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		<title>Boosting Investment Confidence and Literacy in Women</title>
		<link>https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/boosting-investment-confidence-and-literacy-in-women/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Bethany McCamish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Aug 2025 03:28:34 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Invest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Plan]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/?p=5717</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>For many successful women, confidence in their professional lives just doesn’t seem to translate into feeling financially empowered. In fact, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/boosting-investment-confidence-and-literacy-in-women/">Boosting Investment Confidence and Literacy in Women</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For many successful women, confidence in their professional lives just doesn’t seem to translate into feeling financially empowered. In fact, a recent study by </span><a href="https://institute.bankofamerica.com/content/dam/transformation/rising-wealth-of-women.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bank of America</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> found that only 28% of women were “mostly” or “very” comfortable making investment decisions.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even as careers progress and wealth accumulates, investing can still feel like a foreign language for many women. Considering financial literacy and investing are rarely taught in school, it’s not hard to see why many people (not just women) struggle to find their financial footing later in life. Basic financial strategies and concepts are often even gatekept from women (particularly if they grew up in more traditional households), or framed in confusing terms that just don’t resonate.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But investing isn’t just for Wall Street insiders or finance buffs. It’s a tool that’s accessible to everyone, and when paired with patience and strategy, it can be used to support your values, goals, and long-term vision.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s talk a bit more about investing and financial know-how, and what you can do to feel more confident in your decision-making moving forward.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Demystifying the Investment Landscape</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It feels like the investment world prides itself on being overly complex. Acronyms fly fast- ETFs, REITs, RMDs- and the sheer amount of jargon feels like it’s intentionally meant to keep outsiders at bay. But if we pull back the curtains and start with the basics, investing can be a simple and rewarding process designed to help you build wealth over time.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speaking of keeping it simple, you don’t need to become an expert in every market cycle or memorize the intricacies of bond yields. Rather, establish your long-term goals, consider how much risk you’re comfortable taking on, and work with a trusted advisor who can manage the rest.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You and your advisor can work together to drown out the day-to-day noise of the market movements, while focusing on the long-term growth potential of your portfolio. They can help you build a well-balanced set of investments that may include stocks for growth, bonds for stability, and cash or cash equivalents for liquidity.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From there, your job is relatively simple:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Contribute regularly</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ignore the urge to make impulsive decisions (including buying or selling during periods of volatility)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reassess the performance and balance of your portfolio at regular intervals (say quarterly or annually)</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once you’ve got the basics down, you and your advisor can continue building on your knowledge and comfort levels to explore other opportunities that might align with your interests, values, and goals.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Investing That Reflects Your Career and Life Trajectory</span></h2>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-5720" src="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investing-That-Reflects-Your-Career-and-Life-Trajectory-800x450.jpg" alt="Two women looking over financial documents and making retirement plans" width="800" height="450" srcset="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investing-That-Reflects-Your-Career-and-Life-Trajectory-800x450.jpg 800w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investing-That-Reflects-Your-Career-and-Life-Trajectory-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investing-That-Reflects-Your-Career-and-Life-Trajectory-650x366.jpg 650w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investing-That-Reflects-Your-Career-and-Life-Trajectory-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investing-That-Reflects-Your-Career-and-Life-Trajectory-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investing-That-Reflects-Your-Career-and-Life-Trajectory.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your wealth wasn’t built overnight. Your investment strategy shouldn’t be either. A thoughtful portfolio will reflect not just your appetite for risk, but also your life experience, evolving goals, anticipated timeline towards retirement, and the trajectory of your career.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, if you’ve been a business owner or executive, your income may have come in waves- perhaps through equity compensation, performance bonuses, or proceeds from a business sale. That irregularity should be acknowledged in how you approach certain aspects of your wealth and investments, including your access to cash (liquidity), diversification, and tax strategy.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Or, if you’re nearing retirement after decades of wealth building, your focus may shift from accumulation to preservation and income generation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A well-aligned portfolio can help ensure your wealth continues to support your needs, whether you’re planning an upcoming sabbatical, giving charitably, or establishing a second act career that’s less about profit and more about pursuing your passion or purpose.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Understanding the Emotional Side of Money</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even the most capable women can carry hidden fears about investing. Perhaps you’ve seen others make costly mistakes, or you’ve been told, explicitly or implicitly, that investing is “too risky,” “too confusing,” or “not your strength.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Investment confidence doesn’t mean never feeling nervous. It means knowing you’ve built a framework that supports you through market ups and downs, and anchoring your decisions in a long-term plan- rather than reacting to headlines or short-term volatility.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For many women, confidence grows not from watching the markets, but from watching their own progress and simply learning by doing. When you can clearly see how your portfolio supports your personal and professional life goals, investing can feel less scary- and more like a normal part of everyday life.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How the Right Advisor Can Help Improve Financial Confidence in Women</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If investing still feels like unfamiliar territory, that’s okay. What matters most is not where you’re starting, but how you move forward. The financial industry hasn’t always done a great job of meeting women where they are- but we’re happy to say that’s starting to change.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today, more advisors are embracing a collaborative approach to planning, which prioritizes education and goal-setting. They’re tailoring strategies to better reflect real-world needs and changes, as opposed to relying too heavily on outdated hypothetical models. More advisors are also creating space for conversations that go beyond charts and benchmarks to focus more heavily on your priorities, opportunities, and vision for the future.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re ready to take the next step, you don’t have to go it alone. With the right support, you can gain the literacy, clarity, and confidence to build a portfolio that reflects the life you’ve worked so hard to create. Don’t hesitate to </span><a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/contact-us/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">send us a message</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, let us know what’s on your mind, and schedule time to talk with our team.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/boosting-investment-confidence-and-literacy-in-women/">Boosting Investment Confidence and Literacy in Women</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
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		<title>Retirement Planning for Early Career Professionals</title>
		<link>https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/retirement-planning-for-early-career-professionals/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Bethany McCamish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2025 21:01:21 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Invest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Retire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Save]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/?p=5706</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>There’s no feeling quite like going out on your own for the first time—graduating college, moving to a new apartment, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/retirement-planning-for-early-career-professionals/">Retirement Planning for Early Career Professionals</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There’s no feeling quite like going out on your own for the first time—graduating college, moving to a new apartment, or just hitting the ground running on your first day at work. During your first few years as a young professional, you’re still exploring your passions, finding your footing, and building a name for yourself.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While retirement might be the farthest thing from your mind, here’s a hard truth for Gen Zers: time is your greatest resource, but you must know how to use it to your advantage. The earlier you start incorporating some simple and proactive retirement planning into your budget, the better off you’ll be when the time eventually comes to call it quits.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Below, we’re sharing a few practical tips to start saving for the future—even when it feels impossibly far away.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Start Early, No Contribution Is Too Small</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The earlier you start saving for retirement, the less you’ll need to contribute each month—and most importantly, the more you can take advantage of compounding interest.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Compounding occurs when you start earning returns or interest on previously earned returns or interest, not just the principal amount contributed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That sounds confusing, but here’s a simple example of how compounding works:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Say you initially contribute $1,000 to an account that earns 7% annually on average, and $100 after that each month. In the span of 10 years, you’ll have contributed $13,000 total. But each year, the interest compounds, meaning whatever was earned plus contributed to the account previously starts to earn interest as well. By the end of that 10-year span, your $13,000 will have grown to $18,546.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The longer you enable your money to compound, the more impactful the power of compounding becomes. You might not see a big difference right away, but be patient and give your money time to grow. By the time you reach retirement (which may be 20-30+ years away), small, continuous contributions will grow into substantial savings.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Compounding growth is also the reason you’re better off setting aside a small amount, say $200 each month for 30 years, than $600 (triple the amount) for 10 years. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Understand What Retirement Saving Tools You Can Use</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The most common retirement savings accounts are 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth 401(k)s/IRAs. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">401(k)</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You will likely be offered a 401(k) from your employer, or a 403(b) if you’re a public sector employee. Only available through your workplace, these plans offer an effective, simple tool for building wealth over time. The best part? You can set it and forget it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With a 401(k), you’ll have the option to automatically defer a portion of your paycheck (say 3%, for example). This portion is diverted to the 401(k) before taxes are taken out of your paycheck, meaning your contributions lower your taxable income for the year. If your employer offers matching, they’ll also contribute a certain dollar amount or percentage to your account—yes, that’s free money for retirement. Just keep in mind, you may be required to stay with the company for a certain amount of time in order to keep your employer matching contributions (this is called vesting). But anything you contribute directly is yours, regardless of the vesting schedule.