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Category: Family Needs

April 29, 2025

Bringing the Next Generation Into Your Financial Planning Discussions

Talking about money can be uncomfortable for many people; it’s taboo in our culture to reveal too much about our finances, often even with those closest to us. Additionally, discussions about money can generate strong emotions, or feel intimidating and overwhelming. But as parents become grandparents, retire, and begin thinking about building their legacy and [...]

529 savings plan

March 24, 2025

10 Most Common Questions About 529 Savings Plans

A 529 Savings Plan is a tax-advantaged account used to pay for qualified education expenses. Contributions are typically invested in target-date funds, which gradually shift toward a more conservative allocation as the beneficiary nears college age. You may be considering a 529 for your child, grandchild, or another family member. Here are some of the [...]

Katie MietusHeather KesslerAlexandra Lambert
Contributions from: Katie Berntson, CFP®, Heather Kessler, CFP®, Alexandra Lambert

March 10, 2025

Financial Preparedness for Families: What information should everyone in the family know?

Who manages the finances in your family? Do you share the responsibilities in your household, or is one individual mostly in charge? While every family is different, it’s not unusual to have a single person take the lead in managing the money for a family, often covering everything from budgeting to investing to estate planning. [...]

Noel Sanchez
Contributions from: Katelyn Spangler, CFP®, Noel Sanchez, CFP®, Thanh Evoniuk, CPA, CFP®, MSF

February 12, 2025

Does My Child Need to File a Tax Return?

Your teenager may have had their first job working at the snack shack last summer, and their W2 just arrived in the mail.  Or perhaps you collectively decided to sell some of the gifted Microsoft stock from their custodial account so your teenager could purchase their first car.  Now you’ve received a 1099 and wonder [...]

Vince Lee
Contributions from: Vince Lee, CFP®, CPA

January 1, 2025

Sending Your Child Off to College: A Financial Checklist

Starting college is a big life transition for both students and their parents. While your child may be focused on orientation and choosing courses, there are important financial considerations that accompany this change as well. Some are administrative items for you to consider, such as getting legal documents in order, paying expenses from a 529 [...]

Katie Mietus
Contributions from: Anne Marie Stonich, CFP®, CPA, Katie Berntson, CFP®, Peter Beeson, CAPI

January 1, 2025

Ready to Use Your 529 Plan?

As your college student heads off to campus, you may be wondering what expenses the 529 plan can cover versus which expenses are better paid out-of-pocket. Let’s take a closer look at expenses your student may encounter during their academic year and which of those qualify under your 529 plan. What Are “Qualified Expenses?” Qualified [...]

Heather Kessler
Contributions from: Heather Kessler, CFP®

December 10, 2024

Protecting Our Aging Population: Recognizing and Preventing Elder Financial Abuse

The American public is aging at an unprecedented rate. Back in 1985, adults aged 65 and older made up just 11% of the population. Today, this figure is closer to 20%. (Source: Institute on Aging) With an average of 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, this rapid increase in our elderly population is expected to [...]

Contributions from: Anne Marie Stonich, CFP®, CPA

December 9, 2024

Should I Spend My HSA On My Kid’s Braces?

Ah, the Health Savings Account (HSA)… with its quick rise to fame, the HSA has gained popularity as a company benefit. The HSA is loved far and wide by financial advisors as a flexible and tax-efficient tool to cover medical expenses in retirement. However, it can be tempting to utilize the funds before retirement – [...]

Eric Schuehle
Contributions from: Eric Schuehle

October 29, 2024

Creating a Family Wealth Charter: Your Roadmap to Lasting Family Prosperity

Wealth is more than just money—it’s about security, opportunities, and legacy. But preserving and growing that wealth across generations requires a proactive plan. Enter the family wealth charter, a personalized document that lays out your family’s financial goals, values, and a structure for decision-making. It’s not just about handling assets, but about ensuring everyone in [...]

Patrick Corcorran
Contributions from: Kurt Biederman, JD, Patrick Corcorran

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