A nuance of estate planning that I learned about recently is the complications of transferring guns of a decedent. It’s not like designating your Grammy’s parrot brooch to the most fashionable grandchild. Here to explain more is attorney Chris Hornbaker. Thanks to Chris for answering these basic questions of mine. If You Own Firearms,…
It may sound like something out of Ocean’s 12, but motion detection technology is becoming a quiet safety net for older adults who want to age in place, especially those living alone. These systems use discreet sensors to learn daily patterns and flag changes that might signal a fall, illness, or confusion, allowing families or…
After a strong year for international stocks in 2025, I’m getting more client questions about increasing the percentage of International in their portfolios. Many foreign stock funds saw double-digit returns, and the financial media (who are paid to get you riled up, not be a better investor!) is abuzz about “the comeback of international investing.”…
These days, Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia would have more options than ever for housing that offers community and financial savings. Senior cohousing Think of senior cohousing as the real‑life Golden Girls reboot. Everyone has a private home, but there are shared kitchens, gardens, and common houses where the coffee (and gossip) are…
One of the biggest hurdles I face as a planner is convincing clients whose numbers support retiring that they can take the leap. That’s because one of the biggest fears new retirees have is their investments suddenly dropping just as they stop earning a paycheck. It’s a scary thought. Imagine you’re climbing down a mountain…
Brrr, feeling chilly INSIDE of your house? This week I’m excited to offer a little education on a home improvement investment many think about but feel too intimidated to make: new windows. Yes, it feels like an big ticket item, but with the right guidance, this may be a worthwhile investment in your comfort and…
When is contributing to an IRA not what your financial advisor (or CPA) advises? I’m so glad you asked! It’s very simple: Most of you reading this should NOT be making tax-deferred IRA contributions. Why? Not all IRA contributions are deductible. If neither you nor your spouse is covered by a workplace plan, your traditional…
Just when you think you’ve got your retirement savings on autopilot, wham, a new tax bill comes along to change your plans. Today, I’m focusing on the changes in catch-up contributions to employer retirement plans brought on by OBBRA (the 2025 tax bill). The following does not apply to Individual Retirement Accounts (Traditional, SEP, Roth,…
Yep, I’m doing the work so you can look good to your sweetie on what is probably the most fraught made-up holiday on the calendar. Save time (and money!) by learning from others’ mistakes. “After five years of gas station flowers, I finally told my husband to stop getting me gifts on Valentine’s Day. There…
Okay, we all know (even though many of you have tried anyway) that jumping in and out of the stock market to avoid bad years and only participate in the good times doesn’t work. That’s not my hot take. My big epiphany is WHY market timing doesn’t work. Here it is: You are trying to…
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