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There are several kinds of trusts and wills to help pass down your legacy or care for you in the case you are incapacitated. Many people already have estate documents, probably executed many years ago. With laws constantly changing, and personal circumstances too, an estate planning attorney should review the documents every few years, as they can guide you to the right tools for your unique situation. Here are a few points to consider.
1. Health Care: Powers of attorney for health care and property are part of every complete estate plan. With a health-care power, a chosen agent acts on your behalf if you become unable to make decisions. With durable power for property, the chosen agent acts if you are incapacitated and can’t sign a tax return, make investment decisions, make gifts or handle other financial matters. Additionally, make sure the health-care power addresses the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This governs what medical information doctors can release to someone other than the patient.
2. Beneficiaries: Are beneficiaries, executors, trustees and guardians named in the wills or trust documents still current? Are all still living? Can someone new fill a role better?
3. Addendums and Schedules: What about any updates needed to addendums or schedules that specify disbursement of personal property? Make sure the schedules are current and attached.
4. Decanting: Are all existing trust documents needed? Some states allow for decanting, which means emptying the contents of an irrevocable trust into another one newly created, if the irrevocable trust becomes unworkable or outdated. Not all states allow decanting.
5. Children: What about children, have they passed the ages specified in a children’s trust (in which money is designated for such specific purposes, like education, for instance)? If that’s the case, then the trust may need to be updated.
6. Special Needs: Another consideration are heirs with disabilities or special needs. Don’t assume typical estate documents automatically help in those situations. Seek out a financial advisor and attorney who specialize in this planning.
7. Financial Accounts & Beneficiaries: Check beneficiary designations on brokerage accounts, insurance policies and retirement accounts. Ensure that all beneficiaries are current. Be sure to understand the firm’s policy when one beneficiary dies before the others. If you want the share of the assets to pass by blood line - to the deceased’s children, for example - you may need to put in language specifying that distribution. Otherwise, the remaining listed beneficiaries may simply divide the assets.
8. Shared Accounts: Sometimes a parent names a child on a bank account so the child can access or use the money if the parent can’t act. Understand that if the child is a joint owner on an account, the money passes to the child no matter what the will dictates.
9. If You've Moved: If you’ve moved to another state since executing the estate documents, then you should find a local estate attorney to check any legal differences for planning between the old and new states.
10. Life Insurance Expiration: Another item to check is life insurance expiration. Consider how long to keep it if it looks like you may outlive it.
These items can help ensure your wishes are carried out if you are incapacitated or once you are gone. Planning is essential and there are professionals that can help guide you through the process.
Market volatility, like we had earlier this year, can understandably spark anxiety among investors. However, seasoned investors and financial professionals recognize these moments as opportunities to strategically manage taxes.
One such strategy is tax-loss harvesting – a tactic designed to reduce your taxable income by selling investments at a loss, offsetting capital gains, and potentially generating tax savings.
Tax-loss harvesting involves selling securities that have declined in value to realize a capital loss, which can then offset capital gains from other investments. If the investor’s losses exceed gains in any given year, it can be used to offset ordinary income, and depending on the amount, it may be carried forward and applied to future tax years.
Market downturns often present prime opportunities for tax-loss harvesting. In volatile markets, stocks or mutual funds may dip below the purchase price. Selling these underperformers allows investors to realize losses that can be strategically used to offset gains realized elsewhere in the portfolio.
An essential consideration in tax-loss harvesting is the IRS’s “wash-sale” rule, which prevents investors from claiming a loss if they purchase the same, or substantially identical security, within 30 days of the sale.
To maintain market exposure while avoiding the wash-sale rule, the recommendation is to buy a different, yet similar, security to replace the one sold.
