The Value of Humility and Collaboration
In the world of finance, we often talk about numbers, trends, and strategies. But equally important to long-term success is a quality that doesn’t appear on balance sheets: humility. Recognizing what we know and—perhaps more importantly—what we don’t is essential to making sound financial decisions. It is tempting to believe AI will provide clear and reliable answers. While these technologies...
Your Playbook For Uncertain Times
Labor Day marks a turning point — routines shift, backpacks return, and the first crisp hints of fall are in the air. Change can feel exciting and yet uncertain. The economy is shifting too: The Federal Reserve has suggested the possibility of an interest rate cut, a move that could ripple into borrowing costs and everyday confidence about money. Uncertainty...
Your Successful Season Starts Now
As summer draws to a close, we’re reminded how quickly life moves. Economic reports shift week to week, headlines swing between optimism and caution, and the rhythm of the seasons keeps marching forward. It’s tempting to wait for the “perfect” time—whether adjust our financial lives, or pursue happiness. But time rarely slows down, and opportunities seldom arrive wrapped neatly...
Is It Worth Haggling Over?
Imagine walking out of a restaurant and paying less — just for asking. For some people, saving money is a sport. Maybe it’s the friend who brags about a BOGO that was too good to resist, or the frugal aunt who negotiates everything. But being thoughtful about purchases — whether it’s haggling, comparison shopping, or simply pausing before you...
Check, Please: Summer Spending in Review
Believe it or not, this week marks the midpoint of summer—the sweet spot between the solstice and the autumn equinox. According to the 2025 Farmers’ Almanac, August 7th is our official halfway mark. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Each day, the calendar is quietly telling us: our summer days are numbered. For many, these days are a backdrop for family,...
The Odds We Live By
Among last week’s headlines, two very different stories stood out. The first was impossible to miss: a nearly $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot finally found winners in Texas and Missouri. Big lottery wins always dominate attention—after all, who doesn’t like to imagine what they’d do with a billion dollars? The second story received a bit less coverage. It described a reporter...
Do You Have What It Takes?
As headlines shift away from the recent flooding in Texas and elsewhere, the real work for many families is just beginning. Recovery after a tragedy often happens in phases: there’s the immediate response, and then there’s the longer, quieter rebuild. While initial support often quickly fades, the true progress comes from patience and steady effort over time. Rebuilding—whether it’s after...
A Great Nation Or What
As we celebrate the spirit of this great nation—one built on vision, determination and resilience—it’s only fitting that we gather under open skies, watching fireworks rise and brighten the landscape. The beauty of this view reminds us not only of America’s promise, but also of the importance of keeping our eyes on the horizon. The times we’re living in can...
Wait a minute – That wasn’t the plan
Summer is here—a season full of energy, possibilities, plenty of heat, and the potential for storms. The soaring temperatures serve as a reminder that, just like weather forecasts, even our best predictions about the future can change unexpectedly. Life often forces us to pivot. How well can you adapt? So far, 2025 has offered plenty of plot twists, but the economy...
Enduring Values – Reflections from the Course and Your Financial Journey
This past weekend, golfer Scottie Scheffler displayed his extraordinary skill and grace under pressure by winning the British Open. Yet, what lingered even more than his win was his humility in recalling the ancient wisdom of King Solomon: “All is fleeting.” Scheffler reminded the world that trophies and glory may bring a moment’s high, but real satisfaction comes from something...
Unpacking the “Big Beautiful Bill” and Changes That Affect You
A significant new bill was just signed into law, locking in the 2017 tax cuts and introducing new deductions across its 900 pages. While a few new tax breaks could fatten your refund next spring, there are also some belt-tightening measures for federal healthcare, food-aid, and student loan programs that could impact millions—so don’t tune out. What does this mean...
Balancing “Now” Needs with “Later” Goals
With so many options and demands competing for your attention, it’s normal to wonder: Should I focus on the needs I have today, or the goals I have for tomorrow? This is what we call a “Now and Later” moment—a time for evaluating immediate needs against future aspirations. It’s natural to feel the pull of both, and a personalized...
A Case of OPD? When Other People’s Decisions Affect Your Money.
With summer upon us, many are ready for a well-deserved break or vacation. As you recharge, this season can also be a good time to reflect on your broader financial picture—especially how others’ choices are affecting your own. We often view our financial status as a series of purely personal decisions—what to save, how to invest, when to spend. But...
The Right Time, For The Right Reasons
We all have a unique relationship with time—some of us thrive on precise schedules; others adapt fluidly as life unfolds. This individuality shapes not just our calendars, but how we approach decisions, prioritize responsibilities, and manage change. Our relationship with money is also complex and personal. There are many paths to success. In times like these, it’s important to align...
Dad in the Machine: Who to Trust for Money Decisions?
On Father’s Day, many reflect on the value of sound guidance—from fathers, father figures or close mentors who’ve influenced our lives. Steady guidance matters most as our world grows more complex. In the age of AI and chatbots, it’s easier than ever to get answers and advice—yet not all of it is reliable. Sometimes, AI provides convincing but incorrect “hallucinations.”...
