We Help wealth holders

04/02/2026

What a $5 Frappuccino can teach your teen about building wealth 👇

April is National Financial Literacy Month, and here's a number worth sharing at the dinner table.

If your teen opens a Roth IRA at 18 with $1,000 from a part-time job and adds $1,000 a year, that single account could be worth nearly $500,000 by age 65. Tax-free.

Think they can't save $1,000 a year? Skipping the daily Frappuccino more than covers it. ☕

But the best financial education isn't about the math. It's about real decisions with real consequences.

A few things that actually work:

✅ Hand them cash instead of a credit card for shopping. Let them keep what they don't spend.

✅ Give them a clothing budget for the year. If they blow it by October, that's the lesson.

✅ Have the college money talk before they fall in love with a school. As one counselor put it, "Have the conversation before they buy the hoodie."

✅ With the Roth IRA, you can show them that there are certain rules with certain accounts. For example, to qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Also, tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain other circumstances, such as the owner's death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals.

What's one money lesson you wish someone had taught you earlier? 👇

Please consult with a tax and finance professional before making any decisions.



Sources:
-https://www.calculator.net/roth-ira-calculator.html?cstartingprinciple=1%2C000&cannualaddition=1%2C000&cmax=n&cinterestrate=8&ccurrentage=18&cretirementage=65&ctaxtrate=25&printit=0&x=Calculate -ira-result
-https://www.ngpf.org/blog/advocacy/how-many-states-require-students-to-take-a-personal-finance-course-before-graduating-from-high-school-is-it-6-or-is-it-21/

02/04/2026

An ILIT could play a role in your estate strategy.

Irrevocable life insurance trusts can be important tools that may accomplish a number of estate objectives.

01/29/2026

The start of a new year is a great time to step back and look at the bigger picture. A few small reviews early in the year may help you stay organized and ready for what’s ahead.

Here are three simple ways to start:
1️⃣ Reassess coverage and protection needs to make sure they reflect your current situation and priorities.
2️⃣ Review budgets and savings habits to see if recent changes in expenses or income call for updates.
3️⃣ Set short-term milestones that make progress easier to track and adjustments easier to manage.

Taking time to revisit these areas may help create structure and awareness for the year ahead.

Wishing you a healthy and productive New Year!

01/29/2026

Two laws enacted in 2025 may shift how Social Security benefits are taxed in the coming year. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill introduces a new $6,000 senior deduction for individuals age 65 and older, available through 2028. Eligibility depends on income: the full deduction applies up to $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for married couples, and phases out above those levels.

At the same time, the Social Security Fairness Act may increase taxable income for some retirees by restoring benefits to pensioners who previously saw reductions or exclusions. Some beneficiaries will also receive lump-sum payments dating back to January 2024, which may raise the portion of their benefits subject to federal tax.

Tax forms SSA-1099 and SSA-1042S reflecting 2025 benefits will be available online beginning December 25, with mailed copies expected by late January. These forms outline total benefits received for the year and help determine any federal tax owed.


Source:

New laws enacted in 2025 may impact just how much federal taxes Social Security beneficiaries owe on their benefit income. Here's how experts say to plan.

01/27/2026

Open Enrollment for 2026 coverage ends January 15, 2026. If you need to make changes to your current plan, visit Healthcare.gov today.

01/23/2026

What are Wall Street’s best and brightest looking for in 2026? If you toss out the highest and lowest, you can see that the other forecasts settle into a pretty tight range for the year. What the table doesn’t show is that there will be highs and lows during the year. There will be times when stock prices look invincible. And there will be times when you wonder why you invest in stocks at all.

01/05/2026

January is National Financial Wellness Month, which means it's a great time to examine your money habits, priorities, and peace of mind.

Financial wellness isn't about being perfect with money. It’s about building a life that feels stable, supported, and sustainable—whatever that looks like for you.

That might mean:
📝 Reflecting on your current goals
🔁 Making small changes to your budget
📅 Automating your savings
💬 Checking in with someone you trust

No matter where you are in your journey, your financial health matters.

12/29/2025

🚀 Big News for Your 2026 Retirement Plans! 🚀

The IRS announced new contribution limits for 2026 in November, and there's a lot to look forward to! Here's a quick breakdown:

🔹 401(k), 403(b), 457 Plans & TSP: Contribution limit increased to $24,500 (up from $23,500 in 2025). If you're 50 or older, you can contribute up to $32,500 annually!

🔹 IRA Contributions: Limit increased to $7,500. Catch-up contributions for those 50 and older are now $1,100.

🔹 Roth IRA & Saver’s Credit: Income phase-out ranges have increased, making it easier to qualify and maximize your savings.

🔹 SIMPLE Accounts: Contribution limit up to $17,000, with higher limits for certain accounts.

🔹 Medicare Part B: Monthly premiums will rise to $202.90, impacting how much of your Social Security COLA you'll see.

Stay up-to-date with details about your retirement savings! For full details, check out Notice 2025-67 on the IRS website.

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.



Sources:
IRS.gov, November 13, 2025
CNBC, November 17, 2025

12/23/2025

The purpose of a retirement strategy is to get where you want, when you want to be there. When I see articles saying, “active money managers struggle to beat index funds due to tariffs, economic uncertainty,” I believe we’re missing the point. Whether an investment underperforms or outperforms is fun to look at, but it’s about whether the investment helped your where and when.

12/23/2025

Procrastination is a top reason people haven't created a will or trust since 2022, with men slightly more likely to delay estate management than women. Even fewer are taking action this year, with 43 percent of those without a will admitting they "just haven't gotten around to it.” In 2025, only 24 percent of survey participants reported having a will, and 4 percent mentioned other estate management documents, a decline from 33 percent with a will in 2022. Time to get it in gear!
Source: Caring.com February 18, 2025
https://www.caring.com/caregivers/estate-planning/wills-survey/

12/22/2025

Feel empowered with this step-by-step guide to reviewing your life insurance needs.

Learn how the review process works and how it may help you better understand your Life Insurance.

12/22/2025

Do you know the ins and outs of charitable giving? It's more complicated than you may think. Learn more now.

This article may help you maximize the benefits of your donation for your chosen charity.