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Looking back to when my three kids were teenagers, it makes me smile to think that my wife and I would go on and on for hours about how excited we were to have them out of the house and living life on their own. Fast forward several years as a now even older me is sitting on a plane as I return to our now empty nest after helping our middle child move into her own place nearly 1000 miles away. You can probably already guess what my conversions with my wife will now go on and

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA)—was recently passed, and while most headlines have focused on the political side, what really matters is how it impacts your day-to-day financial planning. For retirees and those approaching retirement, this law creates a mix of opportunities and challenges. Some provisions may lower your taxes in the near term, while others open the door for planning strategies that weren’t as attractive before. Below are five key changes—and more imp

For decades, high earners were told to do one thing... Defer taxes . This meant maxing out your 401(k), Sep IRAs, and personal/spousal IRAs. For many successful professionals and business owners, this was a proven way to reduce taxes in your working years. But what happens when these accounts balloon – sometimes doubling or tripling – in the years leading up to retirement? If you’ve built a seven-figure IRA portfolio, you may be sitting on what many advisors call a ticking ta

Taxpayers and retirement-focused investors have plenty to be concerned about over the next few years. Economic uncertainty, high inflation, and potential policy changes could bring more legal and economic change. In addition to this, many of the provisions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are scheduled to sunset after 2025.1 What could that mean? There is potential for tax increases, particularly for high-net-worth Americans. Capital gains tax rates could increase to match o

What does it take to live your best life in retirement? How much happier will you be when you retire? Most of us have pretty high hopes for retired life.1 We expect to be a lot happier as retirees, looking forward to more free time to travel, relax, and enjoy ourselves.1 The reality doesn’t necessarily play out that way according to a study of over 2,000 retirees and pre-retirees.1 In fact, many retirees look back wishing they had planned differently and known more ahead of t

How often do you discuss family wealth and inheritance? If you’re like most, it’s probably not a topic of conversation.1 This could be due to its sensitive nature, or because you and your loved ones haven’t considered how to build wealth together – or how to transfer it across generations.2 However, avoiding these conversations can lead to problems, especially with the “Great Wealth Transfer” (GWT) now underway. The Great Wealth Transfer refers to the transition of ~$84 trill

What are tariffs? Tariffs are taxes or duties imposed by a government on imported goods. While historically used as a source of revenue for governments, they are now used primarily to help protect domestic industries by making foreign products more expensive. Why tariffs now? In addition to President Donald Trump’s policies emphasizing using tariffs as a tool to help protect American industries and address trade imbalances, they are also being used to help reign in illegal

During my recent beach vacation, I was reminded of the importance of staying calm amidst market fluctuations. A few of the days I was there, the lifeguards had issued strong warnings of rip tide currents in the area. Just like the unpredictable rip tides of the ocean, the financial markets are known for their highs and lows. Watching the waves crash and recede made me realize that much like the ocean, the market’s volatility is a natural part of its rhythm. It’s crucial for i

Having now completed 5 marathons and numerous half-marathons, one thing I learned was to fix my mind on what I wanted to accomplish. If I walked out the door saying, “I’ll just run for the heck of it today.” Without exception, I would be back at the house shortly after leaving. If I needed to run 6 miles, I had to walk out the front door telling myself “You are running 6 today.” Running with a purpose brought about the desired result. Many things in life work this way. A