Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Kristen Ragan

Happy Birthday Ginny!

My Senior Branch Office Administrator, Ginny, has a birthday tomorrow, so she's out of the office today to celebrate!

Can the stock market’s hot streak continue? We explore four points in recent history that could help inform what’s next for this market.

Market news is everywhere — but what does it all mean for you? Our Monthly Market Compass helps keep you in the know but also looks ahead to what may be down the road. In this video series, our investment strategists share their thoughts on the latest market and economic developments, and offer investing tips you can use as you work toward your long-term financ...

I'm so excited to be a part of this for the Atlanta Walk coming up on November 2!

I'd love to have you join my team and walk with me or you can donate straight to the Alzheimer's Association through my team link.

Help us find a cure!
https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=17539&pg=team&team_id=868656

We are excited to share that we surpassed our first big milestone of the year – $1,025,455 raised and 4,382 walkers registered – as the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer's National Presenting Sponsor.

This is the earliest we've hit the milestone in any given year, and we're continuing to move full speed ahead in our support of the fight to end Alzheimer’s.

Contributing to a cause and participating in or volunteering for a charity or charitable event is a personal decision and completely voluntary.

But mom!
If you stay home with me all day we can lay in the sun and play and eat treats and nap and go to the park and...

This guy is about 6 months old now and he's tugging on my heart strings. How can I resist those big, sweet, hound eyes?

I might have to start working from home more.

We had some great discussion at my "Retirement: Making Your Money Last" seminar today at the West Cobb Senior Center.

This is a great one for people about to retire or recently retired. Let me know if you have a group that would like to hear this seminar!

Most of us want to live retirement on our own terms, but we may not be sure how to make that happen. Check out these eight ways to help get you started working toward that future you envision.

Retirement goes beyond just dollars View our list to prepare

"He told me I was too stupid to understand."

Excuse me??

A new client said this is something her previous advisor told her when he was choosing investments for her.

Don't work with someone who says something like this.
Please.
There's no excuse for this.
Just don't.

Need help?
Let's talk.
770-975-1597
[email protected]

I got my own Kiwanis bell!

Today at our Kiwanis Club of Lost Mountain weekly meeting, I gave a presentation on my recent trip to Denver for the Kiwanis International Convention. I love that they gave me a bell for speaking!

Now how shall I use my new bell??

Can Social Security stay solvent? We believe it can — but this may require some tough adjustments by Congress.

How secure is Social Security? (US|EN) Can Social Security stay solvent? We believe it can — but this may require some tough adjustments by Congress.www.edwardjones.com/us-en

How does your spouse help you reach your goals?

Recently at our Edward Jones summer regional trip, another advisor noticed my husband, Jeremy, wearing an Edward Jones polo. I told him Jeremy serves as a kind of billboard advertisement for me. When he's out and about people ask him if he works for Edward Jones and his regular reply is "No, but my wife does. Here's her card. You should call her!"

Now that we're midway through 2024, we're reflecting on the first half of the year and looking ahead to three key factors we believe will be drivers of the markets and economy in the second half.

Market news is everywhere — but what does it all mean for you? Our Monthly Market Compass helps keep you in the know but also looks ahead to what may be down the road. In this video series, our investment strategists share their thoughts on the latest market and economic developments, and offer investing tips you can use as you work toward your long-term financ...

This past weekend I traveled to Denver as a delegate for the Kiwanis International Convention to represent my local Kiwanis Club of Lost Mountain. I joined about 1,800 other Kiwanians to learn how to better support and build our clubs and to vote on important topics in the Kiwanis world. It was pretty cool to see individuals from (literally) all over the world come together for a common goal: to serve the children of the world.

Here’s to the land of the free and the home of the brave. Happy Independence Day!

I get to send a thank you card today!

I love sending a hand written note when someone refers a friend, family member, neighbor, client, random stranger to me. Just kidding on the random stranger!

When you hear someone who could use my help- share my name! I have lots more thank you cards ready to send for new referrals!

I’m so blessed that my company sees the benefit of advisors taking time out of the office to take a break. We went to Savannah the past few days for our summer regional meeting and had a great time.

Lovely hotel, great food, (windy) time on the beach, air conditioned movie, and good talks with colleagues were some of the highlights!

There's no universal answer on the "right time" to retire, but exploring these five questions can help you decide whether you might be emotionally ready. Think your answers through, and let's schedule time to discuss how to help get you retirement ready.

Are you emotionally ready to retire? Read more here

Join us for our webinar, Protecting Your Life Goals on Wednesday, Jun 26 at 4pm.

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4527746/271A9C505868FB26F03BD6DC66DC5927?partnerref=1758520_SM

Unexpected events can negatively impact your finances and life goals.

Join our webinar to learn strategies that can help safeguard what's important to you in the face of adversity.

To register: https://ow.ly/EvUi50S9SJv

The purple flower is for when you have a loved one who has been affected by Alzheimer's. This photo is from the last Walk to End Alzheimer's we did. It's a great cause!

