We’ve Moved! 6121 Excelsior Blvd. St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Retirement Planning

Giving Thanks This Season

by

Thanksgiving is almost here, and like many of you, I’m preparing for a long weekend full of family, feasting, and football. 

Around the Lucey family table, there are a few essentials that make our Thanksgiving meal OUR Thanksgiving meal: green bean casserole made with cream of chicken soup (hold the mushrooms, PLEASE!), creamed pearl onions (if you’ve not had them, you’re missing out), and, of course, the two varieties of cranberry sauce (canned and homemade). 

We’ll have both an oven-roasted as well as deep-fried turkey with plenty to share and even more for the next day. The leftovers just might be my favorite part of all!

The freshly prepared food is certainly a highlight, but what truly makes this time of year meaningful is the people I get to share it all with.

I’m grateful to be surrounded by great people in my life – by my family who supports me and by my team members who are all committed to helping our clients plan for a secure financial future. 

As we get ready for another year’s Thanksgiving – tidying our homes, setting our places, preparing our food, and welcoming our loved ones – I hope you’re able to find moments for reflection and gratitude. 

Take stock of your blessings, reminisce about the past, and dream for the future. Hold tight to the present while it’s here.

Thank you for being a part of our Secured Retirement family and trusting us to help you secure a future for you and yours.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cup of Joe

CUP OF JOE

From Joe Lucey, Founder of Secured Retirement

There’s something about sitting down with a steaming cup of coffee that always kicks my day into high gear. And it’s not just because of the caffeine it sends coursing through my veins.

Throughout my career, some of my biggest revelations have come to me in conversation with my mentor over a cup of joe. Good conversation and personal connection can pick you up in a special way. It’s that feeling that I’m hoping to bring to you with my series, your Cup of Joe.

Financial Fears Haunting You?

by

Fall’s cool air is winding its way through our cities, the leaves are starting to change, and Halloween is already approaching. Come the 31st, you’ll find my wife and I bundled up, handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters of the neighborhood. 

I always like to see which character is the most popular costume in a given year. Will it be Taylor Swift? Deadpool or Wolverine? Beetlejuice? We’ll see!

While this season brings its share of chills and thrills, visions of goblins and ghouls aren’t likely what’s keeping you up at night. Volatile markets, inflation, and rising interest rates have created a climate of uncertainty capable of sending shivers down anyone’s spine.

Being in the stock market can feel a little too much like being in a haunted house attraction at times – you never quite know what’s lurking around the corner. One moment, everything’s calm, and the next, your stomach drops.

But here’s the thing: while headlines over market turmoil may terrify you in the short term, a well-planned financial strategy can be your long-term protection.

Remember, even during the most volatile times, markets do tend to recover. Corrections are part of normal market gyrations. By focusing on long-term goals, diversifying your investments, and maintaining discipline, you can avoid the tricks and focus on the treats of steady, strategic growth. 

With the right team behind you, you have the opportunity to stay the course or make smart adjustments when the market dips, while others cower in fear.

So, in the wake of a topsy-turvy financial time, know that unsettling market news doesn’t have to haunt your financial future. Putting the right plan in place allows you to face the unknown with confidence and enjoy the sweet rewards of disciplined investing. 

You don’t have to lay awake at night fearing what’s next for you. By working with us you’re building a secure retirement. Schedule your consultation today:  952-460-3290.

Cup of Joe

CUP OF JOE

From Joe Lucey, Founder of Secured Retirement

There’s something about sitting down with a steaming cup of coffee that always kicks my day into high gear. And it’s not just because of the caffeine it sends coursing through my veins.

Throughout my career, some of my biggest revelations have come to me in conversation with my mentor over a cup of joe. Good conversation and personal connection can pick you up in a special way. It’s that feeling that I’m hoping to bring to you with my series, your Cup of Joe.

Freedom Isn’t Free

by

The freedoms we enjoy in this great country are deeply important to me and to all of us at Secured Retirement. As a proud veteran of the US Marine Corps, I carry with me the honor and responsibility of those formative years. I am grateful to be among the generations who have served our nation.

It’s often said, but it bears repeating: Freedom isn’t free. It requires immense sacrifice from the courageous few.

