Business Ownership vs. Index Investing: A Deeper Look at the Buss/Lakers Debate
A popular stat suggests indexing the S&P 500 would have been a better investment than Jerry Buss's purchase of the Lakers. This article dismantles that myth, revealing how the real math of leverage, cash flow, and tax efficiency tells a much different, and more profitable, story about building true wealth through ownership.
Why the viral stat about the Lakers' sale misses the point on how real wealth is built.
Read Andrew’s Story
There's a fascinating piece of financial trivia that often circulates among investors and sports fans alike. It lays out a simple, and seemingly mind-blowing, comparison:
At first glance, the takeaway seems simple: even owning a storied franchise like the Los Angeles Lakers couldn't beat a simple index fund. But for savvy owners, advisors, and executives, this comparison immediately raises red flags. It represents a fundamental misunderstanding of how strategic wealth is built, and it overlooks the immense financial and personal advantages of business ownership.
This article is for anyone who suspects there's more to the story. We’re going to go beyond the surface-level analysis and break down what the one-dimensional math ignores, from the real financial returns to the priceless advantages that ownership provides.
Key Takeaways:
IRR vs. ROI: When accounting for leverage and annual cash flow, the Lakers investment likely produced an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) more than double that of the S&P 500.
Tax Efficiency: Business owners can use before-tax dollars and deductions (like Section 179 and QBI) to significantly increase their financial efficiency compared to passive investors.
Priceless Returns: The true value of ownership includes non-financial returns like legacy, hands-on experience, and networking opportunities that an index fund cannot provide.
The Problem with the $13 Billion Number
Let me be clear: the S&P 500 is a fantastic investment tool, and its long-term performance is a powerful force for passive wealth creation. The problem isn’t with the index; it's with using it as a simplistic benchmark against a complex, multi-faceted asset like a business. The headline comparison falls apart under the weight of two realities that every business owner understands intuitively: Leverage and Cash Flow.
The Initial Investment Wasn't $67.5 Million in Cash
The first flaw in the comparison is the initial figure. Jerry Buss was a master of the deal. The $67.5 million transaction was for a portfolio of assets that included the Lakers (NBA), the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), The Forum arena, and a 13,000-acre ranch. More importantly, the deal was incredibly complex and highly leveraged. It involved multiple escrows, property swaps (including a transaction involving the Chrysler Building), and the efforts of over 50 lawyers. While the exact cash out of his pocket is not public, reports from the time estimated that Buss’s actual cash invested in the entire transaction may have been as low as $125,000, not including closing costs. Another analysis suggests his down payment was closer to $16 million. Let's be conservative and use the higher figure. If a $16 million investment grows into a stake worth billions, the return multiple is astronomical; far exceeding the S&P 500. This is the power of using leverage to control an asset, a tool unavailable to a typical index fund investor.
The Final Sale Price Ignores 45 Years of Income
The second, and arguably bigger, flaw is that the $10B valuation only represents the asset's value at the end. It completely ignores the decades of annual income the Lakers generated for the Buss family. The Lakers are a financial powerhouse. Even going back a decade, Forbes estimated the team's operating income for 2015 was $133 million. For the 2022-2023 season, their revenue was $516 million with an operating income of $159 million. This doesn't even account for the team's league-leading local TV deal with Spectrum SportsNet, worth hundreds of millions per year. While precise distributions are private, the publicly available data shows that the team generated billions in both revenue and profit over the Buss family's ownership tenure. That profit is money that could be enjoyed, reinvested in other ventures, or used to more quickly service the very debt that bought the team in the first place. This is why, for complex assets, a simple return multiple is the wrong tool. The only way to properly measure a deal like this is with a metric that accounts for all the cash flows (in and out) over the entire life of the investment: the Internal Rate of Return (IRR).
A Tale of Two IRRs: The Headline vs. Reality
The table below models the two approaches. The first column details the 'headline' scenario, which assumes an unlevered $67.5 million investment in the S&P 500. The second column models the more realistic 'reality' scenario of a leveraged $16 million investment in the Lakers, including estimated annual distributions.
The key takeaway is staggering. The Lakers ownership deal generated nearly an identical total net profit, but did so using less than a quarter of the initial capital and produced an IRR that was more than double that of the S&P 500.
The Money You Don’t See (Cash Flow & Perks)
The fundamental error in the "S&P is better" argument is its failure to recognize that a business is not a static number on a screen; it’s a living, breathing engine designed to generate income. The final sale price of an asset like the Lakers ignores the decades of cash flow produced along the way. This ongoing financial benefit generally comes in two forms: direct compensation and integrated perks.
The Annual Paycheck: Salary & Distributions
Unlike a passive stock holding, a profitable business pays its owner. For an active owner, this typically begins with a reasonable salary for the work they perform in the company. This is the reward for the day-to-day effort of running the enterprise. But the more significant reward comes from the profits. After all expenses are paid, including that salary, the remaining profit (the "net income") belongs to the owner and can be taken as a distribution (or dividend). This is the direct return on investment an owner receives for their capital and risk. This ability to generate cash without selling the underlying asset is a cornerstone of an owner's financial freedom
The "Lifestyle Asset": An Apples-to-Apples Look at Your Dollars
Beyond direct pay, the ability to run legitimate expenses through a business creates a massive financial advantage through the power of paying with before-tax dollars versus after-tax dollars. To show the real-world impact, let's create a clear, apples-to-apples comparison using only the 2025 federal income tax brackets for simplicity. Imagine two individuals: one is a high-income salaried employee, and the other is a business owner. Both need a new $80,000 vehicle. For an employee at this income level, their earnings for that purchase alone would place them in the 24% federal marginal tax bracket if they were to purchase the vehicle outright. This means the last dollars they earn, the ones they'd use for a large purchase, could be taxed at an even higher rate.
The Salaried Employee:
To have $80,000 in cash to buy the car, they must first earn that money and pay federal income tax on it. To get $80,000 of take-home pay, they would need to earn approximately $105,263. After paying 24% in federal taxes on those earnings (about $25,263), they are left with the $80,000 they need.
$105,263(Gross Pay)−$25,263(24%Federal Tax Owed)=$80,000(Net Pay)
The Business Owner:
The owner also needs an $80,000 vehicle, which will be used solely for legitimate business purposes. The business can purchase the vehicle directly. That $80,000 is a business expense. Thanks to tax provisions like Section 179 or bonus depreciation, the business may be able to deduct the full purchase price from its income in the first year. This deduction reduces the business's taxable income by $80,000, saving the company (and by extension, the owner) $19,200 in federal taxes (24% of $80,000).
The Bottom-Line Impact
To afford the exact same vehicle, the employee had to use $105,263 of their gross earning power. The business owner, by using their company as the purchaser of the vehicle, effectively only used $60,800 of their earning power ($80,000 cost - $19,200 tax savings). This isn't a loophole; it's a fundamental principle of the tax code designed to encourage business investment.
A Masterclass in Tax Efficiency
If cash flow is the engine of day-to-day wealth, then tax strategy is the high-performance oil that keeps that engine running at maximum efficiency. It's not about 'finding loopholes'; it's about strategically using a rulebook that is specifically designed to reward business investment and growth. For a business owner, the U.S. Tax Code provides a rich and dynamic playbook for legally minimizing tax liability. This advantage is built on three pillars: choosing the right foundation, understanding the full universe of deductions, and leveraging industry-specific opportunities.
The Foundation: Why Your Entity Structure is Your Financial Blueprint
Before a single dollar is earned, the most critical decision a business owner makes is choosing their entity structure. This choice dictates how profits are taxed, what deductions are available, and how the owner is compensated.
LLC (Limited Liability Company):
A popular starting point, the LLC is a legal entity (not a tax entity) that offers liability protection. Many sole proprietors will elect to have this treated as a "disregarded entity" for tax purposes, making filing simpler as it can all be done on their personal return: the 1040. As income increases, the next step is to choose how the entity is taxed.
S-Corporation (S-Corp):
For many profitable small businesses, the S-Corp is the gold standard of tax efficiency. It allows the owner to pay themselves a reasonable salary (subject to payroll taxes) and then take any additional profits as distributions. These distributions are not subject to self-employment taxes, which can result in thousands of dollars in annual tax savings compared to taking all compensation as salary.
C-Corporation (C-Corp):
The structure of major enterprises like the Lakers, a C-Corp is a separate tax-paying entity. While its profits are subject to corporate income tax, potentially leading to double taxation, it offers maximum flexibility for growth, raising capital, and providing more extensive, and deductible, employee benefits; many of which can also be additional forms of compensation for the owner.
The Universe of Deductions: Lowering Taxable Income Year After Year
Once the structure is set, owners can leverage a vast array of legitimate business expenses to lower their taxable income. We saw the power of this with the vehicle example, but it extends much further into building personal wealth.
A Deeper Dive: Super-Charging Retirement Savings
This is where your choice of entity becomes incredibly powerful. A primary example is in retirement savings. While a traditional employee might be limited to their company's 401(k), a business owner can establish plans with dramatically higher contribution limits. Let's look at the popular Solo 401(k) for an owner with no employees. For 2025, the savings potential is split into two parts:
The Employee Contribution: The owner acts as their own "employee" and can defer up to 100% of their salary, up to a maximum of $23,500 for 2025.
The Employer Contribution: The business then acts as the "employer" and can contribute up to 25% of the owner's compensation. The power is in combining them. The total contributions from both sources cannot exceed $70,000 for 2025. This allows a business owner to save nearly three times more in a tax-advantaged account than a typical employee, drastically reducing their current taxable income while accelerating their retirement goals. A SEP IRA is another strong option, consisting solely of employer contributions up to 25% of compensation.
This entire strategy is made possible by the salary and compensation structure you can create with the right business entity.
For owners looking to save even more aggressively, a Cash Balance Plan can be a powerful tool. This is a type of "private pension" that allows for massive, age-dependent, tax-deductible contributions that can often exceed six figures annually. These plans can also be used in addition to a 401(k), allowing for a stacked approach that can drastically reduce a high-income owner's tax bill while rapidly building wealth.
Other High-Impact Deductions
Beyond retirement, an owner has a toolkit of other powerful deductions to enhance financial efficiency:
The Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction: Also known as Section 199A, this is one of the most significant deductions available to owners of pass-through businesses (S-Corps, partnerships, sole proprietorships). It allows for a deduction of up to 20% of qualified business income directly from your taxable income. It's a complex deduction with limitations based on income level and business type, but for those who qualify, it's an incredibly powerful tax-saving tool.
Health Insurance Premiums: For self-employed individuals and S-Corp owners, the cost of health insurance premiums is often 100% deductible, turning a major personal expense into a significant tax deduction. For businesses electing to file as a C-Corp, the premiums for all employees are deductible to the business.
