Cobblestone Asset Management

10/15/2026

Roth Conversions — Could One Make Sense for You?

A Roth conversion allows you to move money from a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA. While the amount converted is generally taxable as income in the year of the conversion, qualified withdrawals from the Roth IRA can be tax-free in retirement.

A Roth conversion may be worth considering if you:
• Expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement
• Believe tax rates could be higher in the future
• Want to reduce future Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
• Want to leave tax-free assets to your beneficiaries

Timing matters. Before year-end, it can be helpful to review your income, tax situation, and long-term goals to determine whether a conversion makes sense. Rather than converting a large amount at once, spreading conversions over several years may help manage the tax impact.

Every financial situation is different. A Roth conversion can provide valuable benefits, but it also comes with immediate tax considerations.

Wondering if a Roth conversion fits into your financial plan? Let’s talk.

10/12/2026

Stocks finished the third quarter mixed. The S&P 500 gained 2.03%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.47%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 2.70%. Halloween is next on the calendar, with U.S. consumers expected to spend \$13.5 billion USD this year and 6.26 million Canadian children in their trick-or-treating years.

Stocks were mixed in the third quarter as economic, geopolitical, and corporate earnings news pushed the broad market higher while weighing on the Dow Industrials.

10/10/2026

World Mental Health Day: Your Financial Health Matters, Too

Money and mental health are often more connected than we realize.

Financial stress can impact sleep, relationships, focus, and overall well-being. At the same time, our emotions can influence the way we spend, save, and make financial decisions.

Taking care of your financial well-being doesn’t mean having everything figured out. It can start with small steps:

• Create a spending plan that reflects your priorities
• Build an emergency fund for greater peace of mind
• Set realistic financial goals
• Talk openly about money with the people who matter
• Ask for professional help when you need it

Financial wellness isn’t just about growing your wealth — it’s about creating a financial life that supports your overall well-being.

Take a moment to check in with yourself — not just financially, but emotionally, too.

10/01/2026

Q4 Is Here!

The final quarter of 2026 is officially underway, and there’s still time to make meaningful progress toward your financial goals.

Before the year comes to a close, take a moment to review:

💰 Are you on track with your savings goals?
📈 Is your investment strategy still aligned with your goals?
💳 Have you reviewed your spending and cash flow?
🧾 Are there any year-end tax planning opportunities to consider?
🎯 What financial goals do you want to accomplish before 2027?

You don’t have to wait for January to make a change. Use this Q4 to finish the year with intention and start 2027 from a stronger financial position.

09/25/2026

The Psychology of Spending: Why Do We Buy What We Buy?

Our spending habits aren't always driven by logic. Emotions, social influences, cognitive biases, and even our sense of identity can all play a role in how we spend money.

• Emotional Spending: Sometimes we shop to celebrate, relieve stress, or simply make ourselves feel better. That temporary boost can make it easy to turn “retail therapy” into a habit.

• Social Influence: Seeing what others are buying can influence our own choices. Social media, trends, and the fear of missing out can make certain purchases feel more necessary—or more valuable—than they actually are.

• Cognitive Biases: From continuing to spend because we've already invested money in something (sunk cost) to treating money differently based on where it came from (mental accounting), our brains don't always make purely rational financial decisions.

Try Values-Based Spending

Instead of only asking, “Can I afford this?” try asking:

“Does this purchase reflect what matters most to me?”

Values-based spending means intentionally directing your money toward the people, experiences, causes, and goals that are most important to you.

When you understand why you spend, you can make more intentional decisions—and build a healthier relationship with your money.

09/18/2026

As summer winds down and routines start to settle back in, it’s a great time for a quick financial reset.

Before we head into the final stretch of the year, take a moment to:

🌿 Review your spending from the summer
💰 Check in on your savings goals
📈 Revisit your investment strategy
📋 Review your retirement contributions
🍂 Start thinking about year-end planning

A new season is a great reminder that small financial check-ins throughout the year can help keep your bigger goals on track.

Here’s to making the most of the last days of summer—and heading into fall with a plan!

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

Every balance sheet, every business, every dream of financial security starts with hard work. Today we honor the workers whose dedication, sacrifice, and grit built the prosperity we all share.

To the early risers, the overtime hours, the jobs that don't always get noticed but always get done — thank you. Your work is the foundation everything else is built on.

From all of us at Cobblestone Asset Management, Happy Labor Day to the hardworking people who make it all possible.

09/04/2026

Markets pushed higher in August as AI-driven optimism helped investors look past softer economic data. The S&P 500 gained 2.62% and the S&P/TSX Composite rose 2.96%, even as softening retail sales kept consumer spending in focus. Back-to-school season adds another data point to that story, with spending expected to reach \$146.8 billion in the U.S. and \$4.5 billion in Canada this year.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 2.62 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 3.93 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, adding 1.34 percent. The S&P/TSX rose 2.96 percent.1,2

08/21/2026

Life insurance is often framed as something you only think about "just in case."

But for many people, it can be part of a broader financial foundation—supporting both current flexibility and future considerations.

From how coverage works to what employer benefits actually provide, understanding the basics can make it easier to decide what fits your situation.

Several factors affect the cost and availability of life insurance. And any guarantees associated with a policy depend on the issuing insurance company's ability to continue making claim payments.

08/07/2026

Markets navigated mixed signals in July. Inflation eased, tech faced pressure, and energy surged. Meanwhile, Americans are planning record travel spending in 2026: \$1.37 trillion. What's shaping your household budget this summer?

Stocks were mixed in July as investors navigated a cross-current of news on the outlook for AI spending and Q2 corporate reports.