Blog
Continuing Care Retirement Communities: What They Cost, How They Work, and When to Start Preparing
Why Is This Conversation So Important Right Now? The U.S. is in the middle of a sustained demographic shift. More than 61 million adults are aged 65 and older as of 2025, and that number is projected to reach approximately 82 million...
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Standing Between “More Than Enough” and “Not Quite There”
There’s a strange duality in this business that doesn’t get talked about enough.On the one side, I work with people who are going to be fine.They’ve accumulated more than enough. Their portfolios are large, their spending is reasonable...
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What Actually Goes Into a Financial Plan?
I saw this ad recently for financial planning software that stopped me in my tracks: 15 minutes to create a financial plan. What exactly is being created in those 15 minutes? Because it does take me about 10 hours to build a financial plan.
Read MoreWhen Should I Start Taking Social Security: 5 Factors to Consider
Social Security decisions are often framed as a single question: “When should I start drawing benefits?” That question matters, but it can also be limiting. The better question is: how does Social Security fit into my overall...
Read MoreTeaching Teens and Young Adults Financial Literacy Through Real-Life Decision Making
If you are a parent of a teen or young adult, how do you teach them to make confident money decisions before the stakes are high? Teaching teens and young adults about money is less about formal instruction and more about repeated...
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Helping Adult Children Buy a Home: How to Gift a Down Payment The Smart Way
Key TakeawaysHere are some questions this blog aims to answer:How can parents or grandparents help with a down payment for adult children?What are ways to gift a down payment, and how do the annual gift tax exclusion and lifetime...
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"The Bear" and the Ticket Printer
When the pressure shows up, there’s nowhere to hide behind theory. The ticket printer doesn’t stop. It never does. The only real question is whether you’ve built something that can handle it when it starts. A robust financial plan.
Read MoreThree Numbers Every Woman Should Know
Key TakeawaysHow much wealth are women on track to control in the next decade, and why does that matter?What does the life expectancy gap between women and men mean for how long money needs to last?How common is it for women to be...
Read MoreTax Prep vs. Tax Strategy: The Difference Matters More Than You Think
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,...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Emotions Behind Financial Decisions
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...
Read MoreAI and the New Face of Fraud: How to Protect Your Identity and Finances in 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...
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Why an Unbiased Portfolio Review Matters
What to do when you’re not sure your financial advisor is really on your side, and how to protect yourself even if you never hire one.Common Moments When People Start Asking the Right QuestionsMost people don’t wake up one morning...
Read More2025 in Review and What You Should Know
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...
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Bond Ladders: Buy Yourself Peace Instead of Praying for Good Markets
When someone retires, they rarely say, “I’m worried I won’t beat inflation by 30 basis points.” What they do say is, “What if I stop working and the market tanks right after?” A bond ladder may be able to help ease those fears.
Read MoreGoal Setting That Sticks: Simple Ways to Turn January Motivation into Lasting Wins
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...
Read MoreYear-End Giving Strategies: Tax-Smart and Impactful
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...
Read MoreThe True Costs of Caring for Aging Parents
Key Takeaways Caring for aging parents is a growing reality for many Americans. The number of family caregivers in the U.S. has jumped to 63 million, a 45 percent increase over the past decade, making 1 in every 4 Americans a...
Read MoreMoney Talks: How to Use Holiday Gatherings to Start Family Financial Conversations
Key Takeaways Year-end holidays may be a good time to initiate a discussion about financial matters that may impact your family. If you have adult children, you may want to discuss your financial situation, estate strategy, and legal...
Read MoreShould You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
Receiving a bonus, inheritance, or an increase in income often prompts a key financial question: Should I use this money to pay off my mortgage, or invest it? At first glance, the answer might seem simple. But in reality, it requires...
Read MoreA 2025 Guide to Protecting Seniors from Fraud
If you’ve found yourself stepping into a more active role in your parents’ financial lives, you’re not alone. Some of us are helping aging parents navigate everything from healthcare decisions to bill payments—and increasingly, we’re...
Read MoreSmart Moves to Consider Before Year-End
The final months of the year can sneak up quickly, and with them come deadlines, decisions, and distractions. Before the holiday season takes over your calendar, fall can be a valuable window to revisit your financial strategy and...
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Financial Advice Fees: You Get What You Pay For — Up to a Point
When it comes to financial advice, underpaying can be just as dangerous as overpaying. Like with most things in life, you usually get what you pay for — up to a point.
Read MoreBreaking Down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What You Need to Know
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) included lower federal income tax brackets, bigger standard deductions, and higher gift and estate tax exemptions, among other provisions. The law stipulated that some of those tax breaks would...
Read MoreWhy More Families Are Choosing to Gift Wealth Earlier—and How to Do It
Estate management isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone— it’s also about what you can do now to help manage future estate taxes, transfer wealth strategically, and attempt to create a meaningful impact during your lifetime....