Asset Depreciation: This is a game-changer. When a business buys a significant asset: be it manufacturing equipment, computer hardware, or even a sports stadium; it can deduct the cost over time. Provisions like Section 179 and bonus depreciation often allow an owner to deduct the entire cost of an asset in the year it was purchased, creating a massive, immediate reduction in taxable income.
Industry-Specific Opportunities: It's Not Just for Sports Teams
Different industries also benefit from tailored tax incentives designed to encourage specific economic activities. This proves that tax advantages aren't just for billion-dollar franchises. Some examples are as follows:
Real Estate Investors: Beyond standard deductions, real estate professionals can use depreciation as a powerful tool to create losses that can offset other income. Advanced strategies like cost segregation studies can accelerate this depreciation, maximizing tax savings in the early years of owning a property.
Tech & Manufacturing: These industries can benefit from the R&D Tax Credit, a significant dollar-for-dollar credit for expenses related to innovation and improving products or processes.
Professional Services (Doctors, Lawyers, Consultants): For these owners, the primary advantage often lies in optimizing the S-Corp structure for salary and distributions and maximizing contributions to sophisticated retirement plans, like a defined benefit or cash balance plan, which allow for even larger, six-figure deductions.
The Priceless Premiums: Legacy, Experience, and Opportunity
If we stopped after the financial analysis, we would still be missing the most important part of the story: the elements of ownership that don't appear on a balance sheet but represent what is often the deepest forms of wealth. An index fund can give you a return. A business can give you a life. This "builder's premium" is a powerful form of return that manifests in three key areas:
The Legacy Asset: Building for the Next Generation
You cannot teach executive-level life skills by showing your children a brokerage statement. An entrepreneur creates an environment where the next generation can gain hands-on experience. When Jerry Buss passed away, he didn't just leave his children stock; he left them an empire. This is the ultimate goal for many entrepreneurs: creating a generational asset that provides purpose and opportunity not only for them, but those they most care about.
The Experiential Return: The 'Fun' Factor
A purely numerical comparison misses a simple, undeniable fact: the journey of building a business is often its own reward. The passion, the challenges, and the victories create a psychological income that can be more valuable than any financial return. The word "wealth" itself is derived from an Old English term for a state of being happy and healthy, not the financial riches that we often equate it with in modern times.
The Opportunity Network: Doors Opened and Deals Done
Owning a significant business creates a universe of opportunities that passive investing cannot. It puts you in rooms with other high-level operators, investors, and centers of influence. This network is, in itself, an asset that can lead to new ventures and strategic partnerships far beyond the scope of the original business.
Are You Building a Nest Egg or an Empire?
So, where does this leave our comparison? We've seen that the initial headline stat withers under scrutiny when you account for leverage, cash flow, and tax efficiency. The financial return on an asset like the Lakers is in a different universe than that of a passive index. But the analysis runs deeper. We've explored the benefits that can't be quantified: legacy, experience, and other opportunities.
The S&P 500 is an exceptional tool for building wealth passively. But it is just that: a tool. It is not an engine for creating a family legacy or a tax-efficient cash flow machine. To compare it to owning and building a business isn't just comparing apples to oranges; it's comparing a passenger train to a rocket ship. Both can move you forward, but they operate in entirely different dimensional planes with vastly different purposes.
Ultimately, your financial strategy must reflect what you are trying to build. If your goal is simply a number, a passive approach may be sufficient. But if you are building an engine for your family, for your life, for your future; you need a financial partner who understands that your business may be your most powerful asset. You need a plan that enhances its growth, not one that fights it.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is owning a business a better investment than the S&P 500? A: While the S&P 500 is an excellent passive tool, this analysis shows that a well-run business, utilizing leverage, cash flow, and tax advantages, can offer a significantly higher Internal Rate of Return and provides non-financial benefits like legacy and experience.
Q: What is the biggest tax advantage of an S-Corp? A: A primary advantage is the ability to pay yourself a "reasonable salary" and take remaining profits as distributions, which are not subject to self-employment taxes.
Q: What is the IRR? A: The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is a financial metric that calculates an investment's profitability by accounting for all cash inflows and outflows over its entire lifetime, making it more accurate for complex assets than a simple return on investment.
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
Why Your Financial Plan Should Include More Than Just Investments
When most people think about financial planning, their minds often jump straight to stocks, bonds, and other investment vehicles. While investing is undeniably a critical component of building wealth, a truly robust financial plan encompasses much more than just your portfolio. To build lasting financial security and peace of mind, it’s important to consider several other vital elements that support and protect your financial future.
Here’s why your financial plan should include much more than just investments:
1. Tax Planning: Keep More of What You Earn
Taxes can significantly impact your net returns, and smart tax planning helps reduce your liabilities. This means more of your hard-earned money stays in your pocket instead of going to the government. Tax planning involves strategies like timing income and deductions, maximizing tax-advantaged accounts, tax diversification, asset location, and understanding how different investments are taxed. Without attention to taxes, even the best investment returns can be diminished by unnecessary tax burdens.
2. Estate Planning: Protect Your Loved Ones and Your Wishes
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or elderly—it’s for anyone who wants to ensure their wishes are honored and their loved ones are cared for. Important documents like wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives lay out how your assets should be handled, who will make decisions if you’re unable, and how your family will be supported. Having these plans in place helps avoid confusion, legal battles, and delays during difficult times. Also, you’d be shocked at how many estate plans go unfunded and are incomplete! Your advisor should help ensure that your beneficiaries align and your trust is funded.
3. Insurance: Guarding Against Life’s Unexpected Setbacks
Life is unpredictable, and setbacks can quickly derail your financial progress. Insurance products—such as life insurance, disability insurance, and health insurance—are essential safety nets. They protect your income, cover medical expenses, and provide financial support to your family if something happens to you. Integrating insurance into your financial plan ensures that you’re not left vulnerable to risks that could otherwise cause significant financial hardship.
4. Charitable Giving: Align Your Values with Your Financial Goals
For many, financial planning is not just about accumulating wealth but also about making a positive impact. Charitable giving is a powerful way to align your values with your finances. Strategic giving can provide tax benefits while supporting causes you care about, creating a legacy that reflects your priorities. Including philanthropy in your plan can bring deeper satisfaction and purpose to your financial journey. With strategic planning, your dollars can make the biggest and most efficient impact.
Why Summer Is a Great Time to Revisit Your Full Financial Plan
Summer often brings a natural pause in the busyness of life—a perfect opportunity to step back and review your financial picture. While it’s easy to focus solely on investments during check-ins, make sure to take time to evaluate your tax strategies, estate documents, insurance coverage, and charitable goals as well. Revisiting these components ensures your plan is comprehensive and resilient to life’s changes.
Is Your Financial Plan All-Inclusive?
Investing wisely is only one piece of the financial planning puzzle. By expanding your focus to include tax planning, estate considerations, insurance protection, and charitable giving, you create a more holistic and effective plan. This approach not only builds wealth but also provides security, peace of mind, and purpose.
If you haven’t reviewed these areas recently, consider making it a priority this summer. If you’d like help crafting a complete financial plan tailored to your unique needs, I’d love to start you on the process of financial organization and freedom.
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
Are Your Finances "Good Enough," or Just Better Than the Neighbors? (Spoiler: There's a Difference)
Feeling 'good enough' about your finances, especially compared to others? This common mindset might be a trap. Discover why simply 'keeping up' falls short and how a financial plan truly 'right for you' can secure your ambitions.
We all know that feeling. You glance over the proverbial fence (or these days, the carefully curated social media feed) and think, "Alright, I'm doing okay. Probably better than that guy." And maybe you are. But when it comes to your financial future; the one that supports your family, builds your legacy, and lets you sleep at night: is "better than the neighbors" the gold standard we're aiming for?
Read Andrew’s Story
Feel free to watch and/or listen to my narration of this article.
Let's be honest, many are navigating the complex world of investments, tax strategies, estate planning, and even their monthly budget with what amounts to a well-meaning but somewhat outdated map. A recent survey highlighted that the average U.S. adult could only answer about 48% of basic financial literacy questions correctly.¹ Scary thought, right? Especially when another survey from early 2024 found that 36% of American adults reported finding it somewhat or very difficult to pay for usual household expenses in the prior week.² Clearly, "winging it" isn't a wealth strategy.
The real issue isn't always a lack of information; it's often a misplaced sense of "good enough." We see ourselves as generally competent individuals (and you are!), and by extension, assume our financial acumen is equally sharp. Even worse, we fall into the trap of comparing our situation to those around us. If we're treading water at the same pace as everyone else, then at least we’re not falling behind, right?
Well, no. Not if "everyone else" is also quietly wondering if they're missing something. The "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality is a race to mediocrity, not financial freedom. True financial empowerment comes from looking inward, not sideways. It’s about being brutally honest with yourself about what you know, what you don't know, and where you truly want to go; irrespective of Mr. & Mrs. Jones and their new boat.
For business owners and successful professionals like you, "good enough" in your career or company simply isn't. You strive for optimization, efficiency, and growth. Why should your personal finances be any different? The journey to financial success isn't accidental; it's intentional, and it starts with a clear, unvarnished understanding of your starting point.
So, where do you really stand?
This isn't about assigning blame or inducing panic. It's about recognizing that financial landscapes shift, tax codes evolve, and opportunities (and pitfalls) are constantly emerging. What was a brilliant strategy five years ago might be a leaky bucket today.
Here’s a thought: Even if you’re fairly confident in your financial trajectory, wouldn’t a professional second opinion be valuable? Think of it as a specialist consultation. You're the CEO of your life; even the best CEOs have a board of trusted advisors.
Perhaps you’re already on the perfect path. Fantastic! Once we confirm that, you’ll be able to sleep even better. But what if there's an opportunity you've overlooked, a tax optimization strategy that wasn't on your radar, or a more effective way to structure your legacy?
Instead of wondering if you're just "doing okay," let's find out how you can do exceptionally.
Ready to swap "good enough" for "right for you?" Let's talk. Reach out today, and let's ensure your financial reality aligns with your ambitions.
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
DACFP Feature: Bitcoin Goes Mainstream: A Financial Revolution Unfolding Before Our Eyes
Jeffrey Janson had the privilege of being featured by Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals (DACFP) where he shares insights on Bitcoin and the importance of engaging with this transformative asset.
Jeff emphasizes that Bitcoin is here to stay and the implications for financial advisors and their clients.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
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Bitcoin Goes Mainstream: A Financial Revolution Unfolding Before Our Eyes
There are 2 Chinese symbols that communicate the concept of “Crisis;” the first symbol denotes “Danger” and the second, “Opportunity.” As financial advisors, we routinely help clients navigate through danger in search of opportunity. This Danger/Opportunity dichotomy is an apt description of where our financial system is right now; in crisis – somewhere between danger and opportunity. The danger of today’s debt bubble is no exception, and Bitcoin may be the opportunity we should not ignore.
