Sunflower Financial Planning, LLC

08/19/2025

If you’ve got a student heading off to college this fall, I put together an article with some important things to think about before move-in day — from legal documents to insurance to helping them start building credit. Feel free to check it out.
https://www.planwithsunflower.com/before-they-pack-the-car-legal-insurance-and-money-steps-for-college-bound-students

07/11/2025

I’m deeply honored to be included in Money's 2025 Best Women Financial Planners list, and I’m grateful for the work CFP Board is doing through Accelerate & WIN to support more women on the path to CFP® certification.

Becoming a CFP® professional was indeed a turning point for me — not just in building a meaningful practice, but in gaining the confidence and platform to serve others more deeply. I’m inspired by the leadership of Liz Miller and Rita Cheng, and I echo the call: if each of us brings one woman along, we can help reshape the profession for the better.

Money’s choices for the top 30 women planners are all highly qualified, customer-centric financial advisors who serve clients of all backgrounds. Whether you need comprehensive financial planning or niche expertise for a life transition, these financial experts are well-equipped to help you live a...

07/08/2025

Did you know your HSA may soon cover gym memberships—and that you could get reimbursed for medical expenses from before your account was even open? Starting in 2026, HSAs will offer more flexibility with expanded reimbursement options and broader eligibility. HSAs aren’t just for healthcare—they’re becoming powerful wellness and retirement bridge accounts, especially for early retirees navigating coverage before Medicare.
Learn what’s changing—and how to make the most of these new planning opportunities.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hsa-opportunity-just-got-biggerbut-everyone-inna-rivilis-cfp--h5zle

06/24/2025

In this edition of the newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/smart-summer-planning-financial-tips-vacation-your-inna-rivilis-cfp--0tb8e, we’re diving into smart summer planning—offering financial tips for family vacations and essential legal documents every parent should consider before sending a teen off to college.
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06/10/2025

This year, Sunflower grew in an exciting way—we welcomed Laura Elizabeth Pohl to the team! 🌻

Laura brings a unique blend of financial expertise and creative storytelling, with a background in humanitarian work, journalism, and financial education for creatives. She is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) studying to take the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ board exam later this year and already making a meaningful impact in supporting our clients.

Her passion, creativity, and dedication to helping others shine through in everything she does.
Grateful to have Laura on board as we grow Sunflower Financial Planning with purpose, humor, and a whole lot of heart. (And yes, we take our branded mugs seriously. ☕) Bonus: she rocks the Sunflower vest like a pro. 🌻

05/23/2025

🌻Sunflower Turns One!
This week marks one year since I officially launched Sunflower Financial Planning—a practice built around service, values, and real-life financial planning for families navigating retirement, college and caregiving.
To celebrate, we just sent out our first-ever newsletter—a look back at the past year, updates on new services, and a few personal reflections.
If you'd like to take a look or subscribe for future updates, you can check it out here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/9ECuKxh/sunflowernewsletter
Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to year two! 🌻

Financial tips and updates from Sunflower, once a month—practical, helpful, never spammy.

05/20/2025

Not all retirement benefits are created equal—some require a strategy to unlock their full potential.
If you have access to a non-qualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan, don’t overlook it. Used wisely, it can become a powerful income bridge—especially if you're planning to retire early, move states, or help pay for college.
In this article, I break down:
✅ Tax advantages and payout flexibility
✅ Key risks, including state taxation and creditor exposure
✅ Strategic timing to align with retirement, Medicare, or college expenses
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-use-deferred-compensation-plan-early-retirement-rivilis-cfp--gxvce

05/09/2025

Love seeing posts like this! New Hampshire has the lowest personal tax burden of any state east of Wyoming. And compared to our neighbors, the contrast is stark. I chose to live in New Hampshire for more than just the low tax burden. Mountain views and no traffic (well, mostly) are hard to beat. Not just for the views and quality of life, but for the financial benefits too. A lower tax burden can make a real difference in long-term planning, especially for families with kids and retirees.
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05/05/2025

I’ve seen this come up often with clients lately: the line between protecting your wealth and overprotecting it isn’t always clear. In this newsletter, I break down what true wealth protection looks like—and how playing it too safe can quietly cost you.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/you-overprotecting-your-wealth-when-playing-too-safe-rivilis-cfp--zrx3e

04/28/2025

I'm excited to be part of the new WOW – Winning Opportunities for Women series hosted by the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce — and honored to be the first speaker of the year!

Thank you to Katie Cook and the Haverhill Chamber team for inviting me to kick off this important event series. I'll be speaking about a topic that touches so many lives: caring for an aging parent.

Looking forward to connecting with fellow women in business and starting these important conversations! 🌻

GHCC Winning Opportunities for Women (WOW) is expanding! Over the next year, we will be hosting monthly women’s speaker series, networking events, and group philanthropy projects to help us grow our network of professional women.

We will kick off the series with an amazing speaker to chat about caring for an aging parent and all that goes along with it! Join us on May 1st at the new home of WOW, the Renaissance Golf Club.

$25 for members, $35 for non-members.
Register here: https://haverhillma.chambermaster.com/events/details/wow-speaker-series-caring-for-an-aging-parent-5147428?

Thank you to Pentucket Bank for being our event series sponsor and for creating this flyer.

04/28/2025

Thank you, Anne Tergesen of The Wall Street Journal, for including me in your article, Americans Are Claiming Social Security Early, Fearful of Its Future, covering the growing concerns around Social Security.
With recent changes at the Social Security Administration — including staffing reductions — and ongoing uncertainty about the future of benefits, many individuals are understandably reassessing their retirement plans.
You can find a link to the article in the comments below.
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04/22/2025

With student loan headlines back in the news—and proposals on the table to eliminate Parent PLUS loans entirely—it’s more important than ever to build a college plan based on what your family can truly afford. Because the best college plan isn’t about chasing prestige—it’s about financial clarity, stability, and peace of mind for your whole family.

I’ve shared a few key steps to help you get started in my latest newsletter.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/avoid-college-debt-trap-late-stage-planning-steps-711-rivilis-cfp--smxzf