Blog
Articles written by the fiduciary advisors in our directory, shared from their own websites.
October 7, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
Neither a lump sum nor a pension is universally better. The right answer depends on how the payout integrates with your full retirement structure: income durabi…
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October 6, 2026
By Nathan Donohue, CFP®, RICP®
A married Arizona couple can redirect up to $5,802 of 2026 state income tax to charities and schools: the five credits, the April 15 quirk, and the federal catc…
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October 6, 2026
By Nathan Donohue, CFP®, RICP®
What an exchange fund is, how Section 721 keeps the contribution tax-free, the 7-year holding period, who qualifies, and the trade-offs against the alternatives…
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October 6, 2026
By Nathan Donohue, CFP®, RICP®
Explore seven RSU tax-planning strategies for 2026, including withholding, stock sales, charitable giving and ways to manage concentrated shares.
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October 6, 2026
By Nathan Donohue, CFP®, RICP®
Inflated charitable donations, viral tax hacks and the short-term rental loophole: how each pitch works, where it breaks and what it can cost.
Read more →October 5, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
In 2022 the S&P 500 lost about 18% on a total return basis and the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index lost about 13%, the worst calendar year in that index's his…
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October 5, 2026
By Michael Reynolds, CFP®
What is a trusted contact person on your brokerage account? See why it exists, what your firm can share, and when naming one could protect your savings.
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October 1, 2026
By Spenser Liszt, CFP®, CCFC
High income families in Dallas need effective financial planning. Learn to manage your income and create a solid financial plan.
Read more →September 30, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
Ten tax-efficient retirement withdrawal strategies, in rough order of typical lifetime value: (1) bracket-filling Roth conversions in the gap years between reti…
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September 29, 2026
By Spenser Liszt, CFP®, CCFC
Earning $500,000 can introduce more than a higher federal tax bracket. Here are five taxes high-income families should understand and how they can interact.
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September 29, 2026
By Cliff Brockmann, CFP®, EA
Roth conversions are one of the most misunderstood tax strategies.
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September 29, 2026
By Marcel Miu, CFA®, CFP®
Should you sell or hold your vesting RSUs? Learn how to manage concentration risk, navigate blackout periods, and reduce your tax burden.
Read more →September 28, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
The ten most common retirement planning mistakes are: not saving enough, not tracking monthly spending, claiming Social Security at the wrong time, carrying bad…
Read more →September 26, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
For a household in its 50s that is still working, year-end planning is mostly about the last two to four months of 2026 payroll and the benefits open enrollment…
Read more →September 24, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
For most retirees drawing from an IRA, 401(k), or pension, withholding is the simpler and more forgiving option, because the IRS treats withheld tax as if it we…
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September 22, 2026
By Beau Kemp, CFP®, RMA®
Most people I meet as they approach retirement think they’re probably ready.
Read more →September 21, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
You can generally collect a divorced-spouse benefit worth up to 50% of your ex-spouse's Primary Insurance Amount if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, you a…
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September 21, 2026
By Michael Hollis, CFP®
Discover why TapestryFP chooses a flat fee model for financial advice. Clear pricing in dollars based on value and not assets. Ideal for families and solopreneu…
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September 21, 2026
By Michael Hollis, CFP®
Turn your nest egg into a retirement paycheck that lasts. Compare the 4% rule, RMD, guardrails, and income strategies to find the one that fits you.
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September 21, 2026
By Michael Hollis, CFP®
Do you really need a financial advisor? A flat-fee fiduciary CFP® gives an honest answer on who benefits, who doesn’t, and how advisors actually get paid.
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September 21, 2026
By Michael Hollis, CFP®
Can you retire on $1 million? It depends on the gap between what your life costs and your guaranteed income. Here is how to find your own number.
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September 21, 2026
By Michael Hollis, CFP®
You have four options for an old 401(k), and leaving it alone is one of them. Here's how to decide and what to check before you move anything.
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September 21, 2026
By Michael Hollis, CFP®
Paying off your mortgage early is usually smart, but not always. Here are four things to check first, and when waiting is the better call.
