John Perog with Valent Wealth

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John Perog with Valent Wealth

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My network of nationally recognized industry leaders work to help you uncover your potential.

09/23/2026

What would you tell your 25-year-old self about money?

Getting insight from people who’ve been in your shoes can be powerful when you are young.

Time is more powerful than timing.

At 25, it can feel like you have forever to start investing. But the biggest advantage you have isn't picking the perfect investment—it's giving your money more years to grow.

If we could go back, we'd say:

• Start investing before you think you're "ready."

• Build sound habits over chasing returns.

• Lifestyle inflation is sneaky; don't let every pay rise become a spending rise.

• An emergency fund isn't boring. It can help when you least expect it.

• You don't need to know everything to get started.

What would you add?

Drop your best insight in the comments. Someone who's 25 today may need to hear it.

09/21/2026

Will your future income keep pace with the life you are preparing for?

In October, the Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2027 will be announced.

The annual adjustment is designed to help benefits keep up with inflation, but the same principle can be applied more broadly.

Your retirement income may need to be adjusted as your life, expenses, and priorities change.

Healthcare, insurance, travel, home maintenance, and support for family members can all affect the income you may need to generate.

Ask yourself:

• Has your expected retirement spending changed?

• Are certain future expenses rising faster than you thought?

• Does your income strategy account for inflation?

• Are you strategizing for the lifestyle that you budgeted for years ago?

A thoughtful retirement income strategy should evolve as your life and expenses change.

09/16/2026

Did you know your Medicare plan can change for next year even if you don't touch a thing?

Each fall, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans send a letter called the Annual Notice of Change.

It arrives by September 30 and outlines what's different starting January 1: premiums, copays, network doctors, and covered medications.

Most people never open it. A large share of Medicare beneficiaries never compare their options.

Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7. Take the time to note what is changing for the coming year.

09/14/2026

Google co-founder Sergey Brin recently bought a $42 million mansion on Lake Tahoe.

But the most interesting part of the transaction isn’t the private beach. It's the exact state line where the property sits.

The estate is on the Nevada side, in Crystal Bay. The purchase was part of a strategy to shift his permanent residency and corporate holdings out of California ahead of a proposed 5 percent billionaire wealth tax.

Let's be realistic: there probably aren't many billionaires reading this post.

But we have seen clients:

• Move in advance of a major liquidity event to a lower-tax state

• Shift their permanent residence to help manage their taxes

• Evaluate how state-imposed estate and inheritance rules may impact where they live in their later years

Tax strategy is a year-round discipline, not an annual scramble.

Whether you are preparing for a business exit or mapping out your retirement years, we’re here to help.

Any companies mentioned are for illustrative purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Consult your tax, legal, and accounting professional if you are considering a decision in order to manage your tax situation.

09/09/2026

Which month historically gives the S&P 500 its biggest headache?

If you said October, think again!

Although October has a reputation for market events, September is actually the month that's experienced more downturns.

September finishes higher less than half the time (historically around 44 percent).

There are theories behind it.

Institutions often rebalance their portfolios at the end of the third quarter, adding to the volatility.
Traders return from a slower summer, which can shake up trading.

And the federal government's fiscal year ends September 30, so budget uncertainty also tends to land in September.

Did you already know this? Or is this new news?

The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index that is considered representative of the U.S. stock market. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index.

09/07/2026

Most families think they have until next June to file the FAFSA.

For a lot of state and school aid, that's already too late.

FAFSA for the 2027-28 school year is set to open on October 1.

The federal deadline runs through June 30, 2028, but most states and colleges set their own deadlines, some as early as January, and aid is often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

File in October, and you're near the front of the line. Wait until spring, and the aid you were counting on may already be spoken for.

Tip: Create your FSA ID at StudentAid.gov before October 1 arrives, ahead of the day-one rush.

If you have a student applying to college this year, make a note in your calendar.

09/03/2026

Roughly 56 percent of IPOs bought at the offer price lost money after 3 years.

That's not the headline you see on day one.

You see the first-day pop. The company goes public, and its stock has averaged a 19 percent gain since 1980. Feels like a moment you should catch.

Here's what actually happens:

1.) Institutional investors get the offering price before trading opens.

2.) You buy at market open, after the move.

Then the real story starts.

This gap is based on research led by Professor Jay R. Ritter, who authored a 2026 report on IPO performance for the University of Florida. His analysis of 9,300 U.S. IPOs is one of the most comprehensive databases available.

Chasing IPOs can provide a thrill, but there are pros and cons.

A sound portfolio should reflect an investor's goals, risk, and time horizon. The risks of an IPO are not for everyone.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The return and principal value of IPOs and other stocks will fluctuate as market conditions change. And shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

07/28/2026

Without looking, when did you last update your will?

For most people, the honest answer is "a while ago." Sometimes it's "I don't remember." Occasionally, it's "I'm not sure I ever have."

Estate documents get signed in a year that felt important, and then they go into a drawer.

Four things most people don't realize:

• State estate taxes follow the property, not the person. A vacation home in another state can be taxed by that state's rules.

• Trusts in recent years may need to be updated to reflect current rules.

• Inheritance tax depends on who receives, not what's left. Nieces, nephews, and unmarried partners may owe what a child wouldn't.

• The beneficiary form on a retirement account typically overrides the will. The form is filled out once and quietly controls millions.

And many more nuances worth considering.

We’re here if you want an opinion on your estate strategy. If you have a trust, we would encourage you to speak with a professional who is familiar with the relevant rules and regulations before considering any changes.

07/21/2026

Trump Accounts opened on July 4. A few questions are worth considering:

• Our baby is 18 months old. Do we qualify for the $1,000?

Yes. Every U.S. citizen baby born since January 1, 2025, qualifies for a one-time $1,000 federal contribution.

• Is there an income maximum?

No. Eligibility is based on the child's citizenship and birth date, not family income.

• Our child is 7. Did we miss it?

Not entirely. Any U.S. citizen under 18 can have an account opened. The federal $1,000 payment applies only to children born in 2025 through 2028, but everything else still applies.

• Can grandparents contribute?

Yes. Up to $5,000 per year combined across parents, grandparents, family, and the child themselves.

• What is the catch?

State tax conformity varies; California, for example, does not currently conform.

Whether to contribute, how much, and how to coordinate it with what you already have are all worth talking through. Our team is here for that.

07/14/2026

"Let's talk about it in December."

By December, choices can be limited. Mid-year is often the sweet spot for preparation.

The bracket picture is clearer than it was in January.

Roth IRA conversion timing is flexible within the calendar year, but the bracket math can influence the outcome.

Six months of runway means scenarios can be modeled, not rushed.

If the market dips before year-end, the same tax math may change. Those windows rarely give notice. Keep your tax, legal, or accounting professional in the loop if you see an opportunity.

December conversions can be reactive.

Mid-year conversions can be designed.

If you’re wondering about timing, we welcome a discussion.

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. 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.

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https://www.valentwealth.com/

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