The Danger
For proof of this crisis, look no further than the weak demand at a recent U.S. Treasury auction, where a $16 billion 20-year bond sale in May 2025 struggled amid concerns over the U.S.’s $37 trillion debt burden, according to Reuters. Notably, Tether, a stablecoin issuer, has emerged as a major Treasury holder with approximately $90 billion in U.S. Treasuries as of Q1 2025, including auction purchases to back its stablecoin in anticipation of potential regulations like the proposed GENIUS Act. This underscores the growing intersection of crypto and traditional finance.
This unenthusiastic treasury auction was one more straw on the camel’s back showing us just how tenuous our ability is to keep these fiat-driven plates spinning. Put bluntly, our country’s unsustainable $37 Trillion debt bubble is a ballon in search of a pin and that pin is Bitcoin.
I’m not alone in concluding there is simply zero political will to meaningfully address this problem. If the President’s Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) is passed into law, I think we will have all the proof that we need. Democrat or Republican, pork is back on the menu in Washington! For all the moral grandstanding, it’s become clear that both parties are reliably profligate spenders with an acute case of shortsightedness, blissfully apathetic of long-term consequences. That’s the next guy’s problem…until it’s not.
Given our nation’s over-the-top spending patterns and unwillingness to enact austerity measures, the world is rightfully beginning to question the hegemony of the dollar’s world reserve currency status. Both gold and Bitcoin have enjoyed recent rallies as people; corporations; states; and nations intuitively search for a legitimate store of value, in the face of a relentless onslaught from the global fiat printing press. BRRRR!
In a “hold-my-beer” moment, if passed, the BBB has the chance to put us over the edge and risks leaving the rest of the world holding the bag as they trade tangible goods for our currency units conjured into existence by a few clicks of the Fed’s mouse.
But enough danger; time for some opportunity.
The Opportunity
In a world awash in Keynesian Economics and Modern Monetary Theory, Bitcoin’s proof of work-backed absolute hard cap limit of 21 million coins may be just the remedy humanity needs, available all in a handy, single-dose, orange pill.
If the US moves forward with these plans for Bitcoin being part of the US Strategic Reserve, it is all but certain that other countries will follow suit. As Strategy’s CEO, Michael Saylor has insightfully pointed out, “The first country to figure out they can buy Bitcoin with printed fiat, wins.”
If the US becomes friendly to financial innovation, we will retain our leadership role across the globe. Our current traditional finance (TradFi) payment rails are as old and decrepit as our bridges and energy grid, badly in need of overhaul. If crypto developers see the US as a supportive home, we will all benefit.
Corporate Adoption Accelerates
Businesses are integrating Bitcoin into their operations, from payment systems to balance sheets, normalizing its use in mainstream commerce. As fiat systems falter, corporations are proactively seizing on Bitcoin’s transformational potential.
In fact, a spate of new Bitcoin Treasury companies (MSTR; NAKA; CEP; ASST; MTPLF, etc.) have recently come into existence and are attempting financial alchemy as they legally raise low cost capital in the millions of dollars within the traditional finance system and convert it into Bitcoin as fast as they possibly can. This is the corporate version of CEO Saylor’s quote in action.
This phenomenon has even created entirely new ways of measuring the efficiency of adding Bitcoin to the corporate balance sheet. Gone are earnings per share (EPS), supplanted by such BTC-specific metrics as Bitcoin Yield; days to cover mNAV; BTC Torque, and Premium-Adjusted Bitcoin Density (PABD)!
In the process, these companies have produced explosive short-term growth as they get their respective BTC-generating flywheels spinning and up to speed. The race to “stack Sats” is officially on to by acquiring as much limited-supply Bitcoin as they can before everyone else catches on.
Nation-States
Speaking of which, not only do we have corporations adding BTC to their balance sheets - a conservative estimate is now over 90 companies and growing quickly - but we also have nation-states! So far, the US is the largest nation to express interest in adding it as part of our national reserves. In fact, there has been a 180-degree seismic shift in Washington on the topic of crypto. The headwinds crypto adoption faced under the Biden administration have become tailwinds under the Trump administration!
Senator Cynthia Lummis has even authored a Bitcoin Reserve bill proposing to add 1 million Bitcoin to our national strategic reserve over the course of the next 5 years! If that happens, the rest of the world will feel the pressure to follow suit. Bhutan and El Salvador have already beaten us to the punch and other nations are also presently contemplating it, such as Switzerland; Russia; Brazil; Pakistan; Poland; Japan; and the Czech Republic. Additionally, 16 US states have also proposed Bitcoin reserve legislation.
Implications for Investors
With available Bitcoin held on exchanges at historic lows and relentless acquisition interest coming from individuals, ETFs, companies, states, and nations, you don’t have to be Nostradamus to see a melt-up in the price of Bitcoin in the works!
As a seasoned financial planner, I urge advisors and investors to pay attention to this sea change. Bitcoin’s mainstreaming does not mean it is suddenly risk-free—significant volatility remains—but recent developments suggest it’s a maturing asset class that is mainstreaming in real time right before our eyes. The political tailwinds, technological leaps, and corporate adoption create a compelling case for allocation in diversified portfolios.
The Road Ahead
One thing is clear: Bitcoin is here to stay. While we are presently subject to the dangerous inefficiencies of an aging traditional financial system, Bitcoin may offer an elegant, opportunistic solution for moving forward with glorious purpose hopefully equal to the challenge of any crisis.
Whether you are a seasoned financial advisor or a curious newcomer, now is the time to engage with this transformative asset. Get educated, so you can help your clients. DACFP can help. Sign up at DACFP.com to become Certified in Blockchain and Digital Assets.
Full Disclosure: I own MSTR; NAKA; CEP; ASST; MTPLF & BTC, of course.
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
Summer Paychecks & Smart Money Moves: A Parent’s Guide for Teens with Jobs
Summer jobs are more than just a way for teens to earn extra spending money — they’re valuable opportunities to build financial responsibility and independence. But while the paycheck can be exciting, it’s important for parents and teens alike to understand the tax implications and savings opportunities that come with earning income.
Here’s what every parent should know to help their teen make the most of a summer job:
Income and Taxes: What You Need to Know
Any income your teen earns from a summer job is considered taxable income by the IRS. This means it counts toward their annual income and may require them to file a tax return if it exceeds certain thresholds.
Additionally, if your teen’s income becomes substantial, it could potentially affect their dependent status on your tax return. It’s important to keep track of their earnings and consult tax guidelines or a professional to ensure compliance.
Help Your Teen Understand Tax Filing
Many teens are working and earning for the first time, which can be confusing when tax season rolls around. As a parent, help your teen collect and organize important tax documents like W-2 forms from their employer.
You can also take this opportunity to explain basic tax concepts, such as withholding, filing deadlines, and the importance of keeping good records. Especially if they are still a dependent of yours, keep an eye on how much they are making and withholding - they might be required to file a tax return of their own if their income is above certain limits!
Encourage Saving and Investing Early
A summer job is an ideal time to teach teens the value of saving. Encourage them to set aside a portion of their earnings for future goals—whether that’s college, a big purchase, or simply building an emergency fund. I love to talk to my clients' kids about the bucket strategy. It helps build financial knowledge in a manageable way.
One powerful option to consider is having your teen open a Roth IRA. Because contributions come from earned income, teens can start saving for retirement decades earlier than most adults. The growth potential over time is enormous, and starting young helps build great financial habits.
Financial Independence Starts Here
Working a summer job is often a teen’s first real taste of financial independence. Beyond the paycheck, it’s a chance to learn about budgeting, taxes, giving, saving, and the value of hard work.
By guiding your teen through the tax and savings side of summer earnings, you’re helping them build a strong foundation for a healthy financial future. With a bit of preparation and guidance, your teen’s summer paycheck can become much more than spending money — it can be the start of a lifelong journey toward financial responsibility and security.
Here’s a simple Summer Job Tax & Savings Checklist for parents and teens to use together.
Summer Job Tax & Savings Checklist for Teens and Parents
Before the Job Starts:
Discuss job expectations, pay rate, and work schedule.
Talk about the purpose of money (savings, giving, spending, goal setting, etc.)
Open a separate savings account.
During Employment:
Keep records of hours worked and pay received.
Save all pay stubs and tax forms (W-2).
Set aside a percentage of earnings for savings (aim for 10–20%).
Tax Season Preparation:
Collect W-2 form(s) from employer(s).
Determine if teen needs to file a tax return (IRS rules vary by income).
Understand how earnings affect dependent status on your tax return.
Consider using tax software or consult a tax professional if unsure.
Savings & Investing:
Open a Roth IRA if teen has earned income and is ready to save long-term.
Discuss budgeting basics and the importance of emergency savings.
Encourage regular contributions to savings, even small amounts.
Financial Education:
Talk about paycheck deductions (taxes, Social Security, etc.).
Explain basic tax concepts and filing deadlines.
Use the summer job as an opportunity to build lifelong money habits.
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
Pass Down More Than Assets: The Heartfelt Gift of a Legacy Letter
When we think about estate planning, our minds often jump straight to wills, trusts, beneficiary forms, and tax strategies. These are essential tools to help transfer wealth, protect loved ones, and honor your wishes. But there’s one deeply meaningful piece of estate planning that isn’t drafted by an attorney or notarized in a lawyer’s office — and that’s a legacy letter.
A legacy letter is a heartfelt message you leave behind for your family and loved ones. It’s a chance to share your values, life lessons, hopes for the future, and expressions of love and gratitude. Unlike legal documents, which focus on financial and material matters, a legacy letter captures the emotional and personal side of your legacy — the story behind the numbers.
What Is a Legacy Letter
A legacy letter is a written document (or even a video or audio recording) addressed to your family, friends, or future generations. It’s not legally binding, and there’s no required format or template. Instead, it’s a personal reflection on your life and the wisdom you wish to pass on.
Think of it as a love letter to your family — one that they can hold onto, revisit, and find comfort in long after you’re gone.
Why It Matters
1. It Personalizes Your Legacy
Financial inheritances are important, but your loved ones will treasure your words far more than any dollar amount. A legacy letter puts your heart and voice into your estate plan and gives deeper meaning to your hard-earned dollars.
2. It Can Provide Emotional Closure
During times of grief, a letter from a loved one can offer tremendous comfort. It can help your heirs feel connected to you and your values, and offer reassurance, encouragement, and peace.
3. It Complements Your Estate Plan
While your legal documents state what you’re passing on, a legacy letter can explain why. For example, you might share the reasoning behind a charitable gift, the hopes you have for a family heirloom, or the significance of a particular decision.
