Blog

Securing Your Business Legacy: Trusts and Asset Titling in Succession Planning

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®, QPFC®

Monday, March 3, 2025

Succession planning is not merely a backup strategy, it is a critical process for ensuring the long-term stability and prosperity of a business. As entrepreneurs and business owners look toward the future, two essential elements emerge...

As Summer draws to a close and pool noodles everywhere breathe a sigh of relief, it's time to consider one of the most exciting milestones for many families: Attending Higher Education.

Understanding the Corporate Transparency Act: Promoting Transparency and Combatting Financial Crime

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®, QPFC®

Thursday, May 23, 2024

In a global economy where financial crimes, money laundering, and terrorist financing pose significantchallenges, promoting transparency in corporate ownership has become a pressing concern. To addressthese issues, the United States...

Fed Presidents: Rates Are High Enough

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Thursday, October 19, 2023

You may have heard the idea that the Fed is trying to “thread a needle” with the economy by raising interest rates to slow growth but not cause a recession. Well, we’re at crunch time with that plan. We’re at...

Mastering Debt Freedom: Your Ultimate Guide to Getting Out of Debt

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Monday, August 14, 2023

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to break free from the shackles of debt and take control of your financial future. Whether you're struggling with credit card debt, student loans, or other financial obligations, this blog aims...

Why you should have an emergency fund

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Monday, August 14, 2023

An emergency fund is a crucial financial safety net that provides you with a buffer against unexpected expenses or life events. Here are some important facts about an emergency fund:

Reaching Your Unique Goals with Trust Planning Strategies

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Beyond wealth accumulation — trusts play a vital role in outcomes-based planning Money is a means to an end. Behind the accumulation of wealth lie personal objectives and values as unique to individuals as their fingerprints....

Quarterly Market Review - Q2 2023

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Monday, July 10, 2023

Over the past several years, the world has had its share of dramatic events. These include the global pandemic, continual political rancor, and the war in Ukraine. As if these events weren’t enough, investors have had to deal...

10 Pitfalls to Avoid with Succession of a Family Run Business

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Monday, July 10, 2023

A staggering 87% percent of American businesses are family-owned or controlled. These range in size from two-person partnerships to Fortune 500 firms and together they generate 64% of the nation's Gross National Product.1Unfortunately,...

Debt Ceiling Debate

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

May 23, 2023 It is likely that you have seen stories in the financial and mainstream media about the national debt and the debt ceiling. As usual, there are plenty of predictions and strong opinions.  We are here to not only...

First Quarter Market Letter

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Friday, April 7, 2023

2022 had not been a good year. In a rare occurrence, both equities and bonds had fallen. Stocks fell over 18% and bonds fell 13%. The massive liquidity that had been injected into world economies had caused inflation to surge, rising...

Special Letter Regarding Recent Bank Failures

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Monday, March 13, 2023

March 13, 2023 You have likely seen in the ongoing news that some bank closures have occurred in recent days. As your financial partner, we are committed to following events that can affect you and your...

Is the Bear Market Over?

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Monday, February 6, 2023

"Is the bear market over?"That's a question I've been asked a number of times in recent weeks. And my answer is the same, "Let's give it a little time."But people are quick to remind me that stocks are off to a good start in 2023,...

Benefits of Financial Freedom

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Financial Freedom means you have enough financial resources to pay your living expenses and allows you to afford many of your life goals. It means you can live without being tied down to a strict budget or living from paycheck to paycheck.

Important Information Regarding the Secure 2.0 Act of 2022

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Monday, January 2, 2023

On December 23, 2022 Congress passed—and the President is expected to sign the legislation during the week of December 26, 2022— the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (the Appropriations Act). The Appropriations Act...

Outlook 2023: What's Next for Interest Rates?

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

What does the bond market know that the Fed isn’t telling us?Fed officials recently have said that short-term rates will need to climb to over 5 percent to bring inflation under control. But in the table below, you can see that...

Year-end Tax Planning for 2022

Brian R. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®, CBEC®

Thursday, November 24, 2022

With year-end approaching, it is time to start thinking about moves that may help lower your tax bill for this year and next. This year’s planning is more challenging than usual due to recent changes made by the Inflation...

The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.Individual Retirement...

You may have heard the phrase “contrarian investing,” but did you know that one of the most reliable contrary indicators is individual investors?Retail investors often do the wrong thing at the wrong time. But this year,...