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Blog

Welcome to my blog! Once a month I will be sharing what is on my mind. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, I'm happy to have you reading along. And once in a while, I may throw in something non-financial! So be sure to Sign Up for our mailing list.

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Consult CPA to determine which type of entity is best   File Articles of Organization with the state’s secretary of state or business filing agency in the state where your business is located. What’s included in the...

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Nicole asked: “Have you ever had a dream or goal, so big, so gnarly, that the idea of speaking it out loud gave you a knot in your stomach?  A dream so big that the voice in your head said ‘That dream is too big for you.’”

Monday, July 17, 2023

One of our clients said, “I don’t like the word retirement. I want to remain active and engaged and I don’t feel like that word describes what it’s going to be like when I stop working full time.” What is a new word for this phase of life?

Saturday, July 1, 2023

“What do you mean we can’t use testimonials?”  My jaw dropped when I first learned that Financial Advisors were not allowed by the SEC to use testimonials in publications.  “How will people know they can trust us?"

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

We are here to help guide you through this process and come up with a monthly payment plan that works with your cash flow and ensures that you are still on track for your various goals. Let's make a plan today.

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Thursday, June 1, 2023

We are launching a new value add service - a tax planning software called Holistiplan. Yes, it’s June.  Tax season was back in April.  Are we done with taxes for the year?  Not yet!  Tax Planning is a year round sport!

Friday, May 12, 2023

Rosie's Place is the local charity we have chosen to support. Our donation was increased by the LPL Foundation Advisor Match program. Rosie's Place is the first women-only homeless shelter in the United States.

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Many of our clients are seasoned travelers or hold travel as one their life goals.  Traveling is a passion for all three of us on Team SMB as well.  Here are the top 5 takeaways from our Travel Workshop, spanning from Africa to Peru...

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Have you heard the buzz around Chat GPT? Here's what it said when we asked: write a blog about why I should include travel in my financial budget this year.

Friday, January 13, 2023

The SECURE 2.0 Act expands upon the original SECURE Act passed at the end of 2019. The primary purpose of both pieces of legislation is to encourage businesses to offer a retirement plan and employees to save more for their retirement.

Friday, December 30, 2022

The IRS has announced inflation-adjusted figures for retirement account savings for 2023 and I want to provide an update on popular retirement savings plans contribution limits.

Monday, December 12, 2022

Year end is a great time to reflect, celebrate milestones and make some adjustments based on what worked and what didn’t! Here are my top 5 take-away's for 2022 and what changes are coming for 2023.

Monday, November 21, 2022

Sure, we help clients achieve financial goals. But ultimately, we believe that the greatest value we can provide is the clarity needed to act because it is this action that enables our clients to accomplish their goals.

Monday, October 24, 2022

On October 1st, SMB hosted our Open House with our vibrant community. The date conflicted with soccer games, mini-get away’s and weddings so I thought I would bring a little piece of the Open House to you.

Monday, October 3, 2022

As a female entrepreneur, you may face different challenges than your male counterparts. For example, women were disproportionately affected by the COVID pandemic. 1 They also tend to earn less than their male peers.

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

During the office move, I found a piece of treasure - an essay I wrote my junior year of college addressing what type of career I wanted to have upon graduation.

Friday, August 19, 2022

At 2:30 a.m. we arrive in Zvartnots International Airport in Armenia. Most airports at this hour are empty. At this ungodly hour, there are crowds of people. There are tears, shrieks of joy, flowers, hug and kisses.

Thursday, August 11, 2022

September 22nd is American Business Women's Day, and it may be the perfect day to celebrate women who have surpassed the glass ceiling and gone on to be leaders and inspirations for businesswomen everywhere. In honor of American...

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Regardless of what you do or how much you earn, you deal with money on a daily basis. The more you understand about finances, the more effectively you will be able to manage yours.Yet, many people lack financial literacy skills. One...

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Rest is not the first thing you think of when planning how to prepare for something as grueling as a marathon or studying for a licensing exam.  I’ve learned this lesson the hard way, over and over again. 

Monday, June 20, 2022

There has been a lot of change recently, so I thought it would be helpful to pull back the curtain and share what’s happening behind the scenes for you.

