In the first of a monthly series Mesirow Equity Management’s Leo Harmon Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager was recently interviewed on the “Your Money Matters” WGN Radio 720 show covering the implications of the Fed’s recent decision why Mesirow being an independent firm is important and what investment clients are asking for in today’s market environment Listen to the broadcast

Listen in as Bob Martin discusses recent market conditions and how Mesirow wealth advisors are helping clients during these volatile times  Listen to the broadcast

You just entered the “real world” now what Deciding where to live on your own for the first time involves more than just finding a place to sleep it’s a choice that can impact your finances career opportunities personal growth and relationships Whether you are thinking about staying at home or renting here are some crucial factors to weigh, 1 Long-term financial goals and career opportunities will influence your choice , It’s essential to make sure your living situation matches your long-term goals whether that’s advanced education career progression or saving for homeownership, Advantages to living at home,  You can save on rent pay down debt and potentially avoid student loans if pursuing further education like grad school It may also give you the opportunity to take on lower-paying jobs to gain experience without financial strain, Advantages to renting,  Offers more flexibility in your job search with opportunities in different cities potentially leading to higher-paying roles and faster career advancement Evaluate your priorities carefully to make the decision that best supports your aspirations and sets you on the path to achieving your professional ambitions  , 2 Rental rates impact financial readiness , One of the most critical aspects to evaluate when deciding between living at home or renting is the financial implications Finding a roommate may also reduce pressure on individual expenses as sharing costs could be a savvy way to save more money Rental rates across the United States vary widely depending heavily on things like the size of the apartment and location The average rent in the US is…,  , 3 Location City or Suburbs, Moving into a city or suburbs requires careful financial planning which has a big influence on lifestyle decisions, Living in a city potentially means paying more for groceries rent and other living expenditures Greater income potential and a variety of work options in sectors like media technology and finance can offset it though Convenient facilities and cultural experiences are appealing but they come at a cost that can call for financial restraint and budgeting  Relocating to the suburbs usually comes with…, 4 Family dynamics matter, Whether you’re contemplating staying with your family or renting your own place understanding how family dynamics can influence your decision is important , Strengthening bonds,  Living at home can create stronger familial connections and provide emotional support during transitional periods like leaving college , Navigating independence,  It is very important to keep in mind negotiating boundaries responsibilities and differing expectations when living at home so you can still navigate independence Before deciding consider how living with your family may affect your personal development and relationships Also consider how important it is for you to be able to see them regularly Communicate openly with family members and establish…, 5 Let personal values influence your decision, Personal values are a major factor in creating post-college living plans since they influence choices about your employment lifestyle and long-term objectives People who place a high value on environmental sustainability or do not want to commute in the first place for example might pursue jobs in conservation or renewable energy which could have an impact on their housing and employment…, 6 Timing is important, Young professionals who can choose whether to live at home or move out of their families home are at a unique point in their lives Generally this is one of the only moments in the time after graduation where you can pour almost every penny into savings graduate school debt payments or other goals by living at home and saving It is far more challenging to pivot from an independent lifestyle to…, 7 Weigh your financial decisions, Similarly to savings financial burdens should be a large consideration when deciding which path to take Money that would be spent on rent can be used to pay off debt Additionally living at home can provide a financially stress-free environment to accumulate a good credit score  To help you make an informed decision weve developed a budgeting tool This tool is designed to calculate your estimated…, Conclusion, Your post-college years offer you a wide variety of lifestyle choices including the decision where to live and work and how you will being your career path Your familys Mesirow Wealth Advisor is happy to help talk through your choices with you and to help you get started with your first budget and financial plan  Published January 2025

Seventy percent of seniors will need some type of long-term care services and support in their lifetime 1 The goal is to be prepared so if you turn out to be one of them it doesn’t derail your overall financial plan Many of us expect to stay healthy and self-sufficient well into our senior years but planning for the possibility is not only prudent it can help protect your assets investments and…, Although the annual median cost of long-term care in Illinois in the table below may not be seem daunting for affluent families four and five star facilities in your locale can easily double or triple in price, Average cost of long-term care in Illinois (2025, Type of service, Monthly median cost, Home health aide $6675 Assisted living facility $5676 Nursing care facility private room $10326 Source Genworth cost of care calculator https//wwwgenworthcom/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-carehtml Fortunately figuring out how to finance a potential long-term care situation is relatively straightforward The key to doing so successfully as it is for most potentially hefty future expenditures is…, Fitting long-term care into your financial plan, Fully incorporating potential long-term care costs into your overall financial plan involves a number a variables that we don’t have room to cover here but your Mesirow Wealth Advisor can talk through these variables with you The most important decision in your planning will be how you want to handle the responsibility of long-term care expenses Assume the risk of financing long-term care costs…, Self-financing options, Depending on your financial situation you may be able to afford to pay for long-term care from the sale of your home or from your accumulated assets Your Wealth Advisor can help assess the feasibility of this approach and discuss how it may impact your estate plan , Insurance options, Long-term care insurance (“LTC” provides financial support for an insured who is unable to perform at least two of six “activities of daily living” (such as bathing dressing eating transferring toileting or continence or has a cognitive impairment that requires supervision Today more than 100 carriers sell some type of LTC insurance product or rider so there is no shortage of choices 2 You’ll…, Sticking the landing is the hardest part, The question after you’ve talked through several major financial options is always “will I follow through on the arrived at decisions” But given the likelihood that you may need long-term care and its potentially devastating effect on your overall finances – and potentially your family’s finances - it’s important to have a plan in place Your Mesirow Wealth Advisor can help you plan for a healthy…, Published February 2025, 1     https//wwwsinglecarecom/blog/news/long-term-care-statistics/ 2     https//contentnaicorg/insurance-topics/long-term-care-insurance#~text=According%20to%20the%20US%20Department20%20insurers%20sell%20most%20policies