Money shouldn’t be complicated (or stressful)

It’s a tool that can be used to build a better life, but it’s not supposed to take up all of your time & mental space

Knowing a few key lessons, you can start creating a healthier relationship with money and making it as simple as possible

So to kick off 2025 I want to share 10 things I wish everyone knew about personal finance including:

- The importance of growing your income
- Improving your financial education
- The impact of tax planning
- And more

One of the best tax planning options you have is around charitable giving, yet most do not do it in an optimized way.

At its core, charitable giving should be about helping others not about taxes, but when you can combine the two there is no reason not to.

Most people do not benefit tax wise from giving to charity.

Retirement isn’t something that just happens on the last day that you walk out of work. It's a process that spans years—and includes a number of key planning milestones. 

Being aware of important retirement milestones can help you create a financial plan that’s built to last. That can empower you to supercharge your nest egg and retire with ease—and isn’t that what it’s all about? 

As we approach the end of the year, it's time to start making strategic tax & financial planning moves. 

You might be wondering, “What strategies should I consider?” 

I'll walk you through 20 of the most impactful end of year planning moves you can make. 

We tell all our clients, good financial planning is one part math and one part emotions.

When it comes to the right retirement age, there is no right answer. The traditional retirement age of 65 may not be feasible – or desirable – for you. But what really matters is if you are financially and emotionally ready to stop working. The two work hand in hand: when you are financially prepared, you can focus more on your purpose and vision in retirement - the fun stuff, many would say.

If retirement is coming into view, it’s time to kick your planning into high gear. This checklist can help you plan ahead for things like Social Security, health care costs and how to go from saving to spending.

When it comes to investing, one of the biggest decisions investors face is whether to invest a large amount of money all at once (lump-sum investing) or spread investments over time (dollar-cost averaging). Each strategy offers unique benefits and trade-offs, and choosing the right one depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and mindset.

To help you better understand what a good financial planner specifically does, we will go through each topic of financial planning and what we look at and think about.

I am going to take a deep dive into everything you need to know about the stuff that is likely to affect you. We will talk:

• Income Taxes

• Capital Gains Taxes (short term and long term)

• Tax Treatment of Various Investment Accounts

Knowing how to prioritize your financial goals when you have competing priorities can be tricky. Consider these steps as you map out a plan.

13 Financial Tips for Medical Professionals

An after-tax 401(k) gives you the ability to supersize your retirement contributions, helping you reach your investment goals even faster. You can still have an after-tax 401(k) even after you’ve maxed out your traditional or Roth 401(k) contributions for the year, if your employer allows it. Here’s how an after-tax 401(k) works, and what you need to know to see if it’s right for you.

How to locate missing retirement funds.

Retirement planning is an important aspect of financial management that could help you ensure a comfortable and secure future. However, many individuals fall into common pitfalls that can jeopardize their retirement dreams. Here are 13 common mistakes and solutions to help you prepare before it’s too late.

A college savings account is a smart way to save for your child’s education. Your Sovereign Private Wealth Advisor can help find the option that’s best for you.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent or simply want to make a difference in a child's life, it's important to understand the investment and savings options that are available to you. This saving for education checklist can help you get started.

In the year you turn 50, you’re able to begin making added contributions, called catch-up contributions, to a tax-advantaged retirement savings account like an IRA or 401(k).

No one needs to tell you that you need to save for your future—hopefully, you're already doing it. After all, no matter your age and how far away retirement is, you want to be able to enjoy retirement

Who doesn't have a retirement dream? Yours may be as simple as sleeping late or riding your bike on a sunny afternoon, or as daring as jumping out of a plane at age 90. Living your retirement dream the way you want means saving now—and saving enough so you don't have to worry about money in retirement.