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The funds grow tax-deferred, meaning you won’t have to pay taxes on earnings in the account each year. Once in retirement, you’ll be able to withdraw from the account. Withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax—remember, up until now, these are earnings that haven’t been taxed yet.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">IRA</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An individual retirement account (IRA) works similarly, except it’s opened by you, not your employer. If you or your spouse are offered a 401(k) at work, you may be limited by how much you’re allowed to make in tax-deductible contributions to an IRA. Generally speaking, the annual contribution limit for IRAs is also significantly less than 401(k)s. For 2025, for example, you can contribute up to $7,000 to an IRA, compared to $23,500 for a 401(k).</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">1</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Roth 401(k)/IRA</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Roth account works in the opposite way, tax-wise. Your contributions to either a Roth 401(k) or Roth IRA are not tax-deductible, meaning you pay taxes on the funds directed into a Roth account. The earnings do grow tax-deferred, however. And if you meet the criteria for qualified distributions in retirement (namely, you must be 59.5 or older and have had the account for at least five years), all withdrawals are tax-free.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prepare for Emergency Expenses</span></h2>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-5710" src="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Retirement-Planning-for-Professionals-800x450.jpg" alt="A person adding up and tracking their expenses with a calculator." width="800" height="450" srcset="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Retirement-Planning-for-Professionals-800x450.jpg 800w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Retirement-Planning-for-Professionals-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Retirement-Planning-for-Professionals-650x366.jpg 650w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Retirement-Planning-for-Professionals-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Retirement-Planning-for-Professionals-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Retirement-Planning-for-Professionals.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the cost of, well, just about everything on the rise and salaries staying stagnant, it’s not unusual for young professionals to feel financially pulled in a million directions. Between paying down student loans, saving up for a house, filling your 401(k), and enjoying life, there may not be much left over.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That being said, we cannot overstate the importance of setting aside some savings in case of an emergency. While the general rule of thumb is to save up enough to cover your expenses for around 3-6 months, at this stage, anything helps. You can’t predict when your car will need costly repairs or a large hospital bill sends you into medical debt.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While directing savings into an emergency fund might feel like the last priority on your list right now, consider the cost of not doing so. Expenses you can’t pay either lead to taking on more debt (and often high-interest debt at that) or drawing down funds meant to support your long-term goals (like retirement). Not only can taking money out early cause you to lose out on those compounding benefits, but depending on the type of account, you could be hit with penalties and more tax liability, too.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’re Doing Great, Now Keep Going</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keeping your future goals (including those that feel far, far away) a priority is no easy feat, especially as you continue facing an uphill battle of tough economic climates and challenging market conditions. But starting small, saving incrementally, and balancing your needs today with your future financial security is critical. Today, you have time on your side to make your money work harder—it’s just a matter of leveraging it to your advantage.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sources:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">1 </span><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-24-80.pdf#:~:text=Effective%20January%201%2C%202025%2C%20the%20limitation%20on,Code%20is%20increased%20from%20$275%2C000%20to%20$280%2C000.&amp;text=The%20limitation%20for%20defined%20contribution%20plans%20under,increased%20in%202025%20from%20$69%2C000%20to%20$70%2C000."><span style="font-weight: 400;">IRS</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/retirement-planning-for-early-career-professionals/">Retirement Planning for Early Career Professionals</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
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		<title>A Quick Guide to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)</title>
		<link>https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/a-quick-guide-to-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-act/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Bethany McCamish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2025 20:51:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Invest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tax]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/?p=5700</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) brings sweeping tax changes with some [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/a-quick-guide-to-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-act/">A Quick Guide to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) brings sweeping tax changes with some significant implications for taxpayers (particularly those in or near retirement).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Standing at over 1,000 pages, the bill permanently extends many provisions originally introduced in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), while enacting changes across many facets of the federal government and tax code. Below, we’ve zeroed in on a few of the most prominent and impactful changes likely to make a difference in your tax bill over the coming years.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">#1. Permanent TCJA Tax Cuts and Deductions</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The OBBBA has permanently extended the TCJA-era tax brackets and standard deductions. Without this legislation, these benefits were set to expire in 2026. The top tax rate remains at 37%, and the standard deduction gets a small bump: $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for married couples in 2025.  For many of you, taking the standard deduction replaced itemizing deductions with the TCJA changes. We’ll want to revisit this based on the changes to the SALT deduction (see below).</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">#2. New “Super Deduction” for Seniors</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Starting in 2025, taxpayers 65 and older with income under $75,000 (or $150,000 for couples) can claim an additional $6,000 deduction, or $12,000 if both spouses are over 65. This benefit phases out for incomes above $175,000 for single filers and $250,000 for joint filers. For now, the super deduction will only be available through the 2028 tax year.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">#3. Estate Tax Exemption Limit Remains High</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Originally introduced in the TCJA, the elevated federal estate tax exemption will no longer sunset in 2026. In 2025, the estate tax and lifetime gift tax exemption limit is $13.99 million per person or $27.98 million per couple. Considering the TCJA doubled the pre-2018 estate tax exemption limit, this continuation can offer families with significant assets and estates more flexibility with their wealth transfer strategies.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">#4. State and Local Taxes (SALT) Itemized Deduction Increase</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We see this as the biggest impact for most of our clients.  The state and local tax (SALT) deduction limit increases from $10,000 to $40,000 in 2025, with gradual increases through 2029. High-income households will face some phaseouts, but the exemption limit will never drop below $10,000. This increase in SALT deductions is significant, as it could make itemizing more worthwhile (despite the elevated standard deduction), especially in states with higher state and local taxes like New York or California.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">#5. Changes to Charitable Deductions</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taxpayers will have the option to take above-the-line charitable deductions of up to $1,000 per person ($2,000 for couples) starting in 2026. If you do plan on itemizing, however, you’ll only be allowed to deduct donations that exceed 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). You will have the option to carry forward unclaimed charitable donations to deduct in future tax years.  When it comes to choosing to bunch charitable giving, we would suggest reaching out to us or your CPA for guidance here.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">#6.  Tax Benefits for Parents and Families</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is now permanent and currently $2,200/qualified child.  This amount will increase for inflation, but there are still phase-outs.  For families with dependents who don’t qualify for the CTC, there is a now permanent $500 credit/dependent. There are some good changes to 529 accounts.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The definition of a Qualified Expense has increased to include up to $20,000 for K-12 expenses, as well as continuing education and credentialed programs.  You may have heard of the Trump accounts-they are a new type of savings account for children under 18 beginning in 2026.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They are tax deferred accounts and no withdrawals can be made until the child reaches age 18. Think of these as similar to IRAs.  If withdrawals are made before age 59 ½, there is a 10% penalty unless the money is used for higher education or up to $10k for a first time home purchase. The federal government will contribute $1000 automatically for children born between 2025-2028.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Parents can contribute up to $5000/tax year adjusted for inflation, and employers can contribute as well.  We think these could be an option for additional savings once a family has contributed the maximum to their child’s 529 account but a 529 has much more flexibility and better tax advantages for parents’ contributions.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What Should Taxpayers Focus On Moving Forward?<img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-5704" src="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Act-OBBBA-800x450.jpg" alt="Couple looking over financial paperwork and planning for their taxes" width="800" height="450" srcset="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Act-OBBBA-800x450.jpg 800w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Act-OBBBA-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Act-OBBBA-650x366.jpg 650w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Act-OBBBA-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Act-OBBBA-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Act-OBBBA.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While some provisions are permanent, others are set to expire in 2028, including the senior super deduction, tip and overtime deductions, and the extra Child Tax Credit. As you and your tax professional or advisor plan ahead, be mindful of these timelines. For example, with higher SALT caps and new available deductions, some taxpayers may benefit from temporarily itemizing instead of taking the standard deduction.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’ll be addressing how these changes affect you personally when we meet but wanted to make sure you are aware of some of the key changes. If you have any questions or would like to review these changes together in more detail now, don’t hesitate to reach out today.</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/a-quick-guide-to-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-act/">A Quick Guide to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
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		<title>Entrepreneurial Financial Foundations: Your Financial Roadmap from Employee to Entrepreneur</title>
		<link>https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/entrepreneurial-financial-foundations/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zoë Meggert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:30:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Career]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Plan]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/?p=5677</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>According to the National Association of Women Business Owners, women-owned businesses have grown by 42% over the past five years, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/entrepreneurial-financial-foundations/">Entrepreneurial Financial Foundations: Your Financial Roadmap from Employee to Entrepreneur</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to the </span><a href="https://ncwbohalloffame.org/wbo-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">National Association of Women Business Owners</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, women-owned businesses have grown by 42% over the past five years, significantly outpacing the overall business growth rate of 24%. Yet, despite this incredible momentum, female entrepreneurs still face unique financial challenges, from securing funding (where women receive only 2.3% of venture capital funding) to navigating the complex transition from a steady paycheck to a variable income.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you&#8217;re debating whether to take the leap from employee to entrepreneur, you&#8217;re not alone in feeling both excited and overwhelmed by the financial implications of this decision. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The truth is, with the right financial foundation, you can build a business that not only survives but thrives. This isn&#8217;t just about having enough money in the bank. It&#8217;s about creating systems, boundaries, and strategies that will support both your personal financial well-being </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">and</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> your business dreams.</span></p>
