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Financial Horizons Your Connection for Wealth, Lifestyle & Legacy
January/February 2026
McBeathFinancialGroup.com | 309.808.2224
FROM MARKETS TO MEANING
Ian Joins McBeath Financial Group
Every now and then, someone walks through your door and you just know they’re going to be a great fit, not just for the job, but for the culture, energy, and the entire team. That’s exactly how we felt when we met Ian. McBeath Financial Group has been growing steadily, and with that growth comes the need for more hands and the right minds to support our advisors and clients. But for us, hiring is never just about filling a seat. We seek individuals who share our values, care deeply about our clients as much as the work they do, and view financial planning not just as a career, but as a calling. Ian checked all those boxes and then some. Ian recently joined us as a Financial Planning Assistant, bringing a solid foundation in finance and a genuine passion for helping others feel confident about their finances. Before joining us, he worked as a broker assistant at Advanced Trading Incorporated. “Our main customers were commercial clients and farmers,” he mentioned. “I supported brokers with trade execution, position management, and client communications.” That experience gave Ian a strong technical background, but it was his why that impressed me. During his time at Illinois State University, where he earned his degree in finance with a minor in economics, something clicked. “We had a guest speaker come in to talk about finances after college: retirement, budgeting, planning for the future,” Ian said. “And I remember thinking, Why isn’t this taught to
every student who is graduating? A lot of students go into the real world unprepared without understanding this as a major impact on their lives.” That moment sparked something in him. He realized financial planning was more than just numbers. It was about education, empowerment, and helping people make informed decisions that shape
Ian currently holds his Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) license and is preparing to pursue his Series 65 to become a Registered Investment Advisor Representative. He already has his sights set on earning his CFP®, and it’s easy to see him growing alongside us in the years ahead.
Outside of work, Ian’s life is fun and full! He and his wife had been together for seven years before getting married this past May, and this new chapter has been an especially meaningful one for them. They attend First Assembly Church, where they’re looking forward to getting more involved. When
their lives. It’s an approach that aligns with the way we guide our clients who trust us with important financial decisions.
Ian’s passion for teaching others about money traces
back to his parents, who, as he puts it, “were big on budgeting and made sure we understood the
he’s not crunching numbers or supporting advisors, you’ll likely find him on the golf course, at the gym, or spending time with family and friends. It’s been such a joy getting to know Ian, not just as a professional, but as a person. He’s thoughtful, curious, grounded, and eager to grow. We’re thrilled to have him on board and can’t wait to see the great things ahead as he continues to learn and serve our clients with excellence. Welcome to the McBeath Financial Group family, Ian! –Krista McBeath
value of a dollar.” He said they often spoke from a place of reflection and shared things they wished they’d done differently so their kids could make wiser choices. That combination of humility and motivation stuck with him, and it shows in the way he approaches his work today. Around the office, Ian has already become a trusted part of our team dynamic. We actually brought on both Ian and another outstanding candidate, Nathan, at the same time because we couldn’t choose between them! “It’s been great learning alongside Nathan,” Ian shared. “We get to collaborate, bounce ideas off each other, and pick the advisors’ brains.”
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Preparing for the Inevitable HOW CREATING A FINANCIAL PLAN FOR A SURVIVING SPOUSE IS THE GREATEST SHOW OF LOVE
As a new year begins, many people look ahead with a sense of hope for what’s to come. It’s also a practical moment to think about how to protect your legacy and the people who matter most. Part of that preparation includes making sure your spouse will have the support system and financial plan they would need if life changes in ways none of us can predict. This is never easy to discuss. Death is often a taboo subject, and it can be hard to picture your life without the person with whom you’ve spent many years. However, one of the greatest shows of love I see is during the planning process for such events. There’s a genuine concern for protection. One of the best ways to do this is to create this plan while both spouses are healthy. Without an imminent need, rational decisions can be made, rather than reacting on emotions. Time is also a major advantage at this point in the planning process, and adjustments and considerations can be made as your life changes and evolves. This is also a great time for each spouse to share their wishes for their partner and legacies. These are factors we can work into a plan that can be utilized by either spouse when necessary. For other couples, sometimes this conversation needs to happen more rapidly. Maybe there has been a diagnosis or there has sadly been a premature death. It is still just as significant that this conversation happens, as the remaining spouse will need help and support in adjusting to life without their partner.
Regardless of what phase you are in, many find it helpful to have a financial advisor in the room to begin and guide discussions. I’ve been there to lend perspective, offer guidance, and mitigate any nerves or discomfort. Chances are, we’ve already been through this process together. If so, I’m hoping you found some comfort in the plan. If for some reason things have changed, or if you feel we haven’t covered this adequately, I’m here to help. Just reach out to me! However, if you’ve been through the process and it’s helped you in any way, I’m going to ask you to share. There are others you care about who may now or someday have the need, financially and emotionally, for my support as an advisor. I would greatly appreciate you sharing this message with someone who needs to hear it. It can be as simple as saving this newsletter to share at the right time or even directing them to my online resources. I have a very helpful blog post to guide couples through numerous stages of financial planning, including those who are just beginning to consider this tough conversation or those facing a more immediate need. You can find it online at McBeathFinancialGroup.com/blog/financial-planning-for- loss-of-a-spouse .
Thank you for sharing this information with others, and please reach out if you need assistance in discussions like this one.
–Krista McBeath
Kitten Keeps Trapped Climber Alive in Mountain Blizzard SMALL HEARTBEAT, BIG RESCUE
Trapped in an icy mountain ravine, soaked and nearly frozen, 28-year-old Vladislav Duda contemplated what he feared would be the last night of his life. Escape from the ravine, more than 430 yards deep, was out of the question.