What to Include in a Legacy Letter
There’s no right or wrong way to write a legacy letter, but here are a few meaningful ideas you might consider:
Personal Values and Beliefs
What principles guided your life? What matters most to you, and why?Life Lessons and Wisdom
What have you learned about love, resilience, success, failure, or happiness that you hope others will carry forward?Hopes for the Future
What dreams or wishes do you have for your children, grandchildren, or loved ones?Expressions of Love and Gratitude
Take the opportunity to thank those who made a difference in your life and let them know how much you love them.Family Stories and Traditions
Share special memories, meaningful moments, or the origin of family customs.Reflections on Challenges
If appropriate, you might recount difficult times and how you navigated them — leaving a legacy of resilience and perspective.
The hardest part is often just beginning. Set aside a quiet moment and start jotting down memories, thoughts, or values that matter most to you. It doesn’t have to be perfect or polished — sincerity is far more valuable than eloquence.
You can write one letter addressed to your family as a whole or individual letters to specific loved ones. Some people write their legacy letters alongside updating their will or estate plan, while others create them as a personal project later in life.
Final Thought
As a financial advisor who is closely involved in wealth transfer from one generation to the other, I believe true wealth extends beyond dollars and cents. It’s about values, stories, and the meaningful connections you leave behind. While I am here to help with the technical details of financial planning and building a legacy, I also encourage my clients to consider the personal side of their legacy.
If you’d like to explore how a legacy letter can complement your estate and financial plan — or you simply need help getting started — let me know. I’d love to send you ideas to help you get started and/or keep your final letter on file to pass along to your heirs in a meaningful way.
I am honored to talk with you about the legacy you want to leave behind.
Recent Articles Written by Kristiana:
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
How to Choose Your Business Structure: A Guide to Minimizing Taxes & Liability
Compare business structures like LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, & more. Learn how each impacts your taxes, personal liability, and growth.
When you're building a business, the structure you choose isn't just paperwork: it has real consequences for how you're taxed, how much risk you take on personally, and how your business can grow. Whether you're just starting out or thinking about restructuring, it's worth understanding the core differences between the main types of business entities.
This guide will walk you through the most common business entity types: Sole Proprietorships, General Partnerships, LLCs, S-Corps, and C-Corps, explaining their key differences in liability, taxation, complexity, and suitability for various business stages. Our aim is to provide clear, actionable information to help you make an informed decision.
Sole Proprietorship
The sole proprietorship is the simplest and most common way to operate a business. If you’re running things solo and haven’t formally registered a business entity with your state, chances are you're already a sole proprietor by default.
Best for: Freelancers, individual consultants, or entrepreneurs testing a new, low-risk business idea who prioritize simplicity and minimal administrative burden.
The main upside here is simplicity in setup and taxes. There’s no need for formal registration beyond local licenses, and profits or losses are reported directly on your personal tax return, making tax filing relatively straightforward.
However, this simplicity has a significant drawback: unlimited personal liability. Because there's no legal separation between you and the business, your personal assets (savings, car, home…) are at risk if the business incurs debt or is sued. On the tax side, you’ll also pay self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) on the totality of your net income. There’s no legal way to split your income to reduce your payroll tax burden.
In short, sole proprietorships are fine for testing an idea or running a low-risk side hustle, but they can become a liability, literally, as soon as you grow.
General Partnership
If you’re going into business with someone else and don’t form an LLC or corporation, you’re likely operating as a general partnership by default. Like sole proprietorships, partnerships are pass-through entities, meaning the business doesn’t pay its own taxes. Instead, profits and losses flow through to the partners’ individual returns.
Best for: Two or more individuals starting a business together who prefer a simple operational structure and have a high degree of trust, while understanding the implications of shared and personal liability.
A partnership is easy to form, often just a handshake and an agreement will suffice, but that lack of formality can be dangerous. A critical vulnerability is operating without a clear, written partnership agreement. This document should explicitly detail ownership percentages, profit/loss distribution, responsibilities, and crucial procedures for dispute resolution, partner departure, or dissolution. Without it, disagreements over finances or business direction can quickly escalate into costly legal battles."
The biggest concern? Liability. In a general partnership, each partner is personally liable for the actions of the business, and for the actions of the other partners. One bad decision by your partner could financially wreck you. On the tax side, you’re also on the hook for self-employment taxes on your share of the profits.
Partnerships can work well when trust is strong and risk is low, but without a formal structure and legal safeguards, you may have unnecessary exposure.
(Continued Below Chart)
Single-Member LLC (Disregarded Entity)
For solo business owners who want simplicity and liability protection, the single-member LLC is a powerful option. Legally, an LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a separate entity from you as an individual, meaning your personal assets are protected if the business faces a lawsuit or debt collection as long as you follow basic corporate formalities. This includes keeping business and personal finances separate (e.g., separate bank accounts), and, depending on your state, may involve things like holding regular meetings or filing annual reports.
Best for: Solo entrepreneurs seeking robust personal asset protection combined with the simplicity of pass-through taxation and greater operational flexibility than a sole proprietorship.
From a tax perspective, the IRS treats a single-member LLC as a "disregarded entity" by default. That means the business doesn’t pay its own taxes; all profits flow through to your personal return just like a sole proprietorship. You still pay income tax and self-employment tax on all profits, but you gain legal protection, which is a major upgrade.
One of the best features of an LLC is its flexibility. As your business grows, you can choose to have the LLC taxed as an S Corporation or even a C Corporation, giving you more options for managing taxes. And since LLCs are recognized in all 50 states, they offer a good balance of legal protection and ease of use.
If you're serious about your business but not yet ready to take on the complexity of a corporation, a single-member LLC is often the smart move.
S Corporation (S-Corp)
Once your business is generating consistent profits, it might make sense to elect S-Corp status. The S Corporation (S-Corp) is not a distinct business entity itself, but rather a special tax election that an eligible LLC or C-Corp can make. Its primary attraction for profitable businesses is the potential for significant savings on self-employment taxes. As an S-Corp owner actively working in the business, you must pay yourself a 'reasonable salary,' which is subject to payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare). However, any remaining profits can be taken as distributions, which are generally not subject to self-employment taxes.
Best for: Profitable LLCs whose owners wish to reduce their self-employment tax burden... and eligible C-Corporations seeking to switch to pass-through taxation to avoid double taxation on profits, provided they meet S-Corp ownership and operational requirements.
In an S-Corp, you pay yourself a reasonable salary, which is subject to payroll tax, and take the rest of the profits as distributions, which are not subject to self-employment tax. That can lead to significant tax savings once your profits justify the extra paperwork. Determining and documenting a 'reasonable salary' is crucial and should reflect what similar businesses would pay for comparable services. The IRS scrutinizes this, so it’s wise to research industry benchmarks or consult a tax professional.
You also get liability protection as long as you keep your business and personal finances separate and follow corporate formalities. But S-Corps come with rules: you're limited to a maximum of100 shareholders, all of whom must be U.S. citizens or residents, and you can only issue one class of stock. You’ll need to run payroll, file quarterly reports, and submit a separate tax return for the business.
If you’re earning more than you’d reasonably pay yourself in salary, and you want to protect your assets while legally reducing your tax bill, the S-Corp structure can be a great fit.
C Corporation (C-Corp)
Best for: Startups and larger businesses aiming to raise significant capital from external investors (like venture capitalists), offer stock options to employees, or plan for an eventual public offering, and that require maximum flexibility in ownership structure.
C-Corps are the go-to structure for startups that plan to raise money, issue stock, or scale aggressively. They offer the most robust liability protection, the most flexibility in ownership (no limits on the number or type of shareholders), and can retain earnings within the business for future investment.
The primary tradeoff for this flexibility and protection is potential double taxation. First, the C-Corp pays corporate income tax on its profits (currently a flat 21% federal rate). Then, if those profits are distributed to shareholders as dividends, the shareholders pay personal income tax on those dividends. While strategies exist to mitigate this, it’s a key consideration.
C-Corps also come with more complexity. You’ll need a board of directors, formal bylaws, annual meetings, and detailed records. You’re also more likely to need legal and accounting help on an ongoing basis.
For many small business owners, the C-Corp structure is overkill. But if you’re aiming to raise venture capital, issue employee stock options, or eventually go public, it’s the right vehicle.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to business structures. What works for a freelancer just starting out is very different from what makes sense for a tech startup looking to raise capital. For many solo entrepreneurs, starting as a single-member LLC and later electing S-Corp status provides a good balance of simplicity, protection, and tax savings. Partnerships need strong agreements and careful planning, and C-Corps should be reserved for businesses with big growth ambitions and complex funding plans.
The key is to choose a structure that aligns with your business's current stage, financial situation, and future ambitions. As your business evolves, your needs may change, and restructuring might become beneficial. I recommend reviewing your business structure periodically with legal and financial professionals to ensure it continues to serve your best interests.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the cheapest business structure to set up?
Generally, a sole proprietorship is the cheapest and simplest, often requiring no formal state filing beyond local business licenses. LLCs typically have state filing fees but offer liability protection.
Can I change my business structure later?
Yes, you can change your business structure as your business grows or your needs change (e.g., converting an LLC to an S-Corp for tax purposes, or a sole proprietorship to an LLC for liability protection). This usually involves specific legal and tax procedures, and certain changes may have specific IRS rules or waiting periods before further changes can be made.
Do I need an EIN for my business structure?
You'll likely need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you operate as a partnership, LLC (in most cases), corporation, or if you plan to hire employees or open a business bank account, regardless of structure. But regardless on requirement, it is always advisable to operate your business with an EIN.
Which business structure offers the best tax benefits?
It depends on your profits and specific situation. Pass-through entities like sole proprietorships, partnerships, and standard LLCs avoid corporate-level tax. S-Corps can offer self-employment tax savings for profitable businesses but can be more expensive to file taxes and keep up with accounting. C-Corps have different tax implications and benefits, especially if reinvesting profits heavily.
How does liability protection work with an LLC or Corporation?
An LLC or corporation creates a separate legal entity from its owners. This means that, generally, the personal assets of the owners are protected from business debts and lawsuits, provided corporate formalities (like separate finances) are maintained. This is often referred to as the 'corporate veil.’
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
Business Succession: Strategies for Leaving a Business to Family
Transferring a business to family members is more than just a financial decision, it’s a deeply personal one. Your business represents years, if not decades, of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. It’s a legacy that you want to see thrive for generations to come. However, without proper planning, a transition can create unnecessary tax burdens, financial strain, and even family disputes. Understanding the available strategies ensures that your business remains a source of security, not stress, for your loved ones.
Transferring a business to family members is more than just a financial decision, it’s a deeply personal one. Your business represents years, if not decades, of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. It’s a legacy that you want to see thrive for generations to come. However, without proper planning, a transition can create unnecessary tax burdens, financial strain, and even family disputes. Understanding the available strategies ensures that your business remains a source of security, not stress, for your loved ones.
Successfully passing down a business requires a plan that aligns with your financial goals, tax considerations, and family dynamics. Some strategies allow you to retain control and income for years, while others enable an immediate transition. Additionally, post-mortem planning can safeguard your family’s financial future if the unexpected happens. Below are some key strategies for business succession, including their tax implications, income opportunities, and control dynamics, helping you choose the best path forward.
