Blog Posts Filed Under financial-planning
SECURE Act 2.0: Ongoing Implementation Updates
By Beth Stringer
SECURE Act 2.0 brings major retirement planning changes in 2025. Discover enhanced $11,250 catch-up contributions for ages 60-63, mandatory Roth catch-up rules starting 2026, and how the $145k income threshold affects your tax strategy. Essential guide for high earners maximizing retirement savings.
2025 Tax Law Changes: What You Need to Know
By Beth Stringer
2025 brings major tax changes for high earners ($250K+). The One Big Beautiful Bill made TCJA cuts permanent, raised standard deductions to $15,750/$31,500, increased estate exemptions to $15M/$30M in 2026, expanded SALT caps to $40K, and added new deductions for tips, seniors 65+, overtime & car loans. QBI deduction is now permanent with enhanced ranges starting 2026.
Why Market Timing Doesn't Work (And What to Do Instead): Behavioral Finance Insights
By Beth Stringer
Don't fall for the market timing trap! This article reveals why even savvy investors fail at predicting market movements, uncovering the behavioral biases that lead to costly mistakes. Learn evidence-based strategies like systematic rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting to build lasting wealth, proving that "time in the market beats timing the market" for true financial success.
Breaking Up with Your 1% Advisor: A Step-by-Step Guide
By Beth Stringer
This practical guide walks sophisticated investors through the decision of whether to ditch their percentage-based financial advisor in favor of a flat-fee structure that could save serious money over time. It breaks down a systematic approach for evaluating your current advisor's actual value (beyond just investment management), figuring out what services you really need, finding and vetting quality flat-fee alternatives, and making the switch without disrupting your financial plan. While the guide clearly favors flat-fee arrangements for high-net-worth investors who've outgrown basic hand-holding, it's refreshingly honest about situations where that traditional percentage fee might still make sense—like when your advisor is genuinely functioning as your outsourced CFO or consistently saving you from costly emotional investing mistakes.
Q3: Back-to-School Financial Planning and College Funding
By Beth Stringer
This guide explores college funding strategies for high-income families who face the challenge of being ineligible for need-based financial aid while needing to fund $240,000 to $280,000+ per child in college costs. The article covers maximizing 529 plans, alternative strategies like Roth IRAs and taxable accounts, business owner approaches, navigating 2024-25 FAFSA changes, and integrating college planning with retirement and estate goals. It emphasizes coordinating multiple strategies and working with fee-only advisors for objective guidance.
The Hidden Costs of 'Free' Financial Seminars
By Beth Stringer
Uncover the hidden dangers of "free" financial seminars that target affluent professionals with complimentary meals and promises of guaranteed returns. This guide exposes the psychology behind these sales traps, reveals red flags like artificial urgency and fake credentials, and explains how seemingly educational workshops can cost tens of thousands through unsuitable high-commission products. Learn to distinguish legitimate financial advice from predatory marketing tactics and discover why that "free" steak dinner might be the most expensive meal you'll ever eat.