Blog

Tax Prep vs. Tax Strategy: The Difference Matters More Than You Think

Greg Alessandra & George Johnson

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Key TakeawaysTreat tax strategy as a continuous process, not a once-a-year filing exercise.Coordinate with financial and tax professionals throughout the year to identify opportunities for efficiency.Review contribution limits,...

Understanding the Emotions Behind Financial Decisions

Greg Alessandra & George Johnson

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Key TakeawaysEmotions and biases might influence financial choices more often than most people realize.Behavioral patterns, such as loss aversion, familiarity bias, and herd mentality, can impact long-term results.Recognizing emotional...

AI and the New Face of Fraud: How to Protect Your Identity and Finances in 2026

Greg Alessandra

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most revolutionary technology of our time, with industries scrambling to embrace its possibilities. AI’s early influence seems similar to the positive disruptions brought about by past...

2025 in Review and What You Should Know

George Johnson, MBA

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

As we begin a new year and consider the opportunities ahead, reflecting on the past year helps put today’s financial landscape into perspective and informs the strategies that can move us closer to our goals.2025 was a year marked by...

Goal Setting That Sticks: Simple Ways to Turn January Motivation into Lasting Wins

Greg Alessandra

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Key Takeaways and Suggestions for Successful Goal Setting Use SMART Goals for Clarity and FocusSet goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This proven method helps break big ambitions into manageable...

Year-End Giving Strategies: Tax-Smart and Impactful

Greg Alessandra

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Key Takeaways A third of annual donations: About one-third of all charitable contributions are made in December. Donating before December 31 may offer tax advantages. New rules starting in 2026 (via the OBBB Act) may affect deductions...

The sandwich generation is generally defined as middle-aged individuals aged 40 to 60 (Generation X) sandwiched between aging parents, adult children, and grandchildren. Because members of the sandwich generation have been in the...

Each year, the Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds provide detailed reports to Congress that track the programs' current financial condition and projected financial outlook. These reports have warned for years that...

Wealth and estate planning are vital for all individuals but are particularly essential for high-net-worth (HNW) individuals in the sandwich generation. "Sandwich generation" refers to individuals caring for their aging parents and...

Charitable giving is an integral part of many high-net-worth (HNW) individuals' financial strategy, not only as a means of helping others but also for the numerous benefits it offers to the giver. Here, we delve into ten benefits that...

Insurance is designed to provide coverage for some of life's biggest disasters—fire, floods, car crashes, disability, and death. Here are three types of insurance that are critical to have, even on a shoestring budget.

Dementia is a complex and devastating condition that not only affects the emotional and mental well-being of individuals but also places an immense financial burden on families.

There is one thing that we will most likely all do one day: regardless of your status in society, position at work, or whether you are tall or short, you may pass down assets to loved ones.

The terms "rich" and "wealthy" are often used interchangeably. But are they really the same? As the saying goes, "Money talks, but wealth whispers."

529 plans are a tool for those looking to save for college for their children, grandchildren, or any family member. While most people know that they are one of the most popular saving methods for college, many myths surrounding these...

Just because your military service is up doesn’t mean your benefits disappear. You spent many years of your life serving and protecting your country. With that sacrifice, you can access various benefits created to help you readjust to...

To maintain good physical health, most people must exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and keep stress to a minimum. Achieving financial wellness is no different. It requires careful planning, smart decision-making, and consistent...

Dealing with the death of a loved one is not easy. With it comes many decisions, including how to handle the funds from their life insurance policy. Whether you are the sole recipient of a loved one's policy or only receiving a portion...

Do you remember how hard it was learning about finances by making mistakes? Don’t make your kids suffer through that like you had to. Here are seven tips you can teach your children, so they don’t have to learn the hard way.

On Financial Professional Day, explore how working with a financial professional could be a game-changer on your path toward a higher net worth.

Being financially literate allows you to have a better, more intelligent relationship with your money, allowing you to make financial decisions more quickly and efficiently.

We wanted to share eight tips that may help you mitigate some of the stress from filing your taxes.

As spring approaches, the weather is starting to warm up. For the stock market, the temperature has been rising for a while now. In fact, since December 2023, the S&P 500 has not experienced a pullback of even 2%. Strong starts to...

Navigating Credit Wisely as a HENRY: Strategies for Financial Success

Greg Alessandra

Friday, March 1, 2024

One crucial aspect of managing your finances includes understanding how to use credit and credit cards wisely. Below, we'll explore some effective credit strategies tailored to the HENRY lifestyle.

Emergency Fund 101: Tips and Tricks to Get Started Today

Greg Alessandra

Friday, March 1, 2024

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get started today toward building yourself an emergency fund:

How High Earners Can Build a Strong Retirement with Their 401(k)

Greg Alessandra

Friday, March 1, 2024

There are several benefits to having a 401(k), especially if you are a high earner, that offer ways to build a substantial retirement. However, there are some downsides to keep in mind. Here are the pros and cons to consider:

How Does a Leap Year Impact Your Finances?

Greg Alessandra

Friday, March 1, 2024

Financially, a leap year will affect everybody, whether you realize it or not. Leap year could directly affect you depending on how you live, for example, your employment structure.

Stocks are off to a solid start in 2024. January gains are particularly enjoyable because of the old adage from the Stock Trader’s Almanac, “As goes January, so goes the year.” Nearly 75 years of historical data...

