Blog
What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities: What They Cost, How They Work, and When to Start Preparing
Why Is This Conversation So Important Right Now? The U.S. is in the middle of a sustained demographic shift. More than 61 million adults are aged 65 and older as of 2025, and that number is projected to reach approximately 82 million...
Read MoreHappy National Financial Literacy Month
April is National Financial Literacy Month. This is a perfect time to reflect on the importance of understanding and managing your financial well-being. In today’s fast paced world, financial decisions are part of everyday life, from...
Read MoreWhen Should I Start Taking Social Security: 5 Factors to Consider
Social Security decisions are often framed as a single question: “When should I start drawing benefits?” That question matters, but it can also be limiting. The better question is: how does Social Security fit into my overall...
Read MoreTeaching Teens and Young Adults Financial Literacy Through Real-Life Decision Making
If you are a parent of a teen or young adult, how do you teach them to make confident money decisions before the stakes are high? Teaching teens and young adults about money is less about formal instruction and more about repeated...
Read MoreHelping Adult Children Buy a Home: How to Gift a Down Payment The Smart Way
Key TakeawaysHere are some questions this blog aims to answer:How can parents or grandparents help with a down payment for adult children?What are ways to gift a down payment, and how do the annual gift tax exclusion and lifetime...
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A Meaningful Valentine’s Day Luncheon
In honor of Valentine’s Day, our office partnered with Keli Hazel’s office to host a special luncheon for clients who are widowed or divorced, creating a welcoming space for connection, laughter, and fellowship.The event featured...
Read MoreThree Numbers Every Woman Should Know
Key TakeawaysHow much wealth are women on track to control in the next decade, and why does that matter?What does the life expectancy gap between women and men mean for how long money needs to last?How common is it for women to be...
Read MoreTax Prep vs. Tax Strategy: The Difference Matters More Than You Think
Key TakeawaysTreat tax strategy as a continuous process, not a once-a-year filing exercise.Coordinate with financial and tax professionals throughout the year to identify opportunities for efficiency.Review contribution limits,...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Emotions Behind Financial Decisions
Key TakeawaysEmotions and biases might influence financial choices more often than most people realize.Behavioral patterns, such as loss aversion, familiarity bias, and herd mentality, can impact long-term results.Recognizing emotional...
Read MoreAI and the New Face of Fraud: How to Protect Your Identity and Finances in 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most revolutionary technology of our time, with industries scrambling to embrace its possibilities. AI’s early influence seems similar to the positive disruptions brought about by past...
Read MoreJanuary Is National Financial Wellness Month: Start the Year Strong
As a new year begins, many people focus on resolutions around health, fitness, and personal growth. January is also National Financial Wellness Month, making it the perfect time to pause, reflect, and set intentional goals for your...
Read More2025 in Review and What You Should Know
As we begin a new year and consider the opportunities ahead, reflecting on the past year helps put today’s financial landscape into perspective and informs the strategies that can move us closer to our goals.2025 was a year marked by...
Read MoreGoal Setting That Sticks: Simple Ways to Turn January Motivation into Lasting Wins
Key Takeaways and Suggestions for Successful Goal Setting Use SMART Goals for Clarity and FocusSet goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This proven method helps break big ambitions into manageable...
Read MoreMaking Finance Fun: My Trivia Presentation with the McDonough Woman’s Club
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting with the local McDonough Woman’s Club for a financial trivia presentation—yes, trivia! Instead of giving a traditional talk, my assistant, Ashley Hogin, and I created an interactive game designed...
Read MoreYear-End Giving Strategies: Tax-Smart and Impactful
Key Takeaways A third of annual donations: About one-third of all charitable contributions are made in December. Donating before December 31 may offer tax advantages. New rules starting in 2026 (via the OBBB Act) may affect deductions...
Read MoreSpreading Holiday Joy: Our Third Year Packing Operation Christmas Child Boxes
This season marked our third year participating in Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, a program that delivers gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the world who may otherwise go without a Christmas celebration. Our team...
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self Tip #15
In this blog post, Keli shares her 15th tip for pursuing your best self: remaking your finances is a process that is more about that journey than the destination!
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self Tip #14
In this blog post, Keli shares her 14th tip for pursuing your best self: Update Your Will, Power of Attorney (POA), Healthcare Directive, and Beneficiary Accounts!
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self Tip #13
In this blog, we explore Keli's 13th tip for pursuing your best self: learn how joint accounts work!
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self Tip #12
Tip #12: Consult a financial planner or divorce financial analyst. I cannot emphasize this enough, not because I am a financial planner with a CPA, but because I know I can help you. I can make this devastating, tumultuous time in...
