Market volatility is a natural part of the financial ecosystem, but its impact varies depending on your specific stage of life. For members of Gen X who are currently in their peak earning years and steadily approaching [...]
Market volatility is a natural part of the financial ecosystem, but its impact varies depending on your specific stage of life. For members of Gen X who are currently in their peak earning years and steadily approaching [...]
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Six fundamental financial planning considerations include but are not limited to Longevity, Liquidity, Inflation, Market, Mortality, and Taxes.
Michael McCracken is an investment advisory representative of and provides advisory services through CoreCap Advisors, LLC. Wealth Guide Financial, LLC and CoreCap Advisors are separate and unaffiliated entities. Please note: The scope of any financial planning and consulting services to be provided depends upon the terms of the engagement, and the specific requests and needs of the client. Also, the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Wealth Guide Financial, LLC or CoreCap Advisors, LLC are engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Any training materials, blogs, videos, articles, or archived media are provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, investment, tax, or financial advice. While the information contained is believed to be accurate and reliable as of the date of publication, its accuracy, completeness, and applicability may change over time due to evolving economic conditions, market developments, or changes in laws and regulations. No representation or warranty is made regarding the ongoing accuracy of this information. You should consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances and needs before making any financial or investment decisions.
My own journey into finance started young. In 1979, at age 10, I convinced the Star Tribune route manager to give me my first paper route—even though the minimum age was 12! That early taste of earning money, combined with summer lawn-mowing jobs, taught me the value of hard work. My parents were quick to instill smart habits: tracking spending and saving for the future. My dad made me a deal—he’d match anything I saved for college if I didn’t touch it. That lesson in discipline and delayed gratification has stayed with me ever since.
Growing up, my dad—a pilot for Northwest Airlines—modeled resilience. During the frequent labor strikes of the 1970s, he always had a “rainy day” reserve and took any job to provide for our family. He taught us that it doesn’t matter what you do—just work hard and live within your means. One spring in high school, after taking us on a memorable family trip to Europe, his captain (who earned far more) admitted he couldn’t afford the same. It drove home a J.P. Morgan quote my dad loved: “Take waste out of your spending, and you’ll drive haste out of your life.”
But the lesson that truly shaped my career came from a 1969 poem my dad gave me in high school: The Pleasure of Walking Tall. Its message—that saving builds confidence and freedom, regardless of income—still guides everything I do. I share it with clients today because it captures the peace of mind I want for you: the ability to “walk tall” in retirement, secure in your choices.
As a former pilot myself, I bring a pilot’s mindset to financial planning: meticulous checklists help ensure nothing is overlooked. That’s how the proprietary Clarity Report™ and RBG Chart were born—tools that simplify complex decisions, categorize risks (Red for market exposure, Blue for alternatives, Green for protection), and give you a roadmap.
My path in finance hasn’t always been smooth. In the late 1990s, I was thrilled watching client portfolios soar—until the 2000 crash shattered that illusion. It forced me to question everything and pivot toward “safe money” strategies that protect principal. Then came 2008, delaying retirement dreams for so many—except my clients who used protected strategies like Fixed Index Annuities with annual resets. Those experiences solidified my commitment: I dropped traditional brokerage licenses (Series 6 & 63) and earned my Series 65 to become a true fiduciary, legally obligated to put your interests first—always.
Today, in an uncertain world of inflation, market volatility, and economic challenges, I’m more dedicated than ever to helping you navigate retirement with confidence. Whether it’s minimizing taxes, securing lifelong income, or shielding your wealth from downturns, my greatest reward is seeing clients breathe easier—knowing they’re on track to never run out of money and live the retirement they’ve dreamed of.
Outside the office, I’m a proud husband and father. My wife and I raised three incredible sons in Maple Grove: our youngest is studying HVAC in Duluth, our middle son runs a painting business in Portland, Oregon, and our oldest is a pilot for SkyWest Airlines (recently married in September 2025!). I’ve volunteered for years with the Boy Scouts and my church, and I still enjoy sharing market insights from my former “Safe Money and Retirement” radio show.
Risk tolerance is an investor’s ability to remain invested during downward market cycles in exchange for a potential return.
Within the initial review, we help you understand your risk threshold. We do this by deploying a Value at Risk (VaR) Analysis that helps us quantify attitudes toward financial uncertainty, specifically one’s emotional tolerance with respect to the magnitude and speed of potential investment loss.
This analysis produces a VaR Score that is indexed on a scale from conservative to aggressive. The VaR Score can help us determine if the current portfolio aligns with your risk tolerance and provides insight as to whether changes to that portfolio are needed.
Get a Full Understanding of Your Financial Life
Retirement Strategy Session (45-minutes)
First, we gain a thorough understanding of your current financial situation, goals, objectives, risk tolerance, and the key considerations that should be addressed in your retirement strategy. This is a complimentary session, to discover what matters most to you, answer your key questions (including any Stealthy Wealth Drainers™ concerns), and confirm we’re the right guide for your journey. We’ll share an overview of the Retirement Fortress System™ and how it protects your retirement from hidden leaks.
Six Fundamental Financial Planning Considerations
Six key financial planning considerations can impact your financial goals now and in the future. The question is not if these will affect your finances, but to what degree. We evaluate your sentiment toward each consideration and quantify the potential effects on your assets over time. This allows us to build customized strategies to help you achieve your financial objectives for retirement.
Outliving financial assets as the result of a longer life.
Limited access to assets to meet life’s unexpected financial needs.
Reduction in real purchasing power as the result of increasing cost of living.
Unexpected reduction in the value of financial assets at the time of withdrawal.
Loss of financial assets as the result of a partner’s or spouse’s death.
Decreasing income and assets and/or the impairment of legacy assets from increasing taxes.
