The 5 Documents Every Family Should Have (and Talk About)
Let’s be honest: nobody gets excited about estate documents. They rank somewhere between a dentist appointment and cleaning out the garage. But these papers are one of the kindest gifts you can give the people you love. When life takes an unexpected turn, they turn a stressful, confusing moment into a clear path forward. Just […]
Fund Due Diligence: What to Look for Before You Buy
When it comes to investing, there are many factors that guide a confident decision to buy. In addition to core principles, mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have differing structures that make choosing how to invest a layered decision. In this article, we will explore due diligence considerations that apply to all funds, as […]
Beyond the 529: A Wider Look at Investing for Kids
Whether you’re welcoming a new baby into your family, encouraging your daughter to save for retirement while working her first summer job, or planning for a grandchild’s college education, there are several account structures and planning strategies that can help you and your family reach your goals with flexibility and peace of mind. 529 […]
Mid-Year Check-In: Are You Still on Track to Reach Your Goals?
It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the year. Summer calendars fill up quickly with vacations, fun activities, and time spent enjoying the longer days, making it easy for financial goals to take a back seat. Yet the middle of the year provides an excellent opportunity to pause, reflect, and make sure your financial plan is still aligned with where you […]
An Underdog Story: The Taxable Brokerage Account
Have you heard of a savings waterfall? It’s a prioritized framework that helps you decide where to direct your hard-earned savings to maximize tax advantages. These guides are widely used, and they’re helpful. But they almost always share one thing in common: the taxable brokerage account sits at the very bottom of the list. These simplified waterfalls don’t always consider two major components of a […]
The Dementia Planning Conversation Every Family Should Have
At Alaska Wealth Advisors, we believe that true financial planning goes far beyond investment portfolios and retirement projections. It includes the conversations that are hardest to start — and the ones that matter most. That’s why we’re honored to share this piece from Sam Lilly, Communications Director at Alzheimer’s Resource Alaska. In our work with […]
When Individual Securities Make Sense
For most investors, in most situations, the most effective way to build a portfolio has been through low-cost index funds, ETFs, and mutual funds. The reasoning behind that is fairly straightforward, in that these vehicles give you broad diversification at very little cost, and they keep your attention on the thing that actually matters over […]
Wait for the Boom: The HSA’s Hidden Potential
Within every investment vehicle, there are hidden gems, strategies that only reveal themselves through careful research. The Health Savings Account (HSA) is one of them. It flies under the radar far too often, and that’s a missed opportunity. So, let the treasure hunt begin. The Triple Tax Advantage The HSA is widely recognized as […]
The Greatest Gift We Can Give: Navigating the Golden Years Together
This past Mother’s Day served as a beautiful, poignant reminder of what a privilege it is to walk alongside my husband John’s parents as they age. Now in their upper 80s, they continue to live independently—a feat that isn’t just due to luck, but to the power of intentional planning. Through a blend of foresight […]
The Practical Side of Partnership: Designing a Financial Life Together
When you and your partner commit to a life together, joy and excitement rightfully take center stage. The days are filled with picking caterers, dreaming up travel plans, or perhaps planning private vows in the Alaska backcountry. Eventually, however, the inevitable question arises: “How are we going to combine our finances?” While this discussion may […]