Hilltop Wealth Advisors

06/08/2026

Happy Work Anniversary to Dawn Black, our legendary Office Manager, who has officially been keeping this place from descending into chaos since June 8, 2015.

For 11 years, Dawn has mastered the true office-manager skill set:

Herding humans like they’re mildly uncooperative cats

Solving problems before anyone even realizes there is a problem

And somehow always knowing where everything is.

At this point, we’re pretty sure Dawn doesn’t just work with cats—she is the office cat wrangler. If a printer jams, she fixes it. If someone panics, she stares at them until they stop. If the office were a cat café, she’d be the one making sure no one tips over the espresso machine or adopts three cats “accidentally.”

We’re convinced she has:

9 lives of patience

37 backup plans

A signature ‘I’ve seen it all’ expression (very feline-coded)

Dawn, thanks for 11 years of keeping everything running smoothly while the rest of us knock things off metaphorical counters. Happy Anniversary—you’re the purr-fect backbone of this place 🐾

06/03/2026

🚨 New parents and grandparents: a brand-new savings account for kids launches July 4, 2026 — and it could come with a FREE $1,000 government contribution. 👀

But before you rush to open a Account, here’s the bigger question:

👉 Is it actually better than a 529, Roth IRA, IRA, or UTMA for your family’s goals?

We break down:

✔️ Who qualifies for

✔️ The tax advantages and restrictions

✔️ How they compare to traditional savings vehicles

✔️ When a different option may make more sense

✔️ Which strategy may best support long-term wealth transfer and education planning

The right account depends on what you want the money to do — college, retirement, flexibility, or multigenerational wealth planning.

Read the full breakdown here: https://www.hilltopwealthadvisors.com/blog/what-are-trump-accounts-and-how-they-compare

Discover how Trump Accounts work, who qualifies for the $1,000 government contribution, and how they compare to 529 plans, Roth IRAs, UTMAs, and other tax-efficient strategies for building family wealth.

06/01/2026

Hilltop is proud to partner with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina for our annual summer donation drive, and we’d love to have your support! We are collecting food donations at our office through 7/31/26 or make a donation online, here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/hilltop-wealth-advisors-2026

The Food Bank is among the largest hunger relief networks in the United States. They work every day to provide food to people in need while advancing long-term solutions to end hunger in our communities. For 45 years, they have served as the central hub of a hunger relief network that has grown to 700+ partner programs across a 34-county region — including no-cost food markets, pantries, meal sites, and a host of initiatives serving children, adults and seniors.

05/27/2026

HARD STOP! 🛑 If your children only learn about your wealth when they inherit it… it's already too late.

Bringing family into your finances might seem common sense, but it can often be uncomfortable, overwhelming, or overlooked. Why wait, when early conversations can help:

• Reduce rushed decisions and costly mistakes
• Build healthier family dynamics
• Prepare them to use wealth with intention

Families that David Wise, CFP® has seen who do this well tend to take a gradual, age-based approach:

👦 Teens: Start with exposure. Let them listen, ask questions, and understand the “why” behind decisions.
🧑 20s: Increase involvement. Give them small, low-risk opportunities to make financial choices.
🧑‍💼 Later: Build ownership. Involve them in bigger decisions, strategy, and long-term planning.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach—but every family can create a system that builds confidence, alignment, and purpose.

When was the last time your family had a meaningful conversation about money? 👇 Share your thoughts below.

05/25/2026

Let’s honor our fallen heroes with 30 seconds of silence. 🪽

Memorial Day is, first and foremost, a time to remember and honor those who gave their lives in service. Their sacrifice is the reason we’re able to live, work, and build freely today—and that deserves reflection beyond a long weekend.

It also serves as a quiet reminder: life is fragile, and none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.

That’s why being financially prepared isn’t just about money—it’s about responsibility. Taking care of your family, planning for the unexpected, and building stability are all ways of honoring the opportunities we’ve been given.

