Blog
You have investing and retirement questions, we have answers!
Many of our blog posts have been inspired by conversations with clients and our wealth management strategies. Check back often as economic and market conditions are constantly changing, as well as tax laws and retirement account rules!
Why AI Search Often Prefers Fee-Only Fiduciary Advisors
As the world shifts from traditional Google searches to more AI searches, some AI search tools such as ChatGPT have started making decisions for you about who you can trust for financial advice.
Read MoreWhat is Financial Planning?
A financial plan serves as a roadmap for your money, helping to reduce anxiety regarding financial decisions and providing clear steps to achieve financial independence.
Read MoreWhat Are The ABCs (and Ds) of Medicare?
Whether your 65th birthday is on the horizon or decades away, understanding the different parts of Medicare is critical, as this government-sponsored program may play a role in your future health care decisions.
Read MoreHow To Choose A Retirement Plan for Your Business
If you have yet to develop a retirement plan for your business, or if you're not sure the plan you've chosen is the right one, here are some things to consider.
Read MoreAre ETFs More Tax-Efficient Than Mutual Funds?
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds are both popular investment vehicles. While they often pursue similar investment strategies, ETFs are generally considered more tax-efficient than traditional mutual funds.
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Year-End Tax Planning for 2025
The best timing for some strategies may be years into the future, but each year could present opportunities that can easily be missed if tax planning is not a regular part of your financial planning!
Read MoreHow To Keep Your Retirement Strategy On Track After A Job Loss
You're not alone if you’ve been laid off — or if the idea of it happening is a concern. Many workers experience layoff anxiety, and being prepared for this possibility can help to make it less stressful.
Read MoreShould You Fund A Traditional IRA Or A Roth IRA?
Here’s a quick comparison of Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs, including tax treatment, best use cases, a conversion example, and a few tips for high-income investors.
Read MoreTax Planning In Action Part 4: When Does A Roth IRA Conversion Make Sense?
The benefit of a Roth IRA conversion is that the money grows tax-free once in the Roth. The cost is that the amount moved is taxed in year 1 as income. It takes time to recover from the initial tax bill, but the savings can be substantial.
Read MoreThe One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Key Tax Changes Starting 2025
Congress passed the The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that extended the 2017 tax cuts that were set to expire this year while making some of the 2017 rules permanent.
Read MoreHow Much Does It Cost To Work With A Financial Advisor?
There are several cost structures for financial advisors including flat planning fees, ongoing assets under management (AUM) fees, hourly charges, and/or commissions. So, it depends on what you are looking for and what the advisor offers.
Read MoreTax Planning In Action Part 3: Married couple, 65, portfolio income of $129,900, $0 tax. What!?!
Yes, if your only income is from long-term capital gains and you stay under the threshold, you will pay $0 in Federal taxes. Are you taking full advantage of tax code?
Read MoreTax Planning In Action Part 2: Capital Gains Rates Are 0%, 15%, or 20% - What Are You Paying?
If you’ve realized a profit on an investment in a taxable account, then you’ve earned a capital gain. What tax rate you pay depends on your total income and how long you’ve held the asset.
Read MoreAchieving Financial Fulfillment: Passing on What You Have and What You Have Learned
You can leave your money and values with purposeful intention, not just a list of who gets what.
Read MoreTax Planning In Action Part 1: Which Account You Withdrawal From Makes A Difference!
Not all retirement account withdrawals are created equal, especially when it comes to the amount of tax you will pay!
Read MoreAchieving Financial Fulfillment: Adjusting Your Plans Over Time
We know that regularly maintained vehicles are more reliable, more durable, and have a higher resale value. What about your financial plans?
Read MoreAchieving Financial Fulfillment: Protecting What You've Got
Life can be full of unexpected events, so make sure you have appropriate insurance coverage to protect your family and loved ones.
Read MoreTop 5 Year-End Tax Planning Moves To Consider – Cut Your Federal Tax Bill!
Tax planning involves looking for opportunities to improve your tax situation BEFORE the end of the year. Don’t miss out this year! By anticipating your current and future tax brackets, the aim is to pay taxes when the rates are the lowest.
Read More4 Ways To Use Roth Accounts Even If Your Income Is High
Many investors use Roth IRAs for their retirement savings, but they do have income restrictions that might lock you out of contributing directly. Here are some alternatives:
Read MoreStrategies For Inherited IRA Withdrawals: Save Your Inheritance From The IRS!
In 2019, the SECURE Act removed the ability for most non-spouse beneficiaries to stretch required inherited IRA distributions (RMDs) over a lifetime, and now all of the money needs to be withdrawn by the end of the 10th year after death.
