Justin W. Partlow - Northwestern Mutual

Rising rates and low inventory have made homebuying more challenging but if home ownership is your dream, we can help work out a plan to help you feel more confident about reaching your goal.

5 Questions to Answer If You Want to Buy Your Dream Home in 2023 If buying your dream home tops your goals list, answering these questions can help you get there. Here’s how to make homeownership a reality in 2023.

Continued improvement in inflation data and more signs of economic weakness suggest the Fed may have to reconsider its stance on rates. See Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s explanation of why a crack in the labor market may arrive sooner than expected.

Hawkish Tone Sends Stocks Lower The Federal Reserve Board’s hawkish tone on rates overshadows improving inflationary data. See our take in this week’s Northwestern Mutual Market Commentary.

According to the 2022 Northwestern Mutual Great Realization survey, 21% of people who plan to make major life changes over the next two years say one of them is having kids.

If you’re planning to add to your family, this checklist can help you get ready.

How to Financially Prepare for a Baby in 9 Months From getting ready for the hospital bill and covering parental leave to getting important documents in place, we’ll help you financially prepare for a baby in 9 months.

As investors shift their focus to a slowing economy, fears the Fed will take a higher-for-longer stance on rates have grown. See Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s take on why the data may force the Fed to take a softer stance on rates in 2023.

What a Slowing Economy May Look Like Going Forward Investors have begun to consider what a recession may look like if the Federal Reserve continues to raise rates. Read more in this week’s Northwestern Mutual Market Commentary.

December is often when we indulge and splurge a bit as we close out the year. And that’s ok. But these tips can help you make sure you’re setting yourself up well for 2023.

5 Ways to Improve Your Finances in December This month, tally up your seasonal expenses and make some year-end retirement contributions. Here are 5 ways to improve your finances in December.

Having a solid and flexible plan can help you ensure a stable income in any economic environment.

Reach out if you have questions about how recent government actions and the current economy are affecting your retirement plan.

How Inflation Is Impacting Retirement Planning It’s important to take into account how rising costs could affect your retirement plan. Here’s how to make sure your plan is solid.

Investors shrugged off a strong jobs report thanks to a softer tone from the Federal Reserve and continued signs that inflation is receding. See Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s look at the impact slowing demand could have on the economy and inflation going forward.

The March to Lower Inflation Continues Investors shrugged off a strong jobs report and sent the major indices higher for the week. Read more in this week’s Northwestern Mutual Market Commentary.

Reviewing your 2022 finances with me before the end of the year can help you hit the ground running in 2023. I’ll take you through a checklist that includes potential tax reductions and maximizing retirement contributions—all to give you peace of mind for your life next year and in years to come. Message me to get started.

Meaningful holiday memories don’t need to come with a big price tag.

These tips can help you go from overspending to meaningful giving. 🎁

5 Ways to Give Kids Meaningful Gifts Without Busting Your Holiday Budget Giving your kids truly meaningful gifts is a holiday tradition worth exploring. Here are tips to avoid overspending that won’t shortchange the holiday cheer.

The torrent of cash unleashed during the pandemic through fiscal and monetary policy has slowed to a trickle. See Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s explanation of how less money in the economy could mean further easing of inflation.

The Impact of Money Supply on Inflation A record increase in money supply helped stoke inflation pressures. Read why that may be about to change in this week’s Northwestern Mutual Market Commentary.

The latest reading of costs for business could signal further relief from inflation pressures for consumers. See Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s explanation of why inflation should continue to slow in the months ahead.

Upstream Cost Pressures Begin to Ease Input costs for businesses suggest future easing of inflation pressures for consumers. Read more in this week’s Northwestern Mutual Market Commentary.

If you think your finances aren’t flexible enough to help you reach your goals and objectives, let’s take a look together and figure out how to get you to where you want to be.

How Flexible Are Your Finances? Take our quiz to find out if your finances are flexible enough to help you meet your goals today and tomorrow.

If you’re interested in retiring earlier than expected, let’s talk about how that could impact your retirement income strategy.

Thinking of Retiring Early’? Consider These 5 Things First The pandemic has prompted some people to move up retirement. But there are some financial considerations to address before you decide to retire early.

The latest inflation reading marked a meaningful improvement in the direction of price pressures. See Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s explanation of why we expect to see continued improvement in the months ahead.

Is This Just the Beginning for Falling Inflation? Months of easing cost pressures are beginning to show up in lagging measures of inflation.

There are lots of ways to pay your respects to veterans in your community and across the country. Here’s a list of impactful activities to consider this Veterans Day. Thank you to all veterans for your courage and service.

To all who have served or are currently serving: Happy Veterans Day! We are deeply grateful for all you’ve done to strengthen our communities and our country.

The time has come to take the trip of a lifetime. To start a business all your own. To move into your dream house. I can make you a financial plan that helps turn someday into today. Message me to get started.

We had a great time this week taking aim at childhood cancer! The Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot benefiting TeamConnor never disappoints and we appreciate those that helped us support the cause!

Just tackling one or two of these can help position you to finish the year strong.

5 Ways to Improve Your Finances in November The end of the year is now fully in sight. Here are 5 ways to improve your finances in November.

The latest employment headlines suggest a tight labor market, but there is more to the story. See Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s explanation of why a rapid cooling of the labor market may arrive sooner than the Fed thinks.

Will Employment Be the Final Shoe to Drop? The Federal Reserve Board remains unpersuaded by improving inflationary data.

Ashley Park is best known for her roles in the massively popular show, ‘Emily In Paris,’ and the Broadway musical, ‘Mean Girls.’ Her latest success is getting a better understanding of her finances—and feeling tremendous relief. “Knowing I have a plan in place has taken so much stress away,” she says. Message me to talk about your goals.

Housing and wages have been the last two pillars propping up inflation. See Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s explanation of the latest signs of cracks in each and what that may mean for interest rates going forward.

New signs inflation is set to drop further We look at the growing momentum in the easing of price pressures and why it may lead the Fed to reconsider its stance on interest rates.

Anyone else need a getaway? If you’ve had a travel destination in mind for a while, I can make you a financial plan to help turn that someday into today. Message me to get started.

New research shows about 25% of Americans surveyed plan to have a baby in the next two years. 👶

If growing your family is one of your big upcoming life goals, let’s talk about how to get you ready financially.

Life Insurance for New Parents Having a baby is a good time to consider updates to your financial plan, including life insurance for new parents.

Investors tempted to time the market should think twice. See Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s explanation of why trying to predict market inflection points is futile.

There’s Never a Good Time to Call a Market Bottom We look at the perils of trying to time the market and why we remain convinced inflation is set to drop.

57% of people in the 2022 Northwestern Mutual Great Realization survey cited finances as a top roadblock to reaching big life goals.

If you’re not sure what next steps to take to make progress, let’s have a conversation.

How to Build Strong Financial Habits Based on Your Personality If you haven’t been able to build financial habits that work for your personality type, Gretchen Rubin offers advice based on her Four Tendencies framework.

Investors continue to parse and react to often conflicting data as they try to anticipate when the Federal Reserve may ease up on rate hikes. See Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s latest take on where the economy may be headed and why a drop in price pressures may be on the horizon.

Inflation Fears Fuel Another Volatile Week We look at the latest inflation data and retail sales figures to determine where price pressures may be headed in the coming months.