And just as important, it’s a chance to give back. Whether it’s supporting veterans’ organizations, helping someone in need, or simply showing up for your community, generosity is part of a meaningful financial life.

We have one life to live – use it with purpose.

We honor the veterans and active-duty service members that belong to the Hilltop family:

Larry Black, Army, SFC, Delta Force

Paul Buico, Army, Captain, West Point Grad ‘85

Nico Buico, Army, Captain, Currently Enlisted

Brandon McLamb, Navy, Sergeant

Odell Lumley, Army, Sergeant

Ronnie Lumley, Army, Sergeant

David Hostetler, Nacy, Petty Officer 1st Class, Musician assigned to the US Naval Academy

05/21/2026

🎥 MUST WATCH! Our Q2 2026 Market Update is in! AI Growth, Inflation Risks & What Investors Should Watch Next:

Markets have rebounded despite geopolitical tensions, rising oil prices, and ongoing inflation concerns — but what does that mean for investors moving forward?

In Hilltop Wealth Advisors’ Q2 2026 Market Update, Brittany Brinckerhoff and Ben Yeager break down:

⏱️ 0:00 — Q2 market volatility, inflation, and Fed outlook

⏱️ 2:45 — Possible market scenarios and diversification strategies

⏱️ 5:05 — AI investing opportunities and emerging risks

⏱️ 7:10 — Hilltop’s portfolio positioning and long-term strategy

Watch now to stay informed on the economy, markets, and smart portfolio positioning for the second half of 2026.

(insert video Q2 2026 Market Update Video.mp4)

Subscribe to our email newsletter to receive market updates and more directly to your inbox ---> https://www.hilltopwealthadvisors.com/newsletter-sign-up

05/20/2026

600,000 people in central and eastern don't know where their next meal is coming from. 🍕❓Let's make sure they do. $1 could provide 3 meals.

We're proud to partner with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC to help end hunger in our community. Drop off your food donation M-F, 8am-5pm at the Hilltop Office (6340 Quadrangle Drive, Suite 100, Chapel Hill, NC) before 7/31. Or make a monetary contribution now: https://lnkd.in/egycmWiP.

SHARE THIS VIDEO TO DOUBLE OUR IMPACT!

Check the comments to see what food items can be accepted.

05/18/2026

Celebrating 2 years of impact for Max Buico at Hilltop Wealth Advisors 🎉

From day one, Max has embodied what it means to be a true “Hungry Learner” — consistently growing, asking thoughtful questions, and leaning into every opportunity to better serve clients and teammates alike. In a role where precision, responsiveness, and care matter deeply, he’s become someone the entire team can rely on.

Over the past two years, Max has continued to elevate the client experience — bringing a calm, solutions-oriented mindset and a genuine commitment to doing things the right way. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes coordination or client-facing support, his attention to detail and follow-through have made a meaningful difference.

What stands out most is how Max lives out the “Better Together” mindset. He shows up for the team, contributes to a collaborative culture, and is always willing to step in wherever needed — a true reflection of Hilltop’s values.

Excited to see how he continues to grow, take on new challenges, and expand his impact in the years ahead. Congrats on 2 years, Max — and here’s to many more!

05/14/2026

Happy Birthday to Wes Pitman! 🎉🏒

They say defense wins championships—and if that’s the case, Wes is our MVP. From keeping us in compliance to making sure everything runs smoothly, he’s always guarding the goal for our team and clients.

Wes, hope your birthday is a big win—with plenty of family time and maybe even a Hurricanes victory to seal it!

05/13/2026

We had an out of this world experience at Lightship Neon in Raleigh, celebrating 10 years of vibrancy, unique humans, and helping to color the world of . Thank you to the master craftsman who helped us to appreciate the incredible art of sign making and bring out our inner artists; to our loyal clients who have made our work possible; and to the dedication of our many team members over the last decade.