When they finally reached Duda, they opened his coat and found the tiny orange tabby kitten curled against Duda’s chest. “The cat was warm, and was warming him,” Dan Benga, director of the Maramures Mountain Rescue Service, told The Associated Press. “He saved his life.” Asked if he was okay, Benga says that Duda told his rescuers, “I’m happy because my cat is alive. I got a chance from God for a new life. The happiest moment is because the cat is here with me.” Although climbing out of the ravine took more than five hours, Duda held Peach close to his chest the entire way. Forced to turn the kitten over to rescue workers when he was placed in an ambulance, Duda begged them, “Please take care of the cat.” When Duda was rescued, he was one of roughly 160 Ukrainian men saved while crossing the mountains to avoid the draft. Sixteen others died trying. The rescue was “like a dream, after all I have been through,” Duda said. “Peach kept my heart warm, and he kept my faith alive.” Duda was treated for hypothermia at a nearby hospital. Peach was taken to a veterinary clinic nearby and, at last report, survived the ordeal in good health.
Suffering from fatigue as hypothermia set in, Duda believed only one thing separated him from death: the furry warmth of his months-old kitten, Peach, huddled against his chest beneath his coat. Duda, a Ukrainian journalist, had undertaken a perilous journey in late 2024 across the Carpathian Mountains into Romania to avoid being drafted to fight in Ukraine’s war against Russia. Four days earlier, he had run out of food for his cat and himself, and they were surviving on icy water from melted snow. Rescue workers from a regional mountain team had tried to reach Duda by helicopter, but hazardous blizzard conditions forced them to turn back. Instead, more than a dozen ground workers battled through deep snow in 14-degree temperatures into the ravine.
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In old Hollywood, even the simplest things could cause trouble. A silly sound effect, a bathroom door, or a joke at the wrong person’s expense might get a film pulled before audiences ever saw it. From the 1930s through the 1960s, studios followed the Hays Code, a list of rules meant to keep movies “clean” after scandals in the 1920s made Hollywood look like a bad influence. What began as an attempt to save the industry from outside censorship quickly turned into decades of odd restrictions. One of the strangest bans was the raspberry, or “Bronx cheer.” The harmless noise, created by placing one’s tongue between the lips and blowing, was labeled vulgar and lumped in with forbidden words like “lousy” and “cripes.” Even the famous Clark Gable line, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn,” from “Gone With the Wind” nearly didn’t make it past censors. The Rise and Fall of the Hays Code When Toilets Were Taboo Religion was another topic of strict censorship. Priests, ministers, and nuns could be stern or gentle but never the butt of a joke or the villain of a story. That’s why Bing Crosby’s Father O’Malley in “Going My Way” was always portrayed with a mix of effortless charm and reverence that kept him safe from censors. Childbirth was also considered improper. Labor scenes were banned outright, and even a shadow on the wall was too much. “Gone With the Wind” managed to slip in a softened moment with Olivia de Havilland’s character, but only after lengthy arguments with the Code’s enforcers. But bathrooms held the most absurd taboo of all. Toilets and the humor around them simply didn’t exist on screen. Then, Alfred Hitchcock released “Psycho” in 1960 and showed a toilet and a flush. Audiences had never seen anything like it, and the Code’s hold began to crumble. By the end of the 1960s, the system had collapsed, and the rating system we still use today replaced it. Looking back, it’s hard not to believe censors wasted their energy. What once seemed scandalous now feels tame, and the real surprise is just how many everyday things were once off-limits on screen.
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INSIDE
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Meet Ian, Our New Financial Planning Assistant This Planning Stage Is Uncomfortable, but the Best Way to Show You Care Tiny Paws, Big Rescue: Kitten Helps Man Survive Mountain Ordeal
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The Strange Rules of Old Hollywood
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Health Care Has Gone Remote
Advisory services are offered through Landmark Wealth Management Inc, dba McBeath Financial Group, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor firm. Insurance products and services are offered through McBeath Tax and Financial Services, LLC. McBeath Financial Group and McBeath Tax and Financial Services, LLC are affiliated. All content of this newsletter is for informational purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of McBeath Financial Group and our editorial staff. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual financial professional prior to implementation. © 2026 McBeath Financial Group.
NO COMMUTE, NO GERMS, NO HASSLE
The Telehealth Trend That’s Sticking Around
The pandemic helped bring the concept of telehealth into the public eye. Many doctors’ offices urged their patients to book video or telephone appointments if they needed help refilling medications, receiving a prescription for an illness, or getting answers about their symptoms or conditions. Although we’re now a few years removed from the pandemic, telehealth is still going strong, offering patients a wide range of services. While telehealth can benefit people of all ages, it is an invaluable tool for those in their senior years. For starters, it is one of the most convenient ways to get help with your health care needs. Instead of getting in the car when you don’t feel well, you can boot up your computer or hop on the phone from the comfort of your home.
One of the greatest benefits of telehealth is how easy it is to reach someone when you have a need or concern. How often have you called a doctor’s office to book an appointment when you feel ill, only to
hear their soonest available appointment is not for another month or several months? Telehealth services often have openings at all times of the day to meet your scheduling needs. Telehealth services can be a game- changer when managing specific conditions and your overall health. Doctors and nurses can help manage medication, monitor chronic conditions to determine whether intervention is required, and provide preventive care to keep you in the best shape possible.
While telehealth can’t and won’t replace the doctor’s office entirely, it’s an excellent option for
a quick fix or questions!
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