buy cars?

The holidays are one of the busiest car-buying seasons of the year, and many people are asking, “Should I buy or lease a car?” right now.

The trade-offs, according to 2025 Consumer Reports, are as you likely know:
• Leasing = often lower monthly payments and perhaps a new car every few years
• Buying = can be higher upfront cost but potentially lower long-term expense and eventual ownership
• Leasing comes with mileage caps and potential fees, while buying can lead to equity in the vehicle

💭 The real decision isn’t just about payments, it’s about priorities:
• Do you value driving a new car every few years, or owning one outright?
• How many miles do you drive annually?
• What does your budget look like over the next 3–5 years?

🧠 This is a great time to run the numbers and choose the option that aligns with your financial goals for the year ahead. We can help clients evaluate the pros and cons of this decision. Let us help you if you’re thinking about which works best for you.