Archive

Written by: Lori Price, Wealth Manager & Partner & Hollis Hardiman, Wealth Manager & Partner Although very often stressful and emotional, preparing for divorce often comes down to acquiring complete and accurate information and getting organized in advance. If you are unsure about certain assets owned by you or your spouse, you could be losing…

Written by: Brian Martin, Wealth Manager Being “tax efficient” looks a little different for everyone. That said, there are always methods to ensure that you save on your taxes and get the most out of available deductions. In essence, being tax efficient simply means that you are aware of tax laws and know how to…

Written by: David Elder, Wealth Manager & Partner It is a question that millions of giving Americans ask around tax season. Fortunately, donating to charities and getting a tax write-off for it is not as complicated as it seems. That said, there are a few important rules you should know before filling out your taxes.…

We are in the season of two “special” days that deal with commitment. One of them, “Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day,” is about breaking a commitment. The other, Valentine’s Day, is about making a commitment to another person, at least in theory. Both can teach us something about commitment, accountability, and love for yourself and…

Written by: David Elder, Wealth Manager & Partner & Jennifer Mann, Relationship Manager & Financial Planning Coordinator It can be a challenge when you have two different lives merging into one. You each may have different morning routines, food preferences, and social habits. However, these differences become much starker when it comes to money. More…

Success can come with a major downside: It can make you a potential magnet for lawsuits—including frivolous and unfounded ones—and other attacks that can wreak havoc on your financial health and stability. Indeed, you may very well know someone in your life who has been sued. Maybe it was you! That means you’ve got to…

Recorded by: Kay Lynn Mayhue, President | David Elder, Wealth Manager | Emily Boothroyd, Wealth Manager | Andy Lubben, Regional Director | Joy Kirsch, Founder of TruWealth for Widows | Caleb Tucker, Director of Portfolio Strategy On behalf of the entire Merit Family, we wish you a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving and a peaceful start…

Written by: Scott Crowe, Wealth Manager & Partner Planning for retirement calls for individuals to clarify their vision regarding future lifestyles and activities. With the help of a trusted advisor, aspiring retirees can develop a clear picture of their retirement and how to support it. However, there remains one significant question mark for even the…

Written By: Jennifer Cox Mann, Relationship Manager & Insurance Coordinator While risk mitigation may not have seemed as necessary when you were in your 20s, it becomes increasingly important as you near retirement. With time, you will want to ensure the security of your wealth, retirement funds, health, estate, and your children’s inheritance. However, this…

Building your wealth is a constant balancing act between adopting new growth opportunities and hedging your portfolio against risk. You want to get the best possible ROI, but not at the risk of losing a substantial portion of your principal investment. Thus, a practical risk evaluation is one of the best ways to manage your…