When Should I Start Taking Social Security: 5 Factors to Consider
Social Security decisions are often framed as a single question: “When should I start drawing benefits?” That question matters, but it can also be limiting. The better question is: how does Social Security fit into my overall retirement income strategy, including longevity and survivor considerations? As April is National Social Security Month, we thought it […]
Teaching Teens and Young Adults Financial Literacy Through Real-Life Decision Making
If you are a parent of a teen or young adult, how do you teach them to make confident money decisions before the stakes are high? Teaching teens and young adults about money is less about formal instruction and more about repeated exposure to real trade-offs. Financial literacy develops when young people are allowed to […]
Helping Adult Children Buy a Home: How to Gift a Down Payment The Smart Way
Key Takeaways Here are some questions this blog aims to answer: Why Home Buying May Feel Harder for Your Children or Grandchildren Than It Was for You If you feel like your kids are working hard and still finding it increasingly difficult to buy a home, you are not alone. We have many clients whose […]
Three Numbers Every Woman Should Know
Key Takeaways Why These Three Numbers Matter A quiet shift is happening. Women are building their own wealth through careers, often serving as the primary earners in their families, and inheriting assets from their parents and spouses. Meanwhile, women are living longer and, in many cases, making financial decisions independently in later life. The story […]
Tax Prep vs. Tax Strategy: The Difference Matters More Than You Think
Key Takeaways Why Think About Taxes Beyond Filing Your Return? Filing your tax return reports what has already happened, while managing taxes effectively means looking forward and making decisions that can influence future outcomes. Wednesday, April 15, 2026, should be a date we all have marked on our calendars; however, the real opportunity lies in […]
Understanding the Emotions Behind Financial Decisions
Key Takeaways February is an interesting month in the financial calendar. The holiday excitement has faded, credit card bills from December have arrived, and tax season is in full swing. For some people, this is when the emotional weight of money can feel the heaviest. Here is what is less often discussed: 43 percent of […]
AI and the New Face of Fraud: How to Protect Your Identity and Finances in 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most revolutionary technology of our time, with industries scrambling to embrace its possibilities. AI’s early influence seems similar to the positive disruptions brought about by past innovations such as the personal computer, the internet, and the smartphone. However, as AI reshapes everything from business to education to healthcare, criminals […]
2025 in Review and What You Should Know Heading Into 2026
As we begin a new year and consider the opportunities ahead, reflecting on the past year helps put today’s financial landscape into perspective and informs the strategies that can move us closer to our goals. 2025 was a year marked by policy changes that set long-standing assumptions in motion. These changes could have short-term, medium-term, […]
The True Costs of Caring for Aging Parents
Key Takeaways As you gather with family for the upcoming holidays, a growing number of Americans may discuss caring for aging parents around the dinner table. As financial professionals, we have many clients who have gone through this or are currently managing it today. We don’t have all the answers to this extremely personal issue, […]
Money Talks: How to Use Holiday Gatherings to Start Family Financial Conversations – Copy
Key Takeaways Why Talk About Money During the Holidays? As you gather with family around the holidays, it may be a good opportunity to discuss a potentially uncomfortable, but necessary topic: family finances. This is especially true if you are older and have adult children who need to be brought up to speed on your […]