As we close out the third quarter of the year, it's a natural time to pause and take stock of your progress toward your financial goals. By this point in the year, nine months of progress, challenges, and decisions have shaped where you stand today. With three months ahead, there's time to fine-tune your approach, close gaps, and position yourself to finish the year strong.
As we approach the year's final quarter, it’s the perfect time for a retirement plan check-up. Even if you set your 401(k) contributions months ago, life has a way of shifting the numbers — salary increases, bonuses, or payroll changes can all affect how much you are actually putting away.
As we embark on a new year, there's no better time to take control of your financial future by thoroughly reviewing your cash flow. If having a vision and establishing goals is the touchstone for a financial plan, this essential financial practice sets the foundation for achieving your goals and ensuring long-term financial stability.
Anyone who has gone through a divorce knows how emotionally challenging and financially complex it can be. While attorneys handle the legal aspects, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® focuses specifically on the financial implications of divorce. This specialized designation equips professionals with the expertise to guide clients through the intricate financial aspects of divorce proceedings, ensuring better outcomes for their financial future.
Anna Marie Mock, a fee-only certified financial planner at Highland Financial Advisors, discusses the dynamic interplay between art and science in financial planning. Drawing inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci's philosophy that "everything connects to everything else," she emphasizes that financial planning is an art involving subjective goal-setting and a science-driven by objective analysis tools. In this video, Anna explains how the scientific method can be applied to financial planning, using equity compensation as a concrete example.
As a financial advisor, I often speak with clients about building wealth, planning for retirement, and managing investments. But one question I get almost as often is: “How do I prepare my kids to handle money responsibly?” Teaching children about money is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them. The lessons you start early don’t just shape their habits—they shape their confidence and independence.
Turn on financial news on any given day, and you're likely to hear words like "plunge," "surge," or "turmoil." Markets move — sometimes dramatically — and those movements can trigger a visceral emotional response, even for the most disciplined investors. But here's what decades of financial history consistently show: short-term volatility is not your enemy. In fact, it's an unavoidable feature of building long-term wealth.
Every market cycle eventually raises the same uneasy question: are we overdue for a reset? I hear it often from clients right now, and honestly, I understand why. The S&P 500 is hovering near 6,950 — essentially flat year-to-date after a turbulent stretch — the VIX recently spiked above 21, and headlines have ranged from new global tariffs to uncertainty about the Federal Reserve's next chair.
The Federal Reserve remains front and center in financial headlines as policymakers continue navigating the delicate balance between controlling inflation and sustaining economic growth. The outcome of the Fed's most recent meeting, combined with expectations for rate decisions ahead and the potential leadership shift toward Kevin Warsh, provides important clues about what may lie ahead for borrowers and investors.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, conversations often turn to love, commitment, and the future we envision with our partner. While flowers, cards, and dinners are thoughtful expressions of care, one of the most meaningful—and lasting—gifts couples can give each other is open and honest communication about money.
The end of the year often brings a welcome financial boost: annual bonuses, holiday gifts from employers, or extra income from seasonal work. While it's tempting to splurge on something fun, these windfalls represent a valuable opportunity to strengthen your financial foundation and accelerate progress toward your long-term goals.
As we approach the end of 2025, now is the perfect time to review your financial situation and implement strategies that could significantly reduce your tax burden. At HIGHLAND Financial Advisors, comprehensive tax planning is a year-round endeavor; however, here are several powerful moves you can make before December 31 to improve your tax position. Here are the most impactful last-minute tax-saving opportunities to consider.
I just returned from something I never thought I'd do this early in my career: taking a full 30-day sabbatical from work. Our company offers one whole month off after every five years of service, with a single rule: no work-related activities are permitted. No emails, no calls, no checking in. For thirty days, I would be completely disconnected. As someone who thrives on routine, stepping away felt both exciting and terrifying. I knew this was a rare opportunity, so I planned a trip around the world with my twin brother and two friends from high school. Here's how I spent those 14 days and what I did during the rest of my time off.
The start of a new year is the ideal time to reassess your investment strategy. Much like reviewing your fitness goals or updating your household budget, your portfolio deserves a thoughtful check-up. Changes in tax laws, market conditions, and personal circumstances can all impact whether your investments remain aligned with your goals.
Many investors begin the year with a carefully constructed portfolio that aligns with their goals and risk tolerance. However, as the year progresses, that portfolio may evolve into something different from what was initially intended. Markets move, sectors rotate, and performance varies across regions. Without realizing it, your portfolio may have “drifted”, leaving you with more risk than planned or less exposure to the areas that now offer opportunity.