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September 21, 2026
By Michael Hollis, CFP®
Discover what to do when a car lease ends. Learn the 3 options and find out which one builds wealth. Explore smart financial choices.
Read more →September 18, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
Tax bracket management means identifying exactly how much income you can add in a given year before crossing into the next higher bracket, and then deciding whe…
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September 18, 2026
By James Mayo, CFA, CFP®, EA, RICP®
Third-Party Calculator Disclaimer: This calculator is provided by an independent third party and is made available for informational and educational purposes on…
Read more →September 17, 2026
By Cliff Brockmann, CFP®, EA
Advisors are paid in many ways, and each way comes with positives and negatives.
Read more →September 17, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
A genuinely flat-fee advisor charges one number for a defined scope of work, and that number does not change because your account balance crossed a threshold. A…
Read more →September 16, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
To retire comfortably in Arizona in 2026, the commonly cited baseline is roughly $1.1 million in savings, assuming an annual cost of living near $66,800. The nu…
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September 16, 2026
By Spenser Liszt, CFP®, CCFC
Should you participate in your nonqualified deferred compensation plan? Learn how taxes, employer risk, payout timing, and cash flow affect the decision.
Read more →September 16, 2026
By Cliff Brockmann, CFP®, EA
This debate comes up often, and something I notice is that younger investors are rarely informed enough to make this decision.
Read more →September 16, 2026
By Cliff Brockmann, CFP®, EA
Good investing starts long before choosing funds or percentages.
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September 16, 2026
By Cliff Brockmann, CFP®, EA
More and more people have been asking me about IRMAA, so let’s break it down clearly.
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September 15, 2026
By Chris Randall
The trouble starts the moment a question needs real facts about your life, not just a textbook answer.
Read more →September 14, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
This page consolidates the 2026 tax and retirement amounts that drive almost every planning decision in one place: federal income tax brackets (MFJ and Single),…
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September 14, 2026
By Michael Reynolds, CFP®
The best cash flow system is the one you'll actually keep using. For a lot of people, that system is reverse budgeting.
Read more →September 12, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
Social Security retirement benefits can be claimed as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. Claiming before your Full Retirement Age (FRA, currently 67 for thos…
Read more →September 12, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
No. A Roth conversion can never satisfy your required minimum distribution, and the IRS is specific about the order: your full RMD for the year has to come out…
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September 10, 2026
By Chris Randall
The OBBBA creates new tax-saving opportunities for small business owners in 2026. Learn how QBI, bonus depreciation, Section 179, SALT, and R&D changes may help…
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September 8, 2026
By Todd Pouliot
Discover the truth behind financial planning costs. Learn how to 'Know What You're Actually Paying For' and avoid overpaying for brand names.
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September 8, 2026
By Spenser Liszt, CFP®, CCFC
Have too much company stock? Learn how to evaluate concentration risk, taxes, RSUs, and diversification as part of your financial plan.
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September 7, 2026
By Marcel Miu, CFA®, CFP®
Learn why filing an 83(b) election on early-exercised options is a critical tax strategy. Discover the risks, the strict IRS deadline, and how to avoid the AMT…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
There’s an easy-to-believe narrative living in westernized individualistic culture that your value is connected to what you earn. Don’t get me wrong, I am a str…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
HSA’s are often touted as a “triple-tax advantaged” account, meaning you pay no federal or state income taxes on contributions into an HSA (#1)*, no tax on the…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
There are three primary compensation models for financial advisors; Commission-Based, Fee-Based, and Fee-Only.
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
Health Savings Accounts (“HSA’s”) are amazing. So much so, we’re doing a multi-part blog series starting with Basic Concepts, to the Sweet Income Spot, to more…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
In the context of financial planning, a fiduciary is a professional who is legally and morally bound to provide financial advice that is in the best interest of…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
While the framework is qualitative in nature, my prayer is that you can take this framework to the Lord and ask Him how to apply it to your personal finances...
