Understanding "No Tax on Tips"
Some clarification on the new IRS deduction...
Midyear Checkup: Can You Contribute More to Your Retirement Plan?
Can you - or should you - contribute more to your retirement plan?
Q1 – 2026: Brandon’s Quarterly Market Commentary
As the second quarter begins, the war in Iran, now entering its second month, remains the dominant economic story. It’s unclear how long the war will last, and markets have reacted accordingly. Stocks started the year strong, but have declined since the war began on Feb. 28. The S&P 500 fell more than 4% during the…
The Core Four
No one likes to imagine a time when they might be sick or unable to make decisions for themselves. It ranks alongside cleaning out the garage or scheduling a long-overdue physical—important, but all too easy to postpone. Yet planning for these possibilities can make all the difference. Without a clear plan in place, the state…
Should I Consolidate My Retirement Accounts?
Most people hold several different jobs over the course of their careers. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that by the time the youngest baby boomers reached age 58, they had worked an average of 12.9 jobs in their adult life. Let that sink in for a minute. Nearly 13 jobs in one’s…
New Year, New Tax Considerations
Filing your tax return may feel routine. But the devil is in the details, as they say, and those details have a pesky habit of shifting from year to year. The 2025 tax year is a good example: Rule changes this year include both incremental adjustments and larger shifts stemming from the One Big Beautiful…
Family Money Conversations
Money plays a role in so many of the decisions we make, yet it remains one of the last true taboos in American life. Despite its importance, 62% of people say they don’t talk about money at all—not with family, not with friends and in nearly half of cases, not even with their spouse or…
Q4 – 2025: Brandon’s Quarterly Market Commentary
The end of 2025 has just passed. All major asset classes ended the year at (or near) all-time highs. It was truly another comeback story because the tariff-related market volatility earlier in the year made things feel grim. Instead, we saw a very impressive turnaround over the final 8 months of the year. US stocks…
Five Behavioral Finance Resolutions
As the old year draws to a close and a new one begins, millions of Americans will once again make New Year’s resolutions. For many, these resolutions focus on health or wealth. And when it comes to financial resolutions, the usual suspects tend to surface: spend less, save more, and pay down debt. No surprise…
2025 Year-End Planning Guide
The final weeks of the year tend to blur together in a whirlwind of pie orders, last-minute shopping, school concerts, and cross-country flights. But amid the bustle, it’s worth pausing to take stock of your financial picture. A few thoughtful steps now can help you optimize your tax situation, strengthen your savings, and position yourself…
Claiming Social Security
When you’re deciding when to start claiming Social Security benefits, you’re facing a trade-off. Claim as early as age 62, and you’ll receive a larger number of smaller payments. Delay as late as age 70, and you’ll receive a smaller number of larger payments. To weigh your options, it’s helpful to find your “break-even” point—the…
Homeowners Insurance
You’ve probably noticed that insurance premiums are on the rise. And fast! It could be auto insurance. It could be health insurance. They both have seen upticks in cost. But I just went through the fun (HA!) process of evaluating and renewing my annual homeowners policy. I find it hard to believe that these things…
Q3 – 2025: Brandon’s Quarterly Market Commentary
We keep on keepin’ on! Equities continued their recovery that began after the sharp April pullback. US stocks surged to record highs in Q3. Markets were buoyed by strong AI-related investments, resilient corporate earnings, and expectations of future Fed rate cuts. International markets were strong as well. While the bullish sentiment and optimism linger heading…
What Should I Do With an Inherited IRA?
At TrustTree Financial, we often encounter situations where clients inherit money. Inheritances come in all shapes and sizes, whether an heirloom left to you by a loved one or a life-changing financial windfall. Regardless of the form it takes, figuring out what to do next can be a crucial question. This is especially true with…
The Power of Purpose in Retirement
If you’re lucky, summer has been a chance to unwind, catch up on beach reads, and spend quality time with family and friends before the familiar rhythm of fall resumes. But what happens when there’s no routine to return to? For many, that’s the dream of retirement: endless relaxation, free from the constraints of work….
New Tax and Policy Bill
Congress recently passed a sweeping tax and spending policy bill with lots of long-term implications. Much of the news coverage has focused on its difficult legislative path and the potential political, economic, and social consequences. But like many people, you’re probably wondering what this new legislation means for you and your family. The full answer…
Q2 – 2025: Brandon’s Quarterly Market Commentary
What a turnaround in Q2! Just three months ago, the markets were slumping due to the Trump administration’s tariff announcements. The negative sentiment continued into early April, but suddenly things changed. Almost all stocks jumped higher once more tariffs were either paused or reduced! US stocks ended the month of June by hitting new records,…
Timeless Wisdom from Warren Buffett
In May, legendary investor Warren Buffett announced he will retire as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the age of 95. This is sad news, as it marks the end of a significant era. Sixty years ago, Buffett took over Berkshire Hathaway, a struggling New England textile company, and built it into a powerhouse that operates…
What to Do With a 529 Balance
Watching your child earn a college diploma is a proud moment for any parent. It also marks another great moment: No more tuition bills! 529 plans are an excellent way to help pay for college expenses. I have previously written about the benefits of 529 plans here. But after all the saving and planning…
Should You Be Using an HSA Account?
