When most people think about investing, they focus on retirement accounts and portfolio performance. While those are important, wealthy families often begin with a different question: “Where do we want our family to be 10, 20, or even 30 years from now?” That perspective shifts investing from simply growing assets to creating opportunities, supporting future

Picture a Sunday dinner when plates are cleared, someone is pouring a second cup of coffee, and the conversation drifts, as it always does, toward something easy. Usually, the weather, someone’s new job, anything but money. It is not that families do not care about their finances but rather, nobody wants to be the one

Why Patience, Not Prediction, Is Your Greatest Investment Edge “Some things have to be believed to be seen.” – Ralph Hodgson That may sound ambitious, but a Dow 500,000 is not as far-fetched as it appears. The reasoning is straightforward: compounding. Starting from today’s level of 49,500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average* would climb to

If your employer offers a 401(k) match, you have one of the easiest ways to grow your retirement savings. It is essentially free money. Many companies match a portion of your contributions, often dollar-for-dollar up to a certain percentage of your salary. Every dollar you contribute is immediately amplified, helping your savings grow faster than

When it comes to building financial security, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Should you pay off debt first? Save for emergencies? Invest for retirement? Here’s a simple roadmap to help you prioritize your savings and make confident financial decisions. 1. Start with an Emergency Reserve Before focusing on investing or aggressively paying down

Managing your finances effectively starts with understanding two key components: income and expenses. Once you grasp these, you can create and maintain a realistic budget that supports your financial goals. Understanding Income Your income is the money you earn or receive regularly. This includes: Primary income: Salary, wages, or business profits. Secondary income: Bonuses, freelance

As we move toward the end of 2025, attention is turning to the year ahead. Economic conditions, interest rates, market performance, and tax policy will all play a role in shaping financial decisions in 2026. While uncertainty remains in several areas, the overall outlook suggests continued economic expansion and new planning opportunities for individuals, investors,

This webinar provides a look back at 2025 and an economic and investment forecast for 2026, equipping you with the knowledge and perspective needed to make informed decisions and stay ahead in the year to come.

Gain confidence in your legacy with a practical guide to estate planning. Learn key strategies for protecting your assets, providing for loved ones, and ensuring your wishes are carried out for future generations.

The Rule of 72 is a simple way to estimate how long it takes for an investment to double based on its annual rate of return (ARR).  For example, if the ARR is 7.2% then it would take 10 years to double the initial investment (72/7.2% = 10 years). Years to Double Investment = 72

A 529 plan can be a powerful way to invest in your child’s future. This guide shows you how to make the most of it.

August is National Will Planning Month! The sooner you begin, the more you can protect. If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or even early 50s, estate planning probably isn’t at the top of your to-do list. You’re focused on building your career, raising a family, and growing your wealth. But here’s the thing: starting your

At midpoint of 2025, we talk about where do the markets stands—and what could be around the corner.

Key things you really need to know. Beneficiary IRA distributions have changed dramatically since Secure Act 2.0. In the past you could inherit an IRA from someone other than your spouse and remain taking small distributions at the decedent’s RMD pace. Now the IRS requires you to take the full balance within 10 years. For

Tariffs represent a significant shift in U.S. trade policy that might be transformative. Well, the merits of these new trade policies are being debated vigorously around the world, in political circles and on investment trading desks. However, the last couple of weeks news has left me confused and asking questions. Perhaps the most important question

Turning 73 this year? It is important to take minimum distributions to avoid penalties. Because the purpose of IRAs is to save for retirement, investors must take required minimum distributions (RMD) from their employer sponsored plan or other retirement account once they reach age 73 (70 1/2 for those born before July 1, 1949). For

Financial knowledge and literacy are key to planning a successful financial future. Financial knowledge is important particularly for women as they take control their financial future and begin making financial decisions. Financial literacy can give women the knowledge needed to grow confidence to make financial decisions and empower them to build their financial futures. Steps

Focusing on Retirement & Longevity Original Post from Raymond James Insights Financial resolutions for 2025 Instead of hauling out those familiar New Year’s resolutions about keeping a journal or drinking more water, how about focusing on your financial well-being? Here’s a set of resolutions that can help ensure your long-term financial confidence. Update your beneficiaries

Brandon Angotti quoted on MSN.com  “Anytime an asset sees that kind of growth, investor interest surges”, said Brandon Angotti, VP, Financial Planning & Trust Officer at the Wealth Group Union Savings Bank. “You just want to make sure you’re very careful, so that you’re not buying at the peak when everyone else is sort of

Family meetings ensure transparency, align wishes, and can prevent misunderstandings. “Estate planning is gloomy”. “Sharing wishes with my loved ones adds an extra burden for them”. “I don’t feel comfortable discussing finances with children/family”. If you have these thoughts whenever you think about preparing your estate plan, then it is time to change your perspective.

Keith Wirtz, CIO speaks on the August 5th historic stock market drop across the world.  On Monday, August 5 a series of historic stock market drops across the world starting with the Japanese Nikkei exchange saw wide-spread selloffs. The Magnificent Seven, consisting of NVIDIA Corp., Amazon.com Inc., Apple Inc., Tesla, Meta Platforms Inc., Alphabet Inc.

Investing does not have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler the approach, the better. While many hold the keys to potential wealth, the roadmap to savvy investing remains uncharted for most. Time ticks away, and golden opportunities slip through the fingers of the hesitant. Yet, the truth is, the world of investing is not

Patience is an important trait an investor should possess for the best chance of results. With the speed and availability in which information gets circulated, it’s human nature to seek instant gratification.  If an investor can weather the stock market’s near-term gyrations (a.k.a. volatility) and remain invested over the long-term by staying the course, they

While people are itemizing less often, there still could be some additional tax savings. With the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2016, several changes were made that significantly reduced the number of tax filers itemizing their deductions: the most noteworthy being the doubling of the standard deduction and creation of

A Look at the Importance of Estimating and Generating Income for Retirement Plans. Where do I start? You may understand the importance of planning for your retirement.  But where do you begin? One of your first steps should be to estimate how much income you’ll need to fund your retirement. Since retirement planning is not

They’re both taxed, so which is better, a Roth IRA or a Traditional IRA? Well, it depends. I’m regularly asked whether I think a Traditional or Roth is the ‘better account’. My answer is, as with most financial planning questions, it depends. The general rule of thumb is to compare your tax rate when making

This year, college savings plans have evolved and gotten even more flexible and attractive. Imagine if you had retirement savings started at two years old with the flexibility to grow tax deferred for 60+ years and then distribute in retirement TAX FREE. The power of compounding over 60+ years can be incredibly eye opening. College

Estate Planning is important for everyone, no matter your age or amount of wealth. Contrary to what most people believe, having an estate plan in place is important for everyone no matter your age or how much or little wealth you own. Having a plan in place provides you comfort in knowing: That your wishes