Insights
Clarity, one idea at a time
Plain-English guidance on taxes, investing, estate planning, and life in (and beyond) New Orleans.
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12 Common Mistakes Gen X Makes With Their Money (And How To Fix Them)
Sandwiched between two media-worthy generations, millennials and baby boomers, it’s easy to see how Gen X can be considered the “Forgotten Generation.”.
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4 Things You Need To Consider Before Purchasing A Rental Property
Contrary to popular belief, real estate investing isn’t all HGTV flower boxes and passive income filling your bank account. Whether you’re purchasing a single-family home, duplex.
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5 Important Retirement Savings Milestones to Reach In Your 50s
When you’re just a few short years away from retirement, there are some exciting milestones to prepare for. Now’s the time to buckle down and think about what you want your retirem.
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5 Reasons Your 50s Are the Prime Time For Wealth Building
Your 50s is the decade for building wealth that will help sustain your lifestyle in retirement, it's a good time to start making plans.
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5 Ways Your New Orleans CFP Can Help You Maximize Your Tax Refund
After the revelry of the Mardi Gras subsides, it’s time to turn your attention toward something less festive: tax season. However you feel going into it, everyone has the same goal: maximize my refund and minimize my tax liability.
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7 Reasons Why You Should Focus Your Retirement Planning to New Orleans
Discover top reasons for retiring in New Orleans-low taxes and vibrant culture await! It's hard to beat Festival Season in the Big Easy.
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7 Steps to Start Building Wealth Now
A step-by-step approach to build wealth and simplify your decisions and reduce stress. Stop paying debt and have your money work for you!
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A Little Relaxation and Vacation Can Get You Back on Track
Whether you have a large balance of PTO or have to take some unpaid time off to reset, vacation is something we all deserve. Don't wait!
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A New Age of Opportunity
Computers and other advancements have altered how we earn, spend, and how we shape our own futures. There are pros and cons to every change.
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Are Two Heads Always Better Than One?
Choosing to form a partnership may not be the best decision for everyone or for every situation, but it can be very beneficial if entered into for the right reasons and with a realistic understanding of both the positive gains and negative drawbacks.
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Before You Kick Back to a Traditional Retirement, Read This
Retirement shouldn’t mean you retreat from life. Find ways to stay active in your community so you can feel engaged and productive.
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Budgeting for Coffee Sucks, Try This Instead
Budgeting for coffee sucks -- and it’s not worth your time or effort to pour your energy. Instead, take a look at the big ticket purchases.
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Budgeting for the Holidays?
Staying within a holiday budget, and prioritizing quality experiences, means you may have extra cash, or time, or good old Christmas cheer to be able to give freely, whether that’s with money, time, or hospitality – all of which carry value and can be worth their weight in gold to those on the receiving end.
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Buying a boat? Read this first
Before you commit to boat ownership or go buy that captain’s hat, let’s weigh the pros and cons of buying a boat together.
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Career Change and Pocket Change: Financial Advice for Career Shifters
ideally, no career change should happen without thoroughly weighing all the pros and cons, and carefully considering the financial ramifications of what is usually a monumental life decision.
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Creating A Strong Tax Planning Strategy Can Save You Thousands, Here’s How
Tax planning is a critical component of your overall financial strategy. Shift your focus from tax season to tax year, and see the impacts.
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Do You Have Investing FOMO?
Your FOMO could lead to serious financial costs.
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Doing more chores than your spouse? (You must be the mathematician!)
What's the best way to handle the finacial chores as your financial world becomes more complex? Don't forget to share some with your sweetie.
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Don’t Let Identity Theft Ruin the Holidays
Identity theft and similar scams can ruin your Christmas cheer. Consider the steps you can take to spend safely this holiday season.
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Empty Nesters, Is It Time To Downsize?
Downsizing can open up many new possibilities in retirement from cash flow to lifestyle enhancements. Is this move for you?
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Generation X? I feel your pain!
One of our most important roles is helping GenX clients juggle the overwhelming responsibilities today while also planning for the future.
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Gifting Graduates with Financial Wellbeing
May the gift of financial health be one that we continue to share and pass down to graduates, for that is the gift that keeps on giving.
