Mar 12, 2026 — Randy Kruse: Market Volatility, Estate Planning & the Garden

Bulletin for March 12, 2026

Featured Speaker: Randy Kruse

Financial Advisor, Edward Jones — Market Volatility, Estate Planning & the Garden

OPENING

The meeting began with a prayer led by Mike and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Larry.

Guest: Heidi Yegge — mortgage lender, company owner, and Walter's niece. She received a warm welcome from all members.

"Without discipline there can be no success in any endeavor."

— Arthur J. Jackson, United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor

A pop quiz followed: many members were stumped on where Anderson AFB is located — it's in Guam. An interesting discussion followed about B-52 operations, celestial navigation, LORAN (a GPS precursor), and ground speed and timing over target.

CLUB HISTORY

Frank recalled charter-era members: Larry Norton, Walter Klotzbeers, Fred Bernheim, Ken Phillips, Harold Will, and Claude "P.D.Q." Spears. Claude attended regularly and was associated with PDQ Car Wash on South Nevada Ave; his spouse was Clara.

Historical notes: The club was initially all-male, with classification limits (only one member per business type) and a requirement that members hold manager or owner status. Although the bylaws never explicitly excluded women, no invitations were extended to them until 2009, when Sam broke the mold. Marlene was the next female member, sponsored by Dick.

CLUB BUSINESS

• Thank-you card received from Rocky Mountain Ninjas (Special Olympics program) for the club's donation supporting uniforms, equipment, and facilities — signed by coaches and many participants.

• Thank-you card received from Kelly Bole of Hey Neighbor.

• Marty celebrated her 70th birthday with ~50 attendees, including golf, tennis, dinners, and plenty of good humor.

MARKET UPDATE

• Gold premiums stabilizing around 84–86; suggestion to buy while premiums are smaller.

• Market sentiment uncertain due to geopolitical tensions; rate concerns noted.

• Gas prices repricing rapidly — example: Bucky's jumping from $1.89 to $3.99.

• Tech sector correcting after AI-driven surge; bonds up; energy prices rising.

• Fed expected to cut rates once by a small amount.

• Conclusion: Diversification and staying the course recommended.

KEYNOTE: RANDY KRUSE — FINANCIAL ADVISING, ESTATE PLANNING & THE GARDEN

Background

Randy has a background in hospitality and food service management (Marriott, Sodexo, Bon Appétit, Colorado College) before transitioning to financial advising through a mentor. He is now at Edward Jones, holding Series 7 and 66 licenses, FINRA registered, and licensed in 17 states. He offers securities, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, CDs, life and health insurance, annuities, long-term care, and retirement planning.

Financial Planning Approach

Randy tailors plans to short-, mid-, and long-term goals and aligns investments with liquidity needs — for example, making sure upcoming vacation money isn't locked up. He collaborates with product partners to source suitable protection options including life insurance and annuities.

Geopolitical Impact on Markets

• Strait of Hormuz disruptions affect ~7.5% of global oil supply; the U.S. Navy is actively addressing risks from underwater ordnance.

• Energy trading higher as oil approaches $100/barrel.

• Asia receives 83% of oil leaving the strait; Venezuela and Russia dynamics are additional variables.

• IEA released 400 million barrels; U.S. released ~172 million barrels (~40% of reserves).

• Conclusion: Significant impact, uncertain duration — monitor developments and avoid reactive portfolio shifts.

Time in the Market vs. Timing the Market

Randy is not a day trader. He emphasizes that timing the market typically reduces returns by ~3% compared to staying invested. Markets trend upward over time despite volatility — "the mountain chart perspective." Political control does not reliably predict market performance, and politically driven investment decisions tend to hurt outcomes.

Estate Planning: Wills, Trusts, and Beneficiaries

• Review beneficiaries regularly — relationship changes require updates. Without beneficiaries, accounts can go to probate.

• Wills go through probate; trusts generally avoid it and preserve privacy.

• Colorado probate is comparatively low-cost, so trusts may not always justify the expense here — unlike New York or Pennsylvania, where probate costs can be significant.

• Trusts are especially useful for blended families and specific inheritance control; some trusts can "vacuum" forgotten assets into the plan.

• Beneficiary designations on investment accounts supersede all other documents — they control the outcome.

• Practical tip: Add a trusted person to safe deposit boxes to avoid court intervention when a will needs to be retrieved.

• If you move states, review your documents — what's valid in Virginia may need updating in Colorado.

• Edward Jones processes trades in-house before 2:00 PM Mountain time; compliance requires verbal confirmation (voicemail and email are not sufficient).

• Conclusion: Establish beneficiaries, keep your will or trust current, use TOD/POD designations, and review everything when you relocate.

Gardening and Sustainability

Randy grows: rhubarb, garlic, sunflowers, pumpkins, kale, carrots, and sweet potatoes in raised beds. Techniques include trench composting and hügelkultur (burying logs to retain moisture). Raised beds provide ergonomic benefits; compost amendments improve Colorado's typically hard red soil over time. He sells organic rhubarb starts via Facebook Marketplace at $5/lb. His daughters participate in the garden, and the family is exploring honeybees. Bear Creek Park's community garden was noted for its exceptional black soil.

OTHER CLUB BUSINESS

• Sign-up sheet circulated for a tour of Robson Arena (Colorado College).

• Handout distributed: "Ten Things You Should Know About Stock Market Volatility."

• John won the raffle and Mike won the big bucks.

CONCLUSION

Randy showed himself to be a master at both stock and agriculture. We all came away more knowledgeable — and considerably less stressed. As Warren Buffett once put it: "The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient." Randy's message was exactly that.

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The Pikes Peak Club · pikespeakclub.com