Financial Planning
Plan with Purpose, Live with Adventure: Financial Planning for a Full Life
“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
Kira TopekaMay 27, 2025
Financial Advisors and Estate Planning
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 t
Sarah IrvingMay 20, 2025
Fiduciary vs. Financial Advisor: the Difference and Why It Matters
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 ma
Dan FortunatoApr 22, 2025
Smart Saving for Kids: How to Use 529 Plans, Custodial Roth IRAs, and Custodial Accounts
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 sa
Kira TopekaApr 15, 2025
The Benefits of Financial Literacy and Working with a Financial Advisor
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 Lit
Sarah IrvingApr 8, 2025
Does money buy happiness?
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 Happ
Kira TopekaMar 11, 2025
Financial Moves You Can Still Make Before Filing Your Taxes This Year
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
Sarah IrvingMar 4, 2025
Short-Term Investment Options in Volatile Markets
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 temptatio
Nathan GilbertFeb 25, 2025
Renting vs. Owning a Home: The Pros and Cons
When it comes to finding a place to live, one of the most significant decisions many people face is whether to rent or to buy a home. Both options come with distinct advantages and disadvantages, and the decision often depends on personal circumstances, financial goals, and lifes
Dan FortunatoFeb 17, 2025
Keeping the Long View Amid Change and Chaos
The last few weeks have felt like total chaos—at home, our routine schedule has been upended with weather-related school cancellations, kids with the flu, and late nights of basketball games. At Meridian, we’ve been working hard on the usual year end reporting and tax preparation
Sarah YakelFeb 11, 2025
Understanding Retirement Accounts
When it comes to planning for retirement, there are a variety of savings vehicles to help you save for the future. Each type of retirement account offers its own set of benefits, tax advantages, and eligibility requirements. Whether you are just starting your career or nearing re
Kira TopekaFeb 5, 2025
Resilience and Risk: Navigating the 2025 US Economy
To everyone that hates the month of January, we are almost through! January has a tendency to feel like the longest month of the year; however, with the plethora of information, data, and events for us to mull over and consider for our clients’ portfolios (not to mention keeping
Sarah IrvingJan 30, 2025