EWA Blog

July 24, 2024

Financial Success Strategies for Specialty Physicians

The path to becoming a specialty physician is a lengthy and demanding journey, but with the right financial strategies, physicians can prepare and set...

July 17, 2024

Portfolio and Market Commentary: Insights and Outlook for Q3 2024

Market Overview and Strategy As we move into the second half of 2024 our bullish outlook remains strong. The fundamentals behind our trades last quart...

July 10, 2024

Optimizing Retirement Withdrawal Strategies for Financial Security

Retirement is a significant life milestone, and ensuring financial stability during this phase requires careful planning and strategic decision-making...

July 3, 2024

Term vs. Whole Life Insurance – Making the Best Choice for Your Financial Goals

When discussing the topic of life insurance, one common question often arises: Should you opt for a term insurance policy and invest the difference in...

June 26, 2024

Understanding the Implications of the Secure Act 2.0 on Your Retirement Planning

The Secure Act 2.0 represents a significant update to retirement planning regulations, building upon the initial Secure Act of 2019. This new legislat...

June 19, 2024

The Psychological and Strategic Challenges of Spending in Retirement

For many retirees, the transition from a lifetime of saving to a phase of spending can include psychological challenges and strategic dilemmas. This s...

June 12, 2024

Financial Planning Steps to Take Before a Loved One Passes

Addressing the financial implications of a loved one’s eventual passing is an emotionally charged topic, yet it is a crucial part of ensuring pe...

June 5, 2024

SEP IRA vs. 401K: Retirement Plan Choices for Business Owners

If you are a business owner, it is important to understand the various retirement savings options available to you as this choice can dramatically imp...

May 29, 2024

Understanding New Investment Frontiers

The debate around interest rates remains front and center in financial circles. With recent economic data pointing towards sustained high rates due to...

May 21, 2024

The Challenges and Opportunities of DIY (Do It Yourself) Investing

The rise of DIY (Do It Yourself) investing has been driven by increased access to the stock markets and data, empowering individuals to take charge of...

May 15, 2024

Health and Financial Planning: Exploring The Complexities of Medicare

In this blog, we discuss the complexities of Medicare, a fundamental program for those over the age of 65 and individuals with certain disabilities. T...

May 8, 2024

Maximizing Charitable Contributions for High-Net-Worth Individuals

Philanthropy is not just an expression of generosity but also a strategic component of comprehensive financial planning, especially for high-net-worth...

May 1, 2024

Understanding the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Its Impact on Inflation Figures

In today’s economy, inflation is a hot topic, affecting everything from grocery bills to housing costs. One of the key measures used to track th...

April 24, 2024

EWA Stock Market and Portfolio Review Q2 2024

This blog takes an in-depth look at EWA’s recent quarterly investment report and offers a detailed analysis of the complexities of the current financi...

April 17, 2024

Mastering Your Credit Score: A Comprehensive Guide

In this blog, we will delve into the nuances of credit management, its significance, and strategies for monitoring your credit score. We will navigate...

April 10, 2024

Navigating Wealth: Balancing Prosperity and Relationships

In a world where the gap between the wealthy and the less affluent seems to be widening, individuals who find themselves on the higher end of this spe...

April 3, 2024

Market Perspective In An Election Year

Despite the common belief that elections drastically affect market trends, historical data suggests a more nuanced impact. With the election’s s...

March 27, 2024

Overcoming the Challenges of Concentrated Stock Holdings in Today’s Market

In the modern financial landscape, navigating the complexities of concentrated stock holdings has emerged as a formidable challenge, especially for ex...

March 20, 2024

Revisiting EWA’s Tips to Transition Smoothly Into Retirement

Visualizing your life in retirement is about more than just financial security—it’s about creating a life by design. With retirement, the transi...

March 13, 2024

Navigating the Paradoxes of Financial Planning

In the intricate world of financial planning, individuals often find themselves at the crossroads of various paradoxes and complexities that challenge...

March 6, 2024

Exploring Private Investments: Considerations for the High Net-Worth Investor

In the vast and ever-evolving landscape of financial investments, private investments have emerged as an avenue for high-net-worth individuals looking...

February 28, 2024

Do’s and Don’ts For Tracking Your Financial Plan

In personal finance, understanding the most effective strategies for monitoring financial health is crucial. Many individuals fall into the trap of ov...