Tax-loss harvesting isn't just a year-end strategy; it can be integrated throughout the year, particularly during volatile periods. Collaborate with your financial advisor to regularly monitor your portfolio for opportunities. By methodically employing tax-loss harvesting, investors can enhance after-tax returns and achieve greater financial efficiency. Financial professionals can provide critical guidance in navigating complex financial landscapes, helping investors make informed decisions that support long-term goals. By identifying opportunities such as tax-loss harvesting and timing them effectively, investors can strengthen overall portfolio performance, turning market downturns into strategic advantages.
With mortgage rates hovering around 7%, many people are reassessing their housing and financial decisions. After a decade of historically low borrowing costs, today’s environment presents new challenges. For prospective buyers, current homeowners, and empty-nesters alike, understanding how to navigate these changes is key. Fortunately, there are strategies to help move forward with clarity and confidence.
For those looking to purchase a home, a 7% interest rate can feel discouraging. However, it’s important to remember that the mortgage rate selected today doesn’t have to be permanent.
Strategies to consider:
The key is purchasing a home that fits within they buyer’s current budget and long-term financial stability, regardless of the prevailing interest rate.
Homeowners who secured a 2–4% mortgage find themselves in an enviable position—one often described as wearing “golden handcuffs.” These low monthly payments are a significant asset, yet they may limit flexibility.
Strategic moves to evaluate:
Many retirees or near-retirees are living in homes that have appreciated significantly—and carry very low mortgage rates. Yet remaining in place purely for financial reasons may delay important lifestyle transitions.
Options to consider:
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB), signed into law on July 4, 2025, has officially redrawn the tax landscape for American retirees. While the headlines have focused on big-ticket spending and political posturing, the real impact will be felt in how retirement income is taxed, claimable deductions, and how your estate is handled in the future.
For people who are already retired or who are preparing to make the leap, now is the time to understand what this bill means for retirement savings—and how to adjust the strategy.
The OBBB makes the individual tax cuts permanent (first introduced in 2017), and adds a series of new deductions aimed at seniors, workers, and families. It also raises the standard deduction significantly, alters estate tax rules, and tweaks business and investment-related provisions. Let’s break down what matters most for retirees.
1. Lower Tax Brackets—Now Permanent
The law locks in lower marginal tax rates, a move that benefits retirees taking income from traditional IRAs, pensions, annuities, or part-time work. This means paying less tax on the same income than you would under pre-2017 rates.
2. Larger Standard Deduction
Starting in 2025, the standard deduction rises to $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for joint filers, indexed to inflation. This helps retirees with modest expenses to avoid itemizing—and simplifies tax prep for many households.
3. New Senior Deduction (Temporary)
Seniors aged 65 and older now receive an extra $6,000 deduction (phasing-out at incomes of $75,000 (single) / $150,000 (joint).). This provision, available through 2028, offers additional relief to those living on fixed incomes.
4. Increased SALT Cap (Temporary)
For those in high-tax states, the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap increases from $10,000 to $40,000 through 2029, for households less than $500,000 in income. This may reduce tax liability for retirees with property tax and state income tax burdens.
5. Permanent Estate Tax Relief
The estate and gift tax exemptions have been permanently raised. This means fewer families will face federal estate taxes, and more wealth can be passed to the next generation without triggering federal levies.
1. Expiration of Senior Benefits
The enhanced senior deduction ends in 2028, meaning future retirees may not enjoy the same tax break unless the provision is extended. Planning around this expiration date will be key.
2. Impact on Medicaid and Healthcare Access
The OBBB includes cuts to Medicaid and stricter eligibility requirements. This could affect lower-income retirees or those in rural areas who rely on Medicaid-supported healthcare facilities, particularly long-term care services.
3. National Debt and Inflation Risks
While the bill reduces individual tax burdens, it increases federal spending and adds to the national debt. Some economists warn this could contribute to future inflation or rising interest rates—both of which can erode purchasing power in retirement.
4. Investment Strategy May Need Updating
Tax law changes may alter the appeal of Roth vs. traditional IRA contributions, especially for those still working or delaying retirement. Asset location and withdrawal sequencing strategies should be reviewed to optimize them under the new structure.
