In Touch Financial Services: Advisory & Investments

06/08/2026

Out for a morning Hike-training for my trek up Mount Kilimanjaro-wish me luck. I can barely get through my 500 ft elevation hikes, but this "Ole girl" is determined.

05/28/2026

True financial wellness requires planning well before a portfolio is built. Relying solely on a spouse or partner for financial guidance, especially through life changes like marriage or divorce, can lead to complacency. Being proactive ensures stability.

For many people, wealth planning begins with an assumption: someone is handling it. Maybe that person is a spouse, a long-time partner, or the one who has always been “good with money.” As long as things are calm, that arrangement can feel comfortable, even efficient.

05/21/2026

Financial wellness hinges on effective planning. Retirement healthcare costs can surprise; Medicare may not cover as much as expected. Strategize to build a realistic budget and secure your financial future.

Medicare doesn't go as far as expected in covering retirement healthcare costs. Some strategy can help you build a more realistic budget.

05/07/2026

Financial wellness begins with a solid understanding of one’s personal banking situation, including awareness of current savings. According to recent Federal Reserve data, the median bank balances of Americans vary significantly by age, family configuration, and education. For those under 35, the median balance is approximately $5,400, whereas individuals aged 65 to 74 have a median balance of $13,400. These figures reflect the financial conduct and savings habits that evolve over a lifetime, often influenced by significant life events such as marriage, home buying, and retirement planning. Among these demographics, couples typically report higher median savings than their single counterparts. Furthermore, households led by college graduates have been shown to possess the highest bank balances. Understanding these trends is crucial for formulating effective financial planning strategies.

Improving financial wellness is achievable through informed financial planning, with emphasis on maximizing savings and making prudent banking choices. To expedite savings growth, evaluating options such as high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, or certificates of deposit (CDs) is advisable. These instruments offer varying interest rates and terms, potentially enhancing the growth rate of one’s savings beyond traditional saving methods. Moreover, developing a disciplined savings routine can significantly impact long-term financial goals, ensuring readiness for unexpected expenses and future aspirations. By combining sound financial planning with strategic personal banking decisions, individuals can enhance their financial wellness and secure a more stable financial future.

Median bank account balances in the U.S. range from $5,400 for those under 35 to $13,400 for ages 65–74, according to Federal Reserve data. Couples report higher median savings than single households, while college-educated households have the highest bank balances. To boost your savings faster, c...

04/09/2026

Emphasizing financial wellness is crucial, especially as the foundation of a peaceful and secure retirement. An effective financial planning approach looks beyond mere accumulation of wealth, considering the quality of life during retirement as its core objective. Recent discussions suggest that spending more in retirement isn't inherently detrimental if backed by intentionality and a robust plan. Calculated spending ensures that retirees can enjoy the fruits of their labor without compromising their long-term financial security. This approach to financial planning encourages retirees to focus on what matters most to them, be it travel, hobbies, or family, while maintaining financial health. Understanding that retirement is not about cutting back but about strategic management of resources can transform perceptions of financial planning.

Financial wellness in retirement is not precluded by spending but enhanced by thoughtful allocation of resources. This might seem counterintuitive, yet when grounded in realism, detailed financial planning, and aimed at enhancing life quality, it becomes a wise tactic. Through careful assessment of needs, desires, and risks, retirees can spend purposefully, aligning their financial resources with their aspirations. Consequently, it sets the stage for a retirement phase laden with satisfaction and fulfillment. This strategy affirms that financial wellness is a dynamic process where intentionality, rather than austerity, plays a central role in fostering a comfortable and meaningful retirement journey.

Spending more in retirement isn't inherently a bad thing—as long as you're spending intentionally.

03/26/2026

Navigating financial wellness can feel overwhelming, but a solid financial plan can make a world of difference. Start with effective budgeting to track income and expenses, cutting where possible without compromising essentials. Financial planning isn’t one-size-fits-all, but having a strategy for saving and managing debt is crucial. When planning out savings, start small and build up gradually. If you’re struggling to cover all your bills, prioritize essential expenses like housing, utilities, and any insurance payments that protect against significant losses. Non-essential services such as entertainment subscriptions or pricy mobile plans might be worth revisiting; they can often wait until your financial situation stabilizes.
Be proactive about debt management, identifying the most urgent debts to avoid late fees and interest. Consider negotiating with creditors; they might provide relief or more manageable payment terms. Always keep an eye out for financial workshops and resources that offer budgeting tips and debt management strategies. Saving even a small amount monthly towards an emergency fund can provide a cushion for unexpected expenses, reducing the need to rely on credit in downturns. Remember, it's all about what works best for you, aligning financial practices with your goals. De-stressing your relationship with money can turn worries into action plans, enabling more tranquility and control over your financial journey.