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self Tip #11
In this blog we talked about Keli's 11th tip for pursuing your best self: Do Your Due Diligence!
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self Tip#10
In this blog we talked about Keli's 10th tip for pursuing your best self: Consult a Certified Divorce Coach and an Attorney!
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self Tip #9
If you are contemplating a divorce or feel like your spouse may be, then you might wonder whether you should open your own separate bank account and begin stashing some cash for yourself. But is this the best course of action?
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self Tip#8
The topic of claiming your children as dependents on your tax return is not an easy subject to broach. However, for your finances and tax implications, you should consider this option during your divorce settlement.
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self Tip #7
When dividing assets during a divorce, think about the long-term consequences of the assets you ask for. They might have tax implications! With this week's tip, we offer information you need when going to the proverbial negotiating table!
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self Tip #6
Our sixth tip is a delicate but important matter. When you are sure about getting a divorce, it can be a good idea to freeze any joint accounts you fear your spouse will try to tamper with.
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self Tip #5
Even in the best of marriages, it's important to know the status of your marital finances. Here is Keli's fifth tip for pursuing your best self!
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self Tip #4
Being a stay-at-home mom means you’re responsible for tasks that are the focus of professions, and you should recognize that. It can be empowering to calculate the worth of your work so that you understand just how valuable your work is!
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self – Tip #3
Do you know you can get a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies every 12 months? In this post we highlight how often you should request your credit report and the two biggest factors affect your credit score!
Read More11/10 Phil Blancato Market Update Call
We strive to keep you regularly updated with important market changes and news. Please listen to the most recent market update from Phil Blancato, Osaic’s Chief Market Strategist. This call discusses recent updates for the...
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self – Tip #2
One should always know what is coming in the door as well as what is going out. Single, married, divorced, or widowed – it doesn't matter. If you don't have control of your money, then your money has control of you. Take a...
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self – Tip#1
Pursuing your best self can help prepare you to face unforeseen circumstances with confidence. In this blog series, I want to provide you with tips that will help you on your journey to becoming your best self personally and financially.
Read MoreAugust 2023: Your Money Matters
This month’s Your Money Matters newsletter contains helpful information about how inflation impacts your portfolio, why it's important to control your future by creating a will, understanding equity compensation, and insuring...
Read MoreYour Monthly Market Newsletter, July 2023
For the optimists among us, we were relieved to see some good financial news in June. U.S. stocks were up for the month and the quarter, although bonds didn’t fare as well. The S&P 500 defied recession fears and a U.S. banking...
Read MoreThoughts on the Debt Ceiling
We strive to keep you regularly updated with important market changes and news.Please find the Market Analysis from Phil Blancato, Advisor Group’s Chief Market Strategist attached below. This update provides an overview of...
Read MoreWhat Investors Need to Know About FDIC Insurance and SIPC.
About the U.S. Banking SystemWith recent headlines about two failed U.S. banks and their ripple effect throughout the banking sector, we want to summarize the latest information on this evolving event. We assure you we are monitoring...
Read MoreVeteran Advisors Denise Sowell and Keli Hazel Join Capitol Financial Solutions
Veteran Advisors Denise Sowell and Keli Hazel Join Capitol Financial Solutions
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self – Tip #3
Pursuit of Your Best Self Practical Tips on How to Prepare for Life’s Challenges and Live Out Your Best Tip #3 Do you know that you can get a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies every 12 months for free?...
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self: Tip #2
Pursuit of Your Best Self Practical Tips on How to Prepare for Life’s Challenges and Live Out Your Best Tip #2 Do a budget or at least track your living expenses One should always know what is coming in the door as well as what...
Read MorePursuit of Your Best Self: Prepare for Life's Challenges and Live Out Your Best Self
If you’re anything like me, you can sometimes get stuck in the rut of trying to be everything for everybody, often neglecting, forgetting, putting aside (whatever term you want to use) your own needs and desires for the sake of...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Labor Numbers Reflect Uncertainty
Stocks closed mixed last week as signs of continued economic recovery and upbeat earnings helped some sectors while the struggles persisted for high-growth companies.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.67%, while the Standard...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: S&P 500 Rises Above 4,000
Overcoming a rocky start, stocks rallied into the close of a holiday-shortened week of trading as technology shares staged a powerful recovery and investors reacted positively to President Biden’s infrastructure spending...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Rising Bond Yields Diminish Stocks
Stocks dropped amid rising long-term bond yields, with sharp declines in high-valuation growth stocks leading the overall market lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Unexpected Trading Rattles Market
Despite strong corporate earnings, stock prices closed lower after a volatile week of trading triggered by unprecedented activity in a handful of companies.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 3.27%, while the Standard &...
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