Hillcrest Financial Group

09/03/2026

42% of Americans wouldn’t know what to do if a family member died today, and that jumps to 56% among those without an estate plan.

📄 Get organized before you talk: Have your plan in place, then make sure family knows where to find your will, financial information, and other important documents.

❤️ Explain choices that may surprise them: Unequal inheritances or unexpected decisions can create tension, so sharing the reasoning behind them may help reduce confusion later.

👥 Choose who’s in charge carefully: One executor with alternates, or a neutral third party, may be simpler than asking multiple people to make every decision together.

See six ways to make estate-planning conversations easier and more productive: https://bit.ly/3UbRjHP

It can be hard to talk about estate planning, especially when it comes to your parents, siblings or children. Here's how to get past the awkwardness.

09/02/2026

Teaching your kids about money could save you from future financial headaches. Experts suggest discussing spending habits, offering allowances, and even turning savings into a competition. Learn creative ways to make finance fun for children: https://bit.ly/2yZFlnw

Set your kids up for long-term financial success by teaching them early about money.

09/01/2026

Building wealth that lasts beyond your lifetime takes more than luck. The right structures, investments, and family habits can help support a longer-term legacy.

🏛️ Create a clear plan: Trusts and other estate-planning tools can guide how assets are managed, transferred, and used.
🏠 Build varied income sources: Rental property, dividend-paying stocks, and bonds may provide income while spreading risk.
📚 Teach the next generation: Share your financial approach with heirs so they are better prepared to manage what they receive.

Explore more ways retirees can use passive income and planning to build generational wealth: https://bit.ly/4x6bjcY

08/31/2026

Is it time to talk to a financial professional? This infographic will help you decide. Check it out here:

Life happens fast, and your finances can take a backseat if you’re not careful. Is it time to check in with a financial professional? This infographic will help you examine your own financial situation and decide if it’s time to step up your financial game.

08/31/2026

How long have you been sitting at your desk today? A new study found that people who stay seated for most of their work day were 34% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than non-sitters. But you can lower those odds. Here’s how: https://bit.ly/4bpbKVL

For those who predominantly sit at work, however, the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was 34 percent higher than for non-sitters.

08/30/2026

Five years from retirement? That’s when small mistakes can have big consequences. Here’s what to consider:

• Don’t rush the Roth: Maxing out Roth contributions right before retirement can mean paying higher taxes than necessary. Converting funds after retiring, when income drops, may be more tax-efficient.

Build flexibility: Having all your savings in retirement accounts limits your options. Keeping some money in taxable accounts may help cover big expenses without triggering large tax bills.
Know your number: Calculate your real monthly spending and run projections. Without clear expenses and a finish line,it’s difficult to know if you’re truly ready.
Source: https://bit.ly/4aVWIsd

When retirement is in reach, financial planning gets serious — and there's a heightened risk of making serious mistakes, too. Here are five common slipups.

08/28/2026

Here are eight mistakes to avoid when.

There are common mistakes you can avoid when saving for retirement.

08/28/2026

Skipping a bank account beneficiary could leave your money tied up in probate when loved ones need it most. Naming one can help funds pass directly to them and typically takes precedence over what your will says. See how to choose the right beneficiary: https://yhoo.it/4hRATOt

What happens to the money in your bank accounts when you die? Hopefully, it goes to a loved one who needs it. Naming a bank account beneficiary ensures that happens. Here's what to know about bank account beneficiary rules.

08/27/2026

“You’ll pay less tax in retirement” isn’t always true. Combining Social Security with required minimum distributions can trigger the “tax torpedo,” potentially raising the effective tax rate on additional withdrawals. See how careful planning may help: https://bit.ly/3U4oJIl

Your Social Security income and RMDs will most likely combine to deliver a tax torpedo, but there are ways to reduce your income in retirement to pay less tax.