This is a rare opportunity to lock in some long-term tax advantages—but it requires action. Here are a few timely strategies:
The OBBB delivers meaningful benefits to retirees, but those benefits won’t automatically reach your bottom line. A thoughtful strategy, grounded in updated law and built around your specific goals, can help make the most of the opportunities and avoid potential pitfalls. At Strong Valley, we view your retirement through both a personal and policy lens—helping to ensure you aren’t just reacting to change but preparing for it with clarity and confidence. Please let us know if you would like to review your plan.
It used to be a rite of passage to buy a starter home by your late 20s. Today, many young adults wonder whether that milestone is slipping out of reach. Rising prices, higher borrowing costs, and a limited supply of entry‑level properties have created the most challenging landscape for first‑time buyers in decades. But with the right strategy, the dream of owning a home can still move from uncertainty to peace of mind.
Sticker shock is only part of the story. After a pandemic‑era boom, median home prices are roughly 40 % higher than five years ago, while wages have grown less than half that pace. At the same time, 30‑year mortgage rates that once hovered near 3% have doubled, slashing the amount a buyer can finance on the same monthly payment.
Student debt and lifestyle inflation complicate saving. A 20% down payment on a $450,000 starter home is $90,000—tough to accumulate while carrying student loans and paying record‑high rents. It’s no surprise that nearly 60% of millennials who hope to buy in the next five years expect to receive family help.
Supply is historically tight. Baby boomers are aging in place, and institutional buyers continue to purchase single‑family rentals. With fewer existing homes hitting the market and new‑construction costs elevated, competition pushes prices even higher.
These hurdles are real, but they’re not immovable. Big goals are achieved by breaking them into a series of smaller, controllable steps.
With each of these strategies, the buyer must weigh taxes, cash‑flow risk, and long‑term goals.
Homeownership is tougher for first-time buyers today, but it’s not impossible. Success hinges on diligent planning. Consider all financing options, including FHA loans and shared equity; one just might be right for you. Be sure to protect long-term wealth by fitting a purchase into an overall financial journey. Partnering with a financial professional can help translate today’s dream into tomorrow’s equity.
We keep an eye out for rules and regulations that could impact you and your family. In President Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill," signed into law on July 4th, there is a significant shift in U.S. fiscal policy. Understanding the provisions is crucial for making informed financial decisions both now and for years to come.
The OBBB is a comprehensive budget reconciliation law that encompasses a range of tax and spending policies.
The OBBB represents a significant shift towards a supply-side economic approach, prioritizing tax cuts and deregulation to stimulate economic growth.
Given these changes, here are some actions to consider:
The permanent increase in the unified credit and GSTT exemption threshold for estate and gift taxes means many more individuals and families will be exempt from federal estate taxes. Let’s review your estate plan to ensure it reflects these new thresholds and your current wishes.
You may not follow every headline about trade policy, but you can’t miss the ripple effect when a week’s worth of groceries suddenly costs $20 more. Here’s why those checkout‑line surprises matter to both your pantry and your portfolio.
From Cargo Ship to Shopping Cart: How Tariffs Travel
When the U.S. or its trading partners slap a tariff on imported goods—whether it’s Mexican avocados, European cheese, or Chinese steel—the sticker shock doesn’t stop at the border. Importers typically pass part of the new tax on to wholesalers, likewise, truckers add a little more to cover higher insurance and fuel, and retailers protect their own thin margins. By the time the item reaches the local store, each link in the supply chain has added a few extra cents and that compounds into dollars.
Agricultural products feel the squeeze most acutely because perishables can’t wait. If retaliatory tariffs delay shipments at ports, spoilage risk rises and prices jump even faster. That’s why strawberries can soar in May yet drop back in June when diplomatic skirmishes cool. For households on fixed incomes, such volatility is more than an annoyance—it forces difficult trade‑offs in weekly budgeting.
