Jack’s Approach
Jack Phelps
Managing Partner / Financial Advisor / Member Owner
Overview
Jack is a managing partner and financial advisor in Savant’s Wellesley, MA office. He has a membership interest in Savant.
Jack has been involved in the financial services industry since 1989. He founded The Relaxing Retirement Coach, Inc. which joined with Savant in 2023. Prior to developing their retirement coaching program, Jack spent five years as a registered representative with a national firm.
Jack is the author of The Relaxing Retirement Formula: For the Confidence to Liberate What You’ve Saved and Start Living the Life You’ve Earned. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA.
Jack and his wife Colleen live in Dedham, MA and Chatham, MA. Their daughter Caroline and son Michael live and work in Boston after graduating from Villanova and Boston College, respectively. After many years traveling and watching their sporting events, Jack and Colleen now enjoy spending their free time golfing, boating, and traveling.
Areas of Focus
Comprehensive Wealth Management
Integrated guidance for your full financial life, bringing together investment, tax, estate, and retirement planning to support your goals.
Financial Planning
Our planning process helps you evaluate key areas of your financial life, uncover opportunities, and make decisions aligned with your goals.
Investment Management
Evidence-based investing designed to help you stay focused on long-term goals while navigating changing market conditions.
Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer
Thoughtful estate planning guidance to help organize your affairs, support your wishes, and prepare for future generations.
Trust Services
Comprehensive trust administration supported by integrated investment, tax, estate, charitable, and business succession planning services.
Education
- Holy Cross College, Worcester, MA
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
Insights & Perspectives
Thought leadership on wealth management, tax strategy, and financial planning.
Don’t Wait for a Crisis to Get Moving
Don’t wait for a crisis to prioritize what's most important to you. A simple exercise can help you…
Thinking About Selling Your Home? Read This First
Thinking about selling your home? Learn how capital gains taxes work for primary and vacation homes, plus strategies…
Why Did the Stock Market Fall Today?
Market swings can feel unsettling. Learn why short-term market moves can be unpredictable and why discipline matters.
Celebrate Independence Day with a Financial Confidence Quiz
As a retirement coach, I've seen firsthand how a lack of financial confidence can steal the very independence…
All Insights by Jack Phelps
54 insights
Don’t Wait for a Crisis to Get Moving
Don’t wait for a crisis to prioritize what's most important to you. A simple exercise can help you…
Thinking About Selling Your Home? Read This First
Thinking about selling your home? Learn how capital gains taxes work for primary and vacation homes, plus strategies…
Why Did the Stock Market Fall Today?
Market swings can feel unsettling. Learn why short-term market moves can be unpredictable and why discipline matters.
Celebrate Independence Day with a Financial Confidence Quiz
As a retirement coach, I've seen firsthand how a lack of financial confidence can steal the very independence…
Stock Market Corrections: Do You Have Time to Make it Back?
When markets drop, many investors feel like they've run out of time. But if you're 60, your investment…
Questions to Ask Before Helping Your Grown Children During Retirement
It can be difficult to manage the anxiety about providing financial help your adult children. You have to…
Social Security: Two Underestimated Factors Before You Automatically Delay Until Age 70
Delaying Social Security can help increase monthly income, but hidden tradeoffs and policy risks may shift the optimal…
How to Evaluate Buying vs. Renting Your Vacation Home
Deciding whether to buy or rent a vacation home? Explore key trade-offs, costs, and lifestyle factors to help…
Inheriting Your IRA: The Phone Call That Could Result in Significantly Higher Taxes for Your Kids
Inheriting an IRA can potentially trigger unexpected taxes. Learn how one decision might raise heirs’ tax costs and…
Why You Invest — And Why It Matters More Than Ever Right Now
Inflation quietly erodes savings over time. Learn why investing is about helping to protect purchasing power, especially before…
Taxes: Your Silent Partner
Explore how taxes affect investment results and why coordinating investments and tax planning can matter over time.
Should I Stop Spending Because the Market is Down?
When markets fall, spending fears can rise. Learn why a solid withdrawal plan can help retirees stay on…
When You Transition to Retirement – Remember the Lid is No Longer on the Jar
Retirement habits can limit joy long after work ends. Learn why old perceptions hold you back and how…
Before Reacting to Recent Market Volatility, Look at These Three Long-Term Reality Checks
Recent market volatility and troubling headlines out of the Middle East can make investing feel more stressful and…
Before You Put Your Home on the Market: One Step That May Help Protect Your Sale
Before you put your home on the market, there is one proactive step that can help reduce uncertainty,…
Identity Protection and Fraud Prevention
Identity theft and fraud are common risks. Learn about credit reports, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and steps to…
What Nick Saban and Andy Grove Can Teach Us About Successful Investing
During times like these, investors can benefit from taking a page out of the playbooks of Hall of…
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before You Retire?
Explore key factors to decide if paying off your mortgage before retirement is the right move for you.