Entertainment subscriptions and phone bills are the most common bills people consider skipping during financial hardship.

03/11/2026

Cook said that Apple’s contentious meetings date back to “the creation of the company.”

03/05/2026

Engaging in open discussions about financial wellness and planning is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship, especially when it comes to managing money as a team. A popular and effective strategy for couples is the "yours, mine, and ours" approach. This involves opening a joint account for shared expenses—such as mortgage or rent, utilities, groceries, and family vacations—while also maintaining separate personal accounts for individual spending. Many couples experience anxiety when finances are completely siloed, but transparency doesn't mean the disappearance of personal autonomy. These conversations about how to structure your joint and individual accounts are as essential as planning date nights, offering partners the chance to align their goals for the household while respecting each other’s financial independence.

Delving into these important topics helps establish trust and transparency, necessary components for any marital journey. While sharing access to joint banking and digital assets ensures that bills are paid and long-term goals are met, maintaining separate accounts allows for personal spending without judgment or guilt. It removes the stress of having to justify a small personal purchase, as each partner has their own financial space. Alongside this structure, developing an evergreen financial plan that can adapt as life changes—covering joint goals like children’s education or retirement—keeps both partners motivated. By integrating financial planning and wellness into regular relationship discussions, couples can create a sustainable approach where joint accounts foster teamwork and shared dreams, while separate accounts nurture individuality, transforming potentially anxiety-driven topics into avenues for growth and mutual respect.

Anxiety can grow when one half of a couple doesn’t have access to the family’s digital life and finances.

02/26/2026

Financial wellness is a journey, and financial planning plays a crucial role in this endeavor, especially for women who navigate unique economic challenges. Prioritizing financial wellness means embracing tools and strategies that foster security and growth, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their financial future. This is essential now more than ever, as financial activism emerges as a powerful framework that emphasizes collective well-being over individual gain, particularly for women of color. Embracing diversity within financial communities can lead to richer, more inclusive strategies that recognize and support a varied set of experiences and needs. By focusing on empowerment through knowledge and resources, individuals are strengthened to face economic uncertainties with resilience and confidence. The journey towards financial wellness isn't just about accumulating wealth; it's about creating systems where everyone has access to opportunities, and voices that have been historically marginalized are heard and amplified. Fostering an environment of support and understanding, where diversity is celebrated, encourages everyone to contribute to a thriving, dynamic economic landscape. As the community grows stronger through shared experiences and goals, so does the collective ability to enact change, advocating for policies and practices that build a more equitable financial future for all.

Amid economic uncertainty, financial activism is being used as a framework empowering individuals towards collective well-being.

02/18/2026

Achieving financial wellness requires both strategic planning and foresight, particularly when it comes to crafting a financial future that seamlessly integrates current wealth management with estate planning. This comprehensive approach should be firmly rooted in the smart management of resources, understanding that effective financial planning doesn’t just secure today, but establishes a legacy for tomorrow. Essential to this plan is the creation and maintenance of wills and trusts, which are instrumental in directing assets and providing clarity during times of transition. Establishing a will ensures that personal wishes are respected and executed, reducing the potential for legal disputes or family disagreements after one’s passing, while trusts can offer additional benefits like protecting assets for beneficiaries and potentially minimizing estate taxes.

The article’s insights reveal that while death and taxes are inevitable, they don’t have to result in an insurmountable financial burden for those left behind. Employing strategic estate planning techniques enables individuals to pass on their wealth efficiently, ensuring that their financial footprint is beneficial rather than burdensome. Mirroring the strategies often employed by the wealthy to maintain and pass on their fortunes, such as leveraging trusts and meticulous planning, anyone can aim to mitigate against hefty taxation and ensure a smoother transition of assets. The crux of estate planning lies in its ability to provide peace of mind through structured certainty, affirming that a proactive approach not only protects assets but also fosters the seamless transfer of wealth between generations.

Death and taxes may be inevitable. A big bill for your heirs is not.