Family Limited Partnership (FLP)
A Family Limited Partnership (FLP) allows a business owner to transfer ownership gradually while maintaining control. The owner retains decision-making authority as the general partner, while family members receive limited partnership interests over time. This structure not only protects the business from mismanagement but also creates an efficient method for reducing estate tax liability.
FLPs provide valuation discounts on transferred shares, lowering estate and gift tax exposure. However, income taxes depend on profit distributions and the entity’s structure. Beneficiaries inherit the owner’s original cost basis, which may result in capital gains taxes if they later sell the business. The owner can continue receiving income through management fees or partnership distributions, ensuring financial security while slowly transitioning ownership. While control remains intact initially, it gradually diminishes as more shares are transferred. This method works best when started 5–10 years before a full transition to maximize tax advantages.
Selling the Business to Family
Selling a business to family members provides liquidity for the owner while ensuring the company remains within the family. The sale can be structured through an installment plan, a promissory note, or a self-canceling installment note, which cancels any remaining payments if the seller passes away before full repayment.
This strategy spreads capital gains taxes over the life of the installment payments, easing the tax burden. Buyers may deduct interest payments on financed purchases, while SCINs can reduce estate tax liability when properly structured. However, IRS scrutiny requires careful compliance. The owner benefits from continued income through installment payments or an advisory role while stepping away from daily operations. Control is gradually transferred, allowing the next generation to gain experience under the seller’s guidance. Ideally, this strategy should be implemented 3–7 years before retirement for maximum flexibility.
Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT)
A Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) allows the business owner to transfer ownership while receiving annuity payments for a predetermined period. Once the trust term ends, remaining assets pass to the beneficiaries with reduced tax liability, making this an effective wealth transfer tool.
GRATs minimize estate tax exposure when structured correctly. If the business appreciates in value, the excess growth transfers to beneficiaries tax-free. However, if the owner passes before the trust term ends, assets revert to the estate, negating tax benefits. This strategy provides an income stream during the annuity period, ensuring financial stability. Control diminishes over time, as the owner must fully relinquish business ownership at the end of the trust term. Best results are achieved when implemented at least five years before the intended transition.
Equipment Leaseback: a Passive Income Strategy
Instead of retaining key business assets, the owner transfers ownership of business equipment to the next generation and then leases those assets back from them. This allows the family member to receive passive rental income while the owner maintains operational use of critical resources.
Lease payments offer a predictable and taxable income stream to the beneficiary while helping reduce the overall estate value for the original owner, reducing estate and gift tax exposure. For the business, the lease payments are deductible, increasing tax efficiency. The owner creates a passive income stream for the next generation while maintaining business continuity. Control over asset use remains functionally with the original owner through lease terms, but legal ownership, and thus long-term strategic control, shifts to the heir. This strategy can be set up at any time but is most beneficial when coordinated well in advance of retirement or sale.
Post-Mortem Planning Strategies
Even with a solid succession plan, post-mortem strategies ensure heirs can manage taxes and business operations effectively after the owner’s passing. Without proper planning, heirs may be forced to sell the business to cover estate taxes, disrupting the legacy you worked so hard to build.
Section 6166 estate tax deferral allows heirs to defer estate taxes on a closely held business for up to 14 years, preserving liquidity. A Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) Trust ensures a surviving spouse receives income while ultimately passing business ownership to designated heirs. Buy-sell agreements establish clear terms for ownership transfers, reducing potential disputes. Additionally, a stepped-up basis adjustment allows heirs to inherit business interests at fair market value, minimizing capital gains taxes upon sale. These strategies help prevent forced sales and ensure continuity, keeping the business intact for future generations.
Choosing the Right Strategy
Each business succession strategy offers unique benefits depending on the owner’s goals for control, income, and tax efficiency. Whether transitioning gradually through an FLP, structuring an installment sale, leveraging a GRAT, or ensuring post-mortem tax efficiency, proper planning is essential. With expertise in tax and legacy planning, I help business owners craft a succession plan that protects both their business and their family’s financial future.
Business succession is one of the most complex areas of financial planning, and these strategies are just a handful of possibilities. Every business owner’s situation is unique, and the right solution depends on personal financial goals, family dynamics, and tax considerations. To ensure a seamless transition that protects both your wealth and your legacy, schedule a time with me to create a tailored succession plan that works best for you and your family.
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
Enduring a Bear Market: How to Stay Steady When the Markets Drop
If you've been watching your investment accounts lately and feeling a little anxious — you're not alone. Bear markets, while a normal part of investing, can test even the most seasoned investor's patience and nerves.
But here's the truth: markets fall, and markets rise. The investors who come out stronger are the ones who stay steady, stay thoughtful, and stick to their long-term plan.
Let's talk about what a bear market really means, and how you can weather it with confidence.
📉 What Is a Bear Market?
A bear market is typically defined as a decline of 20% or more in a major stock market index, like the S&P 500, from its recent peak. While they can feel alarming in the moment, they're a natural part of market cycles. While the most recent dip into bear market territory was quick, and we are not ‘in a bear market’ currently, let’s dive into a few specifics to get a better understanding. Whether it’s this current market volatility or the next, we will most definitely experience more bear markets in the future.
Historically, bear markets have occurred about once every 6 years on average. They tend to be shorter than bull markets, with the average bear market lasting approximately 1-2 years.
That means even though downturns feel intense while you're in them, they tend to be temporary chapters in a much longer investing story.
The chart below puts bear markets into perspective when thinking about the long-term history of the stock market. While painful to endure, they are blips on the radar if you stay invested.
How to Endure a Bear Market Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Money)
Zoom Out and Look at the Big Picture
It's easy to get caught up in day-to-day market swings, but real wealth is built over decades, not days. In the chart above, take note of how every downturn is eventually followed by a recovery and new highs. While past performance is not a predictor of future performance, the stock markets have continued to reach new highs.
Stick to Your Financial Plan
If your portfolio was built with your time horizon, goals, and risk tolerance as cornerstones in your financial plan, it's likely designed to withstand market downturns. Are your goals still the same? Is your timeline intact? If so — stay the course. If you are a client of mine, we prepared for a downturn and have a plan in place for what to do - now is the time to act on that plan.
Focus on What You Can Control
You can't control interest rates, inflation, or the markets. But you can control how you react.
Keep your emergency fund intact. Spend wisely.
Continue regular contributions to retirement accounts and savings plans if at all possible. Remember, there are buying opportunities now that weren’t there a few months ago!
Stay disciplined…even when it hurts.
Use Market Declines as an Opportunity
Bear markets often create chances to buy high-quality investments at lower prices. It's like a sale for long-term investors.
If you have extra cash or have been waiting to invest, now is the time to intentionally deploy that cash into your investment strategy.
Don't Go It Alone
Money decisions get emotional in volatile markets. Having a trusted financial planner by your side can help you make thoughtful, objective choices when emotions run high.
If you're feeling anxious about your investments or future plans, let’s chat. A 20-minute conversation might be all you need to feel grounded again.
Final Thought
Bear markets aren't fun, but they aren't forever. History has shown that patient, disciplined investors tend to be rewarded over time. The key is to endure the tough seasons and take advantage of the opportunity at hand so you're positioned to enjoy the growth that follows.
If you need a listening ear, a portfolio review, or a fresh perspective on your financial strategy, I'm here for you.
Let's schedule a conversation.
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
Feeling Anxious About the Market? Focus on What You Can Control
Market volatility can feel nerve-wracking, and it's completely normal to feel uneasy during downturns. But remember this: market fluctuations are a normal part of the economic cycle. Instead of feeling helpless, let's focus on actionable strategies you can control to weather the storm, manage your emotions effectively, and avoid panic decisions driven by fear or uncertainty.
It's understandable that market volatility causes anxiety. Whether it's driven by economic news, geopolitical events, or trade tensions, the market's ups and downs can feel unpredictable and unsettling. However, history provides a valuable perspective: market downturns aren't anomalies; they are a recurring feature of the economic landscape. We've seen this play out in the past with significant events like the COVID-19 downturn in 2020, the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, and the Dot-com bubble in 2000.
Here's a crucial point to consider: missing just a few of the market's best days can significantly reduce your long-term returns. This is why letting emotions dictate your investment decisions can be so detrimental. The chart below illustrates the potential impact on your growth if you missed some of the best trading days.
Mastering Your Emotions
One of the biggest challenges during volatile periods is managing our own emotions. Fear can lead to panic selling at market lows, while greed might tempt us to chase fleeting gains. Often, controlling these emotional responses is the most significant factor within our control and can have a profound impact on our investment outcomes.
It's helpful to be aware of common behavioral biases. Loss aversion, the tendency to feel the pain of losses more strongly than the pleasure of gains, can drive poor decisions. Similarly, herd mentality, following the crowd without considering your own individual circumstances, can lead to buying high and selling low.
Here are some practical tips to help manage your emotions during market volatility:
Focus on your long-term investment plan. Remember the goals you set and the reasons behind your investment strategy.
Limit how frequently you check your investment accounts. Constant monitoring can amplify short-term market noise and trigger emotional reactions.
Educate yourself about market cycles. Understanding that downturns are a normal part of the process can help reduce anxiety.
Consider seeking advice from a financial advisor. Advisors play a crucial role in providing emotional support and guiding you through challenging times. They can act as an "emotional circuit breaker" to help you avoid impulsive decisions that could harm your long-term financial health.
Controllable Investment Strategies
While market movements are outside our direct control, there are several investment strategies you can utilize to navigate volatility.
Dollar-Cost Averaging: This strategy involves investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, regardless of the market price. When prices are low, your fixed investment buys more shares, and when prices are high, it buys fewer. Over time, this can help reduce the risk of buying high and potentially lower your average cost per share, especially during downturns. Consistency is key to the effectiveness of dollar-cost averaging.
Account Rebalancing: Maintaining your target asset allocation (the mix of assets like stocks and bonds based on your risk tolerance and time horizon) is crucial. Market downturns can cause your portfolio to become skewed, with some asset classes potentially becoming overweighted or underweighted. Rebalancing involves selling some assets that have performed well and buying those that have underperformed to bring your portfolio back to its target allocation. This strategy can help you buy low and sell high over time and stay aligned with your intended risk level.
Roth Conversions: A Roth conversion involves moving funds from a traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth account. While you'll pay taxes on the converted amount in the current year, future withdrawals in retirement can be tax-free. A market downturn, when asset values are lower, can be a potentially opportune time for a Roth conversion, as the tax bill on the conversion may be lower. However, it's essential to carefully consider the tax implications and your future tax rates before making this decision.
Tax-Loss Harvesting: Tax-loss harvesting is a strategy of selling investments that have lost value to offset capital gains taxes you may owe on other investments. The proceeds from the sale can then be reinvested in a substantially different security to maintain your desired asset allocation, being mindful of the wash-sale rule, which prohibits repurchasing the same or substantially identical security 30 days before and 30 days after. This strategy can potentially reduce your current tax burden.
