September 2025

Clients and Friends of The Center,

As summer winds down, we’re celebrating exciting milestones, sharing valuable insights, and looking ahead to what’s next.

First, we're thrilled to announce that Nick Defenthaler has been named to the 2025 Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors List—a testament to his dedication and impact in the financial planning space, and that The Center has been recognized as a Crain’s 2025 Best Places to Work Award Winner! This honor reflects our commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, and client-focused culture.

If you missed our Longevity Virtual Conference, the webinar replay is now available—so be sure to catch up on expert insights into caring for both yourself and a loved one. And for families preparing for the next big step, be sure to register for our upcoming “College Planning Made Easy” webinar happening on September 9th.

Our team has also been busy sharing their expertise—check out the latest blogs written by our advisors, covering everything from what's trending to personal finance tips. And finally, take a peek at our Snapshots section to see what’s been happening around The Center this month.

We’re glad you’re here—let’s keep planning for what matters most.

Your Center Team

Awards & Recognition

Nick D. Named to the 2025 Forbes' Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors List!

We're excited to announce that our esteemed planner and partner, Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP®, has been recognized by Forbes as a Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State!

Read the full announcement HERE!

The Center is a Crain's 2025 Best Places to Work Award Winner!

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news: The Center for Financial Planning, Inc. has been named one of Crain’s 2025 Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan!

Read the full announcement HERE!

Webinar Replays

Longevity Virtual Conference

During this webinar, you'll leave empowered with the tools to:

1. Confidently evaluate your loved one’s needs and choose the right care options.
2. Take control of their finances with simple, effective strategies to stay organized and reduce stress.
3. Create a safer, more manageable home environment - so you and your loved ones can age with comfort and dignity.

Wish you could press rewind on on a few of the sessions or do you know someone that could have benefitted from hearing this?

Luckily, we have an on-demand version of the event available!

Upcoming Events

College Planning Made Easy

September 9th, 2025

6:00PM-7:00PM

Overwhelmed by college planning and saving? You’re not alone—get some clarity you may need in just one hour.

During this webinar, Bob Ingram, CFP® will help you explore savings strategies designed to align with your overall financial plan, including tax and estate planning considerations, learn how to position your student to help maximize aid eligibility and reduce overall college costs, and gain a clear understanding of the FAFSA—how it works, why it matters, and how it impacts your family.

Helping to Make Your Money Last a Lifetime

By Kali Hassinger, CFP®, CSRIC™

If you've ever found yourself wondering, "Will I have enough to retire comfortably?", you're not alone. Although no two individual lives or retirements will look the same, there are principles and help available that can provide clarity.

READ MORE

Pay Yourself First - At Every Stage of Life

By Sandy Adams, CFP®

No matter your stage, the message is the same: You are your most important bill. Treat your future like a non-negotiable expense. Your future self will thank you.

READ MORE

Pension vs. Lump Sum

By Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP®

Monthly payments or a lump-sum? While we wish there was a clear, black and white, right or wrong answer for each client situation, it's virtually impossible because of all the different variables that go into analyzing your options. Learn more:

READ MORE

How TikTok is Shaping the Next Generation of Investors

By Josh Golden

Edited by Kelsey Arvai, MBA, CFP®

TikTok has an immediate impact on the next generation of investors and young professionals. Could TikTok be a major networking tool for finance? Only time will tell.

READ MORE

Center Partner Retreat

The Center partner and executive team capped off their two-day annual firm planning meeting with an evening of pickleball. Ask about who won the tournament (and pick up some Center-branded pickleballs) at your next meeting! 

New Episode of Cents & Sensibilities

Tim Wyman and Rod Meloni are back with a new episode of Cents & Sensibilities, talking about the current financial landscape. Watch the latest episode here!

Nick Featured on

Divorce Rich Podcast

Nick Defenthaler was featured on the most recent episode, Divorce Like a Boss: Real Talk and Strategy for High Earners of the Divorce Rich podcast. Listen here!

September Center-Versaries

Check out our September Center-Versaries!

Jeanette LoPiccolo - 9 years on the 7th

Angela Palacios - 17 years on the 8th

Ashley Frank - 9 years on the 12th

Raya Chope - 11 years on the 18th

Selina Robinson - 4 years on the 20th

Sarah McDonell - 8 years on the 27th

Jason & Jaclyn Attend

Crain's Reception

Jason Wagner and Jaclyn Jackson attended Crain's annual celebration that brings together leading employers in Southeast Michigan to honor the region’s Best Places to Work. This year, the festivities were held at Topgolf!

At The Center, we take pride in our core values that guide us in serving clients. We believe that our values are imperative to the work we do, and we want to recognize and celebrate team members who have exemplified them.

This month, Mallory Hunt was recognized for Teamwork & Collaboration and Commitment to the Financial Planning Process for providing a wonderful collaborative effort in a discussion about a client's account strategy implementation and account type suitability. Way to go, Mallory!

The Forbes Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criterion, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered are under 40, have a minimum of four years' experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass the highest standards of best practices. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. Compensation provided for using the rating. The Research Summary (as of August 2025) included: 49,859 nominations for all rankings, based on thresholds, 28,226 invited to complete online survey, and 4,653 individuals considered and 2,018 individuals won the Next-Gen ranking. This ranking is based upon the period from 3/31/24 to 3/31/25 and was released on 8/6/25. This ranking is not based in any way on the individual's abilities in regards to providing investment advice or management. This ranking is not indicative of advisor’s future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients’ experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC. For more information go to https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-next-gen-advisors/.

Crain's 2025 Detroit Business Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan, developed by Best Companies Group, is based on evaluating employee surveys and the organizations benefits package. To be considered, the organization must: be a publicly or privately held business, be a for-profit, not-for-profit business or government entity, have a facility in Southeast Michigan, have at least 15 full or part-time employees working in Southeast Michigan, be in business for a minimum of one year, and pay a fee to be considered. 100 of the self-nominated applicants won the award. This ranking was released on 8/25/2025. This recognition is neither an evaluation of services offered, nor a ranking of the Center for Financial Planning associates as investment adviser representatives. The award is not representative of any one client's experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor's past or future performance. Crain's Detroit Business and/or Best Companies Group are not affiliated with Raymond James.

The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.