Inflation has reshaped household budgets and long-term financial planning, with the cost of living rising nearly 20% since 2021. This article explores practical budget adjustments and investment strategies designed to help protect purchasing power and build resilience during prolonged inflationary periods.

Gold and silver are grabbing headlines as investors seek shelter from inflation, volatility, and global uncertainty. While precious metals can play a limited role during turbulent times, they don’t generate income or long-term growth—and their prices are often driven by speculation. In this article, we explore the recent rise of gold and silver, weigh their pros and cons, and explain why true diversification through productive assets remains the most reliable path to lasting

Gold and silver have surged to record highs, reigniting investor interest in precious metals. But strong recent returns don’t automatically mean they belong at the center of your portfolio. In this article, we explore what’s driving today’s rally, the historical role of precious metals, and how gold and silver may fit into a diversified, long-term investment strategy.

Retirement planning doesn’t end when you stop working — it evolves. From managing RMDs and Medicare IRMAA surcharges to navigating the often-overlooked widow’s trap, smart tax planning can make a meaningful difference in preserving your wealth. Learn how strategic Roth conversions, tax diversification, and proactive planning can help protect your retirement income and support surviving spouses.

Trump Accounts are a new, government-backed investment tool designed to give children a powerful financial head start. With a one-time federal seed contribution, tax-deferred growth, and long-term investing in broad U.S. stock market index funds, these accounts harness the power of time and compounding. For parents and grandparents, Trump Accounts offer a forward-thinking way to build financial confidence and opportunity for the next generation.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

A tax refund isn’t a bonus—it’s proof you overpaid the IRS. By understanding your paycheck—earnings, pre-tax deductions, taxes, and net pay—you can adjust your federal withholding and keep more money in your pocket each month. For example, one couple discovered they’d loaned the government $7,000 interest-free. With the right strategy, that money could boost savings, investments, or debt payoff. Take control of your paycheck with smart planning and professional guidance.

ETFs offer investors diversification, liquidity, low costs, transparency, tax efficiency, and easy entry with small investments. Beyond traditional stocks and bonds, new ETF structures now provide access to asset classes like Private Credit and Cryptocurrency, once limited to wealthy investors. These features make ETFs a powerful tool for building wealth, managing risk, and customizing portfolios to meet financial goals.

Real estate can be a powerful tool for portfolio diversification, offering passive income, appreciation potential, and tax benefits. Unlike stocks and bonds, it provides stability during market volatility and allows greater control through active management. While risks like illiquidity and tenant challenges exist, strategic planning can help mitigate them. For many investors, real estate is a smart way to build wealth and strengthen financial security.

Peter Lynch once said, “If you spend more than 13 minutes analyzing forecasts, you’ve wasted 10.” His advice: ignore the noise and focus on your strategy. Mid-2025 returns show the S&P 500 up 8.1%, Nasdaq up 9.1%, Dow up 5%, Russell up 2.3%, and MSCI EAFE up 20%. Tech leaders like Nvidia and Microsoft boosted gains, while Apple and Tesla lagged. Diversification remains key. Stay the course—volatility is the cost of strong long-term returns.

Consistently investing through dollar-cost averaging (DCA) helps reduce emotional stress and risk, even when markets hit all-time highs. Historical data shows buying at market peaks often leads to strong long-term returns, with nearly 30% of past highs becoming lasting floors. Rather than waiting for the perfect moment, disciplined, regular investing—Always Be Buying (ABB)—has proven to be a reliable strategy for long-term wealth building.

A new provision in the tax bill creates “Trump Accounts” for babies born between 2025–2028, starting with a $1,000 government deposit and allowing up to $5,000/year in contributions. Invested in a stock index fund, these accounts could grow into millions by age 50 through consistent saving and compounding. With just $50/month, families can give children a powerful financial head start. Learn how to make the most of this opportunity.

In investing, risk isn’t binary—it’s a spectrum. Advisors help manage unsystematic risks like business or regulatory issues through diversification and planning. While systematic risks like inflation or geopolitical events can’t be controlled, advisors prepare clients to navigate them with confidence. It’s not about predicting the future—it’s about being ready for it. Ready to build resilience into your plan? Let’s talk.

Rising tensions between Israel and Iran have led to market volatility and energy price swings. While geopolitical events can cause short-term disruption, history shows markets typically recover. Investors should avoid overreacting and stay focused on long-term goals. U.S. energy independence helps buffer economic risks, and diversified portfolios remain the best defense in uncertain times.

Investor psychology plays a powerful role in decision-making, especially during market volatility. Common behavioral biases like loss aversion, herd mentality, overconfidence, recency bias, and anchoring can lead to emotional and costly investment choices. By understanding these biases and focusing on long-term goals, diversification, and a solid financial plan—ideally with professional guidance—investors can stay disciplined and make smarter decisions.

A recession is a period of economic decline, often marked by reduced spending, job cuts, and falling GDP. While headlines may predict it, we usually only recognize a recession in hindsight through lagging indicators like unemployment and corporate earnings. Market downturns can create long-term opportunities for investors, but strategies vary by situation. Always consult a financial advisor to navigate uncertain times and protect your financial goals.