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Your Year-End Financial Planning Checklist
As 2025 winds down, it's time to review your financial picture and make strategic moves before December 31st. Here's what families should focus on this year-end. Maximize Tax Opportunities Year-end offers several time-sensitive tax strategies. Start by maximizing retirement contributions—$23,500 to your 401(k) for 2025, plus $7,500 if you're 50 or older. Consider Roth Conversions Year-end is an ideal time to evaluate Roth conversions. By converting traditional IRA dollars to

Steve Martin
Nov 10, 20253 min read


117 Things We Do for Our Clients Number 37 - Help You Make Refinancing Decisions
Image via Freepik We help clients make smart decisions about refinancing their mortgage. One of the most common questions we hear is, “Should I refinance?” A lower interest rate can sound appealing, but it doesn’t always mean you’ll save money in the long run. Our job is to help you see the full picture. We analyze your current loan, closing costs, tax implications, and long-term goals to determine whether refinancing truly benefits you. Sometimes the best financial move is t

Steve Martin
Nov 3, 20251 min read


Old Loves, New Joy
Have you ever found an old book you used to love and opened it to find the magic still there, waiting for you? It's like running into an old friend and discovering that not only do you still click, but somehow the connection is even richer than before. I was reminded of this recently when I watched a woman rediscover her childhood roller skates in her parents' garage. "I probably can't anymore," she said, but tried them on anyway. Twenty minutes later, she was gliding down th

Steve Martin
Oct 13, 20253 min read


Breaking 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...

Steve Martin
Oct 8, 20256 min read


117 Things We Do for Our Clients Number 36 - Help Improve Your Investment Performance
Image via Freepik We help clients improve their investment performance. Research shows that working with a qualified investment advisor...

Steve Martin
Oct 3, 20251 min read


Fall Financial Planning: Your Season of Intentional Preparation
As autumn arrives with its brilliant transformation, fall offers us a natural invitation to reflect, prepare, and align our financial...

Steve Martin
Sep 29, 20253 min read


Your One Wild and Precious Life
Answering Mary Oliver's Ultimate Question Mary Oliver's question haunts us in the most beautiful way: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do...

Steve Martin
Sep 16, 20253 min read


117 Things We Do for Our Clients Number 35 -Help You Design and Oversee a Debt Management Strategy
Image via Freepik High-interest debt on non-income producing purchases can quickly erode financial security. We assess the root causes...

Steve Martin
Sep 9, 20251 min read


The Radical Art of Simplicity
Let's talk about your most underrated superpower: the ability to say no to what doesn't matter. Simplicity isn't just refreshing in a...

Steve Martin
Sep 8, 20253 min read


117 Things We Do for Our Clients Number 34 -Help You Navigate Retirement's Most Critical Financial Decisions
We see clients facing retirement's toughest money decisions every day. The shift from earning a paycheck to living off your savings...

Steve Martin
Aug 29, 20251 min read


The Art of Wanting Wisely
Why Knowing What to Want Changes Everything "True life mastery is more a function of knowing what to want than knowing how to get what...

Steve Martin
Aug 25, 20254 min read


The Art of Unexpected Joy
You can't schedule a rainbow. I was reminded of this recently when I got caught in a sudden downpour. As I ducked under an awning,...

Steve Martin
Aug 18, 20253 min read


117 Things We Do for Our Clients Number 33 -Help with College Planning and Financial Aid
Image by 3D Animation Production Company on Pixabay We help families figure out the best ways to save for college without breaking the...

Steve Martin
Aug 4, 20251 min read


The Creative Genius Within: Unlocking Your True Potential Beyond the Balance Sheet
Image by Artvizual from Pixabay There's a creative genius living inside you. Yes, you – with your mortgage payments and retirement...

Steve Martin
Jul 29, 20254 min read


What If Money Wasn’t the Problem?
Image via Freepik You can’t budget your way to peace if your beliefs about money still echo fear. Shifting your money mindset isn’t about...

Steve Martin
Jul 23, 20253 min read


Is It Smarter to Buy or Rent a Second Home?
With summer in full swing, your thoughts may drift toward escaping your daily routine. Whether your idea of a perfect vacation is sitting...

Steve Martin
Jul 21, 202511 min read


Red-Eye Redemption: A Farewell to Flying in the Dark
Designed by DC Studio on Freepik There comes a time in every traveler's life when they must ask themselves the hard questions. Like: "Why...

Steve Martin
Jul 14, 20253 min read


The Wisdom of Worry: What to Hold and What to Release
Image via Freepik "Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere." - Erma Bombeck Last Tuesday,...

Steve Martin
Jul 2, 20255 min read


Why I Love the Fourth of July
Every year when July approaches, I find myself looking forward to Independence Day with the same excitement I felt as a child. There's...

Steve Martin
Jun 30, 20253 min read


How Cognitive Biases Impact Your Financial Future: Ten Common Mental Traps to Avoid
Introduction Your financial future isn't just determined by how much you earn or how markets perform—it's profoundly shaped by the...

Steve Martin
Jun 24, 20258 min read
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