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Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Why Is This Conversation So Important Right Now? The U.S. is in the middle of a sustained demographic shift. More than 61 million adults are aged 65 and older as of 2025, and that number is projected to reach approximately 82 million...

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

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...

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

As the Iran conflict enters its second month, geopolitical stress continues to test investors. Historical stock market performance during geopolitical conflicts helps remind us that stocks are far more resilient than the moment may...

Thursday, April 2, 2026

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...

Monday, March 23, 2026

Key TakeawaysHere are some questions this blog aims to answer:How can parents or grandparents help with a down payment for adult children?What are ways to gift a down payment, and how do the annual gift tax exclusion and lifetime...

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Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Tax season tip: if it feels urgent, it’s probably a scam. Every year, we see an increase in IRS scams, phishing emails, and identity theft attempts. The tactics are getting better—but the goal is the same. Don’t rush. Don’t click. Verify.

Monday, March 2, 2026

Key TakeawaysHow much wealth are women on track to control in the next decade, and why does that matter?What does the life expectancy gap between women and men mean for how long money needs to last?How common is it for women to be...

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Key TakeawaysTreat tax strategy as a continuous process, not a once-a-year filing exercise.Coordinate with financial and tax professionals throughout the year to identify opportunities for efficiency.Review contribution limits,...

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Key TakeawaysEmotions and biases might influence financial choices more often than most people realize.Behavioral patterns, such as loss aversion, familiarity bias, and herd mentality, can impact long-term results.Recognizing emotional...

Friday, January 16, 2026

Saving for a child’s future is one of the most meaningful financial decisions a family can make—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Parents and grandparents are often told to “just open a 529,” while others are cautioned about...

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Struggling to decide between paying off debt or saving and investing? Learn how to balance high-interest debt, emergency savings, and investing strategies with a practical, advisor-backed framework for long-term financial stability.

Friday, January 2, 2026

Student loan repayment can be confusing. Learn how interest, minimum payments, and income-driven plans really work—and discover strategies to reduce debt, avoid common mistakes, and make steady progress toward financial freedom.

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

The end of the year is a great time to review your trust document, update information, buy or sell assets or even cancel your trust if you choose. Here is a checklist to help you complete your trust and year-end planning.

Thursday, November 3, 2022

There are many tax planning moves you can make before December 31 to reduce your owed taxes, but how do you know which ones are available to you? Here are five year-end tax planning questions you may want to ask your financial professional

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

You don't need to wait until the end of the year to look for ways to minimize your tax liability. Tax planning should take place throughout the year to have you prepared well ahead of tax season. Here are six ways to minimize your tax...

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Don't let taxes steal your family's financial securityLife insurance can provide financial security for your family. However, if you don't plan appropriately, taxes can greatly reduce the life insurance benefits actually received by...

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

If you're new to investing, you may encounter some unfamiliar jargon. Understanding the following terms may help you become a more confident investor.PortfolioAn investment portfolio is a collection of investments owned by an...

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

In these uncertain times, the value of objective financial guidance cannot be overestimated, and the importance of the financial profession has never been more apparent. Regulatory changes initiated well before any of us had even heard...

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

When investing, particularly for long-term goals, there are two concepts you need to know— diversification and asset allocation. Understanding how the two work can help you put together a portfolio that targets your specific needs.

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

In Washington State (WA), there is no inheritance tax, but there is an estate tax. An estate tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at your death.

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Market downturns could be a good time to adjust your fund portfolio to minimize the tax bite. Here’s how to calculate the best ways to do that – now and in the future.

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

One silver lining in the current bear market is that this could be a good time to convert assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Paying the collegeTuition payments made directly to a college aren't considered taxable gifts, no matter how large the payment. But this is true only for tuition, not room and board, books, or fees.As the cost of a college education...

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

In golf, as in finances, there are a few rules of thumb that may improve your game: keep a level head, avoid traps, practice before trying something new and stay the course. Applying lessons from the golf course to your financial life...

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

A successful investor maximizes gain and minimizes loss. Though there can be no guarantee that any investment strategy will be successful and all investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, here are six basic...

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, and there can be no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful. And asset allocation and diversification alone cannot guarantee a profit or eliminate...

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

When it comes to investing, having fewer investments might help streamline your portfolio to manage stress better. Here are some benefits of a simple portfolio and some ways to help you create one.The Benefits of SimplicityUnless you...

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

For more than 200 years, long before the advent of modern stock markets and electronic trading, some investors have been committed to socially-responsible (SRI) investing.1 This involves choosing companies and products that...

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

What is it?Caring for your aging parents is something you hope you can handle when the time comes, but something you probably hope you never have to do. Caring for your aging parents means helping them plan for the future, and this can...

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Working towards financial independence can often be a lifelong process. But for many, financial freedom may come far sooner—and include some fun along the way. What are the differences between financial independence and financial...

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

When you prepare to have your first child, the to-do list may seem endless—from purchasing a car seat to furnishing a nursery, lining up day care options, and planning for time off from work. These tasks, while sometimes...

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

What is it? Marriage is an important step in anyone's life and brings many challenges with it. One of those challenges is the management of your finances as a couple. The money decisions that you make now as a couple can have a lasting...

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

A life insurance policy is part of financial planning. Life insurance is there to help ease the financial trauma that comes with the loss of a spouse, parent, or partner. As you encounter different events in your life, you may need to...

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

If you have always thought estate planning was just for those nearing retirement or already retired, think again. If you own a home, it is important to have a plan in place. Without a will or other arrangements that allow your home to...

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Perhaps you are self-employed or own a small business. Or, you may be directly involved in running a corporation or a tax-exempt organization.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

According to the College Board, the most recently published figures of the average annual cost of tuition and fees at a public university for a school year was $9,970 for in-state students and $25,620 for out-of-state students.

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

If you own a business and want to diversify your assets by investing in stocks, today’s online brokerages make trading fairly easy. However, stock investing is risky, especially in a volatile market.

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

The concept of the “traditional” American family is continually changing. The dual-income family—with both spouses maintaining separate careers and contributing to the financial success of the household—has now become commonplace.

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Monday, January 17, 2022

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Thursday, January 6, 2022

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

You may know that your small business needs a written business plan—but how do you get started? What elements should your plan address, and do you need different plans for different audiences? Below we discuss a few of the key...

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Regardless of size, companies can benefit when the community in which they do business thrives. For entrepreneurs, giving back to the community may be more than just a charitable act; it can also make good business sense. If you have...

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Environmental, Social and Governance Investing Basics Responsible investing is widely understood as the integration of environmental, social and governance factors – hence the ESG acronym – into investment processes and...

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

With the holidays here, now is the time to get into the giving spirit and help to change others' lives for the better. Whether you are looking to make a difference in a specific person's life or the life of many, there are many ways to...