Staying Invested and Reviewing Your Long-Term Plan: It's crucial to remember that historically, the market has recovered from previous downturns. Selling out of your investments during a downturn can lead to missing out on potential rebounds. Downturns can also be a good time to revisit your overall financial goals and ensure your investment strategy still aligns with them.
“The four most dangerous words in investing are: This time it’s different.”
Historical Perspective
Looking back at historical events like the COVID downturn in 2020, the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, and the 2000 Dot-com bubble, we can see a common pattern. While these periods were marked by significant market declines and uncertainty, the market eventually recovered and continued its long-term growth trajectory. This historical context reinforces the importance of a long-term investment perspective. Here is what the positive and negative years have looked like since 1926.
Staying the Course for Long-Term Success
Market volatility is an inherent part of investing, but by focusing on controllable strategies and maintaining a long-term perspective, you can navigate these periods effectively. Stay disciplined, stick to your long-term financial plan, and avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations.
If you don’t have a long-term financial plan, then now is the time to create one. If you would like help, feel free to reach out and connect.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Making the Most of Cash Balance Plans: A Simple Guide for Business Owners
A cash balance plan helps business owners save more for retirement while lowering taxes. With higher contribution limits than a 401(k) and tax-deferred growth, these plans offer major financial advantages. Employers fund the plan, providing stable benefits for employees. While they require annual contributions and administration, the tax savings and wealth-building potential make them a smart choice for high-income professionals.
If you own a business and want to save more for retirement while paying less in taxes, a cash balance plan might be a great option. These plans may allow you to save more money than a regular 401(k) and offer major tax benefits.
What is a Cash Balance Plan?
A cash balance plan is a type of employer-sponsored retirement plan where the business makes annual contributions on behalf of employees. These contributions grow at a predetermined rate and are designed to provide a stable retirement benefit. Unlike traditional 401(k) plans, where employees contribute and take on investment risk, a cash balance plan ensures the employer funds the account and assumes the investment risk.
Key Benefits of Cash Balance Plans
1. Higher Contribution Limits
A 401(k) has limits on how much you can put in; $70,000 per year ($77,500 if you're 50 or older) for 2025. A cash balance plan lets you save significantly more, sometimes exceeding $300,000 per year, depending on age and income. This is especially helpful for business owners who want to accelerate their retirement savings and take advantage of tax-deferred growth.
Source: Joe Nichols, DWC - The 401(k) Experts.
2. Substantial Tax Savings
Source: Joe Nichols, DWC - The 401(k) Experts.
Contributions to a cash balance plan are tax-deductible, directly reducing taxable income. This is particularly valuable for high-income business owners looking to lower their annual tax bill. Additionally, the plan's assets grow tax-deferred, allowing for compounding benefits over time.
This video is an audible version of this article. Feel free to listen while reading, or watch it independently.
3. Enhanced Employee Retention and Satisfaction
Offering a strong retirement plan helps businesses attract and retain skilled employees. A cash balance plan provides a predictable benefit, making it an appealing option for employees seeking long-term financial security. Business owners who offer these plans often find that they increase employee loyalty and job satisfaction.
4. Flexibility in Plan Design
Cash balance plans can be customized to meet the needs of the business. Contributions can vary based on employee roles, tenure, or salary levels, allowing business owners to structure the plan in a way that best serves their financial and workforce goals. Additionally, these plans can be paired with a 401(k) for even greater retirement savings potential.
Challenges of Cash Balance Plans
1. Required Annual Contributions
Unlike profit-sharing contributions in a 401(k), which can be discretionary, cash balance plans require mandatory annual contributions. This means businesses need a consistent and predictable cash flow to maintain the plan over time.
2. Administrative Complexity
Cash balance plans involve more administrative work than traditional 401(k)s. Business owners must comply with government regulations, complete annual actuarial evaluations, and file IRS reports. Engaging a third-party administrator (TPA) is necessary to ensure compliance and smooth plan operation.
3. Funding Requirements
Since the employer is responsible for funding the plan and ensuring returns meet the guaranteed rate, market downturns could lead to additional funding obligations. For example; a plan with $1 million of accumulated benefits could experience an investment shortfall of 5% based on market performance. This would require an additional $50,000 of employer contributions on top of the annual contribution requirements. It should be noted that any losses may be amortized over a 15-year period.
Source: Joe Nichols, DWC - The 401(k) Experts.
4. Higher Setup and Maintenance Costs
Compared to 401(k) plans, cash balance plans typically have higher setup and maintenance costs. Employers must factor in administrative fees, actuarial costs, and investment management expenses when determining if the plan is a viable option.
Is a Cash Balance Plan Right for Your Business?
A cash balance plan is a powerful tool for business owners who want to accelerate retirement savings and take advantage of significant tax breaks. While these plans require mandatory contributions, careful planning can ensure long-term benefits that often outweigh the administrative and funding challenges. For high-earning business owners with a steady cash flow, a cash balance plan can provide a strategic way to maximize retirement savings while significantly reducing taxable income.
These plans are particularly beneficial for professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and consultants who have stable profits and seek to invest heavily in their future. By assessing your financial stability and working with experts, you can determine if a cash balance plan aligns with your long-term business and retirement goals while also offering valuable benefits to your employees.
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
Tax-Smart Retirement Withdrawals: How Discipline today results in freedom tomorrow.
One of the most overlooked aspects of retirement planning is your withdrawal strategy—how you take money from your accounts. Without a plan, you could end up paying more taxes than necessary, reducing the longevity of your investments. By strategically withdrawing from your accounts, you can optimize your tax bill and potentially extend the life of your portfolio.
Do not be fooled into thinking that this is something you don’t have to think about until you near retirement age - that could not be further from the truth! The flexibility of your retirement withdrawal strategy is directly tied to the cash flow planning, tax planning, and savings strategy you implement in your working years.
The Three Main Buckets of Tax Diversification
Understanding how different types of retirement accounts are taxed is crucial to a well-structured withdrawal strategy. There are three main tax buckets to consider:
1. Ordinary Income Bucket
These funds are taxed at ordinary income rates, which currently range from 10% to 37%, depending on your marginal tax bracket.
Examples include:
W-2/1099 wages
Business income
Rental income
Ordinary dividends and interest from a taxable brokerage account
High-yield savings interest
Short-term capital gains from a brokerage account or sale of other assets
Withdrawals from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and similar tax-deferred accounts
2. Long-Term Capital Gains Bucket
Long-term capital gains are taxed at preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your taxable income.
Examples include:
Sales of long-term securities in a brokerage account
Profits from the sale of long-term assets (i.e. rental home, business assets, etc.)
3. Tax-Free Income Bucket
These funds are entirely tax-free when withdrawn under the right conditions.
Examples include:
Roth IRA and Roth 401(k) withdrawals (if qualified)
Principal from savings accounts or after-tax contributions to brokerage accounts
Having a proper ratio of your portfolio in these different tax buckets will not only save you in taxes over your entire lifetime, but it also can add flexibility to other aspects of your financial plan as you near retirement, such as healthcare.
Consider Healthcare Challenges
Be Aware of Health Care Opportunities - Managing taxable income wisely may allow you to qualify for subsidies on the Health Insurance Marketplace by minimizing withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts.
Mind the Medicare IRMAA Surcharges – Medicare premiums are subject to an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA), based on a two-year look-back period. Large withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts could push you into a higher Medicare premium bracket, unnecessarily increasing healthcare costs.
Focus on What You Can Control
Financial headlines often focus on what’s beyond your control—market fluctuations, Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, or potential tax law changes. Worrying about these external factors can lead to anxiety and inaction. Instead, shift your focus to what you can control: how you save, where/how you invest, and how you structure your future withdrawals.
By diversifying your retirement savings across different tax buckets, you gain more flexibility in deciding how to draw income in retirement. This strategy can help minimize taxes, stay within favorable tax brackets, and strategically pass wealth to heirs.
A Balanced Approach
The best withdrawal strategy depends on your tax bracket, investment returns, and most importantly, your future financial needs. Your specific goals should be the drivers of your financial plan. By taking a thoughtful, tax-aware approach, we can do our best to control what we can, regardless of the noise around us.
It’s never too early to start thinking about tax diversification within your investment portfolio. The discipline you apply during your working years translates to flexibility and freedom in retirement. If you’d like to explore how a tax-efficient savings strategy can impact your financial future, let’s connect!
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
Fiscal Fitness: The Behavioral Connection Between Consistent Exercise and Retirement Savings
What if I told you that the time you spend in the gym can help you maximize the amount you save for retirement? Consistently exercising and saving for retirement share underlying behavioral traits, including goal-setting, delayed gratification, and self-discipline. Exploring these parallels can offer insights into building better habits for physical and financial well-being.
Shared Behavioral Foundations
Physical fitness and financial planning are parallel journeys, both requiring long-term goal setting and consistent effort. For example, whether you aim to shed a few pounds before a vacation or save for a larger home as your family grows, success depends on creating a broad plan and adjusting the details as you progress. The most challenging step is often getting started, but once you do, the benefits compound. Practicing delayed gratification strengthens your ability to prioritize future rewards, making it easier to develop lasting habits. Over time, these small, incremental changes lead to significant outcomes—such as increased metabolic rate in fitness or the growth of wealth through compound interest. These benefits come together beautifully, enabling us to maximize energy and health as we age. This not only reduces medical expenses but also extends the freedom to travel and engage in activities during retirement, enhancing overall quality of life.
Psychological Benefits of Consistency
Consistency in exercise and financial saving offers psychological benefits that extend across both domains. Regular exercise helps build resilience by fostering mental toughness, a quality that directly translates to the discipline needed for financial planning and saving. Additionally, studies show that exercise reduces cortisol levels and improves cognitive function, leading to lower stress and more rational decision-making—critical factors in managing finances effectively. Furthermore, success in one area, such as achieving fitness goals, creates a positive feedback loop, boosting confidence and reinforcing habits that can be applied to other areas, like saving for the future. These interconnected benefits illustrate how consistency in one domain can enhance overall well-being and success in life. I’m excited to have partnered with Justin Merriman on this article, owner of FitLyfe Training. As a Physical Trainer with a Bachelors in Clinical Exercise Science from Grand Valley State University, he brings a unique perspective to the changes he sees in his clients’ healthy habits. If you’ve been thinking about working with a Physical Trainer feel free to schedule a meeting with him or follow him on Instagram @jman_merriman. Here’s his take on the matter.
