Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers is pleased to announce that John-Mark Young has earned the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) certification from the Investments & Wealth Institute. The advanced credential focuses on the planning needs of high-net-worth families — equity compensation, business succession, estate and charitable planning, and advanced tax strategy — and reflects John-Mark’s commitment to bringing sharper, more complete advice to the families the firm serve

Not all investment portfolios are built the same way. Associate Financial Advisor Joseph Browning breaks down the three major retirement portfolio types—indexed, factor-based, and actively managed—exploring their advantages, disadvantages, and approaches to investing. Learn why understanding what you own and how your portfolio works is an important step toward aligning your investments with your long-term financial goals.

Market downturns can be unsettling, especially when you see your hard-earned savings lose value. But volatility is a normal part of stock market investing, and understanding how it works can help you avoid emotional decisions and stay focused on your long-term goals. Financial Advisor David Gearhart explores why volatility matters, how time horizons and risk tolerance influence investment decisions, and how investors can use strategies like dollar-cost averaging and rebalanci

Working through the Baby Steps and focused on getting out of debt? Insurance may feel like another expense, but the right coverage can protect the progress you’re working so hard to make. Learn which types of insurance are essential, when to consider life and disability coverage, and why protecting your income matters—even while you're paying off debt.

Choosing a business structure is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting a business. Associate Financial Advisor Jonah Kearns breaks down the key differences between sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, S Corporations, and C Corporations, including taxes, liability protection, ownership, and growth considerations.

Mortgage rates are back above 7%, a level not sustained in nearly 25 years, and the ripple effects reach well beyond homebuyers. The 'lock-in' effect is keeping existing homeowners in place, existing home sales continue to slide, and refinancing has dropped to multi-year lows. Yet home prices remain near record highs, propping up the wealth effect that has kept consumer spending resilient. Here's what higher-for-longer rates could mean for households, the housing market, and

Why "Bluespring"? Because every spring is fed by a source — a hidden body of water that determines everything about what flows out. The same is true of financial advice. Every recommendation you'll ever receive rises from some worldview, whether it's named or not. Ours is named: the Word of God, with its 2,300+ verses on money, wealth, and stewardship. As Whitaker-Myers becomes Bluespring, the name changes — but the aquifer feeding our advice never will. Come see what's benea

Every time the S&P 500 hits a record, investors wonder how their own accounts measure up. But the S&P 500 covers only two of Dave Ramsey's four categories — Growth and Growth & Income — leaving out Aggressive Growth and International entirely. Comparing four categories to two isn't a scorecard; it's a recipe for frustration. Here's what's happening beneath the headlines in small caps, value stocks, and international markets, and why owning all four still matters.

For many families, funding a child's education is a top financial goal — and grandparents often want to help. A recent change to federal financial aid rules now excludes grandparent-owned 529 accounts from the student income portion of the aid calculation, removing a longstanding drawback. Combined with tax-free growth, generous gifting limits, and new flexibility for unused funds, these accounts deserve a second look as part of a family's education funding and legacy plannin

Car repairs, Christmas, and insurance premiums may feel like unexpected expenses, but they’re often predictable costs that can be planned for. Associate Financial Advisor Jonah Kearns explains how sinking funds help break larger expenses into manageable monthly savings, making it easier to stay on budget and avoid unnecessary financial stress.

Retirement planning involves much more than choosing investments and saving enough money. Financial Advisor David Gearhart highlights five common retirement mistakes—from waiting too long to plan and overlooking taxes to taking too much investment risk or making emotional decisions—and explains how thoughtful planning can help reduce financial stress.

For self-employed individuals, a SEP IRA may be the first retirement plan that comes to mind—but it isn’t the only option. Nick Allen explains how a Solo 401(k) can offer higher contribution potential, Roth savings, and added flexibility for sole proprietors, LLC owners, S-corp owners, and 1099 workers.

Thinking about a backdoor Roth IRA contribution? The IRS pro rata rule could create an unexpected tax bill if you have pre-tax money in a Traditional, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA. Ben Allen breaks down how the rule works, why it matters, and what to consider before making a conversion.

After 40 years of marriage, Joe Mains and his wife, Tammi, have learned that building wealth is about more than choosing the right investments—it’s about working together, staying consistent, and being willing to change. In this personal story, Joe shares how discovering Dave Ramsey transformed their marriage and finances and the wealth-building principles that helped them reach their retirement goals.

Retirement planning doesn't have to be complicated, but it does require intentionality and consistency. From setting retirement goals and saving 15% of your income to managing debt, preparing for healthcare costs, and creating an estate plan, these nine steps can help you build a stronger financial foundation for the future.

2022 was a historic year for bonds, challenging the long-held assumption that fixed income would always provide a reliable buffer against stock market volatility. Associate Financial Advisor Clay Reynolds examines what caused the bond market's unprecedented decline, how rapidly rising interest rates affected bond prices, and what investors can learn when building a resilient portfolio.

Get answers to the top questions our financial advisors received in July and August. Explore expert insights on what July's negative jobs report signals for the economy, why the U.S. intervened to support the Japanese yen, and what is driving recent S&P 500 record highs alongside strong corporate earnings. Gain clarity on changing Federal Reserve rate expectations, shifting valuations, and key macro trends to help you maintain a balanced, long-term perspective for your portfo

July brought increased market volatility as investors weighed AI infrastructure spending, geopolitical tension in the Middle East, and shifting Fed policy. Despite short-term pullbacks, broad markets remain near all-time highs following strong year-to-date performance. Key drivers—from rising Treasury yields and oil price spikes to new trade tariffs—highlight the ongoing importance of portfolio balance. Discover essential lessons from July's economic shifts to help navigate t

Treasury yields have climbed to their highest levels in years, creating both opportunities and challenges for investors. In this edition of Investment Corner, Co-Chief Investment Officer & Chief Operating Officer Summit Puri explains what rising interest rates and real yields mean for stocks, bonds, inflation, and why maintaining a balanced portfolio is more important than ever.

Ohio's Sales Tax Holiday returns in 2026, but with significant changes from the expanded program offered in recent years. Financial Advisor Andrew Young explains what qualifies, when the tax-free weekend takes place, and how families can plan ahead to maximize their back-to-school savings.