<h2>Building Your Pre-Launch Financial Safety Net</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before you hand in your resignation letter, you need to create a financial safety net. While conventional wisdom suggests 3-6 months of expenses might be enough for most W2 employees with relatively predictable income, entrepreneurs should aim for 12-18 months of personal expenses saved before launching their new venture. This isn&#8217;t pessimism; it&#8217;s realistic planning that accounts for the time it takes most businesses to generate consistent income.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your safety net should be calculated based on your personal expenses only—not business expenses. Create a bare-bones budget that covers your essential personal costs: housing, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, and minimum debt payments. This becomes your monthly survival number. Then, multiply it by 15 to get your target emergency fund.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Consider keeping this emergency fund in a high-yield savings account that&#8217;s separate from your regular checking account. The physical separation creates a psychological barrier that prevents you from dipping into it for non-emergencies, while the higher interest rate helps your money work harder for you.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another critical component of your personal “safety net” is health insurance. Losing employer-sponsored coverage is one of the biggest financial shocks new entrepreneurs face. Before you jump in feet first, make sure you research marketplace options, consider short-term coverage, or explore joining your spouse&#8217;s plan if possible. Factor these premiums into both your emergency fund calculations and your ongoing business budget – the last thing you want is to get stuck with emergency medical expenses while your budget is already tight!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, consider creating extra security within your “safety net” by setting up a legal entity for your business, like an LLC. This can help to protect you personally from any potential liabilities arising from your business. </span></p>
<h2>Keeping Your Business and Personal Finances Separate</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the most critical financial foundations you&#8217;ll establish is the clear separation between your personal and business finances. This isn&#8217;t just good bookkeeping—it&#8217;s essential for legal protection, tax efficiency, and your own financial clarity.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Start by opening a dedicated business checking account as soon as you decide to move forward with your venture, even before you officially launch. Many banks offer business accounts with low or no monthly fees for new businesses. Having this account from day one establishes a paper trail and reinforces the legitimacy of your business in the eyes of the IRS.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your next step is to apply for a business credit card. Use this exclusively for business expenses, no matter how small. Not only does this make expense tracking infinitely easier, but it also helps build your business credit history—something you&#8217;ll need if you ever want to secure business loans or higher credit limits as you grow.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next, focus on creating a system for paying yourself from your business. Even if your business income is irregular, establish a consistent method for transferring money from your business account to your personal account to cover your expenses and day-to-day living. This might be a set salary, a percentage of revenue, or a combination of both. The key is consistency and documentation. Pay yourself like you would pay any other business expense, with intention and proper record-keeping.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, even during early days, it’s important to set up separate accounting systems for your business. Whether you use simple spreadsheets or invest in accounting software like QuickBooks or FreshBooks, maintain separate books for your personal and business finances. This separation will save you countless hours during tax season and provide clarity about your business&#8217;s actual profitability.</span></p>
<h2>Cash Flow Management for Variable Income</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Managing cash flow as an entrepreneur requires an entirely different mindset than managing a steady paycheck. As someone who is paid four times a year, I am acutely aware of the importance of knowing my cost of living and business expenses. Awareness of your expenses and setting aside sufficient funds is crucial for business owners. Variable income demands more strategic planning, better forecasting, and often, more creative solutions.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Start by tracking your income patterns obsessively during your first year. Note seasonal trends, payment delays, and revenue fluctuations. Most service-based businesses experience some degree of seasonality, while product-based businesses often exhibit variations in sales based on marketing campaigns, economic conditions, or industry cycles. Understanding your patterns enables you to plan for lean months and capitalize on busy seasons.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once you’ve established a bit of a baseline, you can create a cash flow forecast that projects your income and expenses 3-6 months ahead. Update this monthly as you gather real data about your business patterns. This forecast serves as your early warning system for potential cash crunches, helping you make informed decisions about everything from marketing spend to equipment purchases.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, when you first get started in business, it can feel like you’re entirely at the whim of your client or customer to create cash flow. However, you can take charge here by establishing clear payment terms and a consistent collection process with your first client! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Net 15 or Net 30 payment terms might be standard in your industry, but they can create significant cash flow challenges for new businesses. Consider offering small discounts for immediate payment, requiring deposits for larger projects, or utilizing invoicing software that facilitates quick client payments.</span></p>
<h2>Strategic Tax Planning and Record-Keeping</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-5688 size-medium" src="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Employee-to-Entrepreneur-800x450.jpg" alt="Women planning around a table " width="800" height="450" srcset="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Employee-to-Entrepreneur-800x450.jpg 800w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Employee-to-Entrepreneur-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Employee-to-Entrepreneur-650x366.jpg 650w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Employee-to-Entrepreneur-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Employee-to-Entrepreneur-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Employee-to-Entrepreneur.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Transitioning from employee to entrepreneur completely changes your tax situation, and many new business owners are unprepared for this shift. As an employee, taxes were largely handled for you by your employer. As a business owner, quarterly estimated tax payments, business deductions, and self-employment taxes become your responsibility to track and pay.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A good starting point is to set aside 25-30% of your business income for taxes each time you receive an invoice payment. Or, if you’re feeling relatively consistent with income and expenses, you can set these funds aside monthly or quarterly in a separate account earmarked for taxes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next, make sure you’re tracking your expenses: </span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Save every receipt</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Document every business expense or invoice</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Track your mileage for business trips </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Consider using apps like Expensify or Shoeboxed to digitize receipts as you go, or save them to a specific folder in your email if you’re entirely digital. The IRS allows business deductions for legitimate business expenses, but you need documentation to support your claims.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It can be helpful to partner with a CPA and a financial planner who specializes in working with small businesses, especially in your first year. The cost of professional tax preparation often pays for itself through proper deductions and strategic planning. A good accountant can also help you understand whether you should elect S-Corp status as your business grows, which can provide substantial tax savings on self-employment taxes.</span></p>
<h2>Building Long-Term Financial Resilience</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Financial resilience goes beyond surviving the startup phase—it&#8217;s about building systems that support sustainable growth and personal financial security throughout your entrepreneurial journey. Here are a few steps to get started:</span></p>
<p><b>Automate your savings and investment contributions </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">just as you did when you were an employee. Set up automatic transfers to move money from your business account to personal savings, retirement accounts, and investment accounts. As an entrepreneur, you don&#8217;t have employer 401(k) matching, so you need to be even more disciplined about retirement saving.</span></p>
<p><b>Consider opening a SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) for your business.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> These retirement accounts allow you to contribute significantly more than traditional IRAs—up to $69,000 annually in some cases. The contributions are tax-deductible business expenses, reducing your current tax burden while building your retirement security.</span></p>
<h2>Your Entrepreneurial Financial Action Plan</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-5689" src="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Your-Financial-Roadmap-800x450.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="450" srcset="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Your-Financial-Roadmap-800x450.jpg 800w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Your-Financial-Roadmap-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Your-Financial-Roadmap-650x366.jpg 650w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Your-Financial-Roadmap-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Your-Financial-Roadmap-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Your-Financial-Roadmap.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
<h3>Before You Quit Your Job</h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Calculate your monthly personal survival budget</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Save 12-18 months of personal expenses in an emergency fund</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Research and secure health insurance options</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Open a business checking account and credit card</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Create a business plan with realistic financial projections</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Establish relationships with potential clients or customers</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Set up basic accounting systems (software or spreadsheets)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Consult with a CPA about the tax implications of entrepreneurship</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>In the Startup Phase (First 6-12 Months)</h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Implement strict separation between personal and business finances</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Set aside 25-30% of all business income for taxes</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Track every business expense with proper documentation</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Create a cash flow forecast and update it monthly</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Establish clear payment terms and collection processes</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make quarterly estimated tax payments on time</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pay yourself consistently using a predetermined method</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Build business credit by using your business credit card responsibly</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Network with other entrepreneurs and potential mentors</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Review and adjust your pricing based on real market feedback</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Once You Hit the Ground Running</h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Automate savings transfers to personal emergency fund and investments</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Open and contribute to business retirement accounts (SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k))</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Secure appropriate business insurance coverage</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Consider disability insurance to protect your income</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Evaluate your business structure for tax efficiency (LLC vs. S-Corp)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Diversify income streams within your business model</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Build a business emergency fund (3-6 months of business expenses)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Invest in professional development and business growth</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Create systems for scaling operations without losing financial control</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-checked="false" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plan for major business investments or expansions strategically</span></li>
