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The Meridian blog

Insights, Advice & a Whole Lot More

Welcome to the official blog of Meridian Financial Partners. We'd love to hear your comments as well as your questions. Oh, and our attorneys want you to read these disclosures.
It’s Been One Week
Planning Basics

It’s Been One Week

For Spring Break 2024, we decided to cruise the largest cruise ship in the world, The Icon of the Seas. We had a wonderful time exploring the new ship, seeing all of the shows, and eating ice cream all day (literally…I think Ethan counted 7 cones before lunch one day…gross!). Whi

Sarah YakelSarah YakelApr 3, 2024
Spring Clean Your Finances
Planning Basics

Spring Clean Your Finances

Back in very early January, I wrote a blog about financial resolutions for the New Year, which notes that most people give up on those resolutions after about 3 months. With the days getting longer, the weather warming, and flowers starting to pop up, why not use the change in se

Kira TopekaKira TopekaMar 26, 2024
Luck vs. Skill
Investing & Markets

Luck vs. Skill

In the spirit of the recent St. Patrick’s Day holiday, luck has been on my mind as to how it affects our financial journey both through financial planning and investment management. Luck is defined as success or failure brought by chance rather than through one’s actions with a r

Sarah IrvingSarah IrvingMar 20, 2024
Like a ROTH to a Flame
Retirement Planning

Like a ROTH to a Flame

I apologize for the lame title to this post, but it seemed a little more attention grabbing than ‘help your kid open a ROTH IRA.’ If you have a child who is earning income, he is eligible to open a ROTH IRA (in Virginia, the minimum working age is 14), and you should probably hel

Nathan GilbertNathan GilbertMar 12, 2024
Meridian Office Washington
Planning Basics

New and Exciting!

Meridian Expands with a New Washington Office Even though we had an extra day in February, 2024 is already flying by! Meridian is thrilled to have our doors open at our new second office in Washington, Virginia. We are located on the lower level of the Miller Building at 211 Main

Kira TopekaKira TopekaMar 5, 2024
The “Cash Trap”
Investing & Markets

The “Cash Trap”

With the Federal Reserve’s campaign to tame inflation pushing short term interest rates higher, cash yields have become more and more enticing. Frankly, we’ve never bought more CDs and Treasury bonds for our clients than over the past year. It’s been a welcome sight to see Treasu

Sarah YakelSarah YakelFeb 27, 2024
Did You Miss It?
Retirement Planning

Did You Miss It?

Woops, did you miss the deadline? If you are an organization in Virginia with 25 or more employees and have been in operations for 2 or more years, February 15th was the deadline to register for Virginia’s state sponsored plan, RetirePath or to certify an exemption if already off

Sarah IrvingSarah IrvingFeb 20, 2024
David Kelly Economic Outlook
Investing & Markets

Learning New Things @ Exchange

Gaining Industry Insights at the Exchange Conference Yes, finding an excuse to go to a conference in Miami in February is generally a good idea. As is the case with most events like these, we are still spending the lion’s share of our time inside conference rooms, but it’s still

Nathan GilbertNathan GilbertFeb 13, 2024
Well…that happened fast…
Family & Life Events

Well…that happened fast…

This past Friday, we celebrated Melanie’s last day playing basketball on our home court. Seniors were celebrated as their high school basketball career came to a close… I’ve coached Melanie’s basketball team since she was in 7th grade, and it’s been a real treat to have a front r

Sarah YakelSarah YakelFeb 6, 2024
Change is Really, Really Hard
Retirement Planning

Change is Really, Really Hard

Change is exceptionally difficult, and it seems the older we get, the harder it becomes. Some change is for good reasons, some for less than ideal reasons. As financial planners, we are here to help see our clients through life changes – be that retirement, a home purchase, start

Kira TopekaKira TopekaJan 30, 2024
Now or Later?
Retirement Planning

Now or Later?

With a new year comes new resolutions and for savers, new retirement plan contributions. For 2024, the employee contribution limits are as follows: IRA and Roth IRAs : $7,000 for those <50 years old, $8,000 for those 50 and older. SIMPLE IRA: $16,000 for those <50 years old, $19,

Sarah IrvingSarah IrvingJan 24, 2024
Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) – Worth It?
Investing & Markets

Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) – Worth It?

Happy New Year to you and your families! That is, if it is still appropriate to wish people a Happy New Year this far into January. I always enjoy the debate around how far into the year you can still say that. I tend to land on through the end of January. I think Seinfeld […]

Nathan GilbertNathan GilbertJan 16, 2024