Market Timing vs. Putting it in a Drawer
Market timing sounds logical but rarely works. Learn why a steady, long-term approach beats chasing perfect entry and…
Strategic Tax Decisions Before You Make Charitable Donations
Fall is prime time for charitable giving, but before you write any checks, consider these two strategies that…
What Investors Can Learn from Racecar Drivers
Keep your eye on the finish line, not the obstacles. The same goes for retirement strategy. Staying focused…
Is Labor Day Still a Holiday for You?
As we head into another Labor Day weekend, let's applaud those who've achieved financial independence! If you're among…
Why You Must Consider a Revocable Living Trust – with Two Warnings
A revocable living trust provides control over asset distribution, adaptability for life’s changes, and a way to help…
A Potentially Costly Investing Bias Created by the Verbs We Use
In volatile markets, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing recent performance predicts future results. A…
Implement a “Portfolio Life” Mindset Before You Retire
After decades of saving and working, many people find their biggest retirement challenge isn’t financial — it’s personal….
Independence Day Habits for Your Children and Grandchildren
As we celebrate July 4th, it’s a fitting time to reflect on a different kind of independence —…
Key Milestones on Your Road to Retirement [On-Demand Webinar]
Planning for retirement involves more than just saving money; there are eight key milestones that play a crucial…
Insurance Claims: Two Potential Strategies to Help You Get What You’re Entitled To
How can you make sure that you’re getting everything you’re entitled to under your homeowner’s insurance policy, and at…
Protect Yourself From This Potential Catastrophe
Life can change in an instant. One distracted moment behind the wheel can lead to a tragic accident…
How to Help Your Grandchildren Pay for College
Helping your grandchildren pay for college can be a rewarding way to support their future. By designing a…
Building a Marathon Investing Mindset
Building a marathon investing mindset is about embracing patience, discipline, and long-term strategy. Much like running a marathon,…
A Common Investing Rule of Thumb That Can Be Dangerous
I recently spoke with a thoughtful couple preparing for retirement after 31 years of work. They were curious…
3 Questions to Answer to Determine If You Still Need Life Insurance
Are you still paying for life insurance? It might be time to reassess. By answering three simple risk-management…
With Stocks in Turmoil, Pretend You’re a McDonald’s Franchise Owner
During periods of market volatility, it’s easy to feel anxious about your investments. However, stepping back and viewing…
The Range of Possible Outcomes You Must Know
Many investors fall short of market-level returns because of a misunderstanding of the relationship between risk and return….
Before You Help Your Grown Children
Supporting adult children financially while encouraging their independence is a common parental challenge. The level of support –…
Reaffirm Your Investing Goals and Guiding Philosophy
Reaffirming your investing goals and guiding philosophy is essential, especially after consecutive strong market years. It’s easy to…
3 Traps to Avoid as We Enter 2025
As we step into 2025, navigating the unpredictable currents of change will be inevitable. From geopolitical shifts to…
This Holiday Season, Give Your Family the Gift of Clarity and Peace of Mind
This holiday season, take time to ensure your family isn’t left guessing. By organizing your estate plan, updating…
The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee
Life often feels overwhelming, especially during the holiday season. But a simple story about a jar, golf balls,…
Reasons to Have a Mortgage After You’ve Stopped Working
While traditional wisdom suggests you should be debt-free before retirement, this belief isn’t universally applicable. Under the right…
What NOT to Invest
Investing in retirement is different from investing during your working years. A key strategy is knowing which part…
What You Must Know Before Investing
After decades of helping guide people through retirement, I've discovered that almost no one knows the exact return…
Know Your Numbers
Four key numbers can significantly impact your financial independence. We explored the first in our previous article. Today,…
3 Answers You Must Have to Free Yourself from Dependence on Your Paycheck
Many diligent savers reach a point of questioning their financial future – a stage we call the Paycheck…
How Will You Buy Your Next Car?
After my recent car purchase, I realized how stressful the experience can be. To help navigate this process,…
A Better Way to Define Retirement
When many people think of retirement, the first thing that comes to mind is usually stopping work. But…
But I Don’t Have Time to Make it Back
Market corrections can be unnerving, especially as you approach retirement. But remember, your investment time horizon is likely…
Don’t Let It Take a Crisis
We've all heard the phrase, "Don't wait for a crisis in your life to motivate you to prioritize…
Election Season Fears vs. Market Reality
Elections have the ability to stir up emotions like nothing else, and even at this early stage in…
What Will You Do When You Retire?
With all the turmoil in the news right now, let’s take a well-deserved break from inflation, interest rates,…
When You Transition to Retirement, Remember the Lid is No Longer on the Jar
Throughout your life, you've likely developed spending habits based on your perception of what you could afford. However,…
Do You Still Need Life Insurance When You Transition to Retirement?
Are you still paying premiums for life insurance? If so, are you sure you still need to? That…
How to Confidently Spend in Retirement
Altering a 40-year habit is challenging. Confidently flipping the switch from saving to spending to support the life…
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