ABOUT US

Our Team

Our business started in 1993 with the goal of having a positive impact on people's lives. Our advice and planning begins with listening to you and learning about your specific goals. Our team strives to make sure that your needs are met and your objectives are recognized.  Learn a little bit more about us below.

John B. Steiger

President and Founder
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Accredited Investment Fiduciary® Designee

Who I really am: 
I am father of three (Colin 20, Camille 18, and Anna 15). I am a weekend mountain bike racer, avid skier, former lacrosse player (now a fan), love spending time on the Cape and being on the water, in the mountains, and playing golf. I also try to cook as much as I can – seafood dishes are my favorite! We have lived in Sudbury, Massachusetts, since 1999 and grew up in Longmeadow MA.  I have served on the board of the Foundation for Metro West and the Attitash Alpine Education Foundation.  I am currently focused on raising funds for the Mass General Cancer Center’s Lifestyle Medicine Clinic.

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Why I get up in the morning: 
I have an opportunity every day to help someone feel more financially secure and confident. I am humbled and honored that businesses, families and individuals place their confidence in me and my team to help them manage their financial life. Over the past 25 plus years, we have strived to be there for our clients every step of the way. This has meant showing up every year to review and keep them on track.

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What I do really well:   

Simplifying complicated subjects, empathy, diligent follow up, making people feel comfortable in talking about tough subjects.  My goal is to always add value to our clients' planning goals.

How I got here: 
After graduating from the University of Vermont, I spent a little over a year at Fidelity Investments working with large corporations in cash management investments. I developed a desire to lead and have an impact on the financial lives of closely held businesses and individuals. In 1993, I started in the financial advice business. I quickly learned from the individuals and business owners I came in contact with that there was a great need to help organize their financial “house.” They just needed the proper guidance in language they understood. They needed solid independent advice with the solutions, not just another financial product. Over the past 25 years, I have focused on my professional development by becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, a Chartered Financial Consultant®, an Accredited Estate Planner, and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® Designee. I have built Wealth Planning Resources with the help of a dedicated team with a combined tenure of more than 40 years.

William Berry 

CLU, ChFC

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Accredited Investment Fiduciary® Designee

Who I really am: 

I am a father to three amazing children, two daughters who will undoubtedly care for me in my old age and a son who keeps us all on our toes. I married up. My wife Erin is my partner in everything I do. I am an avid sports fan, lover of the outdoors, and active participant in the CrossFit community.  I believe in the importance of making memories and love nothing more than vacations and adventures with my family. I grew up in Simsbury, CT.  We now Live in Duxbury, MA where we spend as much time on the beach as we possibly can.

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Why I get up in the morning: 

I get up each morning with the intention of living my life to the fullest. I aim to appreciate, preserve and build upon all that I’ve earned and received for myself, for my wife and for my children. There are a lot of things out of our control, and the best we can do is prepare for all possible outcomes. My own personal drive to do so for my business and my family is what helps me step into my client’s shoes and strive to achieve that for them as well.

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What I do really well:   

Provide professional yet personalized attention, with a key emphasis on establishing trust, maintaining independence, educating - not just executing, and providing a source of security and reassurance for my clients throughout their various life and business transitions.

How I got here: 

My education was focused in finance, but when I graduated, I found myself teaching high school math. I didn’t just want to go work on Wall Street. I wanted to have a positive impact in some way. Math has always been my favorite subject, and I realized that I had an ability to connect with my students with creative lesson plans that tailored instruction to best reach them individually. As I began my own family, I realized that financial planning is the perfect combination of the expertise and skills I’d developed. Even better, it provides an opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. A little forethought and discipline can have a tremendous impact, and I love working with clients to create a plan that addresses their goals and concerns. I made the jump into this profession in 2007 and haven’t looked back. I think every day how lucky I am to have built a career doing something that I truly enjoy.

 
 
 

Matt Rupley

Client Relationship Manager

Who I really am: 

I have been married to Hope for 17 years and have two teenage children (Morgan & Tommy). We have lived in Acton, MA for the past 13 years.  I am an avid golfer and serve on the Board of Governors of the Concord Country Club.   When I am not in the office or on the golf course you will find me coaching youth football in the fall or cheering on one of our favorite Boston sports teams.

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What I do really well:   

Simply put, I strive to make our client relationships stronger by providing them with the best possible value added service I can provide.  I take tremendous pride in following up with our clients as quickly as possible so they can get on with their day! For more than 20 years I have focused on helping our clients implement and maintain their corporate retirement plans, individual financial plans, and investment and insurance portfolios. I enjoy being part of our clients' financial team and seeing these relationships grow over the years.   

How I got here: 

After graduating from Rollins College I spent two years working at John Hancock Financial Services working in customer service.  In 1999 I joined Wealth Planning Resources, LLC and together with John have grown WPR to where it is today.  It’s been 20 years now, and it’s amazing to see how the firm has grown. 

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Why I get up in the morning:

Every day is a new challenge and a new opportunity to help impact our clients' lives.  We have a great group of clients at WPR, it motivates me to see them succeed.