</ul>
<h2>Launching with Confidence</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The journey from employee to entrepreneur is one of the most challenging and rewarding paths you can take. While the financial aspects of making the change can feel overwhelming, remember that thousands of women have successfully made this transition before you. The key is preparation, systems, and the willingness to adapt as you learn.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your financial foundation isn&#8217;t built overnight—it&#8217;s constructed through consistent daily actions, smart planning, and sometimes, learning from mistakes. Be patient with yourself as you develop new financial habits and systems. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The statistics show that women-owned businesses are thriving, but behind every successful female entrepreneur is a solid financial foundation that supports both her dreams and her reality. You have everything it takes to build that foundation and create the business and life you envision.</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/entrepreneurial-financial-foundations/">Entrepreneurial Financial Foundations: Your Financial Roadmap from Employee to Entrepreneur</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
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		<title>Multigenerational Wealth Planning: Preserving Your Family&#8217;s Financial Legacy</title>
		<link>https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/multigenerational-wealth-planning/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zoë Meggert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2025 19:45:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Invest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Protect]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/?p=5616</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>There’s a common saying, “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations,&#8221; which describes the often cyclical fate of multigenerational wealth. Without [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/multigenerational-wealth-planning/">Multigenerational Wealth Planning: Preserving Your Family&#8217;s Financial Legacy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There’s a common saying, “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations,&#8221; which describes the often cyclical fate of multigenerational wealth. Without proper planning and continued commitment from each generation (not just the original wealth builders), wealth preservation becomes harder and harder with each passing of the baton, and a family’s third generation often depletes wealth. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The key to successful multigenerational wealth planning is to start early, facilitate open conversations, and engage with a professional who can direct your loved ones even in your absence. For family matriarchs, being a good steward of multigenerational wealth becomes increasingly important as women face unique challenges like longer life expectancy and widowhood—both of which put them in the role of primary financial decision-maker for their families. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s take a look at what goes into preserving your family’s financial legacy for many generations to come.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">3 Challenges Affecting Wealth Transfer</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why, exactly, is transferring wealth from one generation to the next such a challenge?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only is there a level of fiscal responsibility each member must uphold, but the family dynamics and interpersonal relationships can add a level of complexity as well. Here are three challenges many families face when establishing a wealth transfer plan.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Financial Literacy</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Financial education is not often taught in schools, meaning it falls to the parents, grandparents, or to the young people themselves to increase their financial literacy. But without a basic understanding of financial concepts like budgeting, saving, investing, and thinking long-term, your next generation of wealth stewards will likely not be able to manage a large inheritance responsibly.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lack of Communication</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You know what they say about making assumptions. When it comes to building a plan for the future of your wealth, never assume your children or grandchildren know exactly what you want. One of the biggest pitfalls of multigenerational planning is neglecting to communicate openly between generations.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Money may still feel like a taboo topic in your family, but it must be discussed. You want your younger generations to be good stewards of their inheritance, and they want to understand your wishes, values, and strategies for building and preserving wealth.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Set aside time to encourage your family members to ask questions, include them in meetings with your professional advisors, and start to pull back the curtain on your portfolio (even if it feels uncomfortable). </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Complex Assets</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Generally speaking, the larger an estate, the more complex it becomes. Your multigenerational wealth plan may involve all sorts of assets, from investment properties and trust funds to family businesses and large brokerage accounts. Your next generation of family leaders aren’t just receiving a lump sum of cash—they’re being entrusted with a variety of assets that involve different tax treatments and levels of oversight. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">4 Key Components of Effective Multigenerational Wealth Planning</span></h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-5618" src="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigenerational-wealth-planning-800x450.jpg" alt="Multigenerations in a family on a walk in the fall" width="800" height="450" srcset="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigenerational-wealth-planning-800x450.jpg 800w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigenerational-wealth-planning-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigenerational-wealth-planning-650x366.jpg 650w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigenerational-wealth-planning-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigenerational-wealth-planning-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigenerational-wealth-planning.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, let’s take a closer look at what goes into building an effective multigenerational plan for your family. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax Efficiency</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The tax treatment of your assets, particularly during the wealth transfer process, can have a significant impact on the longevity of your family’s wealth.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ll need to work with a financial advisor and tax professional to incorporate tax-minimizing strategies. For example, you may find opportunities to reduce estate taxes (federal and state, if applicable), leverage lifetime gifting, and coordinate income tax strategies across generations.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A well-constructed wealth transfer plan will also likely include tax-advantaged investment vehicles, such as Roth accounts or trusts. By being proactive with your wealth’s current and future tax liability, you can help your loved ones preserve more family wealth and avoid the erosive effects of unchecked tax liability.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Legal Planning</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Certain legal tools and documents can serve as the foundation for long-term multigenerational wealth transfer. This may include, for example, establishing certain trust structures to preserve wealth and provide control over how and when assets are distributed. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tools such as family limited partnerships and LLCs can also be used to manage business assets and real estate holdings. Your legal strategies and planning can also extend to include some estate planning essentials, such as healthcare directives and durable powers of attorney. Once established, these documents help ensure your loved ones can act on your behalf when needed. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Charitable giving strategies, such as donor-advised funds or family foundations, can also be incorporated to reflect your values and provide benefits to both your family and the causes you care about.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Family Governance and Communication</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Affluent families that are able to preserve wealth from one generation to the next often have one clear trait in common—clear family governance backed by strong inter-generational communication.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beyond holding an occasional meeting, true family governance requires a steady structure that can be used for decision-making, resolving conflict, and ensuring a shared understanding of family goals. You may consider, for example, creating a family mission statement and forming a family council. These guardrails can help guide future decision-making while providing clarity and continuity over time. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Legacy Preservation Beyond Money</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your family’s wealth legacy goes beyond bank accounts and balance sheets. It’s just as important to pass down the values and stories that give each family member a sense of shared purpose as well.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Consider what can help you build a more meaningful and lasting legacy beyond a financial inheritance. Perhaps you’d like to start documenting in books or videos some of your family’s history or volunteer alongside your children or grandchildren on a regular basis. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you own a family business, having a clear succession plan is also vital to ensuring continuity and protecting the business’s long-term value.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Special Considerations for Women</span></h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-5620" src="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigen-financial-planning-800x450.jpg" alt="3 generations of women in a line in a tropical setting" width="800" height="450" srcset="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigen-financial-planning-800x450.jpg 800w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigen-financial-planning-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigen-financial-planning-650x366.jpg 650w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigen-financial-planning-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigen-financial-planning-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/multigen-financial-planning.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the matriarch of your family, your multigenerational wealth plan should account for the unique responsibilities (and challenges) that come with a longer life expectancy. For example, consider what proactive strategies you can leverage now to cover your future financial needs (like long-term care) without diminishing your loved ones’ inheritance.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Statistically speaking, you’re likely to become a solo decision-maker later in life, which means you’ll also need to start building your support network now. Find a financial advisor you trust to guide you and your family through this wealth-generation strategy, and get your children or grandchildren acclimated to your financial landscape early on. You don’t want to leave your loved ones with surprises or questions that can’t be addressed later on.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Empowering your daughters and granddaughters with financial knowledge and independence is one of the most impactful gifts you can offer. A thoughtful, forward-focused multigenerational plan can do just that.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How WealthChoice Supports Women in Multigenerational Planning</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At WealthChoice, we take a proactive, family-centric approach to wealth management that recognizes the vital role women play in shaping their family’s financial future. We work closely with our clients to create customized strategies that reflect their values, goals, and family dynamics.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Through facilitated family meetings, financial education tools, and ongoing support, we help ensure that each generation is prepared and engaged. Our process goes beyond planning for what happens when you’re gone—we focus on empowering you and your family to make confident financial decisions today.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re ready to start building your family’s financial future, we invite you to </span><a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/contact-us/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">begin the conversation with our team</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> today.</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/multigenerational-wealth-planning/">Multigenerational Wealth Planning: Preserving Your Family&#8217;s Financial Legacy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Stock Market, Tariffs, and Partnering With WealthChoice</title>
