Your Wealth & Well-Being Archives

What Parents Should Know About the New Section 530A “Trump Accounts”

Andrew Lemay on June 1, 2026

Insights From a Recent Kitces Webinar

I recently attended an informative webinar through Kitces.com covering the newly introduced Section 530A “Trump Accounts,” and I wanted to share some key insights because there have already been a lot of questions surrounding who can open these accounts, how they work, and whether they may create planning opportunities for families.

Authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Section 530A accounts introduce a brand new tax-advantaged investment vehicle for minors. At their core, they function like an early start retirement account, designed to give children the opportunity to benefit from decades of tax-deferred compounding growth.

While the legislation is still very new and additional guidance will likely continue to emerge, there are several important takeaways worth understanding now.

Who is Eligible and How to Open an Account?

Any U.S. citizen under the age of 18 with a valid Social Security number is eligible for a Section 530A account.

A parent and/or legal guardian, adult sibling, or grandparent, in that order of priority, can establish the account beginning July 4, 2026, through either:

The official government portal at trumpaccounts.gov
IRS Form 4547, filed electronically or by mail

Understanding the Growth Period

From the time the account is opened until the end of the year before the child turns 18, the account enters what’s called the “Growth Period.”

During this phase:

Assets grow tax-deferred
Distributions are generally prohibited
Investments are limited to broad U.S. equity index mutual funds or ETFs with expense ratios capped at 0.1% annually.

The goal appears to be keeping these accounts relatively simple, low cost, and focused on long-term growth.

The 4 Ways These Accounts Can Be Funded

One of the more interesting aspects of the legislation is the flexibility around contributions.

1. Direct After-Tax Contributions

Parents, grandparents, family members, friends, or even the child themselves can contribute cash directly to the account.

Annual contribution limit: $5,000
Contributions are after tax
No tax deduction is received

2. Employer Contributions

Employers can voluntarily contribute up to $2,500 annually to either:

An employee’s account, or
Their dependent’s account

These contributions are excluded from the employee’s gross income under Section 128, though they still count toward the $5,000 annual limit.

3. The $1,000 Federal Pilot Program

One of the most discussed provisions is the government-funded pilot program contribution.

Children born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028 qualify for a one-time $1,000 contribution funded directly by the U.S. Treasury.

Importantly:

This does not count toward the $5,000 annual contribution limit
Families must actively elect the contribution through Form 4547 or the online portal

For young families, this may represent a meaningful opportunity to begin investing early.

4. Qualified General Contributions

Approved charitable or government organizations can inject large-scale capital aimed at broad geographic or age-based classes of beneficiaries.

These do not count toward the $5,000 annual contribution limit

The Power of Starting Early

Even relatively small amounts invested early can potentially become substantial over time because of compound growth. Section 530A accounts are uniquely designed to maximize this compounding effect, as these accounts are established for minors and the initial investments have nearly two decades to grow.

What Happens at Age 18?

Once the beneficiary turns 18, control of the account transfers entirely to them, and the account essentially adopts the rules of a Traditional IRA.

At that point, they generally have four options:

Maintain the Account

Keep the account invested and continue allowing it to grow tax-deferred.

Roll It Into a Traditional IRA

Transfer the balance into a Traditional IRA without penalty and continue deferring taxes until retirement distributions begin.

Convert to a Roth IRA

Potentially one of the more powerful planning opportunities.

The beneficiary can convert the account into a Roth IRA without a 10% penalty, though income taxes would still apply at the time of conversion to the non-basis portion of the account, including:

Employer contributions
Government pilot contributions
Qualified General Contributions
Investment growth

Because many 18-year-olds are often in relatively low tax brackets, this could create an opportunity for lower cost Roth conversions early in life.

That said, families will want to pay close attention to Kiddie Tax rules, since large conversions could potentially trigger taxation at the parents’ higher marginal tax rates.

Take a Distribution

The beneficiary can also withdraw funds directly.

Original direct after-tax contributions are considered a return of your basis and are tax-free
Growth, employer, charitable, and government contributions are taxable as ordinary income
Withdrawals before age 59½ may also trigger a 10% early withdrawal penalty unless an IRA exception applies

The Biggest Planning Consideration May Not Be Taxes

One of the more interesting discussion points from the webinar had less to do with taxes and more to do with behavior.

At age 18, the beneficiary legally gains control of the account.

For some families, that may prompt an important conversation about financial education and long-term decision making.

An 18-year-old may understandably feel tempted to cash out funds for short-term wants, especially if they don’t fully understand the long-term value of compounding.

That makes financial literacy and ongoing education incredibly important.

Because ultimately, the real power of these accounts is not necessarily the initial contribution itself. It’s the time horizon attached to it.