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

The "sandwich generation" is the descriptive term for adults generally between the ages of 40 and 59 who are raising a minor child (or supporting a grown child) while also caring for a retirement-age or older parent. With financial...

Monday, May 23, 2022

Jeanne Brady Guest Blog

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Friday, April 22, 2022

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

I have a rewarding and meaningful career as a Financial Advisor and business owner that directly impacts the livelihood and financial well-being of my clients and employees. How is that not reason enough to work?

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Monday, February 14, 2022

Friday, February 11, 2022

Building the new SMB office has surfaced some misconceptions about my role as the founder of SMB Financial Strategies, LLC, and the two companies that I represent. I thought it would be helpful to shed some light on this topic.

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Monday, January 10, 2022

The IRS has announced inflation-adjusted figures for retirement account savings for 2022 and I want to provide an update on popular retirement savings plans contribution limits.

Monday, December 20, 2021

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

As we prepare to close the chapter on 2021, I love to set aside time to reflect on all that has transpired over the last year and refresh my goals for the upcoming year. Here's what SMB clients have to look forward to in 2022!

Friday, November 19, 2021

With the holidays here, now is the time to get into the giving spirit and help to change others' lives for the better. Whether you are looking to make a difference in a specific person's life or the life of many, there are many ways to...

Friday, November 19, 2021

For many people, a new year provides a new start—and nothing says "new start" like a fresh new set of financial goals. But setting these goals is easier said than done. What steps should you take to get the most bang for your...

Friday, October 22, 2021

Over the last 18 months, hundreds of thousands of Americans have fallen ill with COVID-19, with around 30 percent of those with COVID continuing to suffer long-term effects that compromise their self-care abilities. If you're facing an...

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

I fondly refer to the month of September as “Back to School, Back to Reality.” It’s when we wrap up summer and settle into a new routine. And Halloween is not the only spooky event after a summer of spending (because,...

Thursday, September 23, 2021

I celebrated my birthday this earlier this month. While it was not a milestone birthday –– it hit home like one. The month started out with an invitation to my 20-year high school reunion (WOW! That came fast!) and shortly...

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

In 2013, a Gallup poll found that only about one in every three U.S. households maintained a budget.1 A 2021 survey of 1,000 Americans found that 80% now say they have a budget.2 Americans are budgeting more due to the pandemic....

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

If there is a "silver lining" to all the inflation talk, it may be that Social Security benefits are expected to see a larger-than-normal increase in 2022. More than 65 million Americans receive Social Security and the annual cost of...

Sunday, August 8, 2021

2020 was one of the most disruptive years ever for the U.S. job market, almost as significant as the unemployment during the Great Depression in 1933 and surpassing joblessness during the Great Recession from 2006 to 2008. Many...

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Many of you may have noticed a little extra money in your checking account last week due to the Advance Child Tax Credit Payments from the IRS. Here is what you need to know!

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

For many parents, COVID-19 restrictions resulted in a double-whammy of adjustment both professionally and personally. Along with managing the new normal in their jobs, parents became teachers, tutors, and counselors as they helped...

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Last week Sam graduated from Kindergarten. It was a very nostalgic, full circle moment for me as he walked the same stage that I did 30+ years ago. In the days leading up to this milestone event, I couldn’t help but compare and...

Friday, June 4, 2021

If you're living paycheck-to-paycheck or stuck in a job you don't love just to pay the bills, it can be easy to feel as though you're financially trapped. But financial freedom doesn't need to be elusive—with some focused and...

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Graduation from college is an exciting time for many and signals the start of student loan repayment. If you are a recent graduate, you may have a co-signer on your student loan. If you are a parent or family member that is a co-signer...

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Prospective & Current College Students and Parents! The (FAFSA) application will look different in 2022! Learn about the top 5 changes and how they would impact your family's ability to pay for college.

Monday, May 3, 2021

If you're a small business owner, many of the best practices employed by individual investors are also available to you (of course!), but you also have some additional options and factors to weigh while creating your investment plans....

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Our kids have books about dancing giraffes, hungry caterpillars, big green monsters, pigeons that drive buses and a million other silly things. Why not get them some books to teach them early money concepts? In honor of April being...