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Here’s Why You Should File Your Taxes Early This Year
Filing your taxes can be a financial chore, but filing early comes with many benefits. Let's take a look at the top four.
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How A Louisiana 529 Plan Can Help You Maximize Your College Savings
A Louisiana 529 Plan can help you maximize your college savings so you can use your hard-earned dollars in the best way possible.
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How Gen X Can Balance Making Big Purchases Without Adding Bad Debt
Debt management is crucial for Gen X. Paying for the big ticket items without sacrificing future savings takes a delicate balance.
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How Gen X Can Start Off 2021 On Good Financial Footing
Today, we’re going to look at the top ways the generation that wears many hats can prioritize their financial wellbeing in the new year.
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How Much Is Too Much College Debt?
Here’s an easy way to start estimating an appropriate amount of student loans:
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How The Sandwich Generation Can Take Control Of Their Finances
The sandwich generation faces many financial and personal obstacles with managing their own money plus that of their parents and children.
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How To Balance Saving for Tomorrow and Living For Today
How can you find financial balance? Striking the right mix of saving and spending depends on your goals and vision for the future.
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How To Create a Retirement Lifestyle Plan That You and Your Spouse Love
How to create a retirement plan that you love! The Golden Years are all about intentionality. It's never to soon to plan your future.
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How to Write a Nasty Email or Blog
Not all emails are meant to be sent. Don't let emotions get the best of you and write a nastygram that you may regret, do this instead.
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In Times of Change, Focus on Your Financial Plan
The best way to safeguard against panic and emotional reactions in the markets is to have a financial plan - and then stick to it.
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Is “breaking news” killing your financial plan?
"Breaking" news kills financial plans. It means utterly nothing to normal investors. Daily changes can feel exciting, but they're just noise.
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Is A Career Change Right For You? Top Questions To Consider Before Resigning
Before you consider if a career change is the right or you, the questions to ask yourself before you do, and the steps to help get you there.
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Is Cash Always King?
Cash's place in a well-balanced portfolio has been debated for years. How much cash is right for you? Can you have too much? Find out here.
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Key Ways The $1.9 Trillion COVID-Relief Bill Will Affect You
The American Rescue Plan bill was designed to support the economy at large. Let’s take a look at the main benefits coming your way.
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Live Long and Prosper? 5 Ways to Plan for Extended Longevity in Retirement
In today's world of increased longevity, you want to plan mentally, physically, and financially for a longer life.
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Love and Money: The Funny Month of February
Love and Money. For new couples and newlyweds, February is a great time to review how far you’ve come and plan once again for the year ahead.
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Make Room for Your Passion in Your Life and Your Budget
There are two major roadblocks that get in the way of pursuing your passion: time and money. Here are 4 tips to help you accommodate both!
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Make the Most of Your Vacations: Save for Travel, Not a Vacation Home
Instead of saving money to buy a vacation home, it makes much more financial sense to save for vacations themselves.
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Making Smart Money Moves for School
Now that school is back in session, it's time to look into some smart money moves for school plans. And we’re not just talking college!
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Managing Kids’ Tech Use
Parents need to set expectations and guidelines for acceptable online behavior. A technology contract can be the best way to establish those boundaries.
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Michael Rivas quoted in Investment News
Mr. Rivas encourages clients to “invest in themselves ahead of time”. Get financial help now, so you can reach your goals sooner than later.
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Net Worth Summaries vs Portfolio Reporting
At this time of year, we shift our focus to something truly fascinating – the net worth summaries of our valued clients. It never ceases to amaze us as we delve into the diverse ra.
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Parents, How to Get Your Kids Into the Right Louisiana High School
Where your student goes to high school is a big deal in New Orleans, it can impact their future choices of college, job and networking.
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Ready to invest in real estate? Take a close look at your margins
Real estate is a labor. If you’re not willing to do your homework before you invest in real estate, don’t expect location to save you.
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Resist Progress at Your Own Peril
Don't be tempted to tune into the media hype and react to what you hear on the news, take a step back. Set your emotions aside. Stay the course.