February 21, 2024

Navigating the Complex World of Trusts: Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts

Estate planning, an essential component of comprehensive financial management, often encounters widespread misunderstandings and complexities. Underst...

February 13, 2024

The Impact of FinCEN’s CTA (Corporate Transparency Act) on LLC Owners: What You Need To Do in 2024

The implementation of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and the introduction of the Beneficia...

February 7, 2024

Navigating the Financial Landscape: 5 Critical Missteps to Avoid in Your Financial Plan

Crafting a robust financial plan is essential for helping to secure a financial future. In this article, we will highlight five crucial missteps that ...

January 31, 2024

Revisiting the Art of Transforming Your Travel Strategy with Credit Card Points

In the ever-evolving landscape of personal finance, credit card rewards programs continue to be a game-changer for savvy travelers. The ability to unl...

January 24, 2024

EWA Quarterly Update: Reflecting on Q4 2023 and Looking Ahead to Q1 2024

This weeks blog is a written version of our Quarterly Market Update video in which we will review the events of quarter 4 2023 and provide insights in...

January 17, 2024

Navigating Student Loan Debt: Strategies for Financial Success

Student loans have become an integral part of the educational journey for millions of individuals pursuing higher education. While they can provide ac...

January 10, 2024

Revisiting When It May Make Sense To File Taxes Separately

Married couples are faced with the decision of whether to file their federal tax returns jointly or separately, and this choice can have significant f...

January 3, 2024

Navigating the World of NIL: Financial Implications and Strategies

The landscape of college athletics is constantly changing, specifically in reference to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. There are many topics t...

December 27, 2023

Protecting Your Finances: A Comprehensive Guide to Cybersecurity

In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is a topic that should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind, especially when it comes to safeguard...

December 20, 2023

Tax and Financial Planning Considerations for S Corps

An S Corporation, or S Corp for short, blends liability protection with tax advantages for business owners. Although an S Corp can be as large as 100 ...

December 13, 2023

2024 Tax and Financial Planning Limits

As 2023 is coming to a close, the IRS has released its tax brackets for the new year, along with several other important financial planning limits. In...

December 6, 2023

Red Flags to Avoid When Choosing or Switching Financial Advisors

In the realm of financial management, consulting a financial advisor can be a smart decision. A proficient financial advisor can assist you in navigat...

November 30, 2023

Navigating Mortgages: 15-Year vs. 30-Year Options

In this blog, we dive into mortgages to help you make an informed decision for your finances. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned in...

November 21, 2023

Maximizing Your Stock Options: The 83(b) Election Explained

Stock options are a popular form of employee compensation, especially in the tech industry. They offer the potential for significant financial gains, ...

November 15, 2023

Characteristics of a Perfect Financial Plan

A good financial plan is not just a document filled with numbers and charts; it’s a comprehensive roadmap to help you achieve your financial goa...

November 8, 2023

New Job? What to Know and Ask About Your Benefits Package and Retirement Plans.

Starting a new job is an exciting time in your life. Not only does it bring fresh opportunities for career growth and personal development, but it als...

November 1, 2023

Tips on How to Keep Organized With Financial Documents

Managing your financial documents effectively is essential for both your peace of mind and your financial well-being. From tax returns and bank statem...

October 25, 2023

Determining A Retirement Budget

Retirement represents not just the end of a career, but the beginning of a new chapter filled with possibilities. To truly embrace the freedom this ph...

October 18, 2023

The Sandwich Generation – Caring for Small Children and Elderly at the Same Time

Finding oneself nestled between the demands of raising young children and caring for aging parents can place one firmly within the “sandwich generatio...

October 11, 2023

Biggest Benefits of Working with an Advisor

Managing your finances can feel overwhelming, especially as your financial goals become more intricate. Whether you’re planning for retirement, ...

October 4, 2023

How Do Taxes Change When You Retire?

As you approach retirement, it’s crucial to gain a clear understanding of how your tax situation is about to undergo a significant transformatio...

September 27, 2023

Secured Lines of Credit

When it comes to financial planning, having the right credit tools at your disposal is a crucial consideration. Traditional loans and credit cards mig...

September 20, 2023

The Benefits of Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts

Estate planning is a critical aspect of securing your family’s financial future. This blog post will provide a comprehensive breakdown of estate...

