With the Federal Reserve’s recent announcement that is will drop interest rates, many investors are asking how a rate change could impact their portfolios. One of the most important — yet often misunderstood — relationships in finance is that between interest rates and bond prices. In this article, we’ll break down how they interact and why changes in rates can directly affect the value of your bond holdings.

One item that Dave Ramsey consistently hits on is the importance of a side hustle to increase income and better reach your financial goals. Side hustles come in all shapes and sizes: food delivery, lemonade stands, woodworking, buying and selling trading cards, and/or starting a lawn care business. The possibilities are virtually endless.

How much can you safely withdraw in retirement without running out of money? While the 4% rule is a good starting point, research by Bill Bengen—and tools like Monte Carlo simulations—help us build smarter, more personalized plans. At Whitaker-Myers, we go further by using strategies like rebalancing, managing sequence of return risk, and diversifying into non-correlated assets to help your retirement income last as long as you do.

This month, let’s talk about how to make wise, informed choices in the college application process—without letting emotions or pressure lead to financial regret.

Choosing between a 529 plan and a UTMA account can shape your child’s financial future. 529s offer tax-free growth for qualified education expenses, while UTMAs provide flexibility for any use benefiting the child. A balanced approach—starting with a UTMA and shifting to a 529—can mix tax benefits and preserve eligibility for education tax credits. Saving just $166 per month from birth can grow to $65,000–$100,000 by age 18, giving your child a strong start in life.

Morningstar’s research leaders, Damian Conover and Dan Rohr, shared insights on the power of wide moat investing—focusing on companies with lasting competitive advantages and sustainable profitability. Their rigorous research process, independence, and long-term perspective align with investors seeking resilient portfolios. The VanEck Morningstar Wide MOAT ETF exemplifies this strategy, outperforming the S&P 500 in most five- and ten-year periods.

If you’ve owned your home for several years, there’s a good chance the value of your property has increased over that period (especially in a high-demand area). Selling a home with a large capital gain can eat into years of equity by way of taxes to the IRS, which is why some homeowners choose to stay in the same home indefinitely.

Philanthropy has expanded far beyond writing a year-end check. Today, tools like Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) allow individuals and families to give more strategically, unlock valuable tax advantages, and even grow their charitable assets over time.

Retirement rules continue to evolve, and 2025 brings several important updates that could affect how much you save, when you access your funds, and how you manage taxes in retirement. Recent changes under the SECURE 2.0 Act have increased contribution limits, introduced new catch-up opportunities for older savers, and pushed back the age for required minimum distributions (RMDs).

Joe Mains, Whitaker-Myers Financial Advisor and Certified Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coach, shares his lessons learned from more than 30 years of personal and professional experience following Dave Ramsey’s principles. Drawing from his own journey, he highlights three key pitfalls to avoid: relying on debt financing, managing money separately from your spouse, and delaying investing for the future.

Life’s big moments—buying a home, starting a family, changing jobs—can all reshape your finances. A financial advisor can help you navigate these transitions, avoid costly mistakes, and build a plan for the future. Drew Hodgson's article explores how advisors are compensated, the value they can add (often as much as 3% to annual returns, according to Vanguard), and what to consider when deciding if professional guidance is right for you.

The 50/30/20 rule offers a simple way to manage your money: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and investments. With today’s rising costs, some may need to adjust closer to an 80/20 budget—but keeping that 20% dedicated to savings is key to long-term success. Mica McKenna breaks down how to apply the rule, adapt it to your situation, and keep your financial future on track.

For high-income earners, backdoor Roth IRA contributions are a powerful way to build tax-free retirement savings. On a separate note, rolling over an old 401(k) into an IRA can also be a smart move for better investment options and lower fees. However, when these two strategies intersect, the outcome can either work in your favor—or create an unexpected tax bill. Understanding why is critical before making a move.

Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has once again been named one of the Top 50 RIA Firms in the U.S. by ETF.com—our second consecutive year receiving this honor. This recognition highlights our expertise, growth, and leadership in helping clients navigate the ever-evolving world of Exchange Traded Funds. We are grateful for the trust of our clients and remain committed to serving with discipline and the heart of a teacher

September signals a new school year and, for parents of high school seniors, an important crossroads: preparing your student for college without sabotaging your own financial future.

In July of 2025, Chief Financial Planning Officer Tim Hilterman wrote an article highlighting some of the changes to the tax law in the recent “Big Beautiful Bill.” In this article, we’re going below deck and exploring one of those changes in more detail – the Senior Tax Bonus.

Ohio residents can choose where their tax dollars go—either to the state or directly to a local Christian school. Through the Ohio SGO tax credit, your donation provides scholarships for students in need while giving you a dollar-for-dollar reduction on your state tax bill, up to $750. Whitaker-Myers Tax Advisors makes filing simple and ensures your gift both lowers your taxes and strengthens Christian education in Ohio.

Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers proudly announces that President & CIO John-Mark Young, CFP®, has earned the prestigious Tax Planning Certified Professional® (TPCP®) designation from The American College of Financial Services. This advanced credential highlights his commitment to helping families maximize their financial plans through smart, values-based tax strategies—always with the heart of a teacher and a mission to serve clients with clarity and confidence.

Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers proudly announces that Financial Advisor Logan Doup has earned his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation. Joining colleagues Timothy Hilterman, CFP® and John-Mark Young, CFP®, Logan strengthens the firm’s commitment to client-first planning. The CFP® mark is the gold standard, ensuring expertise, fiduciary duty, and integrity—exactly what clients should expect from their trusted financial advisor.

Small-cap investing isn’t what it used to be. With private equity fueling growth before companies ever hit the public markets, true small-cap opportunities are shrinking. At Whitaker-Myers, we define Aggressive Growth as both mid-cap and small-cap stocks—splitting exposure to capture resilient names like Invesco and Smithfield Foods while still positioning for a small-cap rebound, which research partner Tom Lee believes may be just around the corner.