Associated Financial Consultants & Investor Services

05/14/2026

Associated Investor Services is proud to announce it has been named one of InvestmentNews' 2026 5-Star Wealth Management Teams, a national honor recognizing elite firms that deliver exceptional client experience.

04/27/2026

Baby Vladem is on the way! Evan and his wife are expecting their first child this summer, and as any good financial planner would do, Evan got to work on the checklist. In his latest blog, he shares exactly how he is preparing financially.

04/10/2026

A growing number of Americans are carrying credit card balances, highlighting ongoing financial pressure for many households.

Recent data shows that about 50% of credit card holders—roughly 111 million people—currently carry debt, marking a notable increase over the past several years.

At the same time, borrowing costs remain elevated. Average credit card interest rates are now above 23%, making it more expensive for balances to grow over time.

Some households are adjusting by cutting back on discretionary spending, delaying larger purchases, or relying more heavily on credit to cover everyday expenses.

These trends reflect how shifts in costs, interest rates, and income can influence day-to-day financial decisions across a wide range of households.


Source:

About 111 million Americans are carrying credit card balances, a 17% increase in five years, new research shows.

03/19/2026

What if your most expensive tax decision in 2026 happens long before you file your return?
Tax prep looks backward; tax strategy looks ahead, and that gap is where real after-tax outcomes get decided.

A few high-impact levers to keep on the radar:
➡️ When Income Lands: Timing bonuses, self-employment income, and retirement distributions can help manage brackets.

➡️ How You Might Save: Consider taking advantage of the higher 401(k) limits in 2026 and catch-up provisions—but be sure to look into whether you need to use a Roth for those catch-up contributions.

➡️ Where Giving Shows Up: New rules change how charitable gifts and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limits work together.

➡️ What You Do in Down Markets: Tax-loss harvesting can turn volatility into a tool, not just noise.

➡️ With most retirement accounts, once you reach age 73, you must begin taking required minimum distributions. Roth accounts are the exception. Withdrawal penalties may apply if you take the money before age 59½. Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after the account holder reaches age 59½.

Preparing year-round can help shape future cash flow, flexibility, and choices.



Sources:
➡️ https://www.affiancefinancial.com/news/tax-planning-or-tax-preparation-which-do-i-need
➡️ https://www.bdo.com/insights/tax/irs-issues-final-catch-up-contribution-regulations-for-salary-deferrals-in-retirement-plans
➡️https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-25-67.pdf
https://silvertaxgroup.com/donor-advised-funds-strategy/
➡️ https://www.fidelitycharitable.org/guidance/charitable-tax-strategies/bunching-charitable-donations.html
➡️ https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/convert-to-roth-ira/

02/20/2026

Want to hear Evan Vladem give some some hard hitting notes on the market? Join us live on Wednesday, February 25th at 4pm ET for a live market update on Zoom.

We were able to secure a notable guest, BlackRock's Head Investment Strategist Mark Peterson, the voice behind the widely followed Student of the Market series.

You must RSVP to join. You can do that using the link below!
https://afc-ais.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q1R6IRZQS-WxoiJbIkr_AQ #/registration

02/17/2026

With market leadership shifting and Fed expectations evolving, join Evan Vladem of Associated Investor Services and BlackRock’s Mark Peterson, the voice behind the widely followed Student of the Market series, for a focused market review.

02/11/2026

Dear Evan,
We recently had a baby and keep hearing about these “Trump Accounts,” but we don’t really know much about them. Can you explain what they are, how they work, and how we could set one up for our daughter?

Dear Evan, We recently had a baby and keep hearing about these “Trump Accounts,” but we don’t really know much about them. Can you explain what they are, how they work, and how we could set one up for our daughter?

01/21/2026

A proposed cap on credit card interest rates is drawing attention from both policymakers and financial institutions, with questions emerging around how it would work in practice.

The proposal would limit interest rates on credit cards for a set period, but industry groups and analysts note that enforcement remains unclear. Banks have raised concerns about how such a cap could affect access to credit, card rewards, and lending standards, particularly for borrowers with lower credit scores.

As discussions continue, this development highlights how policy changes can carry unintended consequences across the financial system and everyday consumer borrowing.



Source:

A 10% rate cap would make large swaths of the credit card industry unprofitable, especially tied to customers with less-than-ideal credit, banks say.

12/23/2025

At times, 2025 felt like an extraordinary year for stock investors. From tariff uncertainty to international tensions to drama at the Fed, 2025 felt like no other year before. But in hindsight, 2025 was pretty ordinary. In fact, from a volatility perspective, there was nothing special about 2025 at all. In fact, through November, there were three drops of five percent and one drop of more than 20 percent. Both numbers generally line up with historical trends.

12/06/2025

Saturday well spent!

Our team at Associated joined Feeding South Florida on Saturday morning and together we packed 10,275 pounds of food, helping to create 8,263 meals for families in need.

We're proud of The Associated Family for showing up, giving back, and living our mission to serve our community.