Trainer’s Perspective
For most people, acquiring discipline can be quite the tall task. This typically comes when facing a goal we are not quite sure how to even begin working towards. With all the information out there in today’s world, some of which is very conflicting, it can be very hard to determine the “perfect route” to take. That is the thing though, trying to create a flawless routine is going to lead to trying many different extreme strategies that may not ‘fit’ into our lives, thus making it very hard to establish discipline. The key to creating a solid foundation of discipline is to make small changes in our lifestyle that we know will be sustainable. If it takes roughly 21-days for something to become a habit, all we need to do is act consistently on a very simple task for the course of that duration, and we can begin to build something very valuable. This is basically the brick & mortar process to set that foundation for building discipline. An example of a small task that can lead to a healthier lifestyle is finding a mode of exercise that you enjoy. This can be as simple as going for a walk through your neighborhood, swimming with your kids at the local pool, or going for a bike-ride. It doesn’t always have to be hitting a high-intensity workout at the gym. Once you find that mode of physical activity that you enjoy, then you build it into your routine on a regular basis. The more you do, the more you begin to enjoy the “doing.” This is where the discipline really solidifies. Eventually, you may start dabbling in other forms of exercise (weightlifting, group classes, yoga, etc), because of all the positive returns that you see and feel from that initial step you made. It’s a beautiful cycle.
Lessons From Research
Baumeister’s Strength Model of Self-Control gives us a great way to understand the connection between staying consistent with exercise and being disciplined with money. His research shows that self-control works like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. When you stick to a workout routine, you’re not just building physical strength, you’re training your ability to delay gratification and stay committed to long-term goals. That same discipline makes it easier to make smart financial decisions, like saving for retirement. The cool part? Building willpower in one area of life naturally spills over into others, proving that self-control isn’t just something you’re born with—it’s a skill you can develop and use to create lasting success.
Practical Tips to Cultivate Habits in both Domains
Just like tracking your finances, monitoring your body’s progress is key. Big goals are great, but success often comes from setting manageable benchmarks. For example, rather than jumping straight to 10,000 steps a day, start by adding 2,000–3,000 steps daily—about a 30-minute walk. Over a few weeks, gradually increase your activity. Small choices, like taking the stairs or parking farther away, add up and make movement a natural part of your lifestyle. A step-counter is just one way to track progress. Many apps can help monitor food intake, strength training, running, and more. Find a metric that works for you—it will keep you motivated and push you toward greater achievements. Like gradually increasing your step count, building financial stability starts with small, manageable steps—like creating a basic budget and contributing to your employer-sponsored retirement plan. As you progress and push your limits, consider fine-tuning your approach by analyzing your diet and seeking expert guidance. Whether in fitness or finance, a professional’s perspective can help you optimize your strategy, avoid costly mistakes, and accelerate your progress. Tracking and refining both your physical and financial habits will keep you on a sustainable path toward long-term success.
References:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228079571_The_Strength_Model_ of_Self-Control
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Estate Planning: Advanced Strategies for Wealth Management
Estate planning goes beyond preserving wealth; it’s a strategic approach to financial security, tax efficiency, and legacy building. This guide explores advanced estate planning techniques, including trusts, business succession strategies, and philanthropic giving, to help you safeguard assets and optimize wealth transfer. Whether managing a business or planning for future generations, these insights ensure a comprehensive and tax-efficient estate plan.
Estate planning encompasses more than the preservation of wealth; it is a sophisticated exercise in financial security, tax minimization, and the cultivation of an enduring legacy. For individuals with complex asset portfolios or professional obligations, a nuanced estate plan is essential to address multifaceted personal and professional objectives while protecting assets for succeeding generations. Below, we examine advanced estate planning techniques and their strategic applications.
Foundational Strategies in Estate Planning
Revocable Living Trusts
A Revocable Living Trust represents a cornerstone of estate planning, offering unparalleled flexibility and control over assets. It is particularly advantageous for individuals managing diverse holdings, as it consolidates ownership of business interests, real estate, and liquid assets into a unified structure. By avoiding probate, this mechanism ensures the expeditious distribution of assets, maintains confidentiality, and obviates the complexities associated with ancillary probate in jurisdictions beyond one’s domicile.
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)
An ILIT is a sophisticated instrument designed to exclude life insurance proceeds from the taxable estate. When coupled with Crummey provisions, it permits annual tax-free contributions to beneficiaries within the parameters of the federal gift tax exclusion. The trust subsequently utilizes these contributions to maintain the life insurance policy.
For instance, consider an individual anticipating a substantial estate tax liability. By employing an ILIT, the resulting liquidity can offset estate taxes or fund a buy-sell agreement without diminishing other estate assets. This ensures the preservation of wealth while securing operational continuity for closely held enterprises.
Testamentary Trusts
A Testamentary Trust, activated through provisions within a will, offers an easily executed yet robust framework for structured inheritance. This trust is invaluable for managing distributions to minors or dependents and shielding assets from creditors’ claims or imprudent financial decisions by beneficiaries.
As an illustrative scenario, a professional seeking to ensure incremental wealth transfers to their children might establish a Testamentary Trust stipulating disbursements at defined life milestones, such as ages 25, 35, and 45. Concurrently, the trust could provide for a surviving spouse, ensuring both immediate support and the long-term financial stewardship of future generations.
Sophisticated Business Transfer Mechanisms
Business succession planning demands precision and foresight to mitigate tax exposure while ensuring operational stability and intergenerational continuity.
Buy-Sell Agreements
Buy-Sell Agreements are indispensable in delineating ownership transitions in the event of death, disability, or retirement. Funded through life insurance, these agreements provide liquidity to facilitate the acquisition of the deceased owner’s share by surviving stakeholders.
For example, a small enterprise with two co-owners might implement a Cross-Purchase Agreement. Should one owner predecease the other, the agreement enables the survivor to acquire the decedent’s stake at a predetermined valuation, thereby safeguarding the business and providing equitable compensation to the deceased’s heirs.
Qualified Interest Trusts
Instruments such as Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) or Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs) are pivotal in transferring appreciating assets while minimizing taxable estate values. These trusts effectively "freeze" the asset’s value for estate tax purposes, allowing beneficiaries to inherit appreciation free of tax liability.
A family business owner might, for instance, transfer shares into a GRAT. During the trust’s term, the grantor receives an annuity, while the appreciating residual interest transfers to heirs upon expiration of the trust, all within a highly tax-efficient structure.
Valuation Discounts for Business Gifting
Strategic gifting of minority interests in a closely held business capitalizes on valuation discounts for lack of marketability and minority control, thereby reducing the taxable value of transferred assets.
Over time, an owner could utilize annual gift tax exclusions to transfer minority shares to heirs or trusts, systematically diminishing the taxable estate while preserving family control over the enterprise.
Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs)
FLPs embody the "family bank" philosophy, serving as a vehicle for intergenerational wealth transfer while retaining centralized control. By transferring limited partnership interests to heirs, significant valuation discounts may be realized for estate and gift tax purposes.
Consider a family enterprise structured as an FLP. The general partner retains decision-making authority, while limited partnership interests are distributed to heirs, fostering shared ownership and financial stewardship across generations. This approach not only reduces estate tax exposure but also instills a legacy of collaborative asset management.
Advanced Philanthropic Strategies
Charitable giving serves dual objectives: it aligns with personal values while achieving meaningful tax optimization. High-net-worth individuals often integrate philanthropic endeavors into their estate plans to magnify their impact and minimize liabilities.
Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs)
CRTs facilitate the transfer of highly appreciated assets, enabling donors to sidestep immediate capital gains taxes while deriving a steady income stream. Upon termination of the trust, the remaining assets pass to designated charitable organizations.
For instance, transferring appreciated stock to a CRT eliminates capital gains taxes, generates lifetime income for the donor, and secures a legacy contribution to a favored nonprofit institution.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
DAFs provide a streamlined platform for strategic philanthropy. Contributions yield immediate tax deductions, while donors retain advisory privileges over grant disbursements to qualified charities.
Envision a scenario where a family consolidates their annual charitable contributions into a DAF. This structure simplifies administration, engages younger generations in philanthropy, and perpetuates a tradition of giving.
Private Foundations
Private foundations afford unparalleled control over charitable endeavors, albeit with heightened administrative complexity. They are well-suited for individuals seeking to establish a lasting institutional legacy.
A private foundation might, for example, fund educational scholarships or community initiatives aligned with the founder’s values. Beyond tax benefits, such entities foster active family participation in governance and amplify philanthropic impact over generations.
Avoiding Strategic Pitfalls
Even meticulously constructed estate plans are susceptible to errors that can compromise their efficacy. Common pitfalls include:
Improperly Funded ILITs: Failure to fund this trust appropriately jeopardizes the tax-exempt treatment of contributions.
Liquidity Deficiencies: Inadequate planning for estate tax liabilities or business buyouts may necessitate a premature liquidation of assets. Life insurance and carefully calibrated gifting strategies work to mitigate this risk.
Outdated Valuations: Periodic appraisals ensure that asset values remain accurate, particularly for closely held businesses.
Underutilized Philanthropic Opportunities: Neglecting charitable mechanisms can result in unnecessary tax exposure and diminished legacy impact.
Estate planning transcends mere financial management; it is a deliberate exercise in legacy cultivation, tax strategy, and familial continuity. By employing tools such as ILITs, FLPs, GRATs, and philanthropic vehicles, individuals can craft plans that are both comprehensive and tailored to their unique circumstances.
Engaging with seasoned legal and financial advisors ensures the realization of these strategies in alignment with overarching objectives. The earlier these measures are implemented, the greater the flexibility and efficacy of the resulting plan.
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
A Prescription for Raising Financially Savvy Children
Just as we prioritize early intervention in healthcare, teaching your kids about money early sets them up for a healthy financial future. Children develop money habits from a young age, so it's crucial to guide them toward smart financial decisions. Here are some ideas to nurture your children’s financial literacy, broken down by age group.
Young Children (Ages 3-7): Building a Strong Foundation
Save, Spend, Give: Make it visual! Use three jars labeled "Saving," "Spending," and "Giving." This helps young children grasp the concept of balancing different financial goals. For example, they could save for a coveted toy, spend some on an ice cream treat, and donate to a cause they care about, like an animal shelter.
Needs vs. Wants: Explain the difference between needs (things we must have to survive, like food and shelter) and wants (things we'd like to have, like toys and candy). Involve them in grocery shopping and explain how you prioritize needs and stick to a budget.
Delayed Gratification: Teach patience! Help them set small savings goals. "If you save your allowance for two weeks, you can buy that awesome robot!"
Fun and Games: Make learning about money enjoyable! Play money-themed board games like Monopoly Jr. or Life.
Middle Childhood (Ages 8-12): Developing Key Skills
Money = Time: Connect effort to earnings by offering paid chores or an allowance. Help your children understand that buying a video game requires a certain number of chore hours. This reinforces the value of hard work and mindful spending. Want to dive deeper? Check out my full blog post on this topic.
Budgeting 101: Introduce the concept of budgeting. Give your child a small allowance and help them create a simple budget, perhaps using a whiteboard or spreadsheet to track income and expenses.
