Kira Topeka
AI Is Driving the Market Conversation. But What Drives the Economy?
I had a strange experience the other weekend. I had some time to kill in the Tysons area and decided to pop into Tysons Corner Center. My last trip to a mall had been a very different experience, with more empty stores than shoppers. So, I was surprised to find Tysons packed. Peo
Kira TopekaAug 19, 2026
Great Company. Disappointing Stock. How Can Both Be True?
Over the past couple of months, I’ve had several clients ask a version of the same question. “Amazon is down. Microsoft is down. Nvidia reported incredible earnings. Why aren’t these stocks going up?” It’s a fair question. After all, these are some of the strongest businesses in
Kira TopekaJul 7, 2026
Your Financial Admin Night: 6 Tasks Worth Finally Getting Done
“I’ll do it later.” How many times have you said that? How many times have you heard your spouse, friends, children, parents, etc., say that? According to a 2018 study by Joseph R. Ferrari and Thomas P. Tibbett, 20% of the US population consider themselves “chronic procrastinator
Kira TopekaMay 27, 2026
Money Conversations Every Couple Should Have
Money is one of the more common sources of stress in a marriage, yet it is often the least discussed topic early on. Conversations about goals, debts, and financial boundaries are not always easy or pleasant, but they are necessary. For couples in their peak earning years or appr
Kira TopekaApr 14, 2026
Financial Wellness Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
If there were one perfect diet or one perfect investment strategy, everyone would follow it. But just like physical health, financial wellness is deeply personal. There are no magic bullets, progress is rarely linear, and lasting success is a marathon, not a sprint. Financial Wel
Kira TopekaMar 3, 2026
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency: Risk Behind the Rally
Back in 2015, I was at a 4th of July party, and a friend of a friend was discussing that he had purchased a quarter of a bitcoin for his two-year-old nephew’s birthday. His comment was, “who knows, maybe that could be his college tuition.” Fast forward to today, when that child i
Kira TopekaDec 3, 2025
The (Real) Cost of Buying a Home
Ah, living the American Dream: buying a home. After years of the debate between continuing to rent or buying, I felt it was time to make the largest purchase of my life, a house. Through the process, I learned that the real cost of buying a home is more than just the down payment
Kira TopekaOct 21, 2025
Rule of 72 and Other Investing Rules-of-Thumb
I love trivia – it combines a few of my favorite things – getting together with friends, random knowledge, and being right. My trivia team (Scott’s Tots) has been enjoying really great questions at Great Mane Brewery’s A+ Trivia, and recently one of the categories was “The Number
Kira TopekaJul 22, 2025
Plan with Purpose, Live with Adventure: Financial Planning for a Full Life
“Have a plan, but have an adventure” – Liz Witt-Lee Money Can’t Buy Happiness, But a Plan Can Unlock Joy Back in March, I wrote a blog looking at the topic of “does money buy happiness.” The conclusion was that while money alone does not buy happiness, it affords individuals the
Kira TopekaMay 27, 2025
Smart Saving for Kids: How to Use 529 Plans, Custodial Roth IRAs, and Custodial Accounts
As Sarah mentioned in her blog last week, April is Financial Literacy Month! This annual observance aims to raise public awareness about the importance of financial literacy and encourage smart money management habits. As with so many habits, starting good money management and sa
Kira TopekaApr 15, 2025
Does money buy happiness?
It’s a questions that psychologists, economists, philosophers, and Meridian advisors alike have sought to answer. Over the past few years, studies have found that in general, yes, money does buy happiness. But the real answer is more nuanced than that. Revisiting the $75,000 Happ
Kira TopekaMar 11, 2025
Understanding Retirement Accounts
When it comes to planning for retirement, there are a variety of savings vehicles to help you save for the future. Each type of retirement account offers its own set of benefits, tax advantages, and eligibility requirements. Whether you are just starting your career or nearing re
Kira TopekaFeb 5, 2025