Patrick Ritter, Certified Financial Planner

Picking tomatoes with grade school friends, stripping floors and moving furniture as a janitor, landscaping at a union complex, supervising adults with disabilities, interning at the Missouri State Capitol, selling computers in a foreign country—every role teaches you what work you enjoy, new skills, and often serves up a healthy dose of humility.

There's something about summer that brings back memories of old jobs. Looking back, I'm thankful for every one of them—the good, the bad, and everything in between.

What's the best—or worst—job you've ever had, and what lesson did it teach you?

I helped a friend think through the value of their $20k+ per year financial advice arrangement. This is sometimes a complex process for consumers but below are some (not all of course) of the considerations we discussed if it helps anyone else doing the same.

Hourly: Could be good when you want targeted help (a plan, a second opinion), don’t want the ongoing oversight, and could be the lowest cost way to pay.

% of assets (AUM): Could be good if you want ongoing management, potentially aligned interests with your advisor, and can be competitive with other models when the fee and investments used are kept low.

Flat / Retainer: Could be good when your situation is complex and you need regular, hands-on advice and AUM is too expensive (in your view).

Commission-based: Could be good when needs are limited or product-specific. Costs are embedded in products and incentives may not be clear or always align.

https://www.corepln.com/patrick-ritter

Plan your travel without wrecking your finances. With higher energy costs driving up flights, gas, and hotels, every trip decision matters more right now.

Learn how to weigh cost vs. experience so you can travel intentionally — not regretfully.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZYR80ci7_jOijNkLtf9UoQ65j9Cw8qiY/view?usp=drive_link