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Our | Whether it’s a financial topic related to the industry, a current event, or an emerging trend, you can read about it here! If there is a subject you'd like us to cover, please feel free to share it by submitting a request directly here or via our email address: admin@symmetryfp.com. In the meantime, keep checking-in on our team's latest blog post. If you've missed some of our older posts, simply click on "Show All" at the bottom of this page. We’re glad to know that you're reading along and keeping yourself informed. |
When 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...
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,...
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Understanding 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 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 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 MoreThe True Costs of Caring for Aging Parents
Key Takeaways Caring for aging parents is a growing reality for many Americans. The number of family caregivers in the U.S. has jumped to 63 million, a 45 percent increase over the past decade, making 1 in every 4 Americans a...
Read MoreMoney Talks: How to Use Holiday Gatherings to Start Family Financial Conversations
Key Takeaways Year-end holidays may be a good time to initiate a discussion about financial matters that may impact your family. If you have adult children, you may want to discuss your financial situation, estate strategy, and legal...
Read MoreShould You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
Receiving a bonus, inheritance, or an increase in income often prompts a key financial question: Should I use this money to pay off my mortgage, or invest it? At first glance, the answer might seem simple. But in reality, it requires...
Read MoreA 2025 Guide to Protecting Seniors from Fraud
If you’ve found yourself stepping into a more active role in your parents’ financial lives, you’re not alone. Some of us are helping aging parents navigate everything from healthcare decisions to bill payments—and increasingly, we’re...
Read MoreSmart Moves to Consider Before Year-End
The final months of the year can sneak up quickly, and with them come deadlines, decisions, and distractions. Before the holiday season takes over your calendar, fall can be a valuable window to revisit your financial strategy and...
Read MoreBreaking Down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What You Need to Know
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) included lower federal income tax brackets, bigger standard deductions, and higher gift and estate tax exemptions, among other provisions. The law stipulated that some of those tax breaks would...
Read MoreWhy More Families Are Choosing to Gift Wealth Earlier—and How to Do It
Estate management isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone— it’s also about what you can do now to help manage future estate taxes, transfer wealth strategically, and attempt to create a meaningful impact during your lifetime....
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About the 2025 Changes to Inherited IRA Rules
The rules regarding inherited IRAs have changed in the last five years, and failing to comply with the new requirements may result in IRS penalties. These changes affect people inheriting IRAs and those looking to leave retirement...
Read MoreBeyond Salary: Understanding Your Total Compensation
Compensation is more than just a number on a paycheck. Whether you're exploring new opportunities, preparing for a promotion, or evaluating your current benefits, it’s important to understand the full value of your total...
Read MoreHow Much Do You Really Know About Stock Market Indexes?
While you may follow the various stock indexes on the nightly business news, how much do you know about their histories, how they work, and why they're important? We pulled together some information and interesting facts about some of...
Read MoreHow Do You Turn Retirement Savings into a Reliable Income Strategy?
You’ve likely spent years building your retirement nest egg—saving diligently, investing wisely, and contributing to retirement accounts along the way. But transitioning from earning a paycheck to relying on your savings can feel...
Read More“The Four Most Dangerous Words In Investing Are: ‘This Time It’s Different.’” – Sir John Templeton
Despite those who say the conventional wisdom that has guided investor actions over the years is no longer valid in 2025, remember the famous quote from legendary investor Sir John Templeton: "The four most dangerous words in investing...
Read MoreFinancial Planning: Helping You See The Big Picture
A comprehensive financial plan serves as a framework for organizing the pieces of your financial picture. With a financial plan in place, you'll be better able to focus on your goals and understand what it ...
Read MoreSaving for College and Retirement
You've run the numbers on both your anticipated retirement and college expenses, and you've come up short. The numbers say you won't be able to afford to educate your children and retire with the lifestyle you expected based on...
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Should I take Social Security benefits early?
Yes, you can elect to receive retirement benefits early As you approach retirement, you must decide when to start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits. You may elect to start receiving Social Security retirement benefits...