Tariffs as an (Unreliable) Inflation Indicator
Tariffs aren’t the only force nudging prices north—wages, energy, and weather all play roles. Historically, a broad‑based tariff hike adds a modest bump to the Consumer Price Index over 12 months. The shock is usually front‑loaded, with grocery prices reacting within weeks, while durable goods follow more slowly.
For diversification‑minded investors, the key insight is that tariffs tend to:
In other words, tariff headlines can be noisy, but their portfolio impact is uneven and often temporary. Maintaining a flexible asset‑allocation strategy offers investors room to navigate short bouts of price turbulence without abandoning long‑term growth goals.
Grocery‑Line Strategies That Double as Portfolio Habits
Just as shoppers learn to cushion their food budgets, investors can build habits that insulate their wealth from policy‑driven price swings.
In the Aisles
In the Markets
Key Takeaways
Disciplined planning helps to ensure that both your pantry shelves and retirement accounts stay productive, even when macro conditions dry up profits elsewhere.
As our nation prepares to celebrate its independence this July, it’s an ideal time to reflect on another kind of freedom, financial freedom. Some wisdom is too enduring to fade. It often arrives in quiet moments—simple truths shared in passing, but powerful enough to guide a lifetime of investing. Especially in today’s volatile markets, those lived-in lessons about what not to do with hard-earned money feel more relevant than ever.
Here are five timeless “Don’t Do This” lessons—proven through booms, busts, and everything in between.
Investors are often drawn to the newest trends, be it cryptocurrencies, flashy startups, or sectors promising overnight returns. But history shows that hype tends to inflate asset prices well beyond intrinsic value.
If the fundamentals of a business are unclear—its revenue sources, sustainability, or resilience in downturns, then caution is warranted. Long-term success hinges on backing enterprises with real-world durability, not short-lived excitement.
Market timing is a trap that even seasoned investors can fall into. The idea of jumping in at the bottom and exiting at the top is alluring—but consistently doing so is virtually impossible.
A more sustainable strategy is one built on consistency and patience. Whether in bull markets or steep corrections, investors who stay the course tend to fare better than those reacting to daily headlines or gut instincts. This is especially true during periods of high volatility, when sudden swings can tempt rushed decision-making.
The emotional roller coaster of investing can be intense, particularly in turbulent markets. Sharp declines often trigger fear, while rallies inspire overconfidence.
Those who allow emotions to steer their decisions frequently end up buying high and selling low. Successful investors cultivate the discipline to remain calm and rational. This emotional detachment helps maintain focus on long-term goals, even when short-term conditions are unsettling.
Peer influence can be a powerful force in investing. Whether it’s a friend’s tip, a viral post, or a neighbor’s success story, the temptation to follow the crowd is strong.
But true financial health is built on individual goals, risk tolerance, and timelines. What works for one person may be entirely unsuitable for another. Independent decision-making—especially in uncertain or chaotic markets—often proves to be a defining trait of resilient investors.
Investing involves complexity, emotion, and an evolving set of needs. Working with a qualified financial advisor can bring clarity and structure, especially in uncertain times.
The most effective advisors offer more than just portfolio advice. They seek to understand personal values, financial fears, and life aspirations. They listen before they guide. With markets prone to rapid change, having a trusted professional who provides both strategic and emotional support is not just beneficial—it’s essential.
Much like the enduring values that shaped this nation, the journey to financial independence demands discipline, conviction, and a long-term view. In both battles, strength comes not from reacting emotionally, but from thoughtful planning and resilience.
In an era of unpredictable markets, the most powerful investing tips are the ones that help people stay grounded, resting on the principles of integrity, patience and discipline. These principles don’t promise instant wins—but they do provide a time-tested path towards financial peace of mind.
Sometimes, the smartest strategy isn’t to chase trends or react to every swing, but instead to stay calm, avoid common traps, and seek help when it counts. That’s how real wealth and peace of mind are won and protected.