		<link>https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/stock-market-tariffs/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zoë Meggert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2025 19:20:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Invest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Plan]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/?p=5605</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>It’s not a secret that the stock market has been turbulent in recent weeks. The S&#38;P 500 dropped to six-month [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/stock-market-tariffs/">The Stock Market, Tariffs, and Partnering With WealthChoice</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s not a secret that the stock market has been turbulent in recent weeks. The S&amp;P 500 dropped to six-month low point in March 2025, and closed out the quarter on March 31st having bounced back somewhat. Still, the month of March was challenging, with most major US Stock Indexes clocking in their worst quarter since 2022. </span></p>
<figure id="attachment_5607" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5607" style="width: 701px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-5607 " src="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/StockMarket-US-800x518.png" alt="" width="701" height="454" srcset="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/StockMarket-US-800x518.png 800w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/StockMarket-US-1200x777.png 1200w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/StockMarket-US-650x421.png 650w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/StockMarket-US-768x497.png 768w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/StockMarket-US-1536x994.png 1536w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/StockMarket-US.png 1616w" sizes="(max-width: 701px) 100vw, 701px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-5607" class="wp-caption-text">Source: <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-nasdaq-sp500-03-31-2025">https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-nasdaq-sp500-03-31-2025</a></figcaption></figure>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many financial advisors are bracing for more volatility in the coming months, with recent tariff announcements this month making investors nervous. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How Does Market Volatility Work?</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We often forget that markets don’t rise and fall on their own – investors make decisions based on either strategy or a reaction to what’s happening in the world. If people say that “markets are nervous” about upcoming tariffs, for example, what it means is that </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">investors</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are nervous and making decisions accordingly. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What Are Tariffs, and Why Do Investors Care?</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With all the talk of tariffs in the news, it’s leaving many investors asking:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What, exactly, are tariffs? And should we be concerned?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tariffs are essentially taxes imposed on imported goods. When a country implements tariffs, importers are required to pay additional fees when bringing specific foreign products into the country. These costs are typically passed along to businesses and, eventually, to consumers.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When tariffs are implemented, they can affect different sectors in various ways:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Companies that rely heavily on imports may face higher costs</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Domestic manufacturers might benefit from reduced foreign competition</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Consumer goods prices could increase as businesses pass costs down</span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">An Advisor’s Perspective</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When the market fluctuates, investors often turn to financial experts with questions. Our clients are no different! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While we’ll never pretend to have a crystal ball when it comes to the markets, we do pride ourselves in always being prepared for every eventuality. If the last quarter has shown us anything, it’s that </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">anything </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">can happen. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, our team incorporates several key approaches in our wealth management strategy:</span></p>
<p><b>We build risk insulation and the possibility of volatility into our financial plans</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. We don’t wonder </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">if</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> a recession is going to hit—we prepare for market downturns and future recessions as an eventuality. Market volatility is part of the reality when it comes to investing. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s why we help all of our clients develop a unique approach to risk in their portfolios based on their goals – when they want to retire, their lifestyle, and their personal risk aversion. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, if a client is in retirement, they may be less able to withstand a significant amount of risk in their portfolio because they’ll need to access their assets right away. On the other hand, a client who has 30 years until retirement has a longer time to “bounce back” from a market downturn or recession and take on more risk in their portfolio. </span></p>
<p><b>We believe in time</b><b><i> in </i></b><b>the market, not tim</b><b><i>ing</i></b><b> the market</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. When the market starts to flag, you may be tempted to “time” the market. They use different “strategies” to try and predict what will happen next across various asset classes and make decisions to buy and sell based on those predictions. But, here’s what we’ve seen repeatedly: </span><a href="https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/insights/we-found-30-timing-strategies-that-worked-and-690-that-didnt"><span style="font-weight: 400;">market timing rarely (if ever) works</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In fact, investors who time the market are playing a dangerous game. Take a look at this graph from Vanguard Investment Advisory Research Center:</span></p>
<figure id="attachment_5606" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5606" style="width: 701px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-5606" src="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SP-Stock-Market-tariffs-800x546.png" alt="" width="701" height="479" srcset="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SP-Stock-Market-tariffs-800x546.png 800w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SP-Stock-Market-tariffs-650x443.png 650w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SP-Stock-Market-tariffs-768x524.png 768w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SP-Stock-Market-tariffs.png 962w" sizes="(max-width: 701px) 100vw, 701px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-5606" class="wp-caption-text">Source: <a href="https://advisors.vanguard.com/content/dam/fas/pdfs/FAEXPCCA.pdf">https://advisors.vanguard.com/content/dam/fas/pdfs/FAEXPCCA.pdf</a></figcaption></figure>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When investors time the market, they have to get the timing “right” twice – both when they sell (missing market drop-offs), </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">when they buy back in (to take advantage of market highs). There’s an incredible amount of risk here, especially when we know that investors are essentially guessing about what the market will do and when. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taking it a step further, according to the graph above, some of the best trading days come immediately after some of the worst. Investors who go to cash or do a mass sell-off during a volatile market are likely to miss out on significant gains. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is why our team at WealthChoice believes that, rather than trying to time the market, we should focus on investing for the long game. By staying the course (and staying in the market) through highs and lows, we believe our client portfolios are more likely to take advantage of some of the “best” days of gains. </span></p>
<p><b>We believe in educating and empowering our clients. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Given recent market volatility, we recently set up an educational webinar for our clients. The Q&amp;A was so impactful that we wanted to make it available to everyone who had questions! To view the webinar recording, </span><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/component-page?accessLevel=meeting&amp;hasValidToken=false&amp;clusterId=us02&amp;action=play&amp;filePlayId=&amp;componentName=recording-register&amp;meetingId=ySr7BNDNCyUA9mgxMITqN_gbaHuFxgefbLUN-ggBzp3drFXRVisBVVrUtk5aSYzN.5qKx0BDf7bvVukW8&amp;originRequestUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fus02web.zoom.us%2Frec%2Fshare%2FxwNeRczcx-kFBuwyrYwIUiMztbwKDfWCN8jvUMNVfCq5Au06x8EqQpWHT27Cud_J.oO3iscfa9kQufxlX"><b><i>Navigating Tariffs and Market Volatility</i></b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, click here</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Our team views investing as a holistic process. We consider everything from risk management to investor psychology and behavior, technical portfolio construction, and our clients’ unique goals. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’re helping our clients play the long game by building portfolios that balance every facet of wealth management and regularly evaluating asset allocation to help them strategically rebalance during market ups and downs.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Benefits of Working With a Financial Advisor</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When faced with market volatility and general economic uncertainty, it’s easy to feel like the stock market is all-consuming. At WealthChoice, we believe that investing is just one component of our clients’ overall wealth management strategy. When we partner with you, we focus on creating a portfolio that matches your unique goals and risk tolerance. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But that’s not the primary value we believe we bring to the table when <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/tech-executives-case-study/">working with our clients.</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you work with WealthChoice, you get:</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>A true financial partner. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes, we’re watching the markets and making strategic adjustments to your portfolio. More than that, though, we’re walking alongside you to answer questions, pivot your plan based on changes in your life, helping you prioritize goals and make financial decisions, and more. We’re in your corner every step of the way, no matter what the market is doing.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>A focused guide</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. We work with clients just like you, and we’ve truly seen it all. Our job is to take our years of experience and transform it into personalized financial advice that’s uniquely tailored to your individual goals and situation.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>A holistic planner</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. We focus on your portfolio, but we’re also helping you focus on: retirement, tax strategy, cash flow, career and stock option planning, insurance, education savings, and so much more. Our team looks at your financial plan as a sum of many moving parts. We worry about keeping all of these plates spinning so that you can achieve financial peace of mind and refocus your energy on what actually matters – living your life to the fullest.</span></li>
</ol>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">The WealthChoice Advantage </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In our experience, one of the top benefits our clients get from partnering with our firm is that we&#8217;re there to support them emotionally through every season of their lives. According to studies by </span><a href="https://corporate.vanguard.com/content/dam/corp/articles/pdf/putting_value_on_your_value_quantifying_vanguard_advisors_alpha.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vanguard</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the estimated financial benefit of behavioral coaching from your financial advisor can add up to 1.5% in additional returns in your portfolio, purely by helping clients manage their response to market turbulence.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Behind the charts, portfolios, and financial plans lies the most valuable aspect of our relationship: a trusted partner who understands both your financial situation and your personal journey. When markets plunge or life throws unexpected challenges your way, having someone who knows your goals and can provide objective guidance proves invaluable. We serve as a buffer between your emotions and your financial decisions, helping you avoid costly reactions to short-term events that could derail your long-term strategy.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This human element of financial advising often goes unmentioned in promotional materials focused on investment returns and technological capabilities. Yet, time and again, our clients tell us that what they value most is knowing they have someone in their corner who can validate their concerns while keeping them focused on the bigger picture. In a world of algorithmic investing and robo-advisors, this thoughtful, personalized guidance represents the true WealthChoice difference.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Want to learn more? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You deserve a financial planner who prioritizes your education, and empowers you to feel confident in your strategy – even during periods of market volatility. If you want to learn more about partnering with our team at WealthChoice, </span><a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/contact-us/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">we encourage you to book a complimentary consultation today</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. We’re here to support you in achieving your unique goals, whatever they may be.</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/stock-market-tariffs/">The Stock Market, Tariffs, and Partnering With WealthChoice</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Path from Executive Success to Financial Freedom: A Woman&#8217;s Guide to Wealth Transitions</title>