Graduate From Good Idea to Great Outcomes
With graduations, weddings, and summer adventures in season, you’ll notice an abundance of advice being shared right now. Your newsfeed might be filled with clips of speeches from such notable figures as President Trump, Simone Biles, Snoop Dogg, and even Kermit the Frog. And though the most quotable commencement speakers can delight audiences with inspiring wisdom and memorable anecdotes,...
Enjoy More, Stress Less: Tips for Summer 2025
As we look ahead into the coming months, you may be hearing about continued economic uncertainty. While there are still mixed signals, it’s clear that many families and individuals are pausing now to rethink how—and where—they spend. If you’ve found yourself trimming back some of the more unpredictable expenses and leaning into choices that provide clear value, you’re not alone....
1031 Exchanges: Deferring Gains on the Sale of Real Property
For investors who seek to defer capital gains on the sale of investment property, one complex yet effective option is a 1031 exchange (also known as a Starker exchange). Named after Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, 1031 exchanges became more popular and accessible after a key ruling by the IRS in 2002, which for the first time allowed...
12 Weeks Left in 2025: What Will You Lock In On?
Economic headlines and uncertainty can make even the most capable people freeze. Experts call it money paralysis—the feeling that the stakes are so high you’re better off doing nothing at all. But doing nothing has a cost, too. Inaction quietly eats away at progress. This fall, a new idea has been gaining traction: the Great Lock In of 2025. On...
Is a Home Equity Loan Right for Me?
Taxes are becoming an ever-increasing burden to Americans. Through the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Congress reduced or eliminated many of the ways that taxpayers can lower their taxes. Interest deduction is one of the areas that has been strongly affected by this tax reform legislation. Since tax year 1991, interest on consumer debt has not been deductible for income...
When Investing, Make The Best Use Of Time
When you’re investing for retirement, it’s best to have time on your side. The sooner you begin investing, the more time your retirement fund has to potentially grow. Case in point Jill begins investing in a retirement account when she’s 30.* She invests $200 a month in the account for 35 years, until she’s 65, for a total investment of $84,000....
The Odds We Live By
How often have you started an important task, only to end up scrolling instead? Experts say our attention spans are shrinking, and economists now view attention as a scarce resource—every bit as valuable as time or capital. We’re only beginning to calculate the real cost of distraction. When focus slips, it’s easy to fall into subtle psychological traps that drain...
How Can I Better Manage My Short-Term Cash?
For the vast majority of people, it is essential to keep a portion of their assets in liquid form in order to meet monthly commitments. For example, most families have to meet their mortgage or rent payments, grocery, utility, and transportation bills out of their monthly paychecks. There is a host of other expenses that arise from month to...
Treating Your Employees Well
You might think that, with currently high unemployment rates, it will be an employer’s market forever. But, you would be wrong. Even today, as unemployment remains stubborn, some industries are having difficulties filling their job openings. Today, your industry could be in a buy or sell mode as far as attracting top employees is concerned. But there will come a...
How Can I Benefit from Tax-Advantaged Investments??
For many people, tax-advantaged investing is an excellent way to reduce their taxes. And while many of the traditional tax-advantaged strategies have been eliminated, there are still alternatives left that can help you reduce your taxes. Some are described below. Real Estate Partnerships Two of the most common types of real estate partnerships are low-income housing and historic rehabilitation. The federal...
Small Cut, Big Signal: How the Interest Rate Change Will Affect You
This month, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by a quarter point. While modest, the move is significant — it marks a turn after a long stretch of holding rates steady at elevated levels. For households and businesses alike, this adjustment is a reminder that financial conditions are always evolving, often in gradual but important ways. Even a small rate...
Will Social Security Retire Before I Do?
People have traditionally seen Social Security benefits as the foundation of their retirement planning programs. The Social Security contributions deducted from your paycheck have, in effect, served as a government-enforced retirement savings plan. However, the Social Security system is under increasing strain. Better health care and longer life spans have resulted in an increasing number of people drawing Social...
Choosing The Right Caregiver
As medical science continues to find ways to help Americans live longer, it also requires us to examine some of the challenges of people living longer lives. The biggest, from both an emotional and financial point of view, may be providing ongoing care for a disabled adult. By the numbers According to the Family Caregivers Alliance National Center on Caregiving, 34...
Your Kind of Retirement
How do you picture your retirement? Do you envision visiting old friends and traveling to new places? Do you plan to take up a new hobby or pursue an old interest? If you have high hopes for your retirement, you aren’t alone. The retirement script is being rewritten by today’s generation who don’t plan to spend their retirement days...
Finish 2025 Strong, Step Powerfully Into 2026
Every year leaves a trail of numbers behind—evidence of choices, effort, and focus. Each contribution, payment, and investment of your resources becomes part of a much bigger picture: the story of how daily discipline transforms into lasting progress. Steady, thoughtful action has a quiet brilliance that can compound over time. This final stretch of the year can be a strategic...
