Financial Planning and Retirement Articles | Martin Northern

Everything I have written so far, newest first.

Four young adults standing arm in arm on a grassy hilltop, seen from behind as they look out at the sunset.

Talking to Your Adult Children About Money: Start With the “Why”

You do not have to start with account balances. Martin Northern on talking to adult children about money by beginning with the values behind the plan.

October 15, 2026

Three young adults with daypacks walking through a field of tall golden grass on a hillside, with the low sun behind them.

Are You Moving in the Right Direction?

Good decisions made one at a time can still pull against each other. Martin Northern on checking that your financial plan points where you do.

September 28, 2026

An older man and woman walk a small tan dog along a sidewalk in a suburban neighborhood, passing parked cars, mown lawns and two-story houses.

Retirement Is a Change in Rhythm, Not Just Income

Retirement reshapes your weeks, not just your paycheck. Martin Northern on planning for the life you want and revisiting it as things change.

September 21, 2026

An older couple talking together on a garden swing in autumn

When Life Changes, Your Financial Plan Should Evolve With You

A new job, a marriage, a sale, a loss. Martin Northern on working with a financial advisor for major life changes, and the simple question to start with.

September 15, 2026

An older woman stands on a backyard lawn with her arms open toward a young boy running through a garden sprinkler. A second child plays in a small inflatable pool behind them, and an older man watches from a patio chair beside a brick house.

What Is Your Portfolio For?

Performance is only half the question. Martin Northern on why knowing what each part of your portfolio is for makes every review more useful.

September 8, 2026

Want to talk about your own plan?

If you have a question about your own situation, I am glad to talk it through. Reach out and we will start wherever makes sense for you.