Over Memorial Day weekend, the Yakel family took a quick trip up to Cedar Point as we have two teenage boys who are roller coaster fanatics. I walked Ben and Ethan to the park for early entry at 8:30AM…and then came back to collect them at park close after 10PM (I had given up trying […]

“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 freedom and capacity to

Why a Financial Advisor Is Essential Throughout the Estate Planning Life Cycle Every year, at least one of the decorative wreaths on Meridian’s doors gets graced with a bird’s nest, then mini speckled eggs, and finally (and hopefully) the tiniest of baby birds. It’s such a gift to see the miracle of life

Before I ever had any inclination to work in the financial industry, I remember an older co-worker of mine, telling a group of us younger fellows that he was about to give us a piece of advice. The advice was that if we ever were to have somebody manage our money, we needed to make […]

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 savings habits young is a great way to

The month of April feels like a breath of fresh air to our family (figuratively and literally). Spring brings longer days, warmer temperatures, beautiful scenery, and the chance to celebrate new life at my dad’s farm. The month of April is also very special as it is Financial Literacy month! In today’s

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 Happiness Plateau In 2010, Daniel

Tax season is in full swing, 1099s are all finally released, and while you may be preparing to file, there are still some last-minute financial moves you can make to maximize your refund or reduce your tax liability before April 15th 2025. 1. Contribute to an IRA One of the best last-minute tax-saving moves is

Greetings from Meridian, and we hope you are all enjoying some slightly warmer weather wherever you are. In Virginia, it feels like we are turning a corner toward Spring, but we might be in for one more cold snap as per usual. As market volatility increases, so does the temptation to “get out” of the […]