Blog

How to Read a Fund Report – Understanding Key Investment Metrics

Investing in mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be a great way to diversify your portfolio, but understanding fund reports is essential to making informed decisions. Fund reports contain a wealth of information about a fund’s performance, strategy, and costs, but they can be overwhelming if you're not familiar with the terminology.

Michael Reynolds, CFP® | February 17, 2025

When to Use a Credit Card Balance Transfer

Timing is everything when it comes to balance transfers, and knowing when to use one is key to making the most of it. It can be a smart move for consolidating high-interest debt and speeding up your journey to being debt-free, but it's not a one-size-fits-all fix.

Michael Reynolds, CFP® | February 3, 2025

A Checklist of Documents for Filing Your 2024 Tax Return

As tax season approaches, staying organized can save you time, stress, and even money. To make filing your 2024 tax return easier, here’s a checklist of documents you may need, depending on your income sources, deductions, and tax credits.

Michael Reynolds, CFP® | January 27, 2025

How (And Why) to Communicate Your Estate Plan to Your Family

Estate planning isn’t just about organizing your assets or drafting a will. It’s about creating a roadmap that ensures your wishes are honored and your loved ones are cared for. Communicating your estate plan to your family is helpful for several reasons.

Michael Reynolds, CFP® | January 20, 2025

The Biggest Mistakes Made During Tax Season That Can Trigger IRS Audits

Here are the biggest mistakes taxpayers make during tax season that can trigger IRS enforcement—and how you can avoid them.

Michael Reynolds, CFP® | January 13, 2025

My Three Words for 2025 – Setting Intentions for the New Year

I love this exercise because it avoids the head trash that can result from the pass/fail nature of goal-setting. Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place for setting goals. But for me, setting three words is much more effective when defining a theme for an entire year.

Michael Reynolds, CFP® | January 6, 2025

How to Create Retirement Income From Your Investments – A Comparison of Three Popular Strategies

Here’s a look at three common retirement income strategies—Systematic Withdrawals (Total Return with Rebalancing), the Bucket Strategy, and the Guardrails approach. Each one has its own strengths and challenges, depending on your goals, risk tolerance, and personal style.

Michael Reynolds, CFP® | October 28, 2024

Why Shouldn’t I Just Invest in the S&P 500?

While the S&P 500 can be a great foundation for a portfolio, investing solely in this one segment of the market may not always be the best approach. We'll explore several reasons why relying solely on the S&P 500 might not be the ideal strategy.

Michael Reynolds, CFP® | October 14, 2024

What to Do if You Lose Your Job

Losing your job is never easy, whether you saw it coming or it took you by surprise. Beyond the emotional toll, the financial uncertainty can be overwhelming. However, with thoughtful planning and strategic actions, you can protect your financial future and manage the transition to your next chapter with confidence.

Michael Reynolds, CFP® | October 7, 2024