Investor's Resource

10/14/2026

Quick question: when’s the last time you checked who’s listed as the beneficiary on your 401(k), IRA, or life insurance? 🤔

Here’s something that surprises a lot of people: your will may NOT decide who gets those accounts. The beneficiary form usually wins, even if it’s 15 years old. 📝

That means an old form could send money to an ex-spouse, leave out a child or grandchild, or skip someone you meant to include. 😬

The good news? It’s usually an easy fix once you know to look. ✅

In our latest blog post, we break down how it all works in plain English, plus a special section for our federal and Redstone families. 🚀

👉 Read it here:

Beneficiary Designations vs. Your Will: Which One Wins? Many people assume their will decides who gets everything they own. For some of your biggest accounts, that may not be true. (New to the topic? Start with estate planning basics every family should have in place.) The short answer: In most case...

10/07/2026

What would you do with an unexpected bonus or financial windfall?

It can be tempting to spend it right away, but extra money can also be a great opportunity to move closer to some of your bigger goals, whether that means paying down debt, building your emergency fund, investing for the future, saving for college or even planning that dream vacation.

In our blog, we share a few things to consider before deciding what comes next.

Read more:

Wondering what to do with a bonus or financial windfall? Learn smart ways to use extra money, from paying off debt to investing for future goals.

09/28/2026

Think life insurance is just about replacing a paycheck? It can do a lot more than that!

For many families, life insurance may help:
✅ Cover estate costs so loved ones don't have to sell the house or the business in a hurry
✅ Even things out between kids when one inherits the family business
✅ Leave a lasting gift to a favorite charity
✅ Care for a family member who needs lifelong support

We break it all down in plain terms:
https://www.invresource.com/insights/news-insights/life-insurance-asset-protection-wealth-transfer/

Have you ever thought about life insurance as part of your estate plan? Tell us in the comments!

Discover how life insurance can protect assets, create tax-efficient wealth transfer, and support estate planning in retirement.

09/24/2026

Are you a "drive it 'til the wheels fall off" person 🚗💨 or a "new car every few years" person? ✨

Either way, most of us eventually face the same question: should you pay cash, finance, or lease?

💵 Cash = no payments, but a big chunk of money tied up
📝 Financing = lower upfront cost, and it's yours once it's paid off
🔑 Leasing = often lower monthly payments, but watch those mileage limits

There's no single right answer. It really depends on how you drive and what fits your budget. Shari breaks it all down here 👇
https://www.invresource.com/insights/news-insights/buying-vs-leasing-a-car-pros-cons/

Tell us in the comments: are you Team Buy or Team Lease? 👇

Buying vs. leasing a car? Compare the pros and cons of paying cash, financing, or leasing to choose the option that best fits your lifestyle and financial goals.

09/15/2026

Good news for military retirees in North Alabama 🇺🇸

Alabama does not tax your military retirement pay. It also does not tax your Survivor Benefit Plan, your Social Security, and there is no state estate tax. If you moved here from another state, that is real money staying in your pocket every month. 💰

One catch that trips people up: your TSP is treated differently than your pension. Withdrawals from a traditional TSP, 401(k), or IRA are generally taxed by the state, though the first $6,000 is excluded once you turn 65.

But there is a second question that matters just as much. Your military retirement pay stops the day you pass away. It does not automatically continue for your spouse. The Survivor Benefit Plan is what keeps part of it going, and that decision gets made once, at retirement, with only one narrow window to change it. 📝

And if you turned SBP down years ago because of the old "widow's tax" rule, that rule went away in 2023. Worth another look.

We broke it all down here 👉

No, Alabama does not tax military retirement pay or SBP. See what AL does tax, and the survivor benefit choice you only get one shot at.

09/08/2026

Ever wondered if a Roth conversion is worth it? 🤔

The short version: you move money from a traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth, pay taxes on it now, and qualified withdrawals down the road may be tax-free.

Our newest blog walks through the potential upsides — tax-free growth, no required minimum distributions, more control over your future tax bill, and benefits for the people who inherit from you.

We also cover the part that doesn't get talked about enough: converting comes with an upfront tax cost, and the timing can affect things like Medicare premiums. It's not a fit for everyone. ⚖️

Read it here 👉

Learn the key benefits of a Roth IRA conversion and how it may help reduce future taxes, avoid RMDs, and support long-term retirement planning.

09/01/2026

Work in government contracting, defense, or aerospace? Budget headlines and policy shifts can feel personal when your job is tied to federal contracts.

Shari Moxley, CFP, Author's blog breaks down how to plan smart even when things feel unpredictable, from managing irregular bonus income to knowing the difference between a funding delay and a funding cut.

Check it out and let us know: what's your biggest financial planning question as a contractor? 👇

🔗

Government Contractors and Today’s Environment: Planning Through Uncertainty For those working in or alongside the government contracting space, particularly in areas like defense, aerospace, and technology, today’s political and economic climate can feel especially relevant. Policy changes, bud...

08/25/2026

Just saying … ! If you aren’t IN and have hard questions, this is an opportunity!

Only 7 seats remain and registration closes Wednesday!

If you are making money in your business but still questioning whether you are making the right financial decisions, this Lunch & Learn is for you.

We are going beyond the basics to talk about how the financial pieces of your business work together, including:

• Profitability—not simply generating more revenue
• Tax strategy and year-round decision-making
• Cash-flow planning
• Paying yourself appropriately
• Building a strong banking relationship
• Knowing when borrowing is strategic
• Turning business income into long-term personal wealth

You will hear directly from three experienced financial professionals; Ashley Harper, CPA, Lara Brown, financial advisor, and Leslie Watts, private banker and have the opportunity to ask questions about the decisions you are facing in your own business.

Only 7 seats are still available, and registration closes Wednesday. If you have been thinking about joining us, now is the time to claim your seat.

Register here: https://www.awakenandaccelerate.com/event-details/lunch-learn-financial-foundations-for-female-leaders

08/25/2026

The 30-year Treasury has climbed to levels we haven't seen in decades, and if you've been hearing about it and wondering what it actually means, this one's worth a watch.

Rick Wedell of RFG Advisory breaks down what's driving yields higher and how rates can touch everything from mortgages to borrowing costs to the broader economy, in plain English. 🎥

Have questions about how any of this fits into your own plan? We're always happy to talk.

08/19/2026

Excited for our very own,Lara Brown, to be a part of this event! More details below.

Exciting News! This month we are launching our very first in-person Awaken Professional Development Lunch & Learn.

I am thrilled to kick things off with three power-house business women.

Join Ashley Harper, CPA; Lara Brown, Financial Advisor; and Leslie Watts, Premier Private Banker for a candid, integrated conversation about the financial decisions that shape both your business and your future.

We’ll connect the dots between profitability, taxes, cash flow, banking, borrowing, paying yourself, and building personal wealth. Topics business owners are often forced to navigate separately.

Three financial experts. Three distinct perspectives. One room and the opportunity to ask the questions that could change how you lead and grow your business.

Find all the details and register here: https://www.awakenandaccelerate.com/event-details/lunch-learn-financial-foundations-for-female-leaders