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Too many people just don’t have it, but your financial professional can help April is National Financial Literacy Month – an entire month dedicated to underscoring the importance of learning, establishing and maintaining...

Thursday, March 18, 2021

March is Women’s History Month – a time to reflect on the women who have inspired and influenced you during your lifetime. While there are plenty of iconic women who have paved the way and broken through some of that glass,...

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Lately, hardly a day goes by that the topic of bitcoin or other cryptocurrency assets doesn’t come up in client meetings or conversations with friends and family. Everyone wants to know what all the buzz is about and, more...

Friday, January 29, 2021

You have undoubtedly heard the news about GameStop and AMC stock ballooning. At one point, GameStop's stock soared about 1,700%! Its share price started the year under $20 per share and hit $500 this week. In light of this activity in...

Monday, January 25, 2021

I equate New Year’s resolutions to making a birthday wish. You can’t just close your eyes, blow out some candles and will something to happen.

Thursday, December 17, 2020

As I reflect on this past year (consciously trying to focus on the positive), I realize that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused us all to do things outside our comfort zone. A person’s “comfort zone” is called that for...

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

This year presented a unique set of circumstances and challenges so I decided to survey my clients to make sure they know that I am listening to their needs and striving to provide the best service.

Thursday, October 29, 2020

The fourth quarter is a great time to consider year-end strategies that may benefit you and check some things off your financial wellness list. This checklist includes new tax and retirement considerations related to COVID-19.

Friday, September 25, 2020

There are several types of financial vocations, so when it comes down to working with someone to help you manage your finances, it can be complicated and confusing. It is important for consumers to do their due diligence.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Monday August 3rd marked the one-year anniversary of moving back into our home after our renovation project. Daily, I am grateful that the renovation is complete and, particularly during quarantine, we are fully utilizing the extra...

Friday, July 24, 2020

COVID has made it challenging to focus on long-term goals, as we concern ourselves with the day to day adjustments of the new normal. But it is important not to lose sight of the life we imagine for ourselves.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

As I look ahead to the summer months, I can’t help but think what a challenging year it’s been so far. Even though the threat of COVID-19 will pass, I believe that things will not return completely to normal. Though we may...

Monday, May 18, 2020

“We’re going to take a family “porch-rait” Saturday morning,” I inform my husband. “A what?” “A family ‘PORCH-rait,’” – I repeat, giggling. “And why are we...

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

On Saturday, March 21st, after my first full week of working from home with a 3 and 5 year old, I needed to get out of the house! After being cooped up at home, I needed a change of scenery and to get some fresh air so I decided to go...

Monday, March 16, 2020

Show of hands – Do you remember a meeting when I said something along the lines of “We have experienced a decade long bull market; this is not sustainable and we are overdue for a market correction?” Keep your hand up...

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

I don’t have a job, I have a mission I recently shared some exciting news - I have been asked to serve on LPL’s Advisor Council. I am one of 24 out of approximately 16,000 LPL Financial advisors. WOWZA! Talk about a pinch...

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

While my husband Al and I are yin and yang in many aspects of our personalities, we are alike in that we are both very driven and goal oriented. So, naturally, we set aside some time after the 1st of the year to chat about our 2020...

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

I’ve noticed a lot of friends on social media posting photos of themselves from ten years ago and today as part of the trending “10-year challenge.” This got me thinking about how my life has transformed in the last...

Thursday, November 14, 2019

A few days ago, a radio host proudly exclaimed that we are only 2 months away from Christmas! Can you believe it? This automatically got me thinking about all the activities and obligations of the holiday season, rather than the joys....

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

On June 28, 2019, after 24 years of operating a family based child care center, my mom retired at 57 years old - Not because her daughter is a financial advisor, but due to a set of circumstances that caused her to change the...

Thursday, August 22, 2019

In honor of “Back to School” month, I want to highlight an organization whose mission is to promote kindness through acceptance of differences. Let me introduce you to Ella’s Way, a nonprofit educational organization...

Monday, July 8, 2019

A few weeks ago I attended an invitation only conference hosted by LPL Financial that they fondly call “Accelerate” - a structured two-day conference designed to provide their advisors with innovative ideas, strategies, and...