Savvy Shopper: Turn shopping into a learning experience. Teach comparison shopping, looking for deals, and using coupons. They'll feel empowered seeing their money go further!
Banking Basics: Open a savings account for your child and explain how interest works (and the magic of compound growth!). Encourage them to deposit a portion of their allowance regularly. To make it exciting, find a bank with a good new account promotion or help them compare interest rates to find the best deal.
Teenagers (Ages 13-18): Preparing for Adulthood
Credit and Debt: The Good and the Bad: Explain the responsible use of credit cards and the dangers of high-interest debt. Discuss credit scores and how they can impact getting a loan for a car or a house in the future.
Real-World Experience: Encourage your teen to get a part-time job. This provides valuable experience with earning, managing money, and developing essential workplace skills.
Investing for the Future: Introduce basic investment concepts like stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds. If they have earned income, consider opening a custodial Roth IRA to help them start investing for their future with tax-free growth!
Setting Financial Goals: Help your teen set realistic financial goals, such as saving for college, a car, or a down payment on a house. Discuss the costs and benefits of different choices, like whether a pricey college is worth the investment. “Price is what you pay, value is what you get.” -Warren Buffett
Essential Principles for All Ages:
Open and Honest Communication: Create a safe environment for money conversations. Encourage your child to ask questions without fear of judgment.
Be a Role Model: Your kids are watching! Model good financial habits and be open about your own financial journey (within appropriate boundaries).
Personalized Approach: Every child is different. Tailor your teaching to their interests and learning styles. If your child loves sports, use sports analogies to explain financial concepts.
Tech-Savvy Tools: Utilize apps like Greenlight to give your child hands-on experience with budgeting and managing money in today's digital world.
Mastering Money Emotions: Help your child understand how emotions can drive spending decisions. Teach them strategies to manage impulsive spending and stay calm when the stock market takes a dip.
By investing time and effort in your children's financial education, you're empowering them to make sound financial decisions and achieve lifelong financial well-being.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Financial Love Languages: A Couple’s Guide to Building Wealth Together
For many couples, financial conversations can be a source of tension. Working with clients, I’ve noticed that often this tension stems from a misunderstanding of each other's natural tendencies and values. Sometimes it's difficult to understand and identify our own deep-seeded values - doesn’t everyone just think like I do?!
Understanding each other’s "financial love language" can transform these discussions into opportunities to strengthen your relationship and work toward shared goals. Clarity is kindness!
What Are Financial Love Languages?
The concept of financial love languages adapts the idea of love languages—how people give and receive love—to the world of money. Everyone has a unique relationship with money shaped by their upbringing, experiences, and values. Recognizing your partner’s financial love language can help you navigate differences in spending, saving, investing, and planning habits.
Here are five common financial love languages:
1. The Saver
Core Traits: Loves building a financial safety net and prioritizes long-term security over immediate gratification.
How They Operate: Savers often prefer maintaining a robust emergency fund (at least six months of living expenses) and shy away from unnecessary risks.
How to Support Them: Celebrate their commitment to stability and work together to define clear savings goals, such as retirement planning or purchasing a home.
2. The Spender
Core Traits: Enjoys treating themselves and others, valuing experiences, travel, or material comforts.
How They Operate: Spenders might allocate a specific portion of their budget for indulgences, such as a travel fund or a splurge account.
How to Support Them: Encourage their zest for life by creating a financial plan that accommodates flexible spending while ensuring long-term goals are still prioritized. A bucket strategy can work wonders here!
3. The Investor
Core Traits: Focuses on growing wealth through calculated risks and strategic decisions.
How They Operate: Investors thrive on understanding the details of holdings and might allocate a small portion of their portfolio to speculative opportunities.
How to Support Them: Engage with their enthusiasm by discussing investment strategies and aligning their goals with the broader financial plan. Having a hobby/play account for speculative investments can be a great solution to keep the financial plan on track.
4. The Planner
Core Traits: Thrives on structure, setting budgets, and meticulously tracking financial goals.
How They Operate: Planners love detailed financial plans and tracking progress through spreadsheets or planning software.
How to Support Them: Provide the nitty gritty details of the cashflow plan and retirement projections. Collaborate with your advisor on creating a detailed financial roadmap and schedule regular check-ins to review progress and pivot as needed.
5. The Giver
Core Traits: Finds joy in sharing resources through gifting or charitable contributions.
How They Operate: Givers prioritize supporting loved ones or charitable causes. Working with a great advisor allows for maximum tax-efficiency, making your dollar as generous as possible.
How to Support Them: Work together to incorporate charitable giving into the financial plan, ensuring it aligns with other priorities like savings and investments. Charitable planning is a proactive process that should be woven into the financial plan all year long.
Building a Financial Partnership
Identifying your financial love languages can give you a great starting point to understand deeply held values within one another. Pinpointing your money motivators helps align your approaches and build a stronger financial foundation together.
Having different financial motivations doesn’t mean you can’t create a cohesive plan. With proactive planning and open communication building and sticking to a financial plan can bring a lot of joy to your life!
Money doesn’t have to be a source of stress in your relationship. Instead, it can become a way to deepen your connection and work toward shared dreams. This Valentine’s Day enjoy a heartfelt conversation about your financial future. After all, what’s more romantic than building a life and accomplishing goals together?
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
Featured In: ApartmentGuide
Kristiana Daniels, CFP®, EA, BFA™ was named an expert in an ApartmentGuide article, a subsidiary of Redfin. Check out the featured article: Tips for Couples Cohabitating for the First Time | ApartmentGuide.com
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
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Equity Compensation: Strategies for Business Owners and Executives
Discover strategies to maximize owner compensation, attract and retain key employees, and foster long-term business success with tailored incentives, equity-based rewards, and retention-focused programs.
Equity compensation: whether it’s stock options, restricted stock units, deferred compensation plans, or other incentives can be powerful for both wealth-building and as a tool to retain and grow top talent. For business owners and executives, it offers an opportunity to align your financial success with the growth of your company. But without a strategy, these rewards can quickly become a source of unnecessary complexity and risk.
Here we’ll explore key considerations for managing equity compensation effectively while highlighting strategies to minimize tax burdens and maximize long-term benefits.
Understanding Equity Compensation: A Quick Overview
Equity-based compensation comes in several forms, and each has its own rules and opportunities. Here are the most common:
Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)
Offer favorable tax treatment if you meet holding period requirements.
If sold too early, gains are taxed as ordinary income instead of capital gains.
Nonqualified Stock Options (NSOs)
Taxed as ordinary income at exercise, based on the difference between the exercise price and market value.
Any subsequent growth is subject to capital gains tax when sold.
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Taxable as income upon vesting, with the stock’s market value determining the tax hit.
Holding shares after vesting exposes future gains to capital gains taxes.
Deferred Compensation Plans
Allow you to defer taxable income to a future date, ideally when your income—and tax rate—are lower.
Planning payout timing is critical to avoid high tax bills.
Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA)
This is a strategy for 401(k) holders with company stock, where you can reduce taxes on the growth of your stock by shifting it from ordinary income to long-term capital gains.
Each of these compensation forms has the potential to have a lasting, positive effect on your wealth; but only if you navigate the accompanying tax and financial complexities strategically.
The Tax Factor: What You Need to Know
Taxes are the single biggest factor to consider when managing equity compensation. Poor timing can mean losing a significant portion of your rewards to tax liabilities. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
ISOs and AMT
Incentive Stock Options are a tax-friendly tool, but exercising too many in one year can trigger the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Proper planning, like spreading exercises across multiple years, can help mitigate this.
RSU Vesting and Taxes
When RSUs vest, you’re hit with ordinary income tax on their full value. Depending on how frequently you’re issued RSUs and if your company stock is performing well, you may be tempted to hold onto those shares. But this could leave you overexposed to a single stock.
Deferred Compensation Risks
Deferred compensation allows you to kick taxes down the road, but you’ll need to carefully coordinate distributions with your broader income to avoid bumping into higher tax brackets. Additionally, depending on how the agreement is written, there may be additional risks such as if the company goes bankrupt, is sold, or employment separation isn’t in alignment with the terms of the agreement.
NUA Benefits
If you hold company stock in a 401(k), rolling it into a brokerage account under NUA rules lets you pay long-term capital gains rates on its growth instead of ordinary income tax rates often cutting your tax liability nearly in half.
Giving thoughtful consideration to your tax strategy ensures you’re making the most of what you’ve earned while keeping more in your pocket.
Strategies to Maximize Equity Compensation
Managing equity compensation isn’t just about taxes—it’s about using these assets to meet your broader financial goals. Here are three strategies to get you started:
Diversify to Manage Risk
As passionate as you may be about the outlook of your company, holding too much company stock ties your financial future to one asset, leaving you vulnerable even if the only risk couldn’t have otherwise been planned for. As soon as RSUs vest or you exercise stock options, consider selling to diversify your portfolio into other investments. This spreads risk while still allowing you to benefit from your company’s success.
Plan the Timing of Exercises and Sales
For ISOs and NSOs, timing is everything. Aim to exercise stock options in years when your taxable income is lower to minimize the impact. Similarly, holding shares long enough to qualify for long-term capital gains can significantly reduce the taxes you pay on appreciation.
Leverage Tax-Advantaged Strategies
Tools like deferred compensation and NUA are underutilized opportunities to save on taxes. Deferred comp payouts scheduled during retirement years, when your income is typically lower, can make a huge difference. Likewise, using NUA rules for company stock in your 401(k) can transform a steep tax bill into manageable long-term capital gains.
The Bigger Picture
Equity compensation is about more than just growing wealth. It’s about aligning your decisions with your long-term financial goals. Whether you’re a business owner structuring a succession plan or an executive navigating your compensation package, the right strategy can help you turn potential into reality.
That said, equity compensation is rarely one-size-fits-all. Your strategy should account for your risk tolerance, income level, and long-term goals. A financial advisor can be a valuable partner in navigating these complexities, helping you optimize your decisions at every step.
If you’re ready to take the next step in managing your equity compensation, start by evaluating your current position and identifying opportunities to optimize. And remember thoughtful planning today lays the foundation for tomorrow’s success.
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
Financial Planning Feature: Wealth Think Wisdom, vision, wealth: How parents can instill enduring financial habits
Kristiana Daniels, CFP®, EA, BFA™ had the privilege of being featured in Financial Planning, where she shares insights on the importance of instilling enduring financial habits in the next generation.
Kristiana emphasizes the need for proactive and intentional thought behind how we incorporate our children and our client’s children in building solid foundations and generational wealth.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
Recent Articles Written by Kristiana:
A popular stat suggests indexing the S&P 500 would have been a better investment than Jerry Buss's purchase of the Lakers. This article dismantles that myth, revealing how the real math of leverage, cash flow, and tax efficiency tells a much different, and more profitable, story about building true wealth through ownership.