Read MoreAchieving Financial Fulfillment: Understanding the Impact of Taxes
Investing is not just about how much you make - but how much you get to keep after taxes - that really matters.
Read MoreSocial Security: Five Facts You Need to Know
Social Security can be complicated, and as a result, many individuals don't have a full understanding of the choices they may have. Here are five facts about Social Security that are important to keep in mind.
Read MoreThe Inherited IRA Time Bomb!
The SECURE Act removed the ability for most non-spouse/non-charity beneficiaries to stretch required inherited IRA distributions over a lifetime, now all of the money needs to be withdrawn by the end of the 10th year after death.
Read MoreAchieving Financial Fulfillment: What Is The Best Type Of Financial Advice?
There are different ways to receive financial advice, so you need to know if you are working with a fiduciary advisor and if the compensation model is the right fit for you.
Read MoreImportant Tax Planning Considerations After The Death Of A Spouse
If you know what to expect, you can create a tax-efficient plan to help preserve your assets. This life event can dramatically change your tax status and overall financial situation.
Read MoreAchieving Financial Fulfillment: "If You Fail To Plan, You Are Planning To Fail!”
It’s possible for your money to make more money for you with no additional effort through compound interest! No matter how small you start when saving for the future, you won’t miss it if it’s out of sight, out of mind.
Read MoreTurn Your RMDs into Charitable Donations
If you dream of leaving a lasting impact, there's a way you can make a difference. You can use your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) to make charitable donations, a strategy that could benefit both you and the cause you support.
Read MoreWhat Whitford Financial Planning And Other Small Firms Can Offer That The Industry Giants Cannot
How many people in your life know who you are, what you like to do, and the important people in your life. As a financial planner, I consider it a privilege to be a trusted partner for my clients.
Read MoreTop 4 Benefits Of Our Modern Rebalancing Approach – Q & A
We use our own proprietary research and investment strategies, while leveraging digital onboarding and tax-efficient rebalancing technology from our custodians - a perfect combination of personal touch and high-tech!
Read MoreAchieving Financial Fulfillment: Investing Principles
Before you begin investing, it’s important to understand some of the standard investment terminology, risks and expectations.
Read MoreAchieving Financial Fulfillment: Live Within Your Means
If you spend everything that you make, you will have no savings. Living within your means is simply making the most of what you have, whether it is a little or a lot.
Read MoreAchieving Financial Fulfillment: How Emotional Decisions Can Get You Off Track
In order to make smart financial choices, we need to be aware of how we make choices and how our emotions play a role.
Read MoreHow to Prepare for the Next Stock Market Correction
Preparation and planning are the keys to being ready for life’s uncertainties. You need to be disciplined and check your emotions at the door.
Read MoreWhitford Financial Planning - Our Investment Philosophy
A proper long-term investment strategy needs to be based on your current situation, financial goals, risk tolerance, time horizon and other relevant factors.
Read MoreConsider Converting Your IRA to a Roth IRA Before Drawing Social Security
Look ahead for tax bracket changes. Low income years may be good for intentionally taking on more income (pay 12% now to avoid 22% later?) and high income years should be planned around by taking losses, deductions or deferring income.
Read MoreThe Big Retirement Pension Decision - Should You Choose a Lump-Sum or Monthly Annuity Payments?
It’s not just about when you get the money. You need to consider age, health, risk tolerance, taxes and more!
Read More3 Financial ‘Rules-of-Thumb’ You Probably Shouldn’t Follow
Many financial guidelines start with good intentions but often they are misinterpreted or don’t consider all the relevant information. Times have changed and so have the rules.
Read MoreThe 4 Most Important Financial Considerations When Changing Jobs
Planned or unplanned, changing jobs impacts many aspects of your life. Here are the important considerations for your financial life before and after you make a switch.
Read MoreSecurity Measures Used in Our Digital Experience
In this day and age, utmost care and vigilance must be taken to keep your personal data secure. Each of the technology partners that we have chosen to work with has been meticulously screened to ensure the highest security possible.
Read MoreIs Your Advisor a Fee-Only Fiduciary?
A fiduciary is a person who has the power and obligation to act for another under circumstances which require total trust, good faith and honesty. If you choose to pay for advice, it is critical to understand how advisors are compensated.
Read MoreWhat Comes Next After You Inherit An IRA?
The rules regarding required inherited IRA withdrawals have changed, are you up to speed on them?
Read MoreThe Importance of Income Tax Planning
Proper planning should allow you to pay taxes when the rate is the lowest.
Read MoreWhy Consolidating Your Accounts Makes Sense
Consolidating can help you simplify and organize your finances.
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