Schwab has alerted us to a new and more sophisticated fraud threat. This version begins when the client receives a text message prompting them to "verify a transaction"—clicking the link leads the unwary investor to a fraudulent website that mimics Schwab's login page, where they are prompted to enter their credentials. Once the credentials have been entered, the fraudsters use them to access Schwaballiance.com. The fraudulent website may also prompt the client to enter a two-factor verification code that they would automatically receive from Schwab, which, once submitted, allows the fraudster to complete the login process.

Clients with larger accounts often notice a difference in daily performance in each of their accounts, and depending on market conditions, the difference can be quite large. When we assess clients’ portfolios, we consider all their accounts aggregated together, but our custom portfolios are constructed differently depending on the tax treatment of each account to help optimize after-tax returns for clients. Because particular styles of stocks and bonds fall in and out of favor over time, you may notice a variance in the performance of each account. Below are the three main account types we deal with and how we try to steer the portfolios in each account.

Charitable giving is a meaningful way to support causes close to your heart while potentially enhancing your financial strategy. While cash and goods are the most common forms of donations, another option provides a tax benefit, even for those who take the standard deduction on their taxes. Donating appreciated stock (or any other publicly traded security) to charity can benefit you and your favorite charity in several ways.

One of the most common questions I get is about retirement plan limits and deadlines. Whether you are looking to save on taxes for 2024 or get a jump start on saving for 2025, it’s important to know the limits and deadlines for contributions. Let’s break it down.

We have been alerted that there is an active phishing text campaign in which clients receive a text message from an international number and it mentions a disbursement from the client’s account. It then asks to click on a link to log into their account to verify the transaction.

As our population ages, we continue to see a higher incidence of reduced cognitive ability. As fiduciaries, we are sensitive to this issue and look for red flags if we suspect diminished capacity or exploitation, particularly with regard to our senior clients. To address this, Schwab has the ability to add “Trusted Contacts” to every account. We strongly encourage all our clients to have trusted contact information on file with Schwab as an added layer of protection against financial exploitation.

After being retired for a bit, you realize that you may not want to play golf 5 days a week, you miss your co-workers, and you are not traveling as much as you thought you would. This is common – more and more people these days are deciding to return to work or start new careers after retirement. Whether you plan to return to work full-time, part-time, start your own business, or work for someone else, there are a few factors to consider before you step back into the workforce.

We have found that there are some misconceptions about the dreaded “gift tax” (which currently has a maximum rate of 40%) – what it is, who pays it, and how it can be avoided. Here are some of the most common questions along with some helpful ideas on estate planning strategies.

We use a few pieces of powerful financial planning and investment management software. These tools help us keep track of dozens of factors about your financial life, chart a course forward and analyze whether you’re on track to meet your goals. The hub for everything that we do for clients is our portfolio management software which is called Advyzon.

Are you traveling for an extended period of time? Whether you are going abroad or staying in the U.S., it’s important to take steps to protect your credit. Here are a few things you could do to help you have a smooth trip.