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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.
Connecting the Disconnect
Investing & Markets

Connecting the Disconnect

Based off the recent headlines, it can sometimes feel like the economy is disconnected from the market. Take this headline for example: Inherently it’s strange to see that news of a disappointing jobs report would cause the markets to rise. However, investors are keeping a close

Sarah IrvingSarah IrvingJun 8, 2021
Memorial Day Minute Read
Family & Life Events

Memorial Day Minute Read

We hope everyone had a relaxing, enjoyable, and safe Memorial Day weekend surrounded by friends and family. Meridian had the pleasure of enjoying the 96th annual Virginia Gold Cup and was proud to present the award for Race Three, the Allowance Hurtle to the jockey and trainer of

Sarah YakelSarah YakelJun 1, 2021
Are Inflation Fears Inflated?
Investing & Markets

Are Inflation Fears Inflated?

As I mentioned in my recent Meridian Market Minute video post, headlines around inflation have started to appear as the next thing we should all be worried about. My colleague Sarah Irving also wrote a great blog around the topic back in early April. Since that time, the rate of

Nathan GilbertNathan GilbertMay 25, 2021
Two dogs snuggled up together on a cozy rug
Investing & Markets

Cryptocurrency and Speculation: A Case of FOMO?

At Meridian, we’ve been trying to not wade into the cryptocurrency debate—as any skepticism can illicit firestorms of angry mail from crypto fans. But, with cryptocurrencies back in the headlines throughout 2020 and into 2021, it has attracted a lot of attention from investors. R

Sarah YakelSarah YakelMay 18, 2021
The Best Things In Life Are Free, Plus Tax
Tax Planning

The Best Things In Life Are Free, Plus Tax

This tax season has been really complicated due to all of the pandemic-related policy changes. But some people are being surprised by tax bills for a very simple reason: They aren’t having enough money withheld from their paychecks throughout the year. If you’re a W-2 employee, y

Sarah YakelSarah YakelMay 11, 2021
May the Fourth be with you …. and your online security
Insurance & Risk

May the Fourth be with you …. and your online security

Federal tax returns and depending on where you live, state tax returns, are due in t-minus 13 days. As much of a headache filing your income taxes, or owing taxes, can be, experiencing identity fraud or theft can be a much more permanent and long-lasting headache. Unfortunately m

Sarah IrvingSarah IrvingMay 4, 2021
Moving Targets
Tax Planning

Moving Targets

The COVID pandemic has changed a lot of things in all of our lives, and tax deadlines are no different. You now have until Monday, May 17th to do few things that count toward the 2020 tax year. Among them: File your taxes – the deadline has been extended from the traditional Apri

Nathan GilbertNathan GilbertApr 27, 2021
Fresh Start
Planning Basics

Fresh Start

With this week’s last gasp of winter temperatures, we are hopeful that Spring is finally here. Trees are flowering, daffodils are up, and at the Yakel house, we are just waiting for final frost danger before putting all of these healthy guys to bed: And, we met new puppies!! The

Sarah YakelSarah YakelApr 20, 2021
Home Sweet Home
Planning Basics

Home Sweet Home

Buying your first home is considered one of the biggest milestones — in life as well as finances. It’s a big commitment, and there’s a good chance this will be the largest purchase you’ve made to date. If you are a first-time home buyer, here are five guidelines to assist you in

Sarah YakelSarah YakelApr 13, 2021
Rising – inflation and interest rates?
Investing & Markets

Rising – inflation and interest rates?

The theme of things increasing seems to be all around us. The temperature is rising, the hours in the day are getting longer (yay!), and the number of fowls in the Irving family are continuing to grow… Not pictured, three more chicks and three new ducklings…. send help! In the fi

Sarah IrvingSarah IrvingApr 6, 2021
Young boy wearing his hockey uniform
Tax Planning

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch Changes (to tax rates)

Facing Financial Changes The first refrain of the song “Changes” by David Bowie contains some surprisingly apt lyrics for probable changes in tax rates: “Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes. Turn and face the strange. Ch-ch-changes. Don’t want to be a richer man.” Yes, there are some changes (an

Nathan GilbertNathan GilbertMar 30, 2021
The Unexpected
Investing & Markets

The Unexpected

March Madness is here, it is the season of surprises (we’re looking at you, Oral Roberts University…thanks for busting everyone’s brackets…). The members of Yakel family spent the weekend alternately crowing in victory or complaining in defeat, as our family bracket competition g

Sarah YakelSarah YakelMar 22, 2021