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.
AI Hype, Long-Term Opportunity, and a Lesson from the Blackjack Table
Investing & Markets

AI Hype, Long-Term Opportunity, and a Lesson from the Blackjack Table

As a quick note, the recent escalation of conflict involving Iran is a sobering reminder that markets do not exist in a vacuum. More importantly, events like these carry real human consequences, and we hope that tensions can de-escalate quickly. From a market perspective, Sarah I

Sarah YakelSarah YakelMar 17, 2026
Geopolitical Conflict and Financial Resilience
Investing & Markets

Geopolitical Conflict and Financial Resilience

Market behavior especially when influenced by geopolitical events is a lot like parenting – once you think you think you have a grasp on everything and no one is sick, something is bound to change. As a parent, the combination of preparation and agility (not to mention a big slic

Sarah IrvingSarah IrvingMar 9, 2026
woman running
Investing & Markets

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 TopekaKira TopekaMar 3, 2026
Hello Melanie
Meridian News

Hello Melanie

There’s something special about welcoming a new team member, especially when that person so naturally embodies the heart of who we are. Melanie Renner recently joined Meridian as a Client Service Associate and brings with her the knowledge gained from a lifelong career in custome

Liz Witt-LeeLiz Witt-LeeFeb 24, 2026
Tax planning workspace with calculator and financial documents
Investing & Markets

Where Are My Tax Forms Again?

It’s hard to believe it is already tax season, but here we are! If you aren’t paying attention to the calendar, you can certainly tell by the number of tax prep company ads that are all over the place. My favorite one involves someone riding a bike through a city while on a cell

Nathan GilbertNathan GilbertFeb 17, 2026
cover of book: learning to love midlife
Planning Basics

Navigating the Midlife Transition

We so rarely provide commentary on books we are reading here on the blog, but I recently read the book Learning to Love Midlife by Chip Conley, and truthfully, I found the insights in the book so profound that I couldn’t wait to share them with you. I can’t remember how I came to

Liz Witt-LeeLiz Witt-LeeFeb 10, 2026
Investing in AI: Taking Lessons from the Gold Rush
Investing & Markets

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 FortunatoDan FortunatoFeb 2, 2026
Beautiful sunset view of the san diego coast
Investing & Markets

Financial Diversification & Preparing for What’s in Store

As my first blog post in 2026, it is hard to believe we are already halfway through the first month; however, when I take a moment to reflect, a LOT has already happened in a short period of time. Personally, I have been blessed and lucky enough to have enjoyed warm weather and b

Sarah IrvingSarah IrvingJan 27, 2026
A dog sitting in a rug
Family & Life Events

New Year Financial Resolutions

A fresh start. My family knows this about me: every single New Year’s Day, I wake up and immediately start taking Christmas down. All of it…the tree, the decorations, the extra pillows, the sparkle—gone. Packed up. Put away. House cleaned from top to bottom. Period. They roll the

Sarah YakelSarah YakelJan 20, 2026
empty mailbox
Tax Planning

It’s ALMOST Tax Season

Every year, we get questions about tax forms from clients. By far the most common one is, “When will I get them?” The answer is: “not yet!” And, in fact, the IRS won’t even start accepting tax returns until January 26th, and you do not get any extra refunds for trying to file ear

Nathan GilbertNathan GilbertJan 16, 2026
Creating a Personal Financial Summit
Planning Basics

Creating a Personal Financial Summit

It’s 2026 now, and the last time my husband paid a bill, he wrote a paper check, recorded the amount in a paper register, sealed it in the envelope with a stamp, and popped it in the mail. It would eventually get to where it was going, and he would only find out if the […]

Liz Witt-LeeLiz Witt-LeeJan 6, 2026
2026 Retirement Contribution Limits: 401(k), IRA, HSA, and Catch-Up Rules
Retirement Planning

2026 Retirement Contribution Limits: 401(k), IRA, HSA, and Catch-Up Rules

As we reach the last day of 2025, we can all start to look to next year, which brings new retirement contribution limits. I am sure that was the first thing on your New Year’s resolution list! 2026 Retirement Contribution Limits Overview If you are someone who maxes out retiremen

Nathan GilbertNathan GilbertDec 31, 2025