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About the 2025 Changes to Inherited IRA Rules
The rules regarding inherited IRAs have changed in the last five years, and failing to comply with the new requirements may result in IRS penalties. These changes affect people inheriting IRAs and those looking to leave retirement...
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Grow Your Network: John Stoj Is A Story Boy Who Survived Wall Street
For years, I've been connecting with interesting people and documenting insights that might help my clients and myself. What was once private is now (mostly) public. People often ask: "How do you know all these people?" and "How do...
Read MoreBeyond Salary: Understanding Your Total Compensation
Compensation is more than just a number on a paycheck. Whether you're exploring new opportunities, preparing for a promotion, or evaluating your current benefits, it’s important to understand the full value of your total...
Read MoreHow Much Do You Really Know About Stock Market Indexes?
While you may follow the various stock indexes on the nightly business news, how much do you know about their histories, how they work, and why they're important? We pulled together some information and interesting facts about some of...
Read MoreHow Do You Turn Retirement Savings into a Reliable Income Strategy?
You’ve likely spent years building your retirement nest egg—saving diligently, investing wisely, and contributing to retirement accounts along the way. But transitioning from earning a paycheck to relying on your savings can feel...
Read More“The Four Most Dangerous Words In Investing Are: ‘This Time It’s Different.’” – Sir John Templeton
Despite those who say the conventional wisdom that has guided investor actions over the years is no longer valid in 2025, remember the famous quote from legendary investor Sir John Templeton: "The four most dangerous words in...
Read MoreWhat’s the Job Market Look Like for 2025 Graduates?
It’s graduation season—a time of celebration and new beginnings. For families with college seniors, this time can bring both excitement and uncertainty. While some graduates have jobs lined up, many others still are navigating job...
Read MoreIs It Smarter to Buy or Rent a Second Home?
As summer approaches, your thoughts may drift toward escaping your daily routine. Whether your idea of a perfect vacation is sitting on a pristine beach, fishing in a mountain lake, or playing the back nine between pickleball matches,...
Read MoreFrom College Acceptances to Affordability: Considerations for Families in the Final Stretch
April is a pivotal time in the college admissions process. After years of preparation, saving, and investing—not to mention the countless hours spent on exam prep, campus visits, and perfecting applications and essays—the finish line...
Read MoreSpring Into Financial Wellness: Actionable Steps for Financial Literacy Month
April isn’t just about filing taxes—it’s also Financial Literacy Month, a perfect opportunity to reflect on your financial habits, expand your knowledge, and take meaningful steps toward improving your financial well-being. Whether...
Read More10 Things You Can Do Now to Help Simplify Your Estate for Your Heirs
One of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is a thoughtful estate strategy that outlines your wishes after you are gone. Discussing estate details with your team of professionals is another way to help manage your legacy...
Read MoreThe Evolving Role of Women in Family Finances
March is Women’s History Month, and according to a recent survey, 49% of women consider themselves to be the chief financial officer of their households, up from 41% in 2021.1 Those numbers are even more impressive when you consider...
Read MoreDon’t Leave Money Behind: Finding Your Missing 401(k)s
You've worked hard throughout your life to build assets to support your retirement. As financial professionals, one of the most critical functions we provide is helping clients determine their retirement income needs and structuring a...
Read MoreTax Season Brings a New Wave of Identity Theft Risks
Tax season brings a new wave of identity theft risks, with criminals ready to exploit your personal data to file fraudulent tax returns in your name. Imagine the shock of discovering that a criminal beat you to filing your...
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Expanding My Expertise: Becoming an Elder Planning Specialist
I’m excited to share that I’ve earned the Elder Planning Specialist (EPS) certificate, a designation that equips financial professionals with the knowledge to better serve the unique needs of aging clients.
Read MoreBe Prepared: Essential "Go Bag" Items
Getting important documents together in one place helps when trying to keep them both physically secure, in a fireproof safe, and digitally backed up in the cloud so you can access them, even if physical copies are lost or damaged.
Read More10 Facts You May Not Know About Social Security
Social Security is often misunderstood or underestimated in retirement strategy. As a financial professional, however, I've seen how it can play a crucial role in our clients' overall financial strategy, regardless of their income...
Read MoreInnovative New Year's Resolutions: Financial and Personal Growth Strategies for 2025
Looks like New Year's resolutions are still going strong in 2024! A recent Pew survey found that about a third of Americans kicked off the year with at least one resolution, and many people actually went for multiple goals. It's...
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Key Financial Insights from 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025
As we approach the end of 2024, it's an opportune time to reflect on the year's financial developments and consider what 2025 may bring. We believe in understanding both the past and potential future of our economic landscape, which...
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Navigating Healthcare Costs in Retirement: Life After Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance
Healthcare costs are a critical aspect of your retirement strategy that can catch even the most financially savvy individuals off guard.
Read MoreA Different Kind of Year-End Review: 10 Steps to Reflect and Recharge
Financial professionals typically have a year-round focus on monetary goals and wealth management strategies. True financial well-being, however, is intrinsically linked to your overall life satisfaction and personal growth.