		<link>https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wealth-transitions/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zoë Meggert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2025 19:40:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Career]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Invest]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/?p=5589</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>If you play an integral role in your company as an executive or leadership-level team member, you may receive a [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wealth-transitions/">The Path from Executive Success to Financial Freedom: A Woman&#8217;s Guide to Wealth Transitions</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you play an integral role in your company as an executive or leadership-level team member, you may receive a competitive compensation package that includes stock options. When managed effectively, your company stock has the potential to accumulate a significant amount of earnings. This is how many professionals (like those working in tech companies or growing start-ups) are able to amass sizable wealth at a relatively young age.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anytime equity compensation is involved, it’s important to be aware of how certain business transitions or liquidity events could impact your portfolio. During exciting business (or professional) milestones, you may have the opportunity to do things like cash in and sell for a profit, increase your net worth, or accumulate additional shares at a lucrative price.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s dive deeper into the strategic planning that goes into making the most of a business transition.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Understand the Power of Your Executive Compensation Package</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most high-level executives are given a compensation package that extends far beyond a traditional salary and cash bonuses. Depending on your position, experience level, and the status of your company (private or public), you may have a compensation and benefits package that includes stock options.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These are typically offered in the form of:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Incentive stock options (ISOs)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Non-qualified stock options (NSOs)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Restricted stock units (RSUs)</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unlike a traditional salary reported on a W-2 each year, stock options can be complex from a tax planning perspective. The trade-off? They have the potential to accumulate significant value and supercharge your portfolio’s growth (especially for early or long-time employees).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aside from concerns over tax liability, it’s also crucial for executives with equity compensation to watch out for unintentional overconcentration within their portfolios. Additionally, suppose you have a large stock concentration in your own company. In that case, you run into another nerve-wracking scenario: what happens if your company starts to struggle and jeopardizes both your job and your portfolio value? </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As your shares vest or you exercise your options, your portfolio may become overweighted in company stock (especially if you don’t sell right away). This may increase your exposure to market volatility and risk, and you’ll need to make intentional decisions regarding portfolio diversification and preservation. At WealthChoice, we believe that stock awards are just a form of compensation that needs to be turned to cash that is then invested in a diversified portfolio! We work with clients to make sure every time they vest they are setting aside money to cover taxes. It’s important to note that most employers don’t withhold enough taxes to cover the taxes due on vesting shares. Most of our clients will owe additional tax, so we encourage them to have a plan to cover that future tax. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Managing Your Employer Stock During Major Transitions</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To manage your tax liability and risk levels, you’ll need to monitor your vesting schedule, the tax treatment of your specific type of equity compensation, and potential liquidity events.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This becomes especially important during significant transitions, such as experiencing an IPO or leaving your employer. Let’s briefly take a look at both potential scenarios.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Navigating an IPO</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If your company announces an IPO, this can be cause for celebration. For many, an IPO marks the first actual liquidity event. Until an IPO, employees of private companies may feel like their shares of company stock aren’t even “real money,” since there are limited (if any) opportunities to sell.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If your company has announced an IPO, you can work with an advisor and tax professional to do pre-IPO planning. Depending on your type of equity compensation, an IPO could trigger some of your shares to vest (and impact your tax situation). </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your employer should share important information with you regarding lock-up and blackout periods, which dictate how soon you’re allowed to start selling shares post-IPO. You may also need to use a 10b5-1 plan to conduct company stock trades (to comply with laws regarding insider trading). </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An IPO can be incredibly exciting, and it has the potential to increase your net worth significantly in a short amount of time. It’s natural to get caught up in the emotional component of experiencing an IPO (especially if you’ve been with the company from inception). But keep in mind that if your company shares rise in value post-IPO, it could cause your portfolio to become overconcentrated.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You should still maintain a long-term focus on your personal goals, and ensure your values and financial well-being are considered every step of the way. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exiting Your Company</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sometimes, equity compensation can be referred to as “golden handcuffs,” since it’s such an enticing and often rewarding benefit for loyal employees that it compels people to stay put. If you do choose to leave your job, you’ll again want to consider how your departure will impact your equity compensation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Generally speaking, leaving before your shares of company stock vest will require you to forfeit them for good. There may be certain instances, however, where you may be given a post-termination exercise period (usually around 90 days after your last day at work). If you are given this three-month window, you have the option to exercise your vested options—or watch them get absorbed back into the company. Keep in mind that exercising your options could trigger taxes if you’re awarded NQSOs. If you have ISOs, you won’t owe tax when options exercise (unless you’re required to pay alternative minimum tax). Either way, you will still need to cover the tax bill on all capital gains once you decide to sell.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, it’s also possible to leverage “left behind” stock options to negotiate a higher salary or a new stock award at a new job. So, if you’re concerned about navigating the tax implications, or just losing out on potential stock options if you were to go to a new company, keep this in mind!</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Creating Your Financial Blueprint to Navigate Wealth Transitions</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Perhaps one of the most important pieces of advice to keep in mind is that your equity compensation should support your financial life and goals, not dictate them completely. You have the power to define your ideal future. With some strategic planning and consideration, your growing net worth can help you accomplish your greater goals. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At WealthChoice, our team helps women in leadership manage their equity compensation through important transitions like IPOs or career transitions—all while keeping their greater financial priorities front and center. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you navigate every financial hurdle and opportunity coming your way, we invite you to </span><a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/contact-us/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">book a complimentary consultation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with our team.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 300; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic;"><br />
Our content is collaboratively written between our Bridget, Marnie, and team Perfectly Planned Content.<br />
</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wealth-transitions/">The Path from Executive Success to Financial Freedom: A Woman&#8217;s Guide to Wealth Transitions</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
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		<title>Thinking of Making a Major Career Move? Here’s How to Prepare Your Finances First</title>
		<link>https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/planning-for-a-major-career-move/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zoë Meggert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 19:51:56 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Career]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Plan]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/?p=5575</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>People change careers between three and seven times in a lifetime on average, making it likely you could experience a [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/planning-for-a-major-career-move/">Thinking of Making a Major Career Move? Here’s How to Prepare Your Finances First</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People change careers between three and seven times in a lifetime on average, making it likely you could experience a major career move someday soon. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anytime you prepare for a fresh chapter, it can be exciting, exhilarating, and of course, a little nerve-wracking too. (1)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But before turning in your two weeks and moving on to bigger and better things, it’s important to review your financial landscape and make the necessary moves to prepare yourself for the changes to come.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are a few simple steps for preparing your finances for this next phase of your professional life.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fill Your Emergency Fund</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Everyone should have an emergency fund that’s able to cover unexpected expenses like job loss, surprise medical bills, or unexpected home repairs. How much you choose to keep in your emergency fund is up to you, but the general rule of thumb is to stash aside enough to cover between three and six months’ worth of expenses.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though, under certain circumstances, you may feel more comfortable with closer to a year’s worth saved up. This may be the case if:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’re the family’s sole provider</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">You have multiple dependents who rely on your income (spouse, children, older adults, etc.)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">You work in a relatively volatile industry</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have a solid emergency fund that you feel comfortable living off of for an extended period of time, then you may be ready to make a career change. Otherwise, take some time (if you’re able) to grow your savings or transfer some of your less liquid assets into more easily accessible funds if necessary.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Consider Other Costs</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Changing careers may incur some unexpected costs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Depending on your situation, these could include:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Relocating to a new city (and possibly adjusting to a higher cost of living)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Professional equipment, supplies, or wardrobe</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Education, training, or certifications</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Professional insurance (for industries with liability concerns, like doctors, contractors, architects, etc.)