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Protection Planning: Using Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC)
What is it Long-term care insurance (LTCI)? In return for your payment of premiums, a long-term care insurance (LTCI) policy will pay a selected dollar amount per day (for a selected period of time) for your skilled, intermediate, or...
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Roth IRA Conversion: Should you do it?
Anyone can convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in 2019. There are no income limits, or restrictions based on your tax filing status. You generally have to include the amount you convert in your gross income for the year of...
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Unique challenges facing women
Women tend to have a unique set of challenges when it comes to long term financial planning and retirement. Balancing work place and family life responsibilities can be exceptionally difficult.
Read MoreAnnual List of Tax Scams 2019
The IRS issued its annual list of tax scams for 2019. As tax filling season is winding down, we thought it would be relevant to list the various scams that taxpayers may encounter. Here are some of the scams that are highlighted on...
Read More10 years until retirement: Things to consider
If you're a decade or so away from retirement, you've probably spent at least some time thinking about this major life change. How will you manage the transition? Will you travel, take up a new sport or hobby, or spend more time with...
Read MoreNew Team Member: Pete Berneburg
I would like to welcome the newest member to our team, Pete Berneburg. Pete has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry and brings a wealth of knowledge. For over a decade, he is known by the team, as an individual...
Read MoreBest Practices against Identity Theft
Massive computer hacks and data breaches are now common occurrences — an unfortunate consequence of living in a digital world. Once identity thieves have your information, they can use it to gain access to your bank and credit...
Read MoreWhat is a "Stretch IRA"?
The term "stretch IRA" has become a popular way to refer to an IRA (either traditional or Roth) with provisions that make it easier to "stretch out" the time that funds can stay in your IRA after your death, even over several...
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be a CFP® professional?
Many clients have wondered what the designation, CFP®, next to my name means or may have seen it somewhere, next to another advisor's name. Some may not know what it is designating or why certain advisors would choose to have it. In this...
Read MoreKey Estate Documents You Need
Leaving a proper legacy behind for your beneficiaries and/or favorites charities will usually take some preparations and the involvement from your legal, tax, and financial professional. Part of this Estate Planning process is knowing...
Read MoreFAQ about IRAs in 2019
It is a New Year and tax filings for 2018 are just around the corner. Some of you may have questions about possibly contributing to your current IRA or perhaps starting a new one for Tax Year 2018 (deadline for filing on Monday April...
Read MoreOverlooked Tax Deductions
Who among us wants to pay the IRS more taxes than we have to?¹ While few may raise their hands, Americans regularly overpay because they fail to take tax deductions for which they are eligible. Let’s take a quick look at...
Read MoreHow did your personal finance fare this year?
As we are nearing the end of the year, have you started on your financial review? If you don't know what happened to your money during the past year, it's time to find out! December & January are the perfect months to look back at...
Read MoreLong Term Care Insurance & other alternatives
Recently, I was speaking with one of my client and the subject of Long Term Care Insurance came up. Here are some of the topics I raised about it: Who needs it and Why? The longer you live, the greater the chances you'll need some...
Read MoreTop 10 Year End Tax Tips for 2018
Between now and the end of 2018, here are 10 things I believe you should consider about your taxes: 1. Set aside time to plan Effective planning requires that you have a good understanding of your current tax situation, as well as a...
Read MoreWhy is the market volatile?
Until early 2018, stocks were enjoying their longest period without a five percent pullback in nearly 90 years.1,2 But in early February, that calm came to a sudden and decisive end, as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell more...
Read MoreImportant Birthdays After 50
Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-a-half“ to make sure everyone knows they’re closer to the next age than the last. When you are older, “and-a-half”...
Read MoreA Penny Saved Is Two Pennies Earned
A penny saved is two pennies earned - Finding ways to manage expenses is one of the cornerstones of a sound financial strategy. Here are some simple and inexpensive energy-saving tips that may help you save money: Audit First… To...
Read MoreRevising Your Estate Strategies
When the rules of the game change, tactics should follow in response to the new landscape. While estate tax exemptions have ridden an uncertain roller coaster in recent years, the rules appear to be stabilizing with the passing of the...
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