Choosing a health care plan at work can be a bit of a headache—charts comparing premiums, copays, and deductibles aren’t exactly light reading. One option you might have encountered in this process is the high-deductible health plan (HDHP). The name might sound intimidating. After all, who really wants to pay high deductibles? But when paired…
The Age of the Finfluencer
Scroll through your social media feed after a major move in the market, and you’ll see a flood of hot takes, bold predictions and “can’t-miss” tips. Welcome to the age of the finfluencer—a social media influencer who broadcasts their takes on investing, budgeting and other financial topics to large online audiences. Here’s the thing: A…
Q1 – 2025: Brandon’s Quarterly Market Commentary
The first quarter of 2025 certainly was a doozy! What we saw – after two years of relatively smooth sailing and positive market returns – was a rude awakening. The national conversation changed from our economy navigating a “soft landing” to wondering what effect tariffs would have on the world. US stocks hit new records…
Freezing Your Credit
Instant online access has become our default setting. With a few taps on a screen, we can book a workout class, pay bills, or check our investment accounts—all without a second thought. The digital revolution has streamlined our lives in ways we couldn’t have imagined. But there’s an unfortunate side effect: Every interaction leaves a…
Investing for the Kids
The earlier you start investing, the better. You’ve heard this advice before, and hopefully, it’s helped you make some smart financial moves. But one group may not yet know this bit of investing wisdom: the kids in your life. Whether you have kids, grandkids, or nieces and nephews, these youngsters have an enormous asset on…
Last Minute Reminders for 2024 Tax Filing
Tax season isn’t the most joyful time of year, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most important. Although we are already in a new year, I wanted to go over a few things relevant to 2024’s tax filings. So here’s a rundown of the latest tax updates to help you maximize deductions, avoid penalties, and…
Invest Against the Grain
There are a lot of things in life where the right move is pretty intuitive. Avoid the top rung of a ladder when you’re changing a lightbulb. Don’t click on that suspicious link in your email inbox. Drive more cautiously in freezing rain and snow. But when it comes to your money, making smart decisions…
Q4 – 2024: Brandon’s Quarterly Market Commentary
2024 was another impressive year for “risk assets”. And even though volatility in the markets was fairly tame, there was no shortage of major headlines. We had the S&P 500 hitting new highs (as well as gold and bitcoin). We had the Fed cut interest rates. Trump was nearly assassinated before winning the election, and…
Preparing For a Disaster
Earlier this fall, Americans got hit with a couple of back-to-back storms. These storms – and the damage that ensued – inspired me to think. And write this article. First it was Hurricane Helene. It moved inland from the Gulf, causing major damage from Florida all the way to the mountains of North Carolina. For…
Roth Conversions (revisited)
Many of you have executed (or at least heard about) a “Roth conversion.” This refers to moving all or part of a traditional IRA balance into a Roth IRA. As many also know, Roth IRAs are generally not taxable when we take money out of them. We often advise people to add to Roth, and…
Lump-Sum Investing vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging (part 2)
In a recent piece, I explored how to invest available cash: Should you invest it all right away as a lump sum? Conversely, are we better off investing more gradually with dollar-cost averaging? I’ve had some clients ask me about that original post. So I’ve opined on that discussion and have more to add. As a…
Invest Windfall All At Once or Wait?
Let’s start with a common investor question: What do you do if you’ve just or otherwise enjoyed a recent windfall you’d like to invest? Did you receive a big bonus at work? Inherit some money? Sell a business? Change jobs and have a 401k Rollover? Clients and investors will ask, “Should I invest the money…
What Does It Take to Take on Risk?
The trade-off between risk and reward is a key part of any investment strategy. But risk means different things to different people. When I start working with clients originally, I have them all complete a risk questionnaire. That, along with an extensive interview process with the client, helps us identify and determine an appropriate level…
How often should I check my portfolio?
Today’s topic is more of a ‘question from the mailbox’ type of topic. I get this question often, more than you might think: How often should I be checking on my portfolio? This is basically a client asking me how frequently they should log in and view their account balances. Sometimes they start by telling…
Asset Location
You’re probably already familiar with the three most important factors in real estate: Location. Location. Location. Asset location is a similarly important, if less familiar best practice for keeping as much of your wealth as possible – after taxes have taken their toll. Given how steep that toll can be, it’s…
Compared to What?
Ah, we restless humans. Sometimes, it pays to strive for greener grass. But as an investor, second-guessing a stable strategy can leave you in the weeds. Trading in reaction to excitement or fear tricks you into buying high (chasing popular trends) and selling low (fleeing misfortunes), while potentially incurring unnecessary taxes and transaction costs along…
Wisdom of Crowds or Popular Delusions?
I do a fair amount of reading. Mainly about the financial industry, both technical and non. More recently, I’ve read a few things which I will write about today. It has to do with financial behavior. Some of the references today come from a recent Michael Kitces article. Here they deep-dive into a case study…
Quick Take: Making Mistakes
Nobody wants to make investment mistakes. And yet, we’re human; mistakes happen. Here’s how to minimize the ones that matter the most, and make the most of the ones that remain. Bad Decisions vs. Bad Outcomes First, let’s define what we’re talking about: Investment mistakes happen when you make bad decisions, regardless of whether the…
Is Social Security Going Bust?
In planning for retirement, one topic is often top of mind: What if Social Security goes bust?
How Much is Needed for Retirement
Do you remember when a million dollars used to be the gold standard for the amount to have saved at retirement?
Perils of Market Timing
I’ve talked to a few people the past couple of weeks who are unsettled with the recent market pullback.
Financial Therapy
As financial advisors, we help people attain financial independence. Usually, our personalized planning conversations are enough to help them establish a healthy, happy relationship with their money. But sometimes, we uncover bigger pain points we need to move past before we can move on.
6 Creative Paths to Retiring
How often do you think about retirement? According to studies, most of us think about it a lot — at least four times a week!