</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you received benefits through your previous employer, such as health insurance, you’ll also need to consider how you’ll pay for continued coverage. If you’re unable to join a spouse’s health insurance plan, for example, you can continue your previous plan via COBRA (but the monthly premiums will be high). Or, you may be able to join a marketplace plan, though the premiums may still be higher since your employer is no longer subsidizing the cost.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Consider what other benefits or coverage your employer offered that you may need to address after leaving—401(k), disability insurance, life insurance, stipends, etc.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Look for Tax Opportunities</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anytime there’s a change to your work status, income, or family, it’s worth considering how your taxes may be impacted. If you take time off between jobs during this career pivot, for example, your income for the year may be lower than usual. Or, your career change might result in lower take-home pay (at least in the beginning).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you fall into a lower tax bracket than usual, perhaps this could be a good time to do a Roth conversion. As a reminder, this is the process of transferring funds from a 401(k) to a Roth IRA and immediately paying the tax bill. Or, you could sell certain assets that may be subject to short-term capital gains rates (which are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re pursuing self-employment or spending money on professional development and education, you may be able to take advantage of additional tax deductions. We recommend speaking with a tax professional about your career change and circumstances, as they’ll be able to help you decide what strategies make the most sense to pursue now and in the future.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-5576 aligncenter" src="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Financial-Planning-for-Career-Changes-800x450.jpg" alt="Woman at her desk with glasses on a notebook, doing financial planning " width="800" height="450" srcset="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Financial-Planning-for-Career-Changes-800x450.jpg 800w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Financial-Planning-for-Career-Changes-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Financial-Planning-for-Career-Changes-650x366.jpg 650w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Financial-Planning-for-Career-Changes-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Financial-Planning-for-Career-Changes-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Financial-Planning-for-Career-Changes.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fund Your Professional Growth</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People change careers for many reasons, often it’s in pursuit of a fresh start or to follow a personal passion. If you’re making a fairly drastic change, or you’d like to improve your skillset before starting, you may want to focus some time, energy, and funds on professional development.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re able, research your options at multiple price points—from free resources to paid subscription-based learning platforms to in-person workshops. Figure out what sort of development works best with your learning style and budget, and decide if it’s worth pursuing. Depending on the type of work you plan on doing, additional skills or certifications could lead to higher pay or a fast track to high-level positions.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Covering the Cost of Professional Growth</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before spending money out of pocket, check with your current or future employer about what opportunities or resources they have available. Some companies will put money towards advanced degrees or certifications—though often, you’ll need to make a commitment in return (like staying with the company for a certain number of years). </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have funds left in a 529 plan after a child went to college, you may be able to use withdrawals on eligible educational expenses (like course tuition). As long as the funds are used for educational purposes, they won’t count as taxable income—making them a tax-advantaged option when available.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Otherwise, you may need to incorporate anticipated professional development costs into your savings when preparing to make a major career pivot.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Changing Paths Soon? Prepare Your Finances First</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re thinking about switching jobs and trying something new, we applaud you for taking such an exciting next step. As you prepare for the journey ahead, consider what steps you may need to take to increase your financial stability through any hurdles that may arise. You may find it helpful to speak with a financial advisor about your intentions and concerns.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’d like to schedule a time to talk with our team at WealthChoise, we encourage you to </span><a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/contact-us/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">book a complimentary consultation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> now.</span></p>
<p>_______________________</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sources:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">1: </span><a href="https://study.uq.edu.au/stories/how-many-career-changes-lifetime"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://study.uq.edu.au/stories/how-many-career-changes-lifetime</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/planning-for-a-major-career-move/">Thinking of Making a Major Career Move? Here’s How to Prepare Your Finances First</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
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		<title>Equity Compensation Mastery: A Woman&#8217;s Guide to Building Wealth Through Stock Benefits</title>
		<link>https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/equity-compensation/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zoë Meggert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jan 2025 20:16:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Career]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Retire]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/?p=5553</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>At WealthChoice, we’ve partnered with breadwinner women for several years. Recently, we’ve seen an interesting shift for our clients – [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/equity-compensation/">Equity Compensation Mastery: A Woman&#8217;s Guide to Building Wealth Through Stock Benefits</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At WealthChoice, we’ve partnered with breadwinner women for several years. Recently, we’ve seen an interesting shift for our clients – more and more women at the peak of their careers are being awarded some form of equity or stock options as part of their overall compensation plan. This is especially true in the tech and startup space, as more and more companies work to secure top talent.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unfortunately, with an increase in equity compensation, we’ve also seen an uptick in gender pay gaps across our client base. A recent study has shown that women</span><a href="https://www.naspp.com/blog/gender-pay-gap-and-stock-compensation-data"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> receive 15-30% fewer stock option grants</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> than their male counterparts. This cements the idea that it’s still critical for women to negotiate their salaries confidently. Still, it may be even more important for them to gain confidence in what types of equity compensation are available – and ask for it. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Understanding Your Equity Package</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your first step is to gain a deeper understanding of what equity compensation you have available through your company. In general, there are a few types of common stock options that we see our clients deal with: </span></p>
<p><b>ISO (Incentive Stock Options):</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Employee stock options with a favorable tax treatment. There’s no tax at exercise, and you owe long-term capital gains if held more than one year after exercise and two or more years from the initial grant.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><b>NSO (Non-Qualified Stock Options): </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Standard stock options that are taxed as ordinary income at exercise based on the difference between strike price and fair market value.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><b>RSUs</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">: Company stock granted to employees that vests over time. Taxed as ordinary income based on fair market value when shares vest.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><b>ESPP:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> A program allowing employees to purchase company stock at a discount through payroll deductions. Tax treatment depends on the holding period and discount level.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re climbing the corporate ladder at a large public company, you’re likely looking at RSUs as part of your compensation package. However, other tech companies and startups employees may have a blended package, including NSOs, an ESPP program, and RSUs, which are made available after a company goes public. Regardless of your unique situation, it pays to chat with your manager or HR representative to learn more about what type of equity compensation is available to employees and at what level it’s offered.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Negotiation Strategies for Equity Compensation</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wondering when and how to bring up equity compensation? There are a few key trigger points that you can easily bring stock options and your compensation package into the conversation:</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>New job offers. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether you’re moving to a new role internally, or you&#8217;re going to a new company, this is a great time to raise the equity compensation question. For example, if a company can’t increase their base salary offer, you may be able to negotiate stock options as part of your overall compensation.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Promotions</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Often, at startups and tech companies, promotions may happen in title only. Especially in a tight economic market, there may not be enough cash flow to adequately support promotions across the board within the company. While it’s nice to be able to update your email signature and LinkedIn profile, those things certainly won’t pay your bills or help you unlock the financial freedom you’re working toward. Instead of requesting a base salary increase, discussing how equity compensation can play into your new role can help to set you up for future success.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Responsibility changes</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. At startups and tech companies, it’s all too common for scope creep to happen within each employee’s role. It can feel like everyone is wearing multiple hats, and before you know it you could be doing the job of 2-3 people – while only receiving your individual compensation. If you’ve had a significant change in responsibility within the company without a formal promotion or role change, you might consider asking about equity compensation. Framing it as a reflection of your vested interest in the company’s success will mirror the hard work you’ve been doing!</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It pays to remember that, regardless of when you’re having a conversation about equity compensation, it can be framed as a win-win situation for both you and your employer. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Companies offer stock options for several key reasons:</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Align employee &amp; company interests by tying compensation to company success</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Attract &amp; retain talent while conserving cash, especially for startups</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Give employees potential upside in company growth</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Compete with larger companies that can offer higher salaries</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Create sense of ownership and motivation among employees</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Luckily for you, equity compensation saves your company cash flow, and helps you to grow your portfolio </span><a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/retirement-planning-for-women/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">for retirement</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and beyond. Knowing this can help you to frame a conversation about equity compensation with your employer as a win for</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> them</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, as they’ll be saving money and retaining you as a key employee.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax Planning Essentials</span></h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-5554" src="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Equity-Compensation-800x450.jpg" alt="Woman in business considering her compensation package and smiling " width="800" height="450" srcset="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Equity-Compensation-800x450.jpg 800w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Equity-Compensation-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Equity-Compensation-650x366.jpg 650w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Equity-Compensation-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Equity-Compensation-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Equity-Compensation.