By Christian Hudspeth, CFP(R) Because you only get one chance to get it right, the age to start claiming Social Security benefits is one of the most important financial decisions every American makes in their lifetime. So when is the best age to claim Social Security? Arguments abound on the subject, but the answer depends...Continue Reading

By Christian Hudspeth, CFP(R) At age 80, my grandma told me one of her proudest achievements was helping fund college for her three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren (I remember as she grinned, counting on both hands and then holding up seven fingers). Her $10,000 investment in each education account covered four years of college tuition...Continue Reading

By Christian Hudspeth, CFP® Whether it’s because your child landed scholarships or they changed their mind about higher education, there are plenty of good reasons why there’s leftover money in their 529 plan. So, what is the best thing to do with unused 529 funds? Many people think the answer to this question simply revolves...Continue Reading

By Christian Hudspeth CFP® With tax season in full swing, here are four tax-saving and wealth-building opportunities that we hope you don’t miss out on as the new OBBBA tax law takes effect. New $40,000 tax deduction for homeowners                      Own a home or a second home? You may deduct up to $40,000 in state and...Continue Reading

By Christian Hudspeth, CFP® This year, newly retired John and Mary lived on $100,000 of portfolio withdrawals while paying a 0% income tax rate on those withdrawals. They also moved $140,000 from their pre-tax IRAs into Roth IRAs this year. Through this Roth IRA conversion, they paid an average tax rate of just 8%. Inside...Continue Reading

by Christian Hudspeth, CFP®As sure as the changing leaves, Fall means it’s open enrollment season again in Corporate America!Yes, some of you may dread the thought of slogging through HR forms again. But we see open enrollment as a prime opportunity to maximize your employer benefits, minimize lifetime taxation and put your financial goals into...Continue Reading

By Christian Hudspeth, CFP® Congress’ Summer 2025 passage of President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) keeps most of the familiar tax rules we’ve known since 2018. Importantly, all of the same income tax brackets have returned and have been made permanent, so no one’s tax rates have gone up as they would have...Continue Reading

by Christian Hudspeth, CFP® Want to help yourself or someone in your family pursue higher education? I can’t think of a better way to keep your legacy strong and your name remembered by those you love than by starting a college fund for them.  To do that, you’ll need a plan. Here’s why. In the...Continue Reading

Your child is now legally an adult! What comes next? Parents are often so in the habit of doing things on behalf of their minor children — making doctor’s appointments, managing investments in custodial accounts, paying bills – that they are likely to forget they are no longer authorized to manage their children’s affairs after...Continue Reading

by Christian Hudspeth, CFP® It’s tax season again, and while December 31 of last year has come and gone, it’s not too late to make smart moves to reduce your tax bill and buy yourself some time. As a former tax preparer who has spent Tax Day (April 15th) with clients filing taxes at the...Continue Reading