Live Your Life

Reflecting on Financial Planning Month October was National Financial Planning Month, but the importance of planning wisely extends well beyond a single month. I’ve been accused of being obsessed with the value of good financial planning—and I’ll gladly plead guilty. Our company tagline, “L …

Cheers to One Year with Krista! In September, our team had the pleasure of celebrating a special milestone—Krista Nicholson’s one-year anniversary with the firm. Over the past year, Krista has become an integral part of our team, bringing dedication, professionalism, and a genuine enthusias …

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment: Don’t Get Stuck Paying More With Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) right around the corner, it’s worth taking a moment to clear up some common misunderstandings. Whether you’re already on Medicare or about to enroll, …

Timing, Benefits, and Do-Overs: What to Know About Social Security What Is My Social Security Full Retirement Age? Your Full Retirement Age (FRA) is the age when you’re eligible to receive 100% of your Social Security retirement benefit, based on your lifetime earnings. While many people as …

Taxes: The Hidden Drag on Investment Returns Taxes are one of the biggest—and often most overlooked—costs in investing. In fact, they can have a greater impact on long-term returns than inflation, transaction costs, or management fees. Recent studies show that taxes can reduce investment re …

Employee Spotlight In his reflective piece, “Faith, Finance, and the Journey: 10 Takeaways from 10 Years,” Bowen Thigpen, CFP® and Wealth Advisor at The Thigpen Group, shares insights gleaned from a decade in the financial services industry. He intertwines personal faith with pr …

I am entering my 11th year in the financial services industry this summer. I’ve never made much of milestones (maybe because I haven’t had enough!), but I never could have imagined what all I have learned in this past decade – so much about life, so much about people, so much about fi …

In a landmark decision on June 6, 2024, the Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s decision upholding the IRS position on how life insurance proceeds and redemption obligations should be treated for federal estate tax purposes. The case, Connelly, As Executor of the Estate of Connelly v. …

I ran across this article that I had written during Trump’s first term back in 2020 during the Covid crisis. It was a similar period of heightened stock market volatility. People were concerned, and some even afraid. I think the same perspective on life and the long-term nature of mar …

Tax season brings the temptation to file early, especially if you expect a refund. However, filing before receiving all your necessary tax documents can lead to errors, delays, and even the need for an amended return. Here’s why waiting is often the better choice.