September 13, 2023

Revamp Your Travel Strategy With Credit Card Points

By now, most people are familiar with the various credit card rewards programs available for airlines, hotels, and more. When used responsibly, these ...

September 6, 2023

Complexities and Tax Advantages of Real Estate Investing

As financial advisors, many of our clients have asked us questions about real estate investing. This blogpost focuses on important considerations from...

August 29, 2023

The Truth About Annuities

With Pension plans becoming less common and Social Security payments potentially not meeting one’s basic expenses in retirement, many retirees often w...

August 23, 2023

Standard Deduction Vs. Itemizing- How Do You Know What Option is Right for You?

For many, tax planning is not a simple filing every April. Many Americans seek a more proactive approach and coordinate their tax planning with their ...

August 16, 2023

What is the Guardrail System?

Congratulations! You’ve done a great job investing and building your nest egg for retirement. You’ve made it to the end of your career and you’re now...

August 9, 2023

Navigating the Recent US Treasuries Rating Downgrade: A Perspective of Stability

In the past few weeks, you might have come across headlines discussing the United States Treasuries rating being downgraded by Fitch, a US credit agen...

August 2, 2023

Financial Planning Before and After Divorce

Facing divorce can be an unexpected and challenging chapter in anyone’s life, and it’s essential to address not only the emotional aspects...

July 26, 2023

Main Measures of Financial Health

Sticking to a workout plan or diet regimen involves time, discipline, and progress tracking. Sticking to a financial plan is quite similar. However, t...

July 19, 2023

How do Gift Taxes Work?

A recent study by The Williams Group found that seven in ten families lose their fortune by the second generation and nine of ten families lose their ...

July 12, 2023

5 Tips to Take When Switching Wealth Management Firms

Between sharing personal and professional goals, creating a financial plan, and maintaining systematic savings habits throughout the years, building a...

July 5, 2023

5 Tips To Lower Your Fees

Effective wealth management involves not only maximizing returns but also minimizing fees. High fees can erode your investment gains over time, so it&...

June 28, 2023

5 Money Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

One of the most impactful decisions an individual or family can make is creating a written financial plan. But ultimately, even the most fundamentally...

June 21, 2023

What is the Debt Ceiling and How Does it Affect Me?

In June 2023, a bill that suspended the nation’s debt ceiling was passed by the legislative branch and signed into law by the President– preventing a ...

June 20, 2023

A Special Message from EWA- June 22, 2023

“Don’t move the way fear makes you move” – Rumi In a world filled with uncertainty and occasional turmoil, it’s natural to question the s...

June 14, 2023

The Basics of Disability Insurance

Often overlooked and misunderstood, disability income insurance is one of the most vital components to a sound financial plan. Without the proper type...

June 7, 2023

Long Term Care: What Are My Options?

Long-term care planning is an important consideration for individuals and families as they age, but it can often be a complex process. In this article...

May 31, 2023

5 Tips for Personal Cybersecurity

With technology getting more advanced, cybercrime has unfortunately become a pressing issue in recent years for investors across the world. According ...

May 24, 2023

Tips for Buying a Home

Buying a home is a significant purchase that requires careful planning and consideration. From getting preapproved for a mortgage to budgeting for all...

May 16, 2023

How To Best Invest Cash Into The Market

A question clients often have for advisors is, “when is the best time to invest?” Specifically, clients often wonder what is the best way to have thei...

May 10, 2023

5 Pointers to Help Your Kids Transition to College

Starting the college journey is a significant milestone for both the parents and students. It is a time filled with anticipation and excitement in pre...

May 3, 2023

EWA’s 10 Point – 2023 Financial Planning Tips

As the calendar turned to 2023, the IRS dictated major changes that could be relevant to your financial plan. Here are at least ten adjustments to con...

April 24, 2023

5 Tips To Take The Stress Out Of Your Family Owned Business

Running a business can be one of the most rewarding, but also stressful things that any entrepreneur has to deal with. Many business owners end up tel...

April 18, 2023

5 Mistakes That Retirees Make and How to Avoid Them

Retirement can be a challenge, but with the right tips, you can make sure it’s a smooth transition! Find out the 5 common mistakes that retiree...

