EFS Advisors: The Leach & Meissner Group

10/27/2026

You don’t necessarily have to sell a mutual fund to receive a taxable capital gain distribution.

When investments held inside a mutual fund are sold at a gain, the fund may pass a portion of those gains along to shareholders.

As year-end approaches, it may be worth checking whether your funds have any expected distributions and considering how they could affect your overall tax picture. If you have questions about an expected distribution, your financial advisor can help you understand how it may fit into your broader financial plan.

10/22/2026

Holiday spending can add up quickly, and gifts are only part of it.

Travel, meals, hosting, events, decorations, and all the little extras that come with the season can make December look very different from what you had planned back in October.

NerdWallet shares a few practical ways to build a holiday budget, including looking at what you spent last year and planning for the expenses you already know are coming.

Read more here:

The holidays are expensive, especially if you don’t have a plan. Review last year’s expenses, create spending categories and start saving early to avoid debt in the new year.

10/20/2026

Charitable giving doesn’t have to be an end of year decision.

If there are organizations or causes you already know you want to support this year, October gives you a little more breathing room to decide what you want your giving to look like.

That might mean choosing where to give, determining an amount, or discussing the most appropriate way to make the gift.

A little extra time can make the decision feel more intentional and a lot less rushed.

10/15/2026

Over time, higher income can quietly become higher spending without much thought about where the difference went.

Enjoying more of what you earn isn’t a bad thing. But an increase in income can also be an opportunity to revisit how much is going toward saving, investing, spending, and the priorities that matter to you.

Read more about making the most of an increase in income:

We're not saying you shouldn't spend it on a new car, but there are some considerations to guard against lifestyle creep and to help ensure a comfy retirement.

10/13/2026

December 31 may still feel a ways off, but required minimum distributions are one year-end item worth checking before the calendar gets crowded.

If an RMD applies to you in 2026, confirm what has already been distributed and what may still need to come out before year-end.

The timing can deserve additional attention if this is your first RMD or if you inherited a retirement account.

Your financial advisor can help you review what applies to your situation.

10/08/2026

We don’t always make financial decisions based on the numbers alone.

Sometimes it’s a quick decision we make without thinking it through. Sometimes we compare our financial situation to someone else’s. And sometimes, we avoid a decision because it feels easier than dealing with it.

Those habits can influence our financial choices more than we realize. Kiplinger explores seven common behaviors that can get in the way of financial progress and how to recognize them.

Read more here:

The everyday decisions that may be costing you more than you realize.

10/06/2026

If you filed for an extension, October 15 is the deadline for most individual taxpayers to file their federal return. One important detail to remember: an extension gives you more time to file, but it doesn’t extend the deadline for paying taxes that were due in April.

If you’re still gathering documents or working with your tax professional, now is a good time to check in and make sure you’re on track for the October deadline.

10/01/2026

Getting a raise is exciting, but what you do with that extra income can matter, too.

Putting even a portion toward retirement savings, debt, or an emergency fund can help turn an increase in income into meaningful progress toward your goals.

See Investopedia’s ideas for making the most of a raise:

Earning more at work? Don’t just spend it—learn how to turn your raise into long-term financial growth.

09/29/2026

The amount you save for retirement is only part of the equation. How you turn those savings into income matters, too, because retirement accounts, Social Security, and other sources of income can have different tax considerations. Understanding those differences can help you make more informed decisions about how to fund your retirement.

Have questions about your retirement income strategy? Reach out to your advisor to talk through your options.

09/24/2026

The lowest monthly premium isn't always the lowest-cost option.

During open enrollment, it's worth looking at the full picture of a health plan, including deductibles, out-of-pocket costs, coverage, and how much you expect to use your benefits. Priority Health offers a helpful checklist to guide you through the process before you make your selection.

Read more here:

Use our Open Enrollment Period checklist to familiarize yourself with important factors that will make choosing the right ACA plan easier for you and your family.