As we enter the new year, many of you have raised an important question: Where do we stand in the economic cycle?
5 Financial Habits That Build and Maintain Long-Term Wealth in 2026
Your Year-End Bonus Deserves Better Than a Shopping Spree
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.
Economic Outlook 2026: Inflation, Growth, and Interest Rates
Year-End Tax Move: Should You Max Out Now?
Why Most New Year’s Financial Resolutions Fail — And How Last Year’s Lessons Can Save Yours
The New Year Reset Your Portfolio Needs Right Now
Your Last Chance to Slash Your 2025 Tax Bill (Before It's Too Late)
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.
How to Adjust Your Investment Strategy for the New Year
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.
Three Strategies for Building Your Child's Credit
As more of our clients send children off to college, a common question has come up:
"How can we help them start building credit responsibly?"
Many students today use debit cards linked to a parent's account, which is fine for managing spending, but it doesn't build a credit history. Establishing good credit early can help your child rent an apartment, buy a car, or even qualify for more favorable insurance rates in the future.
The IRS Clock Is Ticking: What You Need to Know (and Do) Before RMDs Kick In
You've saved diligently for decades—building up balances in your traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement accounts. But eventually, Uncle Sam comes calling. Those tax-deferred dollars can't stay sheltered forever, and at a certain age, you must start taking money out—whether you need it or not. These withdrawals are called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and how you handle them can have ripple effects across your entire tax picture, retirement income strategy, and even your estate plan.
Smart Saving Strategies: Your Order of Financial Priorities
It is somewhat ironic that I am writing this article on the 46th anniversary of my first day as an accountant. As an audit junior for Coopers & Lybrand (Now PWC), accounting and tax “fell into my lap” after I realized that professional baseball or basketball were not in the cards. After auditing for the first part of my career, I have worked in tax for the last twenty years.
Q3 Crunch Time: Keep Your Financial Goals from Derailing
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.
Employer Retirement Plan Check-up
Clarifying Your Charitable Vision: A Financial Advisor’s Guide to Purposeful Giving
Many people begin their charitable journey with spontaneous acts of generosity—supporting a friend’s fundraiser or responding to a heartfelt appeal from a local nonprofit. While these gifts are meaningful, as your wealth grows and your desire to make a lasting difference deepens, it becomes essential to approach giving with greater intention and clarity.
How to Navigate the Changes to the SAVE Student Loan Plan
If you're enrolled in the federal SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) student loan plan, significant changes have occurred, and more are coming. As of August 1, 2025, interest again accrues on federal loans held under the SAVE plan, marking a significant shift from the previous 0% interest period many borrowers have relied on since the pandemic.
Are you Taking Advantage of New Jersey's Property Tax Relief Programs?
For residents living in New Jersey, three major property tax relief programs are designed to help homeowners and renters manage their property tax burden. Understanding these programs and their income requirements is crucial for maximizing tax savings. Below is an overview of New Jersey's three major property tax relief programs and what you need to know to take advantage of them:
The Money Move That Turns Crisis into Inconvenience
An emergency fund is one of the simplest – and most essential – parts of a sound financial plan. No matter where you are in life, whether that's starting your career or enjoying retirement, an emergency fund can shield you from financial chaos. Life is unpredictable, and with the second half of the year underway, now is a great time to take action, whether you're building your fund from scratch or giving it a much-needed boost.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act: A Financial Planner's Perspective
On July 3, Congress passed a major tax-and-spending bill that Republicans call the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), and President Trump signed the bill into law on July 4. While this legislation doesn't radically change the tax landscape like the 2017 overhaul, it does bring new planning opportunities and potential pitfalls depending on your income level.