April 11, 2023

Takeaways From One of The Best Wealth Management Books

Defined and dependable investment principles are the foundation for any successful financial plan. At EWA, we appreciate the ability to discuss our pr...

April 4, 2023

Five Ways to Take Stress Out of Your Finances

Money is the number one cause of stress in the United States. According to a recent American Psychological Association (APA) study, 72% of Americans f...

March 27, 2023

A Retiree’s Guide to Charitable Giving

For those who are charitably inclined, there are many ways to give to your favorite causes and organizations. In this blog post, we will describe two ...

March 20, 2023

Five Advantages of Roth IRA’s

Many often wonder: How can I best save for retirement? Outside of a workplace retirement plan, there are seemingly many different investment vehicles ...

March 15, 2023

Retirees Biggest Struggle: The Best Savers are The Worst Spenders

One of the biggest paradoxes that exist in a financial plan is simply put: the best savers are often the worst spenders. This is because they are alwa...

March 13, 2023

A Simplified Explanation of What Happened With Silicon Valley Bank and How It Impacts Your Financial Plan

Silicon Valley Bank is all over the news headlines and is the hottest topic in the finance industry this week. Silicon Valley Bank is a normal bank fo...

March 6, 2023

10 Best Financial Decisions a Client Can Make

Financial planning can reach a lot of areas in life. In this blog post, we will share 10 decisions that you can make to help ensure your finances are ...

March 1, 2023

5 Biggest Stresses that High Net Worth Families Deal With and How to Address Them

High net worth families have a unique set of stresses. Seemingly every day, they are faced with a myriad of decisions that could have a long-term effe...

February 21, 2023

How to travel for free with credit card points

Do you love to travel but hate the thought of spending a fortune on airfare and hotels? Well, did you know that you can travel the world for free (or ...

February 13, 2023

When does it make sense to file taxes separately?

Married couples have the option to file their federal tax returns jointly or separately. While the IRS mostly rewards couples to file jointly, there a...

February 7, 2023

Why it’s best to always stay in the market (even during downturns)

It’s tempting to try and time the market. After all, if you can predict when the market is going to go up or down, you can make a lot of money! ...

January 31, 2023

Asset Location

When it comes to tax planning, one of the most important decisions you can make is where to hold your assets. If you aren’t tax efficient, you c...

January 23, 2023

Should you participate in your company’s employee stock purchase plan?

Equity compensation is becoming more and more popular as a form of compensation, especially for people who work for publicly traded companies. There a...

January 17, 2023

5 Tips for Physicians when negotiating your contract

Are you a physician who is about to negotiate your first contract? Don’t worry – you’re not alone! Many physicians feel uneasy when negoti...

January 10, 2023

How To Implement EOS For Your Business

In order to sustain long-term growth, it’s important for all businesses to develop an internal operating system by which its team members can organize...

January 4, 2023

How to avoid Medicare Surcharges

Medicare surcharges can be a huge drain on your retirement savings. If not planned around carefully, you could end up paying thousands of dollars in e...

December 28, 2022

How The Secure Act 2.0 Could Impact Your Financial Plan

In 2019, the Secure Act was signed into law– signaling positive changes to the United States retirement system for both employers and employees. As we...

December 20, 2022

Five Tips To Maximize Social Security

Are you nearing retirement age and wondering how to maximize your social security benefits? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans are a...

December 14, 2022

Retirement Planning for Business Owners: SEP IRAs vs 401(k)

When it comes to saving for retirement, there are a lot of options to choose from. Two of the most popular are the SEP IRA and the 401(k). But which o...

December 7, 2022

Does A Cash Balance Pension Plan Make Sense For You?

One of the most important decisions small business owners make is what type of retirement plan to adopt. There are many options, but one that is growi...

November 30, 2022

How To Structure A Family Loan

Most high-net-worth clients consider a successful wealth transfer to the next generation as one of their highest priorities. Balancing helping the nex...

November 22, 2022

Two Stress Tests To Ensure You Do Not Feel “House Poor” After A Home Purchase

For the last few years, it’s no secret that the housing market has been booming in many parts of the country. If you’re thinking of buying...

November 16, 2022

Which is a better financial decision: Renting or Buying a home?

One of the most important financial decisions one will make in their lifetime is buying a home. There are many factors to consider when weighing this ...

