The Long View: March 2025 - Traverse City

Fresh Starts and inspiration for march

March brings a sense of momentum—longer days, a shift in seasons, and a fresh sense of possibility. With tax deadlines just around the corner, now is the perfect time to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Don’t leave it to the last minute—we want to ensure you’re stress-free when Tax Day arrives.  

This month marks the 13th anniversary of our firm—another year ahead, and how time flies! As we’ve grown, we’ve continued to attract great talent, including some amazing women. March also happens to be Women’s History Month, with International Women’s Day on March 8th—a time to recognize the achievements of women in all areas of life. But inspiration isn’t just found in history; it’s all around us. That’s why we’re continuing to highlight the passions of our team members, sharing the interests that drive them both personally and professionally.  

From financial insights to fresh perspectives, we hope this issue offers something for everyone. Here’s to embracing new opportunities and making smart financial moves!  

Your Beck Bode Team

In this issue

1. Strength at Every Age: Why Women Should Embrace Weightlifting
2. Meg’s Financial Planning Corner: Important Tax Updates: Disaster Relief Extensions
3. Women Taking the Lead: Forging Their Financial Futures
4. What We Are Passionate About...
5. The Kitchen - Penne A La Vodka
6. Featured Blog: The Investor vs. The Speculator: A Tale of Two Mindsets
7. Featured Podcast: 5 Questions for Ben and Jim

Strength at every age: Why Women Should Embrace Weightlifting

By Beth Price

Director of Operations / Advisory Operations Team Lead

Traverse City, MI 

For years, I stuck to traditional workouts but hesitated to venture into weightlifting. I worried about getting injured, doing it incorrectly, and not knowing where to start. That all changed when I joined a gym founded by a woman and former dancer, Melissa Ray at Mettle & Moxie in Traverse City, MI, where the focus is on small class sizes and expert instruction. The trainers push me when I mentally tell myself I can’t do more but also ensure I’m using proper form to prevent injury. Now, at 55, I feel stronger than ever, and weightlifting has become an essential part of my routine.

 
Why Strength Training Matters for Women

Weightlifting isn’t just about building muscle; it’s about building a foundation for lifelong health and vitality. Here’s why all women—at any age—should consider adding strength training to their lives:

🔹 Stronger Bones – Women are at a higher risk for osteoporosis as they age, but strength training increases bone density and reduces that risk.
🔹 Boosted Metabolism – Muscle burns more calories at rest than fat, making strength training a great way to support a healthy metabolism.
🔹 Injury Prevention & Joint Health – Strengthening muscles around joints can reduce the risk of injury and support mobility as we age.
🔹 Confidence & Mental Strength – Weightlifting isn’t just about physical gains; it builds mental resilience and confidence. Seeing yourself get stronger is incredibly empowering.
🔹 Maintaining an Active Lifestyle – Whether it’s biking, hiking, skiing, or swimming, strength training supports the activities we love, keeping us moving and thriving.
 
For me, strength training is about independence and longevity—it allows me to live the life I want, with the energy and strength to keep doing what I love.
 
So, if you’ve been hesitant to pick up weights, I encourage you to take that first step. Find a supportive community, challenge the old myths, and discover just how powerful you really are.
 
What’s one thing that makes you feel strong?
(Yes, you! Write back, we’d love to hear from you!)

Meg’s Financial Planning Corner: Important Tax Updates: Disaster Relief Extensions

By Meg Curry, CFP®

Director of Financial Planning - Dedham, MA

I have two notes for you in March. One has to do with federal disaster areas… hopefully you have not been affected, but if you have, just a reminder that you may qualify for a filing extension. And the second has to do with back payments authorized by the Social Security Fairness Act. 

Federal disaster areas receiving tax filing relief

The IRS normally provides relief, including postponing various tax filing and payment deadlines, for any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As long as their address of record is in a disaster-area locality, individual and business taxpayers automatically get the extra time, without having to ask for it. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

Here is a good link for checking which parts of the country qualify.

