Straight Answers to Your Retirement Questions
No jargon, no sales pitch — just clear answers to the questions we hear most from people near or in retirement. Written by David Fortosis, CFP®.
What Is a Non-Taxable Account and Why Does It Matter for Your Future?
Financial decisions today can affect your lifestyle for decades to come. That’s especially true for how you structure your investments and savings. One term ...
Read more →Is Deferred Compensation a Good Idea? What You Should Know Before Deciding
For many professionals, career success often brings more than just a steady paycheck—it can lead to new decisions about how and when to allocate their earnin...
Read more → Estate & LegacyWhat To Do With Inherited Stocks – Understanding Your Options
Inheriting stocks can bring mixed emotions. You may feel grateful for the financial gift, but also uncertain about the best next steps.
Read more → TaxesCan a Dependent Claim Education Credit? [Guide]
Education expenses can be a big part of a family’s budget, and tax credits can make a real difference. However, when a student is claimed as a dependent on s...
Read more → Retirement IncomeShould I Consolidate All My Retirement Accounts? Here’s What to Consider
Retirement can feel like the start of a brand-new chapter, but the lead-up often involves sorting through years of financial accounts.
Read more → InvestingWhat Is Overinsurance? The Cost of Having More Coverage Than You Need
Insurance is meant to protect you against financial loss, but having too much coverage can work against you. Many people pay higher premiums than they should...
Read more → TaxesWhy Can’t I Claim an Education Tax Break?
Education is one of the biggest investments a family makes, and tax breaks can make a real difference in reducing the cost. But what happens if you find out ...
Read more → InvestingWhat Is a Non-Qualified Investment Account?
When people think about investing for the future, retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s or IRAs, usually come to mind. But what about the money you want to in...
Read more → InvestingWhat Is a Personal Net Worth Statement and Why Does It Matter
If you’ve ever wondered “what is a personal net worth statement,” you’re not alone. Many people hear the term but don’t fully understand its value in everyda...
Read more → InvestingWhat Is a Qualified Investment? [Explained]
Investment language can feel crowded with jargon, but your decisions should never hinge on guesswork. If you are building retirement savings or fine-tuning y...
Read more → PlanningShould I Do Deferred Compensation? [Practical Guide]
For many professionals, questions about compensation don’t stop with their salary. Benefits, retirement savings, and additional programs can all contribute t...
Read more → Estate & LegacyWhat Happens When You Inherit Stocks? A Practical Guide for Families
Inheriting stocks can feel both meaningful and overwhelming. For many families, these shares represent more than just financial assets. They also represent a...
Read more → InvestingHow to Make Money from Mutual Funds
Financial decisions today can affect your lifestyle for decades to come. That’s especially true for how you structure your investments and savings. One term ...
Read more → Retirement IncomeHow to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free [Advice for Retirement]
Retirement should feel less like the end of something and more like the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Read more → PlanningWhat to Ask a Financial Advisor in Your First Meeting
Meeting with a financial advisor for the first time can feel like a big step. It’s a chance to get answers, explore your options, and figure out whether the ...
Read more → InvestingHow to Invest in NBA Teams: Understanding Your Options
For many basketball fans and investors alike, the NBA represents an exciting intersection of sports, culture, and business.
Read more → PlanningWhat to Do with a Large Amount of Money: Practical Strategies for Your Future
Receiving a large sum of money can be exciting, but it also raises important questions about what to do next.
Read more → Estate & LegacyCan You Inherit Stocks? A Brief Guide for Families
Thinking about the transfer of wealth raises plenty of questions, especially if you’re not used to dealing with investments. Families often wonder what happe...
Read more → Retirement IncomeHow Should I Prepare for Retirement?
Retirement means different things to different people.
Read more → TaxesUnderstanding How to Maximize Tax Efficiency in Retirement
Taxes play a significant role in whether your income stretches far enough to support the lifestyle you want.
Read more → Estate & LegacyLearn How to Minimize Estate Taxes for Your Legacy [Guide]
Planning for the future means considering the financial impact that your loved ones may face. Estate taxes can significantly reduce what gets passed on to ch...
Read more → RothShould I Convert to Roth IRA? What to Know Before You Decide
Are you thinking about converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA? You’re not alone. Many folks are weighing this option as they plan for retirement, and ...
Read more → Retirement IncomeHow to Invest for Retirement Income: A Practical Guide
Planning for retirement isn’t just about having enough. It’s about knowing how your money will support your life after the paychecks stop. That’s where the i...
Read more → Estate & LegacyHow to Build Generational Wealth for Your Family’s Future
Building something that lasts beyond your lifetime can feel like a distant idea. If you’ve ever asked yourself what steps actually help build long-term finan...
Read more → PlanningDo You Need Fiduciary Planning Services? Find Out How It Works
Financial decisions can feel overwhelming when there are so many options, accounts, and strategies competing for your attention. That’s why many people want ...
Read more → InvestingWhat Is the Regular Way of Settlement for Treasury Bonds?
If you’ve ever wondered what the regular way of settlement for treasury bonds is, you’re not alone. Investors often hear this phrase but may not fully grasp ...
Read more → PlanningFiduciary Brokerage: Why It Matters for Your Financial Future
Planning your financial path requires more than basic investing, it calls for guidance rooted in trust and accountability.
Read more → Estate & LegacyHow To Manage Estate Planning Family Conflicts
Estate planning encompasses more than just documents. It is about people you love and the choices that affect them. Clear plans and open conversations can pr...
Read more → PlanningHow to Choose a Financial Advisor in Naperville: Questions to Ask and Red Flags to Avoid
Picking the right guide for your money should feel clear and calm. This article shows Naperville families and professionals how to choose a financial advisor...
Read more → PlanningHow Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost in Naperville? Fees, Structures, and What You Get for Your Money
Do you want to know what you might pay to work with a financial advisor in Naperville? You are not alone. Most families wish to clarify before committing, ye...
Read more → Retirement IncomeWhat Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Why Does It Matter for Your Retirement
Planning for retirement involves more than choosing investments or calculating income sources. It’s about deciding who you can truly trust to guide your fina...
Read more → PlanningDo You Need a Financial Advisor in Naperville? Here’s When It Makes Sense (and When It Doesn’t)
Making financial decisions can feel like walking through unfamiliar territory, especially when planning for major life goals such as retirement, buying a hom...
Read more → TaxesAre Financial Advisor Fees Tax-Deductible? A Clear Guide for 2025
Many people ask their advisors the same question every year: Are financial advisor fees tax-deductible? It’s a fair question, especially when you’re paying f...
Read more → InvestingWhat Is Investment Management and Why Does It Matter for Long-Term Investors
Asking “What is investment management?” is a critical step toward building a strong financial foundation.
Read more → PlanningFinancial Advisor Checklists: A Guide for Staying Organized
When people think about financial planning, they often picture investment choices or retirement accounts. What they might not realize is that organization pl...
Read more → InvestingWhat Is True About Time as a Factor in Investing?
When people think about investing, their attention often turns to picking the right stocks, mutual funds, or strategies. While those choices matter, there’s ...
Read more → TaxesWhat Is the 130% AFR Rate Used For? [Guide]
When you first hear the phrase Applicable Federal Rate (AFR), it might sound overly technical or something reserved for accountants and attorneys. In reality...
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