Dan Fortunato
More Than Just Investments: 5 Financial Planning Decisions
When most people think about financial planning, they think about investing. Questions like, “What should I invest in?” or “Is this a good stock?” are some of the most common ones we hear. Investments are certainly important, but they’re only one piece of the puzzle. In fact, som
Dan FortunatoAug 3, 2026
Understanding the “Step-Up in Cost Basis”: Help Your Family Keep More of Your Wealth
One of the most valuable tax benefits available to families is something called a step-up in cost basis. While the name may sound technical, the concept is actually quite simple and can have a significant impact on how much of an inheritance your loved ones ultimately keep. Your
Dan FortunatoJun 29, 2026
Retirement in America: From Family Farms to 401(k)s
As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, the evolution of retirement tells a powerful story about how Americans have worked, saved, and planned for the future across generations. From family farms in colonial America to today’s 401(k)-driven retirement system, retireme
Dan FortunatoMay 18, 2026
What are Trump Accounts? A Simple, Parent-Friendly Breakdown
If you’ve been hearing about “Trump accounts” lately and wondering what they actually are, you’re not alone. Officially called Section 530A accounts, these new investment accounts are set to roll out July 4, 2026, and they’re designed to help kids build wealth from an early age.
Dan FortunatoApr 6, 2026
Investing in AI: Taking Lessons from the Gold Rush
The AI Gold Rush: What It Means for Investors I watched a lot of movies growing up that involved robots, self-driving cars, talking computers, smart houses, and any other number of futuristic ideas that have all come into fruition thanks to Artificial Intelligence. Today, AI has
Dan FortunatoFeb 2, 2026
Why the S&P 500 Is No Longer a Truly Diversified Index
For decades, the S&P 500 has been held up as the gold standard of diversification. It’s the index that financial advisors recommend for beginners, the benchmark professionals use to measure performance, and the foundation of countless retirement portfolios. The idea is simple: by
Dan FortunatoNov 25, 2025
Uncovering Forgotten 401(k)s
The average person has between 10 and 16 jobs in their lifetime, according to a 2019 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey. Millennials and Gen Z are changing jobs more frequently than Baby Boomers did. The changing culture, economy, job market, working from home opportunities,
Dan FortunatoSep 30, 2025
How Do Long-Term Financial Goals Differ from Short-Term Financial Goals?
When it comes to personal finance, setting goals is one of the most effective ways to ensure financial stability and growth. However, it’s important to understand that not all financial goals are created equal. Financial goals can be divided into two broad categories: short-term
Dan FortunatoAug 1, 2025
Meet the Meridian Team: Hello, Dan
Financial Advisor Dan Fortunato came to Meridian in 2024 with a desire to help people solve their financial puzzles and put together efficient ways to plan for their goals. Coming to Meridian was purposeful – after six years leading youth as a Pastor in California and Virginia, a
Dan FortunatoJul 8, 2025
A Beginner’s Guide to Different Types of Investment Options
I was lucky growing up, in that my dad would bring me alongside him and try to explain to me how investments worked. He opened an account for me and helped me get started at a young age. I will admit, I was much more confused than I was letting on, but that little bit […]
Dan FortunatoJun 16, 2025
Fiduciary vs. Financial Advisor: the Difference and Why It Matters
Before I ever had any inclination to work in the financial industry, I remember an older co-worker of mine, telling a group of us younger fellows that he was about to give us a piece of advice. The advice was that if we ever were to have somebody manage our money, we needed to ma
Dan FortunatoApr 22, 2025
What are the NYSE, NASDAQ, S&P 500, Bond Market, and Dow?
Anytime we turn on the news we tend to hear about how the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 20 points or the NASDAQ is down 75 points. If we don’t hear it on tv, we at least see the tickers popping up on the bottom of our computer screens letting us know when the […]
Dan FortunatoMar 18, 2025