By: Christian Hudspeth, CFP® “When can I retire?” “How much do I need to retire?” “Will I ever be able to retire?” Regardless of how much income people make or the size of their net worth, I’ve seen these questions bring anxiety to hard workers, entrepreneurs, and diligent savers alike. The average American believes they...Continue Reading

By Christian Hudspeth, CFP(R) You know the biggest misconception I run into among people who have never worked with a financial advisor before is? It’s that a financial advisor is going to tell you to save every penny and that you can never spend money on anything fun. This is a myth. A good advisor...Continue Reading

By Christian Hudspeth, CFP® When the time comes to move, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to sell their home for top dollar and quickly. But is this something you must leave to the whims of the housing market? Or can we find ways to highlight our home’s value to sell it faster and...Continue Reading

By Christian Hudspeth, CFP® “Should I hire someone to do my taxes or could I do this myself?” This is a question I often received in my days as a professional tax preparer several years ago. Being in the fortunate position of having plenty of business, I had an honest response that depended on the...Continue Reading

By Christian Hudspeth, CFP® Saying “it could never happen to me” has never sounded more foolish when it comes to being financially frauded today in the US. Almost one in five US adults in 2023 reported that someone in their household has become a victim of financial fraud in the past year, according to a...Continue Reading

by Christian Hudspeth, CFP® The Secure Act 2.0 law continues to bring sweeping IRA and 401k changes to workers and retirees alike. And plenty of opportunities that could lead you to financial independence sooner. Since the law went into effect in 2023, Secure Act 2.0 has: Deferred taxes longer for IRA owners by raising the...Continue Reading

by Christian Hudspeth, CFP® As we approach the season of generosity, you may find it heartwarming to know that more than 50% of all US households (and 81% of affluent households) donate to qualified charities of all kinds each year according to CCS Fundraising’s Philanthropic Landscape Report. Almost all (97%) who donated said their decision...Continue Reading

Medicare Advantage plans have been gaining in popularity as Medicare recipients find them to be an affordable alternative to supplemental Medigap plans. In fact, more than 51% of all Medicare beneficiaries are projected to be enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans by 2030 according to data from the Congressional Budget Office. If you’re thinking of getting...Continue Reading

by Christian Hudspeth, CFP® Property tax cuts may be on the way for Texans this year. Using some of the state’s $30-billion budget surplus, Texas legislators recently passed what they call “the largest property tax cut in the history of Texas,” which aims to reduce the average Texas homeowner’s annual property tax bill by roughly...Continue Reading

by Christian Hudspeth, CFP® “Should I keep my life insurance policy?” This is a question our clients often ask, especially those who have been paying life insurance premiums on their policies for several years or decades. To explore this question, let’s review life insurance’s main purpose. Why and When It’s Important to Have Life Insurance...Continue Reading