EFS Advisors: The Leach & Meissner Group

06/11/2026

If you are married and have an IRA, your spouse is likely listed as the primary beneficiary so they can access the funds if needed.

What many families don’t realize is that a spouse’s decisions when inheriting an IRA can affect how long children have to take distributions and how long those assets continue growing tax deferred.

Learn how a spouse’s inherited IRA decisions can impact your children’s tax-deferred growth:

How your spouse handles an inherited IRA can impact your children’s taxes and timelines. Learn key options and strategies to preserve tax-deferred growth.

06/09/2026

For those looking to incorporate charitable giving into their financial strategy, there are options designed to support both your personal goals and meaningful causes.

A charitable gift annuity typically provides fixed payments for life in exchange for a charitable donation, with the remaining funds benefiting the nonprofit organization later on. It’s a specific planning approach that blends generosity with long-term structure.

Your advisor can help you explore whether charitable planning strategies make sense for your situation. Reach out today if you have more questions.

06/04/2026

Market conditions and tax considerations can shift over time, which is why it’s important to revisit strategies that may have been overlooked in the past. Municipal bonds are one area different investors are taking another look at for their potential tax advantages and income opportunities.

This article from Kiplinger breaks down why municipal bonds may deserve renewed consideration:

If you just wrote a check to the IRS, that could be a reminder that today's municipal bond market may offer better after-tax outcomes than you might expect.

06/02/2026

Your tax refund can be a great opportunity to put extra money to work.

Consider using it to pay down high-interest debt, grow your savings or investments, adjust your withholding if the refund was large, give intentionally, or set aside a small portion to enjoy as a reward.

05/28/2026

Financial habits often begin at home, long before someone manages money on their own. Talking with children or grandchildren about saving, spending, and planning can help build them confidence and understanding over time.

The lessons we learn early on often guide our financial habits in the long run.

05/26/2026

For many first-time homebuyers carrying student loan debt, the financial path forward can feel like a balancing act.

Should you focus on paying down student loans faster, prioritize saving for a down payment, or work
toward both at the same time?

Read about smart ways to juggle these demands:

Explore Guardian’s 2025 mental, physical, and financial wellness study. Discover what drives well-being — and how to improve it.

05/21/2026

Thinking about selling your home? A great sale starts long before it hits the market.

From understanding your home’s value and planning for costs to tackling repairs, staging, and pricing, a little preparation upfront can make the whole process feel a lot smoother and more confident.

For helpful tips, see NAR’s guide on preparing to sell your home:

Once you decide to sell your home, you might have questions about how to prepare it for listing and viewing by potential buyers. An agent who is a REALTOR® can guide you through this process. Here are some common considerations as you prepare your home to sell.

05/19/2026

Estate planning is easy to delay, but it becomes really important when life takes an unexpected turn. Having things clearly written down can help make things easier for the people who may need to step in.

It’s also worth revisiting over time as things change.

05/14/2026

Market movements are a normal part of investing, but they don’t need to pull you away from your long-term goals. A steady financial plan can help provide clarity and consistency through changing conditions, and periods of volatility can sometimes be a chance to reassess your approach.

Learn more about strategies for navigating market volatility here:

https://mgstn.ly/4cQyIXb

Market volatility, while unsettling, is a normal part of investing. Here are five strategies to help you navigate through it.