November 7, 2022

How Mid-Term Elections Impact Our Financial Plan

This week, citizens of the United States will decide which political party controls the legislative branch, as well as several gubernatorial seats. Mi...

November 1, 2022

Finally, Some Good News Around Inflation

The annual inflation rate in the United States has hit a decade-long high of 8.2%. While households may be feeling the impacts of this in their day-to...

October 26, 2022

10 Things You Might Not Know About Your 401k

Arguably the most important investment vehicle to help you get on track for your long-term financial goals is maximizing your workplace retirement pla...

October 18, 2022

DO NOT Budget. Do this instead.

The standing room temperature of a household is frequently a point of contention. However, whether you prefer the temperature on the cooler side or wa...

October 12, 2022

5 Tips for a Smooth Transition into Retirement

Tip 1 Before retirement is “live”, consider how you will spend your time. Out of the 24 hours in a day, the average American sleeps for 7 ...

October 5, 2022

5 often overlooked tax tips for small business owners

Tax payments are one of the biggest pain points for many business owners. Federal, state, self-employment, and payroll taxes are just some of the obli...

September 27, 2022

Ways to take advantage of market downturns

Throughout the first three quarters of 2022, the United States economy has seen significant short-term volatility, with the S&P 500 seeing a 23% p...

September 21, 2022

Tax benefits of donor advised funds

For some clients, being charitably inclined is at the top of their list of goals with financial planning. Although donating to a charity is generally ...

September 14, 2022

Does a 457 plan make sense for you?

If you work for a state or local government, public school, or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hospital, you may be eligible to contribute to a 457 retirement p...

September 7, 2022

Financial tips for changing jobs

The average person will change jobs 5-7 times in their working lives, meaning approx. 30% of the labor force will change jobs every 12 months (Source:...

August 31, 2022

Say “no” to target date funds

Target date funds are one of the most popular investment options in retirement plans, especially within 401k plans. Target date funds, also known as l...

August 24, 2022

Tips for choosing a financial advisor

Choosing the right financial advisor can be one of the most important decisions that someone makes in their lifetime. A very important note when choos...

August 17, 2022

Is the Dow Jones Industrial Average a useful stock index?

If you have ever read financial headlines, I’m sure you are familiar with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, but have you ever wondered what it a...

August 10, 2022

Should a trust be part of your estate planning?

Trusts are one piece of an estate plan that can help bring some structure to passing assets to the next generation. There are many different types of ...

August 3, 2022

How to prioritize college planning when it competes with the rest of your financial plan

Next to planning for retirement, planning to pay for children’s education is generally the biggest goal we see clients have, and to some, it is even m...

July 27, 2022

How to be a tax efficient investor through direct indexing

Direct indexing is a sophisticated investment strategy that involves directly purchasing a limited number of individual equities that represent a majo...

July 20, 2022

Principles to follow for maximizing your investment strategy

Having a sound investment strategy is crucial to giving an investor greater peace of mind, rather than relying solely on investment returns when makin...

July 13, 2022

Do you know if your employer retirement plan allows for “mega” back door Roth contributions?

There is often a debate between whether 401k/IRA contributions should be made on a pre-tax or Roth basis, but at EWA we generally recommend maxing out...

July 6, 2022

Should Series I bonds be considered as an investment due to high inflation?

With inflation rates hitting a 40 year high in 2022, many investors are looking for investments to hedge against high inflation, or ways to take advan...

June 29, 2022

Will rising interest rates impact your financial plan?

As you have probably seen through news headlines, the federal reserve announced a 0.75% interest rate hike earlier in June. This was the largest rate ...

June 22, 2022

Are equities safer than bonds if you have time on your side, and are bonds necessary in a financial plan?

Due to the historically low interest rate environment the past few years, many investors often ask, “why should I ever hold bonds in my portfolio?”

June 15, 2022

Tough times don’t last, but a sound financial plan does.

A good plan can help you get through the worst of times. Our main goal at EWA is to help ensure that clients can maintain their standard of living in ...

June 8, 2022

Should cryptocurrency be part of your financial plan?

If you have followed financial headlines in the past few years, you have probably wondered if you should be investing in Bitcoin, or some form of cryp...

Request an Appointment

EQUILIBRIUM WEALTH ADVISORS is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by EWA, LLC.

EWA and FIN-LYT BY EWA are claimed trademarks of EWA, LLC.