Joe Dowdall, Financial Planner

10/15/2026

Women typically outlive men. If you’re newly single, that’s something to factor into your retirement plan.

You may need your savings to support you for 30 years or more, so how you save and eventually withdraw that money matters.

Take a look at your 401(k), IRA, and other retirement accounts. Also think about how taxes will affect your withdrawals. A strategy that made sense when you were part of a two-income household may need some adjustments when you’re planning on your own.

A longer retirement calls for a plan that accounts for the years ahead, not just the next few.

10/12/2026

If your parents became unable to manage their own money tomorrow, could anyone in your family legally step in?

For many families, the answer is no.

Without a durable power of attorney, no one can act on a parent's behalf if they become incapacitated. A court would have to appoint a guardian, and that process is slow, expensive, and public. It also takes the choice of who's in charge away from your family.

The fix is simple, but it has a deadline: you must sign the document while your parent is still mentally competent. That's why I encourage families to handle it now.

Have you and your parents already had this conversation, or is it still sitting on your to-do list?

10/08/2026

Every fall, clients ask me some version of the same question: "Joe, is there anything we should be doing before the end of the year?"

The answer is almost always yes. Here is what's on my list this fall:

1. Roth conversions. These have to happen by December 31, not by tax day in April. People mix that up all the time. If 2026 turned out to be a lower-income year for you, converting a portion of your IRA now could mean paying tax at today's rate instead of a higher one later.

2. Required minimum distributions. If you're 73 or older, the IRS expects your RMD by December 31, and the penalty for missing it is steep. I'd rather see this handled in October than in a December scramble.

3. Harvesting losses. Nobody loves seeing a position in the red, but selling it can offset gains elsewhere in your portfolio and help reduce this year's tax bill.

4. Charitable giving. If you're planning to give anyway, there are more tax-efficient ways than writing a check. More on that in a future post.

The common thread: by December, you want to be executing a plan you already built. If you're not sure which of these applies to you, a 15-minute call is an easy place to start:

A Quick Note Before You BookI specialize in working with individuals and families who are:· Nearing or in retirement· Looking for comprehensive, fee-based financial planning· Have $500,000 or more in investable assetsMy focus is on long-term planning strategies such as tax-efficient retirement

10/06/2026

“Is a one-time financial plan enough to get me through retirement?” It’s one of the most common questions I hear from people who want to enjoy retirement without worrying about running out of money. My new article explains when a one-time plan works well and why most retirees need someone reviewing their taxes every year. Link in the comments.

Learn how to compare a one-time financial plan vs ongoing financial planning. Joe Dowdall is a fee-only, fiduciary financial advisor in Dallas, TX.

10/05/2026

Starting October 15, everyone on Medicare gets a window to change their coverage for next year. Don't skip it just because you're happy with your plan!

Each fall, insurers mail out an Annual Notice of Change that spells out exactly what is different for next year, and many people never open it.

So this year, open it. Check that your medications are still covered at the same tier. Confirm your doctors are still in network. Compare your plan against what else is available, because "still fine" and "still the best option" aren't the same thing.

10/01/2026

Think you’ve missed your chance to make a dent in your retirement savings? You haven’t. There’s still plenty you can do, whether retirement is decades away or getting closer.

One area that can make a difference is understanding how taxes fit into your retirement savings strategy.

Your next step may look different depending on where you are today, but there’s always a reason to take a fresh look at the plan.

09/28/2026

Quick gut check: are you saving for retirement assuming your tax rate will drop the day you stop working?

That assumption trips up a lot of retirees. Between Social Security, pensions, and the withdrawals the IRS requires from traditional accounts at 73, retirement income can climb higher than expected, keeping you in the same bracket or pushing you into a higher one.

If your future rate might be higher, paying tax on some savings today through a Roth conversion can leave you with more to spend later.

Before you bank on a lower bracket, let's look at where your income is likely headed.

09/24/2026

Your will doesn't control your 401(k) or IRA. The beneficiary form does.

If your will leaves everything to your spouse but your retirement account still names an ex from years ago, the ex gets the money. No court will undo it later.

Marriages, divorces, births, deaths: your beneficiary forms should keep up with all of it. Take 10 minutes this week to check yours. It's simple but easy to forget.

09/21/2026

"Joe has been an invaluable resource to me during a difficult personal time and I appreciate his guidance and care. I firmly believe he has my best interests at heart." — Kimberly

Being trusted during someone's hardest moments is the part of this work I hold most closely. It's a big part of why I became a fiduciary in the first place.

If you're facing a difficult season and want someone steady in your corner, let's talk:

Looking for a reliable and experienced financial advisor in Dallas, TX? Turn to Joe Dowdall at Worth Asset Management! Contact us today to get started.

09/17/2026

Here's a question I wish more single women asked before retirement: If my income stopped tomorrow, how long could I cover my bills?

The old rule of 3-6 months of expenses was built around two-income households. When you're on your own, one setback (a layoff, a health scare, or a family emergency) has to be absorbed by you alone. That's why I often suggest single clients aim for closer to a year of expenses in cash, and more if their work is seasonal or commission-based.

A cushion that size gives you the freedom to get through a hard stretch without selling investments at the wrong time.

How many months could you cover right now?