The Fourth of July invites us to reflect on the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness that our founding fathers bestowed upon us. This ideal is so precious to my family and me that we actively seek opportunities to celebrate our homeland and its values throughout the year. 

One organization particularly close to our hearts is Folds of Honor, a non-profit that provides life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military personnel. This spring, I attended a fundraiser they held at The Patriot Golf Club in Oklahoma.

The entire weekend, full of camaraderie, stories, presentations, and patriotism was incredibly moving. Hearing from the families of the fallen was a sobering reminder of the high cost of freedom, and proof that courage and determination have the power to unlock brighter futures. 

The experience left such an impact on me that on the final night, after dinner, I approached the organizers and asked if it were possible to purchase one of the flags they had displayed during the event as a memento. They graciously gifted it to me.

That same flag will hang proudly in front of my home this July 4th weekend, as it does every day. Out there, waving in the summer breeze, it is a reminder of how 13 colonies became our 50 states. It is a reminder of the hope, dreams, and perseverance of those who came before us, and the banding together of people that carried us here. 

This Fourth of July, I encourage you to take a moment to give thanks for this nation and its abundant resources, for the extraordinary sacrifices of everyday people, and for the full lives we’ve built in this land of the free.

 God bless America.

With Time, Things Grow

by

Over 30 years ago, while in the Marine Corps, I was stationed in Beaufort, SC. Having spent four years there, I know that area like the back of my hand. Or so I thought!

When I visited Beaufort with my family this spring, I was surprised to find it looked totally unfamiliar to me.

Places where I’d once spent a great deal of time were completely wiped from the map; replaced with drive-thrus of regional restaurant chains. Some had been left to rot in the humid Carolina heat. New thoroughfares were built and downtown seemed like a different world than the one I remember. 

It had all happened slowly over the decades and, yet, to me, it had happened all at once. I was shocked that I no longer recognized this town I had known so well. 

It turns out, Beaufort County is one of the fastest growing in South Carolina. Between 2010 and 2020, the population increased by more than 20%.

Apparently, they’re about to get a fancy new shopping center. The Lowcountry town is really growing up!

While I looked back over the changes with a little sadness, I’m happy to see this place economically develop. The warm, salt-of-the-earth people were just the same, and I’m glad to see them prosper.

Now that I’m home and reflecting on my recent visit, I can’t help but draw a parallel to retirement planning. It’s just what I do!

Here’s my thinking: In the same way that Beaufort has transformed over the last 30 years, our retirement circumstances change too. They grow, they develop. Retirement planning is made up of incremental changes that accumulate to make a world of difference.

With time, things change. With time, things grow! With the right team, we can embrace the progress and opportunities that come with change. Our shared goals and values always guide us. 

Ultimately, the lesson I’m drawing from this experience is that while change is inevitable, it brings new possibilities. By being adaptable and embracing change, we can enjoy the beauty of the past and the joy of the future.

How does that sound? Let me know your thoughts: 952-460-3290.

Are You Hoping For Long Shots? Or Betting On Boring?

by

For many, myself included, the Kentucky Derby represents spring’s true entrance. This Saturday marks the 150th year of this iconic race – the longest-running sporting event in the US.

More than 150,000 spectators will gather at Churchill Downs to sip mint juleps and witness the thoroughbreds thunder down the track with incredible speed.

While I’ve always wanted to see the event with my own two eyes, it will remain on my bucket list another year. Someday, I’ll get to see the most exciting two minutes in sports in person!

The thrilling highs and lows of the Kentucky Derby are the exact opposite of what we’re trying to achieve every day in our approach to retirement planning. There are no risky bets, there is no spectacle, there are no split-second make-or-breaks.

We’d be the worst Kentucky Derby planners in its storied history because what we’re going for is boring, measured, by-the-book.

We’re not the place to go to get rich quick. We’re not the ones you come to for aggressive wealth accumulation strategies.

We focus on helping clients make the most of the money they do have – using tax and income planning to maximize take-home dollars. This has achieved results for decades. 

For many people, retirement is a gambling game. They might take on too much risk for payouts that never come, maybe they follow “experts” that over-promise and under-deliver, or, worst of all, they’re not making any preparations for retirement at all.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: At Secured Retirement, we want to make a significant impact on the families we serve so that they can live comfortably, spend confidently, and pay taxes consciously.