Social Security Announces Expedited Retroactive Payments and Higher Monthly Benefits for Millions – Actions Support the Social Security Fairness Act

This link to the Social Security (SS) website discusses what people can expect regarding the back payments authorized by the Social Security Fairness Act signed in early January. This is for those whose Social Security benefits were eliminated or reduced due to either the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or the Government Pension Offset (GPO). 

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out!

Women Taking the Lead: Forging Their Financial Futures

By Ashley Cotler

Client Concierge - Dedham, MA

Since the earliest days of my life, I have found myself in male-dominated environments. But I never viewed my position as a disadvantage—rather, I saw it as an opportunity. If I was the only woman in the room, then I had a whole lot to bring to the table. I grew up on a family-owned fishing campground, worked construction for my father, owned and ran a gym, and most recently, earned my wine Sommelier certification. In every one of these spaces, I’ve watched women step up, take charge, and redefine the norm. Seeing this shift has been one of the most inspiring forces in my life.

The world of finance is no different. Historically, financial planning has been a space where women were often co-pilots, but today, more than ever, they are taking the reins of their financial futures. Women are actively engaging in investment decisions, building long-term strategies, and ensuring financial independence for themselves and their families.

The bottom line is clear: women tend to live longer than men, making long-term financial security not just important, but essential. Additionally, the gender pay gap has historically impacted wealth accumulation, but with intentional, strategic planning, that gap can be bridged. Financial literacy and proactive wealth management are the keys to empowering women to take control of their futures.

At Beck Bode, I am proud to be part of such an inclusive and forward-thinking team. And in honor of Women’s History Month, I want to take a moment to celebrate the powerful, strong, intelligent, and fiery women who continue to challenge, push, educate, and uplift one another. Here’s to women who take the bull by the horns—today and every day.

What We are passionate about...

These are our passions, as shared by Bonnie, Angel, Beth and Tammy

By Bonnie Barley

Client Services Manager - Traverse City, MI

I took so many pictures of my numerous beach days at Lake Michigan this past summer. I was "passionate" about enjoying the blessing of living just 15 minutes away from one of the most beautiful freshwater lakes in the world.

By Angel Williams

Chief Operating Officer -  Dedham, MA

The thing I love the most is warm weather. I am so lucky to live in the ‘Ocean State’ (aka Rhode Island) as it gives me endless opportunities to enjoy warm weather activities! From exploring the coastline to buying a carload of flowers to having dinner by the sea, when summer comes I can’t get enough of it. Being from southern Alabama, I would love a few more months of warm weather, however living in New England makes me appreciate the warm weather even more. The countdown is on to 60 degrees over here!

By Beth Price

Director of Operations / Advisory Operations Team Lead - Traverse City, MI 

I love spending quality time adventuring with my family in the great outdoors. Over the years, we've shared countless experiences and built so many lasting memories. It's always fun to reminisce, but it's even more exciting to create new memories together. Now that the kids are grown and out of the house, finding time for all of us to be together can be a challenge. Instead of gifting them more stuff for Christmas this year, we gifted them a weekend getaway. We spent our days skiing, laughing, playing games, and warming up in the hot tub, all while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The outdoors has always been a huge passion of mine—it’s where I feel most alive, and I love sharing that with my loved ones. It’s not just about the activity; it’s about the connection it fosters between us as a family. Whether we're on the mountain, hiking, or spending time on the water, I believe these moments in nature bring us closer, strengthening our bonds and creating shared experiences we’ll always cherish.

By Tammy Stoerkel

Client Advisor - Traverse City, MI

I've been a proud member of Impact Traverse City since its founding in 2017. My friend and mentor, Wendy Steele, who founded Impact 100 in 2001, encouraged me to join, and I’m so glad she did! Through Impact, I’ve had the privilege of meeting incredible women all committed to making a positive difference in our five-county area. The model is simple yet powerful: 100 women each donate $1,000, and together we award a $100,000 grant to a local non-profit creating transformational change. Since 2017, we’ve awarded $2.4 million!

