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.

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.

Preparing for college goes beyond dorm shopping—it’s about finalizing paperwork, having key conversations, and setting a strong financial foundation. From budgeting and insurance to emotional readiness, families can ease the transition. With the One Big Beautiful Bill Act reshaping college financing, thoughtful planning is crucial. Whitaker-Myers offers tools, guidance, and consultations to help students start college with confidence.

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.

John-Mark Young, CFP®, was named to AdvisorHub’s “Advisors to Watch” for the third year in a row — one of only 11 RIA-based advisors in Ohio and 10 in Florida. As a fiduciary RIA, Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers offers independent, client-first advice with no revenue sharing. “We are so thankful for our clients and their trust,” says John-Mark. “Your referrals and relationships mean the world to us — and we pray for you weekly!”

Getting rich and building wealth aren't the same. Riches can come fast and disappear just as quickly. Wealth is built over time—through discipline, smart investing, and long-term planning. One is flashy; the other is lasting. At Whitaker-Myers, we help you take the steady, proven path to true financial security. Don't just get rich—build wealth that lasts.

Kelly Taylor Chief Compliance Officer at Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers, has earned the Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP®) designation—an achievement that reflects her deep expertise and commitment to regulatory excellence. The IACCP® program is a rigorous, ethics-centered certification for compliance leaders in the investment advisory space. Kelly’s leadership strengthens our ability to deliver client-first service rooted in integrity, transparency