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the primary reasons the breadwinning women we work with shy away from equity compensation is that tax treatment of stock options can feel complicated and confusing. Even if they’ve already been awarded stock options or shares, it’s easy for them to become stuck in an analysis-paralysis loop. They do research on how their shares are taxed, feel uncertain about how to exercise them without getting hit with a massive tax bill, and ultimately do nothing. </span></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is all too common, but can result in an even more costly tax mistake down the road. </span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once you understand how your stock options are taxed, you can start building a plan for timing your exercise or sale of shares. For example, you may want to sell your RSUs the same day they vest to avoid incurring short or long term capital gains taxes. However, if you have known liquidity or tax events coming up in your future, it may make sense to hold onto your shares for a longer period of time and sell them when it’s most tax advantageous.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Strategic Equity Management</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Equity compensation can help you move toward your goals by growing your overall portfolio value. However, it also poses a unique problem:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you hold a number of shares in your company, you often face an overconcentrated position. In other words, you have all of your eggs (or a large percentage of them) in one basket. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is amplified by the fact that your other compensation – salary and benefits – also come from your employer. So, if your company faces economic difficulties or turbulence, you could potentially:</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lose the value of your shares. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Face layoffs.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lose your salary and benefits.</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All in one fell swoop.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This makes it particularly important to diversify your portfolio, and to ensure you don’t become overconcentrated in your company stock, or hold too many shares in your particular industry. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Action Steps</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While it’s possible to create an equity management plan on your own, it can be challenging to navigate the tax implications of your stock, time the sale of your shares to reduce taxes and maximize your earnings, and balance your total portfolio to minimize the risk of overconcentration. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At WealthChoice, we help a number of our clients with navigating their equity compensation. Our team takes a hands-on approach, helping our clients negotiate their equity compensation, partner with their CPA to create a tax strategy, and map out a plan to make sure there are no surprise tax bills upon vesting and exercising their options. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have questions, or want to discuss your unique situation, </span><a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/contact-us/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">we encourage you to reach out</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. We’re here to help you leverage your equity compensation to achieve your unique goals – whatever those may be.</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/equity-compensation/">Equity Compensation Mastery: A Woman&#8217;s Guide to Building Wealth Through Stock Benefits</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
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		<title>Creating a 5-Year Financial Plan for Women: Where Will You Be in Five Years?</title>
		<link>https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/5-year-financial-plan-for-women/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Bethany McCamish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Dec 2024 18:10:10 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Career]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/?p=5541</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Life moves quickly, and five years can pass in the blink of an eye. As women executives, we often plan [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/5-year-financial-plan-for-women/">Creating a 5-Year Financial Plan for Women: Where Will You Be in Five Years?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Life moves quickly, and five years can pass in the blink of an eye. As women executives, we often plan for others—our teams, families, and businesses—but how often do we plan intentionally for ourselves? Creating a 5-year financial plan is about focusing on your goals and aligning your finances to achieve them. It’s not about what you </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">should</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> be planning for, but rather what you truly want from your future.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At WealthChoice, we specialize in crafting customized financial plans tailored to women’s unique needs. Let’s explore how to define your vision, prioritize your goals, and build a financial roadmap to support your dreams.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">What Do Your Next Five Years Look Like?</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first step to creating a 5-year financial plan for women is to visualize where you’d like to be in five years. What does success look like to you? Is it a career milestone, starting a business, buying a dream home, or funding your child’s education? Maybe it’s retiring early or transitioning into a role that offers more flexibility.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Women executives face unique challenges when it comes to financial planning—career gaps, caregiving responsibilities, and </span><a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/women-executives-and-the-gender-pay-gap-what-can-we-do/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">systemic pay gaps</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. That’s why it’s crucial to ask yourself what </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">you</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> want, rather than defaulting to societal expectations or outside pressures.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">What Are You Planning </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">For</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> vs. What You </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> You Should Be Planning For?</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One common mistake women make is financial planning based on what they think they </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">should</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> prioritize. For example, you might feel obligated to plan for your children’s futures before your own. Typically, they have a much longer runway for their financial goals, however this “obligation” can more drastically impact your plan and retirement goals. While caring for loved ones is important, your financial health needs to come first. A solid 5-year financial plan will give you the foundation to support others while achieving your personal goals.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ask yourself:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Am I saving for what truly matters to me?</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are my goals aligned with my personal vision for the future?</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Am I balancing my current needs with my long-term aspirations?</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To make this easier, we created the Passions and Pursuites worksheet, which </span><a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/passions-and-pursuits-worksheet/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">you can snag here. </span></a></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">How to Determine Priorities and Align Finances</span></h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-5544 aligncenter" src="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/create-a-5-year-financial-plan-800x450.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="450" srcset="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/create-a-5-year-financial-plan-800x450.jpg 800w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/create-a-5-year-financial-plan-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/create-a-5-year-financial-plan-650x366.jpg 650w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/create-a-5-year-financial-plan-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/create-a-5-year-financial-plan-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/create-a-5-year-financial-plan.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Defining your priorities starts with understanding what matters most. Take the time to list your goals and categorize them: short-term (1–2 years), mid-term (3–5 years), and long-term (5+ years).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Short-term: Build an emergency fund or pay off credit card debt. This could also be preparing for a promotion to increase your earnings. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mid-term: Save for a down payment on a home or fund a career sabbatical. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Long-term: </span><a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/retirement-planning-for-women/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plan for retirement</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and/or fund a child’s college education.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once you’ve defined your priorities, work with a financial planner to structure a financial plan that ensures your money is working toward these goals.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">5-Year Financial Plan for Women Must Define What You Want From Your Future</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your financial plan should reflect </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">your aspirations</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, not someone else’s. This means digging deep to define what you actually want from your future. Do you dream of financial independence, early retirement, or a career pivot? Are you prioritizing travel, philanthropy, or investing in a new venture?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At WealthChoice, we believe that no two women are the same—and neither are their financial plans. That’s why we work with you to create a customized 5-year financial plan that’s built around your unique values, goals, and dreams.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why WealthChoice is Different</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At WealthChoice, we don’t use cookie-cutter strategies. Instead, we partner with you to create a financial plan that’s both practical and exciting (because it gets you where you want to go). By focusing on your vision for the next five years, we help you align your finances with your personal and professional goals. Together, we’ll map out a plan that gives you clarity, confidence, and control over your financial future.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">_________________</p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAQs for Creating a 5 Year Financial Plan for Women Breadwinners that Supports Your Goals </span></h3>
<p><b>What is a good 5-year financial goal as women?</b><b><br />
</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">A good 5-year financial goal depends on your personal circumstances, but some examples include building a robust emergency fund, paying off debt, saving for a home, starting a business, </span><a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/compensation-negotiation-tips/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">negotiating a raise</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or investing for retirement. The key is to ensure your goals are measurable, achievable, and aligned with your values.</span></p>
<p><b>How do you plan financially for the year?</b><b><br />
</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Start by setting clear financial goals for the year, such as saving/investing a specific percentage of your income or reducing debt. Create a budget that tracks income and expenses, automate savings and investments, and regularly review your progress. Working with a financial planner for women can help ensure your short-term actions support your long-term vision.</span></p>
<p><b>When should I review my 5-year financial plan?</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Review your 5-year financial plan at least once a year or whenever you experience a significant life event, such as a job change, marriage, or having children. Regular updates ensure your plan stays aligned with your evolving goals.</span></p>
<p><b>Can I create a 5-year financial plan on my own?</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While it’s possible to create a plan on your own, working with a financial planner for women can provide expert guidance and customized strategies tailored to your unique circumstances and goals.</span></p>
<p><b>Why is future planning important for women?</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Women often face unique challenges, like career gaps, caregiving responsibilities, and longer lifespans, which can impact their financial futures. Future planning helps women address these challenges, prioritize their goals, and create financial security.</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629/5-year-financial-plan-for-women/">Creating a 5-Year Financial Plan for Women: Where Will You Be in Five Years?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wealthchoice.com/staging/2629">WealthChoice</a>.</p>
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