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
While there are several savings-accounts for kids available1, today’s post will focus on the 2 most common I encounter: The 529 Plan and the UTMA
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
One of the most common challenges I hear is how to budget and optimize Cash Flow. In other words, how to make the most of your monthly paycheck(s) and expenses,…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
Both the SEP IRA and Solo 401(k) are excellent retirement options for self-employed individuals, consultants, or anybody with 1099 income and the ability to put…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
How you handle your finances in these early years can set the trajectory for long-term financial success, stability, and impact. Here’s 10 personal finance tips…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
This guide is designed to help expecting and new parents navigate their financial responsibilities with confidence. Whether you’re trying to adjust your budget,…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
As you think about navigating optimization of retirement withdrawals, minimizing lifetime taxes, constructing and monitoring a portfolio customized to your risk…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
Don't get me wrong - in the long-run, US Stocks have been a fantastic historic inflation hedge (as Inflation is one of the key risks to an investment portfolio…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
Doesn't help you understand the potential returns of your rental property on a go-forward basis? Tired of playing middle-man between your CPA and financial advi…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
In the peak of your career, you may be earning more than ever — but you’re also juggling lack of spare time and complexity.
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
In this guide, we’ll explain the two 5-year rules, walk through the IRS’s ordering rules for Roth IRA withdrawals, and answer common questions with real-life ex…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
One of the most powerful tools in this space is the Donor-Advised Fund ("DAF") — a flexible, tax-smart giving vehicle that can be both a short and long term tax…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
Spanning about 900 pages, the OBBB Act contains hundreds of provisions primarily related to individual taxation, student loans, 529 Plans, charitable contributi…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
Whole life insurance is often marketed as a financial Swiss Army knife: permanent coverage, guaranteed cash value growth, tax perks, and even a way to “bank on…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
Most people spend decades saving and investing faithfully — doing all the “right” things financially — only to arrive in retirement and realize something unexpe…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
If you are earning over $250,000 per year (a great living!), you may have expected money to be a lot easier than it's unfolding to be. Not perfect or entirely s…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
“How do we turn our retirement nest egg into a paycheck that is reliable, flexible, optimized for taxes, and sustainable for the long-haul?”
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
Most families default to leaving everything to their kids — but what if there was a better, more intentional way? In this post, we walk through a simple Estate…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
Trump Accounts are getting a lot of attention in the media —but how do they actually hold up against the existing alternatives for funding your kids' future? Th…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
Good intentions can create secret idols. This Post discusses she surprising truth about what money can do to the human heart.
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
Giving isn’t merely losing something — it’s exchanging temporary treasure for an eternal investment. We can’t take earthly wealth with us, but through Kingdom-f…
Read more →August 31, 2026
By Zack Gutches, CFP®, CPA
Today's post is [targeted] for Christians who either have household income over $250k per year OR have a $1M+ investment portfolio, and want to see how much mor…
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August 31, 2026
By Michael Reynolds, CFP®
It's okay to get excited about the thought of buying a house. It's definitely an emotional experience. But base it on a solid financial foundation and make sure…
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August 24, 2026
By John Stoj, CEPS
Retirement planning often treats “enough” as a fixed number. Learn why the 4% rule is only a starting point, and why your definition of enough will change.
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August 24, 2026
By Michael Reynolds, CFP®
Don't let lack of access to a 401(k) keep you from saving and investing for retirement. You've got plenty of options to fill the gap.
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August 23, 2026
By Shai Gothreau
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to combining finances as a couple. Here are four systems to help you find what works for both of you.
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August 17, 2026
By Michael Reynolds, CFP®
There's a guidelines that says you don't need life insurance until someone depends on you financially. That sounds obvious. But there's a real case for buying a…
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August 12, 2026
By James Sweeney, CFA, CFP®, MBA
For most of the last century, the business of financial advice was primarily an investment business. First, it was a product business: brokers were paid commiss…
Read more →August 11, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
Retiring at 50 with $2M is feasible for households with low fixed expenses and disciplined spending, but the safe withdrawal rate at a 40-year horizon is closer…
Read more →August 9, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
A complete resource for Arizona retirees and pre-retirees on retirement tax planning: Roth conversions, RMD strategy, IRMAA management, Social Security taxation…
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August 6, 2026
By Charley Corbett, MS, CFP®
In this recent Wall Street Journal article, Charley Corbett shares his perspective on how retirees can navigate today's changing market environment and ...
