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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.
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
Milo Wearing Happy New Year Hat
Investing & Markets

2023: In Review

The Rise of the Magnificent 7: 2023’s Market Leaders At Meridian, we are putting the finishing touches on our year-end letter that is included with our annual client statements. While 2023 was a crazy year of news, the stock market had one main story…“The Magnificent 7”. The S&P

Sarah YakelSarah YakelJan 9, 2024
Happy New Year!
Planning Basics

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! As with every New Year, resolutions have been a popular topic of conversation. According to a 2024 Forbes survey, “Improved Finances” is included in 38% of 2024 resolutions. Unfortunately, the average resolution lasts just 3.74 months and only 6% of people report

Kira TopekaKira TopekaJan 2, 2024
Christmas Family Photo
Planning Basics

No Man’s Land

Do the days between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 even exist? Is time real? This week is often referred to as Twixmas or “No Man’s Land”. It’s quiet in the office as I write this and we are enjoying getting caught up on some smaller projects that are perfect for a rainy day between holidays

Sarah YakelSarah YakelDec 26, 2023
Are You Ready?
Planning Basics

Are You Ready?

I do this to myself every time this year – I have the best intentions of getting all of my Christmas to-do’s done early like Christmas cards, baking, and finalizing Christmas gifts; however, I always seem to be sliding into the finish line with a day or two to spare. But what’s t

Sarah IrvingSarah IrvingDec 19, 2023
“Shaken, Not Stirred” – James Bond(s)
Investing & Markets

“Shaken, Not Stirred” – James Bond(s)

Bonds have been grabbing a lot of headlines, lately. Up until recently, all of those headlines were generally bad and involved declining (shaken AND stirred?) prices. It has been a frustrating last year and a half for conservative bond investors not used to seeing their account v

Nathan GilbertNathan GilbertDec 12, 2023
Making a List and Checking it Twice
Planning Basics

Making a List and Checking it Twice

Somehow, it’s already December! We are now in what feels like the mad dash to the holidays and the end of 2023. As we look towards starting 2024 in the best possible shape, there are a lot of year-end items to consider. I love a check list and in the spirit of Santa making a […]

Kira TopekaKira TopekaDec 5, 2023
4% Rule
Planning Basics

4% Rule

After eight years of writing blogs, all of us at Meridian are always thankful when a reader suggests a topic that they would like to know more about…and I lucked out with a suggestion for this week that is both nerdy and timely…my favorite kinds of things to write about! The ques

Sarah YakelSarah YakelNov 28, 2023
There’s Much to be Thankful For
Family & Life Events

There’s Much to be Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! While it often feels like the world is filled with nothing but bad news we have a lot to be thankful for here at Meridian. Sarah Yakel is thankful for 5% treasury rates and all of the adventures she’s had with her family this year before

Sarah YakelSarah YakelNov 21, 2023
CPI – But Prices Are Still High
Planning Basics

CPI – But Prices Are Still High

We love hearing from our readers on suggestions for blog topics and most recently received a request to touch on a topic that we as consumers are all feeling – how can consumers weather an environment where higher prices persist and what is the effect of CPI on the economy and in

Sarah IrvingSarah IrvingNov 15, 2023
Father and son at Niagara Falls
Investing & Markets

What Have You Done for Me Lately?

I point the finger at our own industry for training investors to think in the short term. Within our firm our custodian, Charles Schwab, sends out monthly statements. From a compliance perspective, this is a good thing, because it reassures clients that their money is where it’s

Nathan GilbertNathan GilbertNov 7, 2023