Mike Schiavi

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

Who I really am: 

I was born and raised in Dracut, Massachusetts and am currently living in Watertown, Massachusetts. I attended Saint Anselm College where I received degrees in both Finance and International Business, as well as being a four-year starter on the varsity Football team. In my free time I enjoy golfing, snowboarding and traveling with family.

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Why I get up in the morning: 

I strive to help clients achieve their goals in financial independence. Growing up in a blue-collar town where you work hard from a young age, the value of money was ingrained in me. Through observation and personal experiences, it was clear that many individuals work very hard for their money but don’t fully understand how to make their money work for them. My goal is to help clients understand and optimize their wealth during their working years, so they can live comfortably in retirement. Helping clients accomplish and realize these goals each day inspires me to get up and do what I love.

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What I do really well:   

Having spent two years working as an operations specialist for our broker-dealer Commonwealth Financial Network, I learned the core of the financial service industry. I became a leader on my team and became an instructor for new employees. I know the importance of being detail-oriented and following through on important client issues.  As a client relationship manager for Wealth Planning Resources, LLC. I support our clients in developing and maintaining individual financial plans and investment and insurance portfolios. In doing so I assist with preparing client presentations and educational seminars. Providing clients with fast, superior service is what I pride myself in. I am excited to grow with WPR and build strong lasting relationships with our clients.

How I got here: 

After graduating from Saint Anselm College, I started my career with Commonwealth Financial Network and was fortunate to meet John and his team at WPR in the fall of 2018. I look forward to continuing their philosophy of putting the clients first and positively impacting their financial lives.

 

Kristina O'Reilly

Client Communications and Marketing Manager

Who I really am: 

I am a mother to four daughters (Abby – recent Syracuse University graduate with a degree in animation; Amelia – criminal justice major attending Bridgewater State University; Annabelle – construction technology student at Blackstone Valley Tech; and Olivia – incoming architectural design student at Blackstone Valley Tech).  In the evenings, I enjoy walking to the pond in our town center.  The sunsets there are magnificent!  When home I can also be found in my kitchen.  When someone passes along a recipe that has been in their family for generations, it is an absolutely invaluable gift to me!  My girls and I have lived in Westwood, MA; Dover, MA; and we currently live in Hopedale, MA.

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Why I get up in the morning:

I have the opportunity to help the WPR team communicate important financial information to individuals and companies who rely on us.  I am happy to be a part of this process – it is exciting and rewarding to know that my efforts matter.

 

What I do really well:   

I am a people-person.  It is important to me that people’s issues are heard and addressed.  I also enjoy working behind the scenes on projects and tasks that have been delegated to me with specific objectives. 

How I got here: 

After graduating from Smith College and Suffolk Law School, I worked in legal departments in mid to large-size corporations for ten years.  I learned during that time that I much prefer to work in smaller work environments where it is possible to interact with co-workers and clients on a more personal level.  In 2009 I was offered the opportunity to work at WPR. Being part of a smaller firm has been rewarding. I have thoroughly enjoying working hard together as a member of a tightly-knit team. I have also enjoyed getting to know our clients.  Speaking and meeting with individuals in person has kept me motivated and eager to do the best I can for our extended WPR families.

Diane Buckley

Client Services Manager

Who I really am: 

​I am a wife and a mother to four grown children, two boys and twin girls. We lived and raised our children in Wrentham MA for 20 years and recently moved to Plymouth MA to enjoy the many outdoor and social activities available there. We are avid beachgoers, and enjoy hiking, biking and kayaking in the many parks and water ways available in Plymouth and on the South Shore.  I also enjoy gardening and cooking for my family.  My husband and children are the center of my life and although the children are on their own now, we try to get together as often as possible to have fun and continue to build family memories.

 

Why I get up in the morning:

I get up every morning with the intention of enjoying the life my husband and I have built together.  I also enjoy having the opportunity to provide the best service possible for our clients.  It is always rewarding to know that my efforts result in clients feeling confident with the service they enjoy with us.

 

What I do really well:   

I am a bit of a perfectionist.  It is always my goal to complete any and all tasks as accurately and efficiently as possible.  I am very detail-oriented and enjoy handling “the minutia” of a project and ensure that it is done right.  I also enjoy speaking with clients and helping them feel comfortable working with me and knowing I always strive for the best service possible for them and their families.

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How I got here: 

After graduating from Suffolk University, I worked in various financial and legal departments of larger companies including Lehman Brothers, and Scudder, Stevens and Clark, Inc.  I really enjoy the small work environment at WPR, where I can provide personal service to our clients and their families. 

 
 

This communication strictly intended for individuals residing in the states of CA, CT, DC, FL, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, RI, SC, TX, VA, VT, WA. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state regulations and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. Investments are not FDIC- or NCUA-insured, are not guaranteed by a bank/financial institution, and are subject to risks, including possible loss of the principal invested. Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor.

Privacy Policy.

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Copyright © Wealth Planning Resources 2019.

