Doug Gower - Financial Planner

10/09/2026

There’s an important difference between tax preparation and tax planning.

Tax preparation looks backward.

Tax planning looks forward.

By the time you’re preparing your return next spring, many of the decisions that could have affected this year are already behind you.

October is a great time to look at things like:

Income changes
Capital gains
Retirement contributions
Charitable giving
Business income
Potential deductions

You don’t need to make every decision today.

But you do want enough time to understand your options.

Your CPA and financial advisor should ideally be working from the same playbook.

10/07/2026

A financial plan shouldn’t sit on a shelf and collect dust for 12 months.

Chances are, some things have changed in your financial life since then.

New job?

Raise or bonus?

New home?

New child or grandchild?

Unexpected expense?

Those changes can affect taxes, savings goals, investments, insurance, and retirement planning.

One of the simplest things you can do before year-end is ask:

“Is the plan we started the year with still the right plan today?”

Sometimes the answer is yes.

Sometimes a small adjustment now can make a big difference later.

10/05/2026

Year End Planning usually happens in December, but October is actually the better time to start. "Well Douglas...why would that be?"

The answer is because in October you still have time to actually make decisions and changes, instead of rushing to check the box before December 31.

If year end planning is on your "To Do List" or even your "Honey, Do List," now is a great time to start that conversation.

10/09/2024

Doug Gower and Bartlett Wealth Management are hosting an educational cybersecurity webinar with Scott Mackie, a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) and former Boston Police Officer who received training from the National Computer Forensic Institute while assigned as a Task Force Officer / Special Deputy U.S. Marshal with the United States Secret Service.

The webinar will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 6:00 PM (EST) and will last approximately 45-60 minutes.

Scott will discuss how to protect yourself from online scams and provide tips on how you can improve your online security.

This is a great opportunity to learn from someone who has seen “it all” regarding online security. The webinar is open to everyone of all ages, so please feel free to forward this message to family, friends, and co-workers.

If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected]

Protecting yourself and your loved ones from online scams is more crucial than ever. Join Scott Mackie, retired Boston Police Officer and partner at Strong Harbor Consulting. Scott is a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) and received training from the National Computer Forensic Institute wh...

09/19/2024

We all know the moon isn't made out of blue cheese...but did you know that it has a tail?!

Join us for an enlightening webinar exploring the sodium tail of the Moon, a remarkable phenomenon that extends hundreds of thousands of miles into space. This event will delve into the science behind this celestial feature, revealing how sodium atoms from the Moon's surface are released and illuminated by the Sun, creating a glowing tail visible from Earth.

Presented by Jeff Baumgardner, Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Space Physics at Boston University, this webinar promises to be both fascinating and educational, offering a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of lunar science and the intricate dynamics of our solar system. Take advantage of this chance to expand your cosmic knowledge!

05/14/2024

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!!!

📢Join me on Wednesday, May 15th at 6:30 for the "Investing Fundamentals" webinar. You'll learn basic knowledge to give you the confidence to invest according to your targets and risk tolerance. Looking forward to seeing you there!

👇RSVP link below in the comments

05/08/2024

📢Join me on Wednesday, May 15th at 6:30 for the "Investing Fundamentals" webinar. You'll learn basic knowledge to give you the confidence to invest according to your targets and risk tolerance. Looking forward to seeing you there!

👇RSVP link below in the comments

12/22/2023

🌟 Did you know? 🌟

Individuals aged 70 ½ or older might have a tax-saving opportunity through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)! 💰

A QCD allows you to exclude up to $100,000 from your income annually by making a direct payment from your IRA to a qualified charity. 🎁

This distribution cannot be paid to you as the IRA owner, and it must happen when you're at least 70½ years old. Moreover, a QCD can count toward your required minimum distribution for the year.

Here's the perk: A QCD won't impact your income, and it's tax-free when directly paid from your IRA to an eligible charitable organization. Plus, it's available regardless of whether you itemize deductions on Schedule A.

A QCD may be a tax-efficient way to support causes close to your heart this holiday season, while potentially reducing your taxable income. Win-win! 🚀

12/21/2023

🚨 Why Emergency Savings Are Crucial 🚨

Emergencies don't come with a warning, but being prepared can make all the difference. LendingTree's latest survey dives deep into the importance of emergency savings. According to the findings, an alarming percentage of Americans lack adequate funds for unexpected financial crises.

🔍 Key Takeaways:
Car repairs are the #1 unexpected expense that individuals couldn't cover
61% of Gen Z and 56% of women couldn't cover $1,000 emergency expense

💡 What You Can Do:

Build an emergency fund: Start small and make it a habit.
Explore debt consolidation options: Simplify payments and save more effectively.
Work with a Financial Planner to build a strong financial foundation

https://www.lendingtree.com/debt-consolidation/emergency-savings-survey/?fbclid=IwAR1WwHzKOQ4IgnUzUf7KdHoYytcEVzI8AS4Tvl2bKFYNLTG1LZ4lFeqGrbI

If a $1,000 financial emergency hit your household tomorrow, would you be prepared? The answer for about half of Americans is no.