Donna Reyes

05/19/2026

First, financial education. Next, find the solutions. Then, take action.

05/18/2026

One of the gentlemen asked, “Don’t you think paying for a universal life insurance is overpaying?”

And my answer was, you only think you overpay something if you don’t see the value of it. So, why would you pay for something when you don’t know its value?

This is why financial education is crucial. We need to understand basic financial concepts including the different options for life insurance and know what is best for us based on our financial goals.

This might be overwhelming in the beginning but with the help of a licensed financial professional and the appropriate tool, you can develop a financial strategy that will cover all your financial goals including getting proper protection.

Talk to your agent or financial advisor to help you with this. If you don’t have one, I can help.

>>>

Thank you, Milburn Lodge 127, for having us. We look forward to serving you and your community.

05/13/2026

When we were little, Mama would organize art classes in the summer for the kids in our neighborhood. I remember her saving egg shells. We would make artworks in the forms of mango, apple, house, simple shapes that she would draw on black illustration boards and we would fill them with egg shells.

She turned an old crib into a stage where I first held my hosting duties and my two younger brothers were my “guests.”

When I got a little older, she took us and our friends to vacations. We went to a resort in Batangas with my friend, Cris and to Baguio with another friend, Nancy.

She may have missed some occasions as she had limited time trying to provide for three kids when my father passed, but she did the best she could. She was at my high school and college graduations. She came and watched the counting of votes with me when I ran for student council. She even attended my college friend, Marvin’s stage play with me.

When I was in college, she refused to put me in a dorm. She got a place instead where my friends would come and hang out. She also made sure that there was always food when my friends would come over so that we wouldn’t have to hang out somewhere else.

There were too many of them who came to our house to mention but I’m sure they know who they are and have fond memories too.

When one of my friends got pregnant, she helped tell her mom.

Today, she continues to mother her nephews, nieces, grandkids, strangers she meets. She cheers for them, dotes on them, feels proud of them. I know because she tells me.

Just like most if not all mothers, she may be wanting to do more, but one of the greatest gifts she has given me is that she never made me feel wanting.

Thanks, Mama, for creating all these experiences for and with me and my brothers. I love you very much.

--

Come celebrate moms and join us in an empowering gathering designed to help mothers navigate the unique financial challenges of balancing family, ambition, and personal growth.

May 16th, 10:30 a.m. at Oakbrook Financial Center
1815 S. Meyers Road, Suite 1000 Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Registration starts at 10:00 a.m.

Send us a message or comment below to reserve your spot!

04/19/2026

My client lost her 401k money.

Or at least she does not know what happened to it.

It was her 401k from a previous employer. She left it with the company when she left her job. Years passed and she did not check until she decided one day to rollover all her old 401k funds into one account. There were two others and she was able to track those but not this one.

She called her old employer and they said they could not find her records. They said to call the plan administrator. She called the plan administrator and they said they could not find her records and that they merged with another company. She called that other company and they don’t have her records either.

I started in the financial services business in 1999. In my years of helping people manage their retirement money, I always advise that they take their 401k with them wherever they are going. They can either roll the money over into the 401k with their new company or open their own retirement account (depending on financial goals) but never leave the money.

What happened with my client may be rare, but it could happen. If you changed jobs at some point in your career and did not move your money with you, call your old employer TODAY. If you need further guidance, send me a message and I will help you.

⚠️If you’re not 59.5 years old, do not withdraw the money or you’re likely to lose as much as 40% in penalty and taxes. You have other options. Again, I can help you.

04/17/2026

How do you make sure your mortgage is paid?

A young professional asked me this question as he and his wife prepare to buy a home.

First, there is what is called Mortgage Protection Insurance, which would pay for your monthly mortgage for a specific period of time (6-12 months up to a certain ceiling) in the event of job loss or loss of income. You have to buy it while you are employed and have a stable occupation (not self-employed). The premiums are based on the mortgage balance, home value, and your health and age.

Mortgage Protection Insurance policies are rare and there are few companies who offer them.

Second, consider getting Disability Insurance, which will help if you are not able to work and earn an income. You might already have short- and long-term disability insurance as part of your benefits at your job. Long-term disability insurance pays up to 50-60% of your salary if you're unable to work. If your employer pays 100% of your disability insurance premiums, you might get taxed for it when you receive the benefits. You could also consider getting your own disability insurance (outside of your employer).

Third, definitely get your own life insurance policy apart from what your employer gives you. The life insurance coverage you get from your employer is only available while you work for them. If you get laid off, that goes away. At least get a policy that will cover for the mortgage and have peace of mind that the house will be paid for and no one is stuck with the mortgage, should anything happen.

April is financial literacy month. I hope this bit of information helps you.



PS - We also offer daily workshops on personal finance. Our company offers them for free as a public service. Just send me a message if you’re interested and I will register you.

04/06/2026

03/22/2026

How much would you need to retire?

03/22/2026

Congratulations to our graduates of our financial education program!

Financial education is not an option. It’s a necessity.