So, as we welcome another Derby Day, I hope you feel the rush of the racetrack but ultimately know that your peace of mind can extend past one day’s winnings. 

When it comes to retirement, we believe that it’s best to bet on boring. How about you? Are you hoping for long shots to keep you on track? Or taking the slow and steady approach? I’d love to hear from you at 952-460-3290.

Happy spring!

Cup of Joe

CUP OF JOE

From Joe Lucey, Founder of Secured Retirement

There’s something about sitting down with a steaming cup of coffee that always kicks my day into high gear. And it’s not just because of the caffeine it sends coursing through my veins.

Throughout my career, some of my biggest revelations have come to me in conversation with my mentor over a cup of joe. Good conversation and personal connection can pick you up in a special way. It’s that feeling that I’m hoping to bring to you with my new series, your Cup of Joe.

What’s On Your Retirement Wishlist?

by

My son’s a big golfer. He loves the game, and as soon as the snow’s out of the way, he’s ready to get back on those greens. 

This year, it seems promising that the Minnesota courses will open (and stay open) soon, but spring break usually allows us to escape a little winter and dust off the clubs. So last week, the Luceys were lucky enough to be teeing it off on Hilton Head Island, SC.

Despite a little rain, we managed to pack in four rounds in seven days. It’s no secret, and anyone who’s golfed with me knows this already, I’m a mediocre golfer at best. But it’s a great way to spend some time outside with my son. 

When I think of my own retirement – still far off on the horizon, no cause for alarm – I imagine that’s something I’ll look to do more of. Be outside, golfing, with my son.

I hear very similar things from my clients every day. Many dream of a retirement full of leisure time to travel, to spend with grandkids, to be outside on the fairways.

Retirement offers us the opportunity to enjoy a new, more purposeful lifestyle. At Secured Retirement, it is an honor for us to help you realize your retirement dreams.

We really encourage our clients to dream out loud, to set goals, and to share them with us. Let’s talk about them so that we can start making things happen! It’s the first step in our process. As we work with you, we want to develop a shared vision that we’re all working towards.

Retirement planning is not only about the numbers on your balance sheet; it’s about creating a fulfilling and meaningful future for yourself and your family. With an understanding of your ideal retirement, we work diligently to set strategies in motion to achieve just that. 

So, what are you dreaming of? What’s on your retirement wishlist? Together, let’s make it happen!

Cup of Joe

CUP OF JOE

From Joe Lucey, Founder of Secured Retirement

There’s something about sitting down with a steaming cup of coffee that always kicks my day into high gear. And it’s not just because of the caffeine it sends coursing through my veins.

Throughout my career, some of my biggest revelations have come to me in conversation with my mentor over a cup of joe. Good conversation and personal connection can pick you up in a special way. It’s that feeling that I’m hoping to bring to you with my new series, your Cup of Joe.

Want a Retirement Free From Financial Stress?
Book Your Free TaxSmart™ Financial Review Today.

We’ll review your finances and tell you what you can do immediately to get on the right track for retirement.

Book now
Joe Lucey Footer Book Image

Download the Top 10 Mistakes That Increase Your Taxes

In this free report, you’ll learn…

  • Why being passive and having no plan of action for your taxes can kill your retirement.
  • The amount of money you can save with tax planning. (HINT: It’s often at least 5 figures.)
  • What the top 10 most common tax mistakes people make are and how you can avoid making them.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Joe Lucey Footer Logo
Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin-in Youtube Instagram
Influex Logo Light

Danielle Christensen

Paraplanner

Danielle is dedicated to serving clients to achieve their retirement goals. As a Paraplanner, Danielle helps the advisors with the administrative side of preparing and documenting meetings. She is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict, with a degree in Business Administration and began working with Secured Retirement in May of 2023.

Danielle is a lifelong Minnesotan and currently resides in Farmington with her boyfriend and their senior rescue pittie/American Bulldog mix, Tukka.  In her free time, Danielle enjoys attending concerts and traveling. She is also an avid fan of the Minnesota Wild and loves to be at as many games as possible during the season!