Three Must-See Sites in Brussels, Belgium

Based in Grand Rapids, MI, David Scholl offers financial planning and Social Security education services as president of Solutions Investment Group. Away from his professional endeavors, David Scholl enjoys experiencing new cultures. His international travels have taken him to European cities such as Paris, Budapest, and Brussels.

Widely known for its variety of beer and chocolate, Brussels is home to some of the top cultural destinations in Europe. When planning your trip to Belgium’s capital city, consider visiting the following sites.

Pro Patria Monument

Statues and monuments abound in Brussels, but the Pro Patria Monument holds particular importance. Standing in the Place des Martyrs, the memorial honors the lives of those who fought for the independence of the nation.

Museum of Natural Sciences

The third-largest collection of its kind, the Museum of Natural Sciences houses several interesting exhibitions, including an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about as many as 37 million species in the museum’s collection. 

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Tourists interested in architecture should visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, which holds the world record for the largest Art Deco-style structure. The church includes two museums, and guests can enjoy unparalleled views of Brussels from the cupola.

Lesser-Known Attractions in Rome

A longtime financial professional, David Scholl of Grand Rapids, MI, served as a financial adviser for Lake Michigan Credit Union and is currently president of Solutions Investment Group. When he is not busy with professional responsibilities, David Scholl enjoys traveling outside Grand Rapids, MI, to such locations as Rome. 

Rome is a hugely popular city that features many world-renowned attractions. However the city is also home to several lesser-known sights. Below are just some of Rome’s hidden gems worth seeing:

- Villa Medici: Located near the Spanish Steps, Villa Medici was bought by Ferdinando dei Medici in 1576 and later by Napoleon in 1801. The villa serves as the home of the French Academy, which includes French-speaking musicians and artists, and provides awe-inspiring views of the entire city.

- Ostia Antica: A well-preserved port city, Ostia Antica is an ancient city that served as a main hub for maritime trade for 600 years. It thrived during the time of the Roman Empire, but eventually declined in the 4th century AD. Despite this, the city’s theatre, forum, and even communal toilet block were all preserved.

- Porta Alchemica: Built during the 1600s by Massimiliano Palombara, a Roman marquis and member of the Alchemists of Palazzo Riario, the Porta Alchemica is a magic or alchemist door located in the park in Piazza Vittorio. There is a mysterious symbol above the doorway and the ruin is surrounded by occult beliefs.

Instilling Good Money Management Habits in Teens

Based in Grand Rapids, MI, David Scholl offers clients of high net worth dedicated tax and retirement planning services. A current nonprofit project David Scholl is leading focuses on creating a platform for children in Grand Rapids, MI, and beyond to gain familiarity with core concepts of personal finance, such as saving, that will serve them for a lifetime. 

The teen years are a pivotal time for learning best practices for money management. Still living under their parents’ roof and abiding by the financial rules set out by their elders, youth typically earn their first paycheck and take vital first steps toward financial independence during this time. 

Carefully allocating allowance or pocket money is one important way of instilling a sense of responsibility. Money given may go beyond simple leisure uses and be targeted toward specific items in ways that emphasize managing a budget. For example, parents can give their teenager a specific monthly budget from which to purchase lunch or buy the ingredients to make their own meals. The money is theirs to manage, so long as they meet set budget constraints (and maintain a healthy diet). This approach underlines the importance of taking care of necessities with economy in mind, as well as the concept that money not used can be saved or used for other purposes. 

An increasingly common money management technique in the digital age is to set up children with mobile devices that they must manage the associated costs and expenses for. A benefit of this approach is that dedicated apps on the device itself provide a range of expense-tracking resources that their parents did not have access to growing up.

The Importance of Planning for Long-Term Care Needs

David Scholl is a Grand Rapids, MI, financial advisor who engages as a member of the Solutions Investment Group. With an emphasis on meeting diverse client needs ranging from wealth accumulation to insurance, David Scholl and his Grand Rapids colleagues provide knowledgeable counsel.

One area of focus is long-term care and its relationship to Medicare coverage. The unfortunate fact is that Medicare doesn’t cover everything past a certain point. For example, the first 20 days at a skilled nursing care location following a three-day stay in the hospital are fully covered, as is everything but $157.50 each day for the next 80 days. After that, Medicare coverage abruptly stops.

While needed non-medical care for those with disabilities or chronic illness may be provided by friends and family members, it can become a major burden. The two options primary for funding outside care are long-term care insurance and self-insurance. The latter is the default of many and involves the use of personal savings and investments. Just which allocation mix is right is something that should be talked about with a trusted financial advisor well in advance.