Financial Planning
You Can Check a Bag: When Is It Okay to Spend the Money?
As financial advisors, we spend a lot of time encouraging people to save. Save for retirement, save for college, build an emergency fund, invest consistently, and, of course, don’t let the dreaded “lifestyle creep” get the best of you. Phew! While all of those things are importan
Sarah IrvingSep 7, 2026
529 to Roth IRA Transfer Rules for Leftover College Funds
Some might call it a champagne problem, but overfunding a 529 College Savings plan can be a concern for some parents and grandparents. Until recently, the options for using leftover funds were somewhat limited. You could change beneficiaries to another family member, but if you j
Nathan GilbertAug 26, 2026
AI Is Driving the Market Conversation. But What Drives the Economy?
I had a strange experience the other weekend. I had some time to kill in the Tysons area and decided to pop into Tysons Corner Center. My last trip to a mall had been a very different experience, with more empty stores than shoppers. So, I was surprised to find Tysons packed. Peo
Kira TopekaAug 19, 2026
More Than Just Investments: 5 Financial Planning Decisions
When most people think about financial planning, they think about investing. Questions like, “What should I invest in?” or “Is this a good stock?” are some of the most common ones we hear. Investments are certainly important, but they’re only one piece of the puzzle. In fact, som
Dan FortunatoAug 3, 2026
Designing Your Next Chapter: The Next 8,000 Days
This weekend, my middle son Ethan graduates from high school. Like most parents, I’m not entirely sure how we got here so quickly. It feels like just yesterday he was jumping in piles of leaves, playing around with his brother, or fishing, boating, catching insects…generally doin
Sarah YakelJun 3, 2026
Custodial Roth IRA for Kids: Why a Summer Job Could Fund a Lifetime of Growth
School’s Out (a great Alice Cooper song) I hear that song in my head every time our kids’ schools end for the summer. I have to admit it’s mainly from watching the movie Dazed and Confused vs. being a huge fan of Alice Cooper. Note that this movie is from 1993, and I am not […]
Nathan GilbertJun 1, 2026
Your Financial Admin Night: 6 Tasks Worth Finally Getting Done
“I’ll do it later.” How many times have you said that? How many times have you heard your spouse, friends, children, parents, etc., say that? According to a 2018 study by Joseph R. Ferrari and Thomas P. Tibbett, 20% of the US population consider themselves “chronic procrastinator
Kira TopekaMay 27, 2026
Retirement in America: From Family Farms to 401(k)s
As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, the evolution of retirement tells a powerful story about how Americans have worked, saved, and planned for the future across generations. From family farms in colonial America to today’s 401(k)-driven retirement system, retireme
Dan FortunatoMay 18, 2026
Money Conversations Every Couple Should Have
Money is one of the more common sources of stress in a marriage, yet it is often the least discussed topic early on. Conversations about goals, debts, and financial boundaries are not always easy or pleasant, but they are necessary. For couples in their peak earning years or appr
Kira TopekaApr 14, 2026
The Fraud Risks Quietly Threatening Your Financial Security
Over the weekend, I attended a Leadership training session about Artificial Intelligence (AI). It was a fascinating conversation all the way around about what AI actually is (spoiler alert: computers are dumb – they need precise information – and AI is built on predictive analyti
Liz Witt-LeeApr 1, 2026
The Practical Guide to Living Trusts and Estate Planning
When reviewing clients’ financial plans, we often discuss estate planning and the benefits that can come from getting things in order ahead of time (aka before dying). Often, the conversation starts with trying to avoid taxes, but for most of us (with less than $15 million or $30
Nathan GilbertMar 24, 2026
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 TopekaMar 3, 2026