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Year-End Giving Strategies: Maximizing Your Impact
America is a generous country. People with diverse backgrounds can unite for a good cause, whether to benefit their local communities or the broader world. As we enter the holiday season, now is a great time to think about your giving...
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Exploring the Financial Impact of Electric Vehicles
I’ve noticed a trend among my clients: an increasing interest in electric vehicles (EVs). To help address some of your questions, this high-level guide to provide insights into the financial aspects of owning an EV.
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Safeguarding Your Identity: Essential Tips for Financial Security
Nearly 33% of Americans have faced some identity theft attempts in their lives, and experts estimate there is a new case of identity theft every 22 seconds.
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Don’t Be A Victim Of The Retirement Crisis
Don’t Be A Victim Of The Retirement Crisis If you think the United States has a retirement crisis, you are not alone. A recent survey found that 79% of working-age Americans believe the same thing. That percentage is up from 67% in...
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What YOU Don’t Want to Know About Building Wealth
Building wealth isn’t about uncovering hidden secrets that the wealthy are keeping from you. It’s about confronting the truths you might not want to acknowledge and taking proactive steps to educate yourself, make sacrifices, & plan.
Read MoreWhy Clients Are Leaving Big Box Advisors: A Shift in Expectations
In recent years, there has been a noticeable trend of clients moving away from large Wall Street firms, such as Merrill Lynch, and “big box,” Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), like Fisher Investments. While it’s true that these...
Read MoreThe Strategic Edge of Investment Diversification
Why is diversification critical to your investment strategy? Diversification isn’t just a tactic; it’s an essential component of risk management that can determine the resilience and performance of your portfolio. By spreading...
Read MoreSmart Strategies for Tax Loss Harvesting Success
Understanding how to turn investment losses into tax savings is key to smart financial planning. Tax loss harvesting could enable you to offset capital gains with losses from underperforming assets. In this article, you’ll gain insight...
Read MoreLong Term Greedy
Gordon Gekko, “Wall Street,” 1987 “The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed -- for lack of a better word -- is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit....
Read MoreBogleheads Conference 2023
Let’s get one thing out of he way: financial advisors attend too many conferences, then they post about it on social media. No one cares. Your clients don’t care. They don’t know who Michael Kitces is, and they’re not going to think...
Read MoreCar Loans & Interest Rates
Last night I had dinner with some of the dads from our son’s class. A fun time was had by all, with our conversation centering as it usually does around Elon Musk (don’t ask), EVs & other cars, the world economy, and our kids’ upcoming...
Read MoreDo You Have More Than One Advisor?
Personal finance is one of the least understood & most important subjects, not because it’s so complicated, but because Wall Street wants you to think it is. Only 35% of Americans work with a financial advisor, but a surprising number...
Read MoreFTX & Stewardship
I wasn’t planning on writing a blog post about FTX or SBF, because I don’t do anything with crypto at Verbatim, and frankly, I didn’t think any of my clients would really know or care what those initials even stood for before last week...
Read MoreSeven Personal Finance Terms That Need to Go Away
The financial services industry loves jargon. Financial advisors love jargon too. They think it makes them seem smart. Too many use it to intimidate clients. If you're going to use jargon, explain it or stop using it. But there's more...
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Retirement Income Planning: Everything You Need to Know *
Recent data suggests that around 41% of people are worried about how much money they will have for their retirement. Here are some resources to learn more about how to prepare.
Read MoreFees Are Important, but so is Finding the Right Advisor For You
The financial advisory business is in flux, and that’s a good thing. More & more advisors are realizing that charging for their services based on how much money a person has under management with them (“AUM”) doesn’t make any sense....
Read MoreA Tale of Two Markets
In 1999 I was a successful investment banker. I worked 60+ hours a week, wore fancy suits, and bought dotcom stocks. Even better, we received our 2000 bonuses in February, with enough time to invest before the peak. In March, 2000, the...
Read MoreIgnoring Waze is Not Good Investment Policy
Waze is a popular navigation app Waze is one of the best satnav apps out there. Whatever magic they do to monitor traffic gets you where you want to go in the most efficient way. The big computers in the sky know it. We know it. But we...
Read MoreDo You Want a Financial Advisor or Investment Manager?
After working Wall Street for over 30 years & having been a professional money manager, I can tell you that many financial advisors just want to be investment managers, but couldn't get that job on the street.
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What If There's Massive Fraud?
What If Everyone Just Did Their Jobs? Would We Be Better Off? The answer should be, “yes,” and in most cases, it is – simple as that. In financial services, unfortunately, the answer is, more often than not, “no.”
Read MoreMy Name is John, And I Was An Active Fund Manager
Larry Swedroe reminds us, yet again, that “Actively Managed Funds Underperform on a Risk-Adjusted Basis.” This should not surprise any of my clients, but the general investing public, maybe.
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