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Year-End Tax Strategies to Consider Before the December 31 Deadline
The closing weeks of 2025 present a critical window for investors to review their financial strategies and make adjustments that could significantly affect their tax obligations. Although financial planning should be an ongoing process throughout the year, numerous tax-related deadlines coincide with December 31, making this period particularly important for taking action. This article explores three key areas where investors should focus their attention: retirement account w

Chris Harris, FMVA
Dec 12, 20254 min read


Year-End Charitable Planning: Optimizing Your Philanthropic Strategy
Winston Churchill is often credited with saying that "it is more agreeable to have the power to give than to receive." The year-end period naturally prompts reflection on charitable contributions and their role within a holistic financial strategy. Strategic charitable planning serves dual purposes: advancing philanthropic objectives while enhancing tax efficiency. The key question extends beyond simply deciding to give—it involves determining the most effective methods to ma

Chris Harris, FMVA
Dec 3, 20255 min read


Understanding Recent Credit Market Concerns
There's an old saying that criminals rob banks because that's where the money is. Today, though, money isn't only held at traditional banks. It's spread across many different types of financial companies. After the 2008 financial crisis, policymakers wanted to make banks safer. However, this shift has created new challenges. With some recent company failures raising worries about cracks in credit markets, it's helpful for long-term investors to understand what this really mea

Chris Harris, FMVA
Nov 17, 20254 min read


Retirement Planning: Social Security COLA and Portfolio Considerations
For retirees and those approaching retirement age, there is no goal more important than ensuring their savings will support a long retirement. This challenge has been compounded by inflation over the past several years, which has eroded the purchasing power of cash savings. Today, prices remain elevated for the key spending areas affecting retirees the most, including healthcare, housing, and everyday necessities. Even though stocks and bonds are well-positioned to meet this

Chris Harris, FMVA
Oct 30, 20254 min read


Market Swings and Trade Tensions
Recently, the stock market saw its biggest one-day drop since April. This happened because of growing tensions between the U.S. and China over special metals and trade fees. The selloff didn't last long, though. Markets bounced back after the White House used gentler language about trade. For people investing for the long term, these ups and downs might feel familiar after a quieter period in the markets. Even with trade uncertainty this year, markets have done quite well. Th

Chris Harris, FMVA
Oct 13, 20253 min read


Market Update for Q4 2025: Understanding Mixed Economic Signals
Market ups and downs are a normal part of investing. This year has seen plenty of both. When markets fall(like during the tariff...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Oct 2, 20253 min read


Protecting Your Portfolio Against Inflation's Impact
Natural disasters teach us valuable lessons about preparation. Just as earthquakes strike suddenly while erosion occurs gradually, both...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Aug 21, 20253 min read


Understanding the "One Big Beautiful Bill" and What It Means for You
The new tax law and spending bill, aka the "One Big Beautiful Bill," was recently passed by Congress and signed by President Trump on...

Chris Harris, CFP® , FMVA
Jul 8, 20253 min read


Q2 2025 Market Recap: Headlines, Highs & Holding On
What a ride! The second quarter of 2025 threw a little bit of everything at investors—trade tariffs, geopolitical drama, policy...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Jul 1, 20252 min read


Navigating the Conflict in the Middle East
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has grabbed worldwide attention and made financial markets uncertain. Israeli attacks on...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Jun 17, 20254 min read


Navigating Estate Planning in an Era of Tax Law Changes
Building wealth through years of disciplined saving and smart investing naturally leads to questions about how to transfer these assets...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Jun 5, 20253 min read


April 2025 Market Review: Weathering Historic Volatility
The markets experienced extraordinary volatility in April as investors processed new tariff announcements. Despite the S&P 500...

Chris Harris, FMVA
May 1, 20252 min read


Trade Tariffs and Impact on Markets
On April 2, President Trump set new trade tariffs that affect most major trading partners. These "reciprocal" tariffs match what other...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Apr 3, 20252 min read


2025 Quarter Update: Navigating Trade Tensions and Market Volatility
The legendary investor Peter Lynch once said, "far more money has been lost by investors trying to anticipate corrections, than lost in...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Apr 1, 20252 min read


Trade War and Market Sell Off
Warren Buffett once said, "it has often been wise to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.” While this...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Mar 4, 20254 min read


2025 Market Update
January marked a positive but volatile start to the year for investors amid market shifts and policy concerns. President Trump returned...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Feb 6, 20254 min read


Nervous Start to 2025
The financial markets have experienced some turbulence in early 2025, with the S&P 500 declining 4.3% from its December 6 peak as the...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Jan 13, 20252 min read


2025 Market Outlook: Finding Balance in an Evolving Market
As we reflect on 2024, a year that defied pessimistic expectations, we're reminded that our greatest market fears often don't...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Dec 10, 20242 min read


Investment Implications of the 2024 Election
The 2024 presidential election has concluded with Donald Trump's victory and Republican control of the Senate. While this outcome elicits...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Nov 20, 20242 min read


Soft Landing?
First off, I don't like flying...I try to avoid it if I can. Something about the inability to be in control at 30,000 ft. above the...

Chris Harris, FMVA
Oct 17, 20242 min read
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