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Wealth Planning Resources

Main Office

460 Totten Pond Road 

Suite 600

Waltham, MA 02451

Call us: 781.547.5620

Duxbury Office

289 St. George Street

Suite 208

Duxbury, MA 02332

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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Market Update

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Market Update for the Quarter Ending December 31, 2020

Presented by John B. Steiger, CFP®™, AIF® 

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Strong December caps off solid year for markets

Markets continued to rally in December. The Nasdaq Composite led the way with a 5.71 percent gain for the month. The S&P 500 gained 3.84 percent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) rose by 3.41 percent. These results contributed to a strong quarter for markets. The Nasdaq returned 15.63 percent while the S&P 500 gained 12.15 percent and the DJIA returned 10.73 percent. For the year, DJIA gained 9.72 percent, the S&P 500 returned 18.40 percent, and the Nasdaq gained 44.92 percent.

 

These strong results coincided with improving fundamentals. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, as of December 24 with 99 percent of companies having reported, the blended third-quarter earnings decline for the S&P 500 came in at 6.9 percent. This result is significantly better than the initial forecast for a 21.5 percent decline.

 

Technical factors were also supportive. All three major indices remained above their respective 200-day moving averages for the sixth consecutive month, indicating technical support for markets throughout the second half of the year.

 

International markets also finished the year strong. The MSCI EAFE Index gained 4.65 percent in December, which contributed to the 16.05 percent increase during the quarter and a 7.82 percent annual gain. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index gained 7.40 percent during the month, 19.77 percent for the quarter, and 18.69 percent for the year. Technicals were supportive for international markets at year-end, with both indices finishing December above their 200-day moving averages.

 

Fixed income markets also ended the year with positive results. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index gained 0.14 percent during the month, 0.67 percent for the quarter, and an impressive 7.51 percent for the year. The 3-month U.S. Treasury yield fell from 1.54 percent at the start of the year to 0.09 percent at year-end. Long-term rates also fell. The 10-year began the year at 1.88 percent and dropped to 0.93 percent by year-end.

 

High-yield fixed income returned 1.88 percent during the month, 6.45 percent for the quarter, and 7.11 percent for the year. High-yield credit spreads finished the year at 3.87 percent—an improvement from the pandemic-induced high of 10.87 percent in March.

 

Signs of pandemic progress   

We saw signs of progress on the public health front during the month. New cases per day showed improvement at month-end, although it’s likely the holidays contributed to a lull in reporting. If case growth is in fact slowing, we could see a peak in the next few weeks.

 

Testing also showed some improvement. A slowdown in testing around the holidays led to the positive test rate increasing modestly at month-end, however. The positive test rate finished the month below the recent highs we’ve seen during the third wave, which is a good sign.

 

Another positive development was the start of the public vaccination process. The number of vaccinations was relatively low at year-end, but the pace should pick up as state and local governments build out the necessary public health infrastructure.

 

Economic headwinds remain
The third wave still presents risks to the economic recovery. Retail sales and personal spending fell in November, highlighting the headwinds created by increased shutdown measures. As you can see in Figure 1, this was the first drop for personal spending since initial lockdowns were lifted in April. There is hope that the second stimulus bill and continued public health progress will spur spending growth.

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Figure 1. Personal Consumer Expenditures, December 2018-Present

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Business confidence and spending held up well despite rising case counts. Both manufacturer and service sector confidence remain near or above pre-pandemic levels. These strong confidence figures have translated into faster spending and output growth.

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Risks moderate to start 2021

December’s updates highlighted the risks presented by rising case counts and increased local restrictions. But the resilient economy, combined with the expected tailwinds from additional stimulus and further public health progress, indicates we are in a relatively good place to start the year. Given the short-term uncertainty, a well-diversified portfolio that matches investor goals and timelines remains the best path forward for most. But if concerns remain, contact your financial advisor to review your financial plan.

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All information according to Bloomberg, unless stated otherwise.

 

Disclosure: Certain sections of this commentary contain forward-looking statements based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. All indices are unmanaged and investors cannot invest directly into an index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted average of 30 actively traded blue-chip stocks. The S&P 500 Index is a broad-based measurement of changes in stock market conditions based on the average performance of 500 widely held common stocks. The Nasdaq Composite Index measures the performance of all issues listed in the Nasdaq Stock Market, except for rights, warrants, units, and convertible debentures. The MSCI EAFE Index is a float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure developed market equity performance, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a market capitalization-weighted index composed of companies representative of the market structure of 26 emerging market countries in Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Basin. It excludes closed markets and those shares in otherwise free markets that are not purchasable by foreigners. The Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged market value-weighted index representing securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar-denominated. It covers the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, with index components for a combination of the Bloomberg Barclays government and corporate securities, mortgage-backed pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index covers the USD-denominated, non-investment-grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market. Securities are classified as high-yield if the middle rating of Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P is Ba1/BB+/BB+ or below

                   

John B. Steiger is a financial professional with Wealth Planning Resources, LLC at 460 Totten Pond Road ,Suite 600 ,Waltham, MA 02451.  He offers securities as a Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC. He can be reached at  781.547.5621 or at  john@wprplanning.com.

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Authored by Brad McMillan, CFA®, CAIA, MAI, managing principal, chief investment officer, and Sam Millette, senior investment research analyst, at Commonwealth Financial Network®.

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© 2020 Commonwealth Financial Network®

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