For the past six years, I’ve served as the Financial Review Committee Chair. Growing up in Traverse City, I’ve been amazed by the number of non-profits in our community—many of which I had no idea existed. The work they do and the impact they have on our community is truly inspiring.

We’re currently working to gather 400 women for 2025, and the membership deadline is April 1, 2025. If we reach 400 members, we have a generous anonymous donor who will contribute a $100,000 bonus to our grant pool! If you're in Northern Michigan and want to learn more, please feel free to reach out to me.

Speaking of passion, you will remember that Brian Ursu, founder of Intentional Wealth moved on in 2023 to focus full-time on his well-being. We are happy to share that Brian continues to make remarkable progress on his healing journey.

At first, Brian thought taking a year to "take it easy" would help him unwind, but in hindsight, he now sees that as a misstep. Real change came when he committed to an active and intentional lifestyle. These days, his job is his wellness routine—spending at least three hours daily on a sequence of activities that includes breathwork, meditation and prayer, cold plunges, strength training, infrared sauna sessions, and 3-4 mile walks with a like-minded friend. He’s also challenging himself mentally, reading thought-provoking content and actively exercising his mind. On top of that, he’s teaching himself Spanish! It’s an impressive third act and an inspiration to anyone who wonders what they may do with their time in retirement. 

Brian’s journey has become his passion project, as he shares on his blog, Brian On Purpose. If you're interested in following along Brian’s “rucking” expeditions, reading list, and workout regimen, you can check it out here. 

The Kitchen - Penne A La Vodka

By Karen O'Donoghue, CFP® CDFA®

Sr. Client Advisor - Portsmouth, NH

This month’s recipe comes from Karen O’Donoghue, Sr. Client Advisor in our Portsmouth, NH office, who confesses, “I’m not much of a cook! The first order of business if I ever become independently wealthy would be to hire a personal chef. ☺ ” She adds, “However, my husband makes a Penne a la Vodka recipe that we all love. I think March is still hearty pasta and sauce weather.”  

Agreed.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. ground sweet Italian sausage
• 4 cups of thinly sliced yellow onions
• 6 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 32 oz. cans crushed tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons of minced garlic
• 2 cups of chicken stock
• 2 cups of vodka*
• 1/2 cup of chopped fresh basil
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• salt & pepper
• 1.5 lbs of penne
• 1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Form the sausage into small, bite-size meatballs.
2. Brown the sausage in some of the olive oil on the stovetop in a Dutch oven or similar heavy pan, until they are browned. Remove them from the pan.
3. Add some more olive oil to the pan and sauté the onions for 3 - 4 minutes.
4. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper, and the basil and cook for a few minutes.
5. Now add the tomatoes, next the stock and the vodka. 
6. Add the sausage back in.
7. Simmer for 35 - 40 minutes.

Featured Blog: The Investor vs. The Speculator: A Tale of Two Mindsets

Back when I was at Merrill Lynch, there were a few occasions when my mentor, David Mallach, came to Boston to give presentations to large groups of our prospects and clients. What I always admired about David wasn’t just his knowledge or his presence — it was his generosity. He never asked for compensation for these talks, and we never paid him. He did it because he believed in what he was teaching — long-term investing.

Featured Podcast: 5 Questions for ben and jim

With every new administration comes a whole bunch of questions from you and everyone about how the markets and the economy will fare. In this episode of the NoBondsCast, Ben and Jim answer questions clients are asking about all the changes you’re hearing about in the news, how tariffs will impact the markets, whether a downturn is around the corner, and more! We hope you enjoy their conversation.

That wraps up our March issue of The Long View. Until the next time, take a look at more of the latest articles on our blog. 

Thanks for reading, and for following us. If any part of this month’s topics suggests a question or concern you may have, or if you need anything else, please contact us — we look forward to speaking with you!

From all of us at Beck Bode.