When filing your income taxes, each taxpayer is different. Some prefer reducing the taxes they owe and getting the most significant possible refund, while others work to keep the taxes they pay as low as legally required. The IRS...

The federal income tax filing deadline isn’t until April. However, the start of tax season is nearly upon us. Here are some tips for navigating the tax filing process to help lessen some of the stress you may feel as Tax Day...

You started a business, took the initial steps to build a foundation, and are now working to grow and expand your customer base. What are the next steps to take? Here are five suggestions to help your business prepare for potential...

Planning for retirement often involves focusing on your finances and ensuring that you not only will have enough to sustain you during your retirement but adequate funds to do the things you enjoy doing. While this strategy is a...

Stocks defied the skeptics in a very unpredictable 2023. The Dow Jones finished at a record high on December 28, and the S&P 500 came within a whisker of a fresh all-time high after the index rallied more than 20% for the year. It...

Present economic conditions are ripe with opportunities to enhance income Retirement is a time to enjoy the fruits of many years of labor; a season to reap the benefits of smart saving and investing. However, with the changing tides of...

When it comes to financial bad habits, the most common are also well known — don’t spend too much, don’t take on unsustainable debt, and avoid living paycheck to paycheck. But what happens once you’ve...

Your financial professional can help leverage these changes to impact your tax liabilities It is crucial for individuals to engage in strategic tax planning with their financial professionals, particularly considering the changes to...

Life today is expensive, and contributing to a retirement plan is more beneficial than ever. Recently, the IRS announced it was raising the contribution limit for 401(k)s to $23,000 for 2024, up from $22,500. In a world where pensions...

LPL Research recently unveiled Outlook 2024: A Turning Point, which recaps where markets have been over the last half of 2023 to help position your portfolio through midyear of 2024. It’s with pleasure that we bring you a...

For many, retirement is the phase of life to kick back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of years of working and saving. However, financial decisions before and during retirement can significantly influence our quality of life and tax...

The holidays are nearly upon us – a time of giving, goodwill to others, and embracing traditions. For many people, giving to a charity or organization that aligns with your values provides a sense of fulfillment. If you itemize...

Generational wealth involves proactive financial planning, especially when parents or grandparents pass on their wealth to loved ones after they die. Entrusting family members with receiving an inheritance is more than just getting a...

In the world of investing, the "holiday effect," as it is often referred to, is a phenomenon where stock prices see an increase right before a major holiday. There are many theories on why this may occur. It could be from trading...

As the year’s end approaches, High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) must prepare for one of the most critical monetary tasks: year-end tax planning. Due to the nature of their holdings and dynamic financial situation, HNWIs often...

What does "coordination with government benefits" mean? In the context of long-term nursing home care, a number of governmental (and governmentally regulated) programs and tools exist to help you pay for this care. Medicare, Medicaid,...

For many people, the holiday season is when you enjoy family and friends and give a little back to those in need. Charitable giving is its highest during the holiday months. While many legitimate charities are out there looking for...

A Roth IRA conversion involves repositioning traditional IRA or qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan assets into a Roth IRA. One reason people convert traditional IRAs or other retirement accounts into Roth IRAs is so they...

On Saturday, Hamas, a Palestinian militant group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government, launched an attack on Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and taking dozens more hostage. In response to the attack,...

Dear Valued Client, The S&P 500 lost 3.3% in the third quarter after sliding nearly 5% in September. Putting this into perspective, nothing really qualifies as out of the ordinary. Since 1950, the S&P 500 has historically declined in...

Sectors hit include air travel, insurance, oil production and entertainment The path to retirement can often seem daunting, with the end goal appearing distant and difficult to reach. This sentiment has only grown in recent years, as...

Go out into your yard and dig a big hole. Every month, throw $50 into it, but don't take any money out until you're ready to buy a house, send your child to college, or retire. It sounds a little crazy, doesn't it? But that's what...

Having a solid life insurance policy in place is crucial for any adult who has assets, a business, or a steady income. While most adults know that having a life insurance policy is a vital piece in their financial puzzle, there are...

You have probably heard about financial planning and its potential benefits, but you are unsure how to apply the principles to your life. A financial plan is a collection of steps that help you to evaluate your financial condition and...

There are countless benefits of charitable giving. Through generous donations, you can make a difference in your community and society. You may also feel happier and even save on your taxes. Here are some key things to need to know...

Financial markets lived up to their reputation during the month of August, which has a record for being difficult. On the first day of August, markets had to contend with a downgrade of U.S. long-term debt by the rating agency, Fitch....

Make your annual review more efficient and productive to improve next year When you work with a financial professional, you know how important the year-end review is to the financial planning process. And given that you should be...

As we’ve just passed the midpoint of the year, now is the perfect time to assess your financial well-being by conducting a review. Just like a routine health checkup can ensure your physical health, a financial checkup can help...

Each year, many of us focus on our financial health by resetting goals and checking off items on our financial to-do list. Attempting to implement everything at once can be overwhelming but a month-by-month approach may help you plan...

In the college savings game, all strategies aren't created equal. The best savings vehicles offer special tax advantages if the funds are used to pay for college. Tax-advantaged strategies are important because, over time, you can...

Many nonprofit organizations set out to help others. They provide services, guidance, support, or other resources to a specific group or cause. Yet, to do the work they do, they often need financial strength. Nonprofit organizations...

A successful investor maximizes gain and minimizes loss. Though there can be no guarantee that any investment strategy will be successful and all investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, here are six basic...