Steve Athanassie, CFP, AIFA

02/07/2026

01/05/2026

As we approach the 2026 tax season, I am focused on intentionally expanding my network of tax professionals to better serve my clients.

Currently, I collaborate with several respected CPAs and have a deep appreciation for the CPA profession, especially given the pressures firms face today. With ongoing capacity constraints in the industry, I am looking to establish one or two additional relationships with a CPA or experienced Enrolled Agent who shares a similar service philosophy.

The clients I serve include:
- High-net-worth retirees, often with significant 1099 income and planning considerations
- High-income professionals such as attorneys, executives, and business owners
- Individuals whose personal, business, and planning decisions require seamless coordination

I seek a professional who values:
- Strong follow-up and client communication
- Comfort with both individual and business tax compliance
- Collaboration with financial advisors and attorneys
- A long-term, relationship-driven approach

What I offer includes:
- Well-prepared, planning-oriented clients
- Proactive coordination of tax data gathering to ensure complete, timely, and usable information
- A secure, centralized portal and liaison role that minimizes back-and-forth, delays, and follow-up requests
- Ongoing involvement throughout the tax process, not just a handoff
- Thoughtful, reciprocal referrals rather than a volume-driven approach

This opportunity may not be the right fit for everyone, as I am prioritizing quality over quantity.

If this resonates with you, or if you know a CPA or Enrolled Agent who aligns with this approach, I would welcome a private conversation in the coming weeks.

11/19/2025

It was great catching up with David Schassler last week. David is the Head of Multi-Asset Solutions and Portfolio Manager at VanEck, and a frequent guest on CNBC.

He was early in calling gold’s recent meteoric rise, and his perspective on the debasement of the U.S. dollar is equal parts fascinating and a little frightening.

Always a pleasure connecting with sharp thinkers who see the landscape through a truly unique lens.

10/09/2025

Flying Without Instruments

With the government shutdown in effect, key economic reports—like the jobs numbers and inflation data—aren’t being released. That means investors, and even the Federal Reserve, are flying without instruments.

So far, the markets seem to be shrugging it off. But here’s the thing: markets don’t like uncertainty. When the usual indicators go dark, assumptions start taking over. That can create a lot of short-term noise, but it doesn’t change the long-term picture.

After 40 years in this business, I’ve learned that the absence of data doesn’t mean the absence of direction. A disciplined, rules-based process keeps us focused on what we can control—price, trend, and risk—until the clouds clear.

Discipline, not headlines, is what keeps the flight steady.

10/03/2025

Buying a new home while still owning your current one can feel overwhelming.

Last week I helped a couple who faced that exact challenge. Instead of selling their investments (and triggering a tax bill), we used their portfolio as leverage to set up a short-term solution.

The result? They bought their new home right away, avoided capital gains, and kept their investments working for them.

That’s the power of planning — turning stress into peace of mind.

10/01/2025

It’s October 1st.

Mark Twain once joked:

“October. This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August, and February.”

His humor still rings true: markets can be unpredictable any month.

But October does stand out — it’s historically the most volatile month, with bigger swings than any other. Some of the most dramatic drops and rebounds have clustered here.

That’s why I remind clients: don’t confuse noise with direction. A steady, rules-based plan is the best way to fly through October’s turbulence.

09/26/2025

Bonds are finally paying investors again — but there’s a catch.

Bond yields look attractive again — close to 5% on investment-grade and over 7% on high-yield. That’s a big change from much of the last decade.

But here’s the trade-off: the cushion for risk, known as the spread, has shrunk to some of the tightest levels we’ve seen in decades. In plain terms, investors aren’t being paid much extra to take on corporate credit risk.

That doesn’t mean trouble is around the corner, but it does mean there’s less room for error.
My approach:

Focus on quality

Stay diversified across Treasuries, corporates, and municipals.

Keep a long-term perspective

Attractive yields are welcome, but this isn’t the time to stretch for extra risk. Discipline wins over chasing yield.

09/24/2025

Most people assume settling an estate is long and painful. It doesn’t have to be.

One of our long-time clients recently passed away, and we’re now helping her family settle her estate.

Her children expected it to be a long, difficult process—because that’s what they experienced when settling another family member’s estate. They were relieved when I explained we’d likely have everything wrapped up within a month or so.

The difference? A plan.
When accounts are organized and titled correctly, beneficiary designations are in place, and the right documents are ready, the process is far smoother and faster.

Estate planning isn’t just about taxes or legal paperwork—it’s about sparing your loved ones time, stress, and uncertainty when they need it least.

09/17/2025

The Fed wraps up its two-day meeting this afternoon, and markets are strongly pricing in a rate cut. The widely accepted view: if the Fed cuts, bonds will rally and interest rates will fall.

But here’s the mistake—assuming markets always move in the “textbook” direction. What if long rates rise after the cut? What if bonds weaken instead of rally?

I’ve seen it more than once in my 40 years of managing portfolios. Markets don’t trade on the news itself—they trade on expectations and the next move.

That’s why a rules-based strategy matters more than predictions. Don’t assume the obvious. Plan for the unexpected.

09/16/2025

On this day, September 16, 1922, the East Oregonian ran the headline: “Turks Killed 120,000.”

It reported massacres in Smyrna — bodies in the streets, the harbor filled with corpses, thousands of Greeks and Armenians killed.

Today, September 16, 2025, I think of my grandmother, who was a child then. She and my great-grandparents fled Smyrna and Constantinople, surviving and rebuilding their lives from nothing.

Her story has always reminded me how quickly life can change — and I honor that legacy by living with gratitude, integrity, and perseverance.

09/15/2025

Third-quarter tax estimates are due today.

For those making quarterly payments, it’s a reminder that taxes don’t just happen once a year—they’re part of the planning process all year long.

September 15th isn’t just another Monday—it’s the IRS’s way of saying “don’t forget me.” With the right tax reduction strategies, it won’t feel quite as painful.

09/12/2025

Markets Just Changed the Playbook

Last week’s jobs report came in weaker than expected—just 22,000 new jobs added. Now the market is almost certain the Fed will cut rates next week, and some are even betting on a half-point drop.

In response, yields tumbled, the dollar softened, and money started flowing into bonds and safe-haven assets.

Here’s the big picture: the market’s worry has shifted. Inflation isn’t the headline anymore—growth is.

After 40 years of watching these pivots, I can tell you each one rewrites the playbook. And yes, we’re already adjusting portfolios accordingly.