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Retirement Living in New Orleans: Exploring the Best Neighborhoods
Which New Orleans neighborhood is right for you? Explore different parts of the city as you prepare for retirement living.
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Should You Rent or Buy a Home?
Buying a house (or choosing not to) can be a highly emotional decision. It's important to talk through this issue .
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Should You Take a Loan From Your 401(k)? (And Why The Answer Is Usually No)
Should you really take a loan from your 401(k) plan? The costs and disadvantages tend to outweigh the benefits-here's why.
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Stop the online marketing madness!
Keeping a lid on spending can be a challenge when we’re constantly inundated with online marketing designed to lead us away.
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Tax Planning Checklist
Planning ahead the best way to prepare for tax savings. Here's a few questions to consider while doing your tax planning.
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Teach Your Kids Early About The Value of Money
Start teaching kids financial lessons early to give them a gift that will pay dividends (and interest) for the rest of their lives.
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The Basics of Benefits Enrollment Packages
As open enrollment season approaches, it’s time to optimize your benefits enrollment package.
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The mighty dollar: The good, the bad, and the ugly
Is a strong dollar all good news or is there more to consider? Here’s a quick peek at the good,the bad, and the ugly of a high-flying dollar.
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The Problem With “Free” In Finance and Why It Can Come At A Steep Cost
If it is free, you are the product! If you’re getting something for free, there will be a tradeoff. Whether it’s future costs, wasted time, or privacy violations, the cost is real.
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The Retirees Guide to New Orleans: Exploring the Vibrant Culture, Cuisine, and Community
Thinking of retiring to New Orleans? If this city is on your radar, you may already know why it’s a fantastic retirement destination. If you haven’t considered New Orleans, now is.
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Thinking About Buying a Boat? Read This First (Refreshed for Your Summer Dreaming!)
Having a boat can be a blast, but don't forget to tally up the true costs. Is buying a boat the right choice for you this summer?
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To Own or Not to Own?
Let’s look at what is both good and bad about business ownership, and what successful business owners can learn from failed startups.
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Want To Become A Better Investor? Fix These 5 Common Mistakes
Investing is essential to building wealth. Here are the top investing mistakes we see Gen X families make, and how to avoid them.
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What Financial Professionals Should You Have on Your Money Dream Team?
Find out how the Money Dream Team can simplify your financial journey with professional guidance and support.
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What is going on with gold!?!
When things seem to 'normalize', gold becomes expensive to hold since there's no dividends and a cost of carry. Gold doesn't pay!
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What Is Long-Term Care Insurance, And Is It Right for You?
Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care, without protection, you could be stuck paying all the bills. Do you need long-term care insurance?
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What Women and Men Get Right about Investing
Several recent studies have shown that women who invest outperform men:
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What’s A Usufruct? What Louisiana Residents Need To Know
Louisiana's legal system has a unique legal heritage. It is the only state that operates under a Civil Law system and is rooted in French Law.
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What’s the best way to fund college in Louisiana?
People often ask me, "What's the best way to fund college expenses for a loved one?" A Louisiana 529 plan or 'LA Start' is the clear winner.
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Why ‘Tapering’?
"Tapering" will allow those awash in cash to put the money back to work for them while reducing shocks to the system.
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Why Average Investors Don’t Beat the Market
Investors are getting beat up trying to beat the market. Investors get into a world of trouble when they start trying to time the market 'trading'.
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Why Net Worth Matters More Than Portfolio Returns
D you have a plan to grow your wealth or are you just reacting when problems pop up? Planning for success makes a difference!
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Why You Should Sell Your Vacation Home
If you’re still working to build wealth, you should sell your vacation dream home and use the money to invest in true assets.
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Why Your Retirement Is More Important Than Saving for College
Every parent wants to help their children succeed. Saving for college is important, but funding retirement comes first.
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Yes, You Need Digital Estate Planning. Here’s Why.
Ready to plan for those digital assets? Your digital estate plan provides legal protection for your loved ones and executor.
Ready for a plan that's actually clear?
Book a no-pressure consultation. We'll talk through where you are, where you want to go, and whether we're the right fit. (We'll tell you honestly if we're not.)