Financial Fuel with Emily Agresta

Financial Fuel with Emily Agresta Financial Fuel with Emily Agresta, CFP®

Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc..

GFI Wealth Partners is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

08/28/2026

Ever wonder where your accounts go once you’re gone?

08/26/2026

What is an index fund?

08/25/2026

Another conversation with a pre-retiree that reminded me why retirement planning is about so much more than investments.

"I'm going to retire in July, start Social Security and my pension in August, leave my 401(k) alone so I can hopefully pass that on to my family someday, and live off everything else. Boom. There's my retirement plan."

And on the surface? That sounds pretty good.

Then I started asking questions…

Awesome. Are you planning to have any federal taxes withheld from your Social Security?

What about your pension? You've worked in Illinois your whole life, but you're retiring in Indiana — have you looked at how each of those income sources will be treated for state taxes?

Once your pension and Social Security are coming in together, what does your overall federal tax picture look like?

And that 401(k) you don't plan on touching? You may not need it for income right away, but eventually RMD rules come into the picture whether you need the distributions or not.

And while we're looking at all of this income… could it push you over an IRMAA threshold and increase what you pay for Medicare?

That's usually around the time I get the look like I have three heads. 😂

Finance isn't just investing your money.

08/25/2026

Have an old 401(k) sitting at an old employer?

08/24/2026

Every.financial.decision.has.an. opportunity.cost. !!!

Even doing nothing.

Waiting another year to invest.

Keeping excess cash on the sidelines.

Putting off estate planning.

Delaying retirement planning.

Postponing a conversation you've been meaning to have.

Choosing not to act is still a choice—and every choice comes with trade-offs.

The goal isn't to make perfect financial decisions.

It's to make informed ones.

Sometimes the biggest risk isn't making the wrong move.

It's letting indecision make the decision for you.

08/21/2026

Financial confidence rarely comes from having more money.

It comes from having more clarity.

I've met people with modest savings who feel completely in control of their financial future.

I've also met people with significant wealth who constantly wonder:

• Am I invested appropriately?
• Am I paying more in taxes than I need to?
• Will I actually be able to retire when I want?
• Am I making the right financial decisions for my family?

Money can create opportunities.

Clarity creates confidence.

That's why a financial plan isn't just about growing your wealth—it's about understanding where you are, where you're going, and having a strategy to get there.

08/21/2026

Should you help your adult kids financially?

08/20/2026

I had a younger family member, fresh into the hustle and bustle of post-college life, call me recently asking for advice.

They had been offered a position at a new company and wanted my opinion on whether they should take it. We talked through the opportunity, the company, the role… and then they mentioned the new salary.

It was higher. My financial planner brain immediately kicked in. 😂
"Great! You're getting a raise in your paycheck. Let's max out that monthly Roth contribution now."

I got a laugh in return. The kind of laugh that says, "Yeah… that's definitely not what I was planning on doing with my raise."

Every time your income goes up, your lifestyle doesn't have to go up with it. New job? Raise? Bonus? Promotion?

Of course, enjoy some of it. You worked for it.

08/19/2026

Five Life Events That Should Trigger a Financial Review:

Life is constantly changing, and your financial plan should change with it. Major milestones often bring new opportunities, responsibilities, and financial decisions.

Here are five life events that are a good time to review your plan:

💍 Marriage – Combine finances, update beneficiaries, and discuss shared financial goals.

💔 Divorce – Revisit your budget, retirement accounts, insurance, estate documents, and beneficiaries.

👶 Welcoming a Child or Grandchild – Consider education savings, life insurance, and updating your estate plan.

🏖 Retirement – Shift your focus from saving for retirement to creating an income strategy that supports your lifestyle.

💼 A New Job – Review your retirement plan options, insurance benefits, and overall financial goals.

Your financial plan isn't something you create once and forget. As your life changes, your plan should evolve right along with it.

08/19/2026

What actually happens when interest rates drop

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