There are so many people who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer's. I see it often in my business. Clients lose mental capacity and their family members need to take over decision-making.

There are brain exercises to keep your brain active and there are warning signs for when you think a family member is affected by dementia. There are resources for those caring for loved ones with dementia. Find them here: https://www.alz.org/

I'm leading a team at the 2024 Atlanta Walk to End Alzheimer's on November 2. This is a cause dear to my heart, so please consider walking with me or donating to the Alzheimer's Association to help further support finding a cure! Sign up or donate here:

https://act.alz.org/site/TR?pg=personal&px=18444895&fr_id=17539

Life's priorities may change — but your relationship with me and my commitment to helping you realize your goals won't. Check out these 5 tips for starting an investment portfolio.

Already started working on yours? I offer complimentary portfolio reviews and tailored solutions to help you meet your financial goals. Call my office or book time online today.

How to start an investment portfolio Take control of your future with a carefully crafted investment portfolio. Learn the five steps to help secure your financial goals.

Any of these feelings sound familiar while working with your investment/financial advisor?

Confused
Bored
Overlooked
Exhausted
Frustrated
Misunderstood
Scared

We can do better together.

Let's talk.
770-975-1597
[email protected]

P.S. Share any feelings I missed!

Happy Juneteenth! Today, we commemorate this important day in American history and reflect on what we can do to ensure an equitable and just future for all.

When's the last time you stopped to just take a walk and enjoy nature?

I took a break today to take out the trash and put a letter in the mailbox, but it was so good just to get outside away from a computer for a couple of minutes. Even though it's HOT today in Georgia, it's a beautiful day just waiting to be enjoyed.

Happy Friday!

"I'll send you a postcard!"

I love this client quote! Part of what I do is help people better understand and plan their own finances so they can afford the experiences they really want in their lives. Some clients want to give gifts, some buy large items, some travel, some start a non-profit, etc. One of my favorite parts of my job is to see these dreams work out because of the work we do together and the work they do on their own as a result of our conversations. And I love, love, love it when clients keep me updated and include me in the living out of their dreams.

Need someone to partner with you?
Let's talk.
[email protected]
770-975-1597

If anyone needs me this weekend, I'll be wearing my blue light glasses and staring at a computer screen to get all my continuing education done.

Edward Jones, FINRA, Life Insurance- there's a lot of refreshing of information going on and it's all due soon!

Tell me your weekend plans are more exciting!

In May, markets reached another milestone as the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossed 40,000 points for the first time.

In our latest Market Compass, we discuss whether the fundamental conditions support the move higher in stocks. Can the rally continue, or will it fizzle out?

Market news is everywhere — but what does it all mean for you? Our Monthly Market Compass helps keep you in the know but also looks ahead to what may be down the road. In this video series, our investment strategists share their thoughts on the latest market and economic developments, and offer investing tips you can use as you work toward your long-term financ...

In my business, sometimes it's good to get out of the office and see people face to face. People want to look their advisor in the eye and want to see them being a part of the community.

Well, today I got out and experienced BINGO at Tim Lee Senior Center!

These BINGO players were serious. And they were playing all kinds of variations on BINGO. No one straight line and you win. No- you have to get patterns like an umbrella, a picnic table, a flower, etc. As I was looking around at the different cards they all had their own strategy and man, it was confusing. But it was fun to watch!

A certificate of deposit (CD) lets you invest your money for a set period to earn a fixed rate. For some, a CD presents the ideal combination of reliable returns and low risk.

How to Invest in CDs See Edward Jones' tips when buying CDs.

It's 529 Day! (May 29th)
Don't know what a 529 is? Ask me!

What's the best thing you learned in college?
(In class or outside of class 😆)

I learned that it was okay to make a change when you're not happy. I attended Columbus State University my freshman year of college and after a year I decided it wasn't for me. I didn't know many people there and hadn't formed many friendships. I wasn't enjoying my study requirements. So I left and went to Reinhardt College- my back up plan. I didn't know where else to go, but it ended up being just the right place for me! I enjoyed my time there, made some good friends, learned a lot about life, and met my husband. Make a change if what you originally wanted is no longer serving you.

"I'm sorry for crying."

People come to me after their spouse passes away, when they're getting divorced, when they've lost their parents, when they leave that job they loved, and for so many other reasons.

On more than one occasion the person across the desk from me apologizes for crying. I tell them not to apologize because I'm usually crying with them. We talk about heavy life events over here. Most of the time, it makes sense to cry. So please, don't apologize for crying while talking with me. I keep tissues close by for just this occasion.

One of my favorite movies is A League of Their Own with the iconic line "There's no crying in baseball!" Maybe not in baseball, but in life and managing finances crying is allowed.

Let's talk. And cry, if necessary.
770-975-1597
[email protected]

One of the biggest constants in life is that things always change! Review our current rates for CDs, bonds and other investments and loans. Then call me to discuss how this information can help customize a strategy to work toward your financial goals.

Current rates Our latest rates for certificates of deposit (CDs), bonds and other investments and loans.