McLoughlin Financial, LLC.

10/22/2026

Trust & Will's 2026 Estate Planning Report found that 56 percent of adults don't have core estate planning documents in place, including:

📝 A will: who gets what, and who is responsible for carrying out your wishes

🏥 A healthcare directive (or living will): guidance for your care if you cannot speak for yourself

✍️ Two powers of attorney, one for medical decisions and one for financial decisions, each naming someone you trust to act on your behalf

📄 A letter of instruction: a practical guide to accounts, key contacts, important documents, and care instructions for loved ones, children, or pets

Over the years, I've seen firsthand how difficult it can be for families when these conversations and decisions have been postponed. In many cases, loved ones are left trying to piece together information, make difficult decisions, and navigate uncertainty during an already emotional time.

I've also seen the relief and confidence that come when a plan is in place. Having your wishes documented doesn't just protect you. It provides clarity and peace of mind for the people who care about you most.

The challenge is that estate planning forces us to think about situations we'd rather avoid. It requires naming the people we trust, making important decisions, and acknowledging that life won't always look the way it does today.

But without something in writing, families are often left improvising when they can least afford the added stress.

Most people intend to get around to it someday. Unfortunately, someday can become too late.

Don't put it off. Start the conversation and talk with a financial professional who can help you create a plan that protects both you and your family.

10/21/2026

There's a reason so many women business owners half-joke that their real title is "everything."

More women than ever are starting and running businesses, and they're doing it at a faster clip than the market overall.

Census data show women now own more than 14 million businesses nationwide, a number that's grown 26 percent since 2012, compared with 19 percent growth for businesses as a whole.

A lot of that growth is happening online, where women-owned businesses tend to be more digitally integrated than those owned by men.

It also means millions of women are managing key decisions from scratch:

💼 How income gets paid (salary, distributions, or owner draws) and what that means at budget time

💼 Which retirement vehicle fits, and how much room there is to contribute

💼 How healthcare, disability, and other insurance get sourced without an employer default

💼 How the business gets valued, and what a sale or transition would actually look like

💼 How personal finances stay untangled from the business's finances

Wearing a tall stack of hats doesn't make entrepreneurship harder than it's worth. Plenty of women running these businesses would say the trade-offs are part of the deal. But it does mean the hats keep stacking up, one on top of the other.

One woman entrepreneur I'm proud to support is my friend Ashley, owner of The Graceful Host. This past weekend, I picked up balloons from her shop for my daughter's birthday party, and they were perfect. Behind every beautifully decorated celebration is a small business owner putting in long hours, serving customers, managing operations, and doing all the behind-the-scenes work that most people never see.

Supporting local businesses like Graceful Host Party Shop is one small way we can celebrate the women who are building businesses, creating jobs, and strengthening our communities every day.

This month is a good time to tip our own hats to the women doing it all at once.

10/09/2026

What would you tell your 25-year-old self about money? 💭

Hearing from people who've been in your shoes can be powerful when you're just starting out. Here's what I wish I knew at 25:

When you get your first real job and that first “big” paycheck hits, don’t fall into the trap of spending just because you finally can. I made that mistake. I started buying expensive suits, nice things I didn’t actually need — and it didn’t take long to realize I was overspending on all the wrong stuff.

If I could go back, here’s what I’d tell myself:

💵Be smart with your spending. Just because you’re making money doesn’t mean you need to spend it.

✅Save something from every paycheck — no matter how much or how little you make. Make saving a non‑negotiable. Set it aside and don’t touch it.

⌛Start early. You may not see the benefit at 25, but your older self absolutely will. Some of my friends retired at 50 because they started young and stayed disciplined.

📈Early saving gives you options. Choices. Flexibility. Maybe even the chance to be work‑optional later in life.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start — and stay consistent. Your future self will thank you.

👇 What would you tell your 25-year-old self about money? Drop it in the comments.

09/21/2026

Did you know your Medicare plan can change for next year even if you don't touch a thing?

📬 Each fall, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans send a letter called the Annual Notice of Change.

It arrives by September 30 and outlines what's different starting January 1: premiums, copays, network doctors, and covered medications.

Most people never open it. A large share of Medicare beneficiaries never compare their options.

Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7. Take the time to note what is changing for the coming year.

09/21/2026

Your insurance needs don’t stay the same when the nest empties, but what changes?

Do your insurance needs stay the same when the nest empties?

09/08/2026

🎓 September is College Savings Month!

Saving for a child’s future isn’t as simple as picking an account and calling it a day.

What if they don’t go to college?
Who should control the money?
Can family members contribute?

In this video, I’m covering some of the most common questions I hear from parents and grandparents.

08/28/2026

📜 August is National Make-A-Will Month!

I sat down with Alison Bondurant of Bondurant Law Firm to discuss three important estate planning questions:

✍️ Is a handwritten will enough?
�📋 Who actually needs a will?
�⚖️ How does Louisiana law make the estate planning process different from the rest of the country?

Tune in to hear Alison's insights and learn why having a plan in place can make all the difference for your loved ones. 👇

08/03/2026

Keep up with your financial needs while avoiding common (and expensive) rollover mistakes. The correct rollover strategy could save thousands in taxes and fees, speed up retirement preparations, and avoid critical mistakes. Talk with us to learn how.

07/31/2026

There are nearly 25 million 401k accounts that are lost or unclaimed, could one of these be yours? Don’t lose out on valuable retirement funds, let’s talk about how to consolidate your retirement accounts to keep you on track toward your long-term goals!

07/29/2026

This article reinforces something I see every day: financial literacy is one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation.

High schools need real‑world voices, and advisors have the ability — and responsibility — to show up.

As a financial advisor, I love stepping into classrooms and teaching students the tools that build lifelong confidence.

If your school is looking to bring financial education to students, I’d be honored to speak. Send me a message.

You can show students the practical way to build significant wealth.