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August 6, 2026
By Charley Corbett, MS, CFP®
Discover how flat-fee fee-only financial advice promotes true transparency and aligns your advisor’s focus with your financial goals.
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August 6, 2026
By Charley Corbett, MS, CFP®
Learn how understanding the Florida Retirement System helps public employees coordinate pension benefits with their broader retirement goals.
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August 6, 2026
By Charley Corbett, MS, CFP®
Learn how a decision-making framework for financial planning helps organize choices and guide every step toward your financial goals.
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August 6, 2026
By Charley Corbett, MS, CFP®
Discover the flat-fee financial advisor benefits that promote transparency, fairness, and alignment between advisors and clients.
Read more →August 6, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
The seven coordinated tax strategies households with large pre-tax IRAs are using in 2026 to manage RMDs, the widow's penalty, IRMAA, and the SECURE Act 10-year…
Read more →August 6, 2026
By Raman Singh, CFP®, EA
If you're still earning income, wages, self-employment, consulting, while also collecting Social Security, a pension, or taking retirement account withdrawals,…
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August 3, 2026
By Michael Reynolds, CFP®
Planning for a large tax refund can make sense in a lot of cases. Just because it's not financially optimal doesn't make it wrong.
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August 3, 2026
By Marcel Miu, CFA®, CFP®
Wondering if you have enough to retire? See how the funded ratio compares your assets to your goals, spots the gap, and why allocation comes last.
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July 27, 2026
By Michael Reynolds, CFP®
Not everyone starts a business planning to sell it. Some of you have no interest in an exit at all, and that's fine. But stick with me, because the work that ma…
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July 27, 2026
By John Stoj, CEPS
The fact that The Wall Street Journal is devoting attention to flat-fee financial advice is another indication that the model is moving into the mainstream.
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July 26, 2026
By Marcel Miu, CFA®, CFP®
Should you build a bond ladder for retirement income? How laddered bonds defend against sequence-of-returns risk, plus the trade-offs to weigh.
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July 20, 2026
By Michael Reynolds, CFP®
Many people assume that managing money well requires complexity. More accounts, more spreadsheets, more strategies, more monitoring. The opposite is usually tru…
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July 17, 2026
By John Stoj, CEPS
Hiring a financial advisor is not easy, but it can be much easier than it’s made out to be. This guide gives you the tools to interview financial advisors and f…
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July 14, 2026
By Daniel Huffman
Learn what biblical stewardship means for money, wealth, financial planning, and how to manage your resources wisely, give generously, and live with purpose.
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July 13, 2026
By Michael Reynolds, CFP®
Understanding where the 20% number comes from, and what your actual options are, can help you make a decision based on your finances instead of someone else's r…
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July 8, 2026
By Bryan Minogue
How does the risk of a leveraged well-diversified portfolio compare to a 100% stock portfolio? Are stocks the best option for long-term investors?
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July 8, 2026
By Bryan Minogue
What is alternative investing? What types of investments best complement traditional stock and bond portfolios? What shouldn't be called an "alternative"?
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July 8, 2026
By Bryan Minogue
Finding the right amount of cash on hand is essential for financial health. Discover how to balance your cash holdings to protect against inflation, seize inves…
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July 8, 2026
By Bryan Minogue
A review of a 1996 Journal of Portfolio Management Paper: Why Not 100% Equities, and how Kardinal Financial and individual investors can put this paper into pra…
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July 8, 2026
By Bryan Minogue
An overview of a retirement withdrawal strategy that combines Monte Carlo simulations and a guardrails framework, with the goal of reducing the risks of outlivi…
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July 7, 2026
By Marcel Miu, CFA®, CFP®
The 4% rule was built for a 30-year retirement. Why it may not hold for 40 to 50 years, and what early retirees can do instead.
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July 6, 2026
By Michael Reynolds, CFP®
Financial avoidance is very common, but if you learn to recognize it and manage it, you can get better at overcoming these tendencies.
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