We’ll continue monitoring guidance and developments surrounding Section 530A accounts and helping families evaluate how they may fit into a broader long-term financial plan. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out by either scheduling a call using the button below or emailing us directly at connect@noteadvisor.com.

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Andrew Lemay, CPA, MBA, is a Tax Planning & Preparation Associate at Note Advisors. He works closely with the firm’s CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals to help clients align tax strategy, preparation, and compliance with their broader financial goals. As he works toward earning his CFP® certification, Andrew is committed to delivering the integrated planning experience that is central to Note Advisors’ approach. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

More Than an Inheritance: The Legacy You Leave Behind

Note Team on May 19, 2026

There’s a shift happening in the way families think about wealth.

For previous generations, estate planning often meant one thing: deciding what happens to your money after you’re gone. Conversations about wealth were private. Children didn’t know much about the finances, and many families simply planned to “figure it out later.”

But today, more families are asking a different question:

What kind of impact do we want our wealth to have while we’re still here to experience it?

At Note Advisors, we’ve seen some of the most meaningful financial planning conversations happen not around numbers or investment returns, but around family, values, generosity, and legacy.

Because in many cases, the most important part of a financial plan has very little to do with spreadsheets.

Legacy Is About More Than Money

True legacy is much bigger than the transfer of assets.

It’s the values you pass down.
The conversations you have.
The opportunities you create for your children and grandchildren.
The memories your family carries forward long after the money itself is gone.

One of the most common things we hear from clients is:

“I want to see my kids and grandkids enjoy this while I’m alive.”

That mindset changes the conversation entirely.

Instead of simply asking, “How much can we leave behind?” families begin asking:

How can we help our children now?
What experiences matter most to us?
What values do we want future generations to carry forward?
How do we use wealth intentionally?

Those are legacy conversations.

The Power of Open Family Conversations

For many families, money was once a topic that stayed behind closed doors.

Parents often believed their adult children shouldn’t know anything about the family finances until after they passed away. While the intention may have been good, the result was often confusion, stress, and uncertainty for the next generation.

Today, we’re seeing more families embrace openness.

Not in a way that creates entitlement, but in a way that creates understanding.

When families communicate intentionally about wealth, they create clarity around:

family values
charitable priorities
financial responsibility
long-term intentions
stewardship across generations

And perhaps most importantly, those conversations can strengthen relationships.

A Different Way to Think About Charitable Giving

One of the most meaningful examples we’ve seen in the families we work with involves charitable giving.

Many families establish charitable accounts or donor-advised funds because of the tax benefits. And while those benefits can certainly be valuable, the real opportunity often goes much deeper.

We encourage families to use charitable giving as a teaching tool.

One client began involving his children and grandchildren in deciding which charities the family would support each year. At Thanksgiving, each member of the family had the opportunity to share a cause that mattered to them.

What started as a financial strategy became something much more meaningful:
a family tradition rooted in shared values and generosity.

The tax deduction became secondary.

The real impact was the conversation itself.

Giving While Living

Another trend we continue to see is parents and grandparents choosing to support younger generations earlier in life rather than waiting decades to pass wealth down.

That might mean:

helping with a first home purchase
contributing toward education
funding family experiences
supporting entrepreneurship
gifting strategically as part of a larger estate plan

And interestingly, many adult children initially respond the same way:

“We don’t want the money. We want mom and dad to enjoy it.”

But for many parents, these gifts are part of the enjoyment.

It’s a way to witness the impact of their life’s work firsthand.

To see their children build stable lives.
To watch grandchildren create memories.
To experience the joy of helping others while they’re still here to share in it.

The Math Answer vs. The Right Answer

Financial planning often involves technical decisions:
taxes, investment strategies, withdrawal rates, and estate structures.

Those things matter.

But there are moments when the “best” mathematical answer may not fully capture what matters most to a family.

Sometimes a client chooses to spend money on a meaningful trip tied to a loved one’s memory.
Sometimes parents decide to help children earlier than a spreadsheet would recommend.
Sometimes generosity, family connection, or purpose outweigh pure optimization.

As we often say:

There’s the math answer, and then there’s the right answer. Sometimes those are the same. Many times they’re not.

Holistic financial planning should factor in both.

Wealth as a Tool for Purpose

At its best, wealth is not simply about accumulation.

It’s about alignment.

Alignment between your money and your values.
Between your resources and your relationships.
Between your financial plan and the life you want your family to experience together.

The families who navigate legacy most successfully are rarely the ones focused only on preserving wealth.

They’re the ones focused on using it intentionally.

Because the greatest legacy often isn’t the money itself.

It’s the impact that money has on the people you love.

If you’d like to have a conversation about your own legacy, schedule a call with one of our Certified Financial Planners (CFP®) to see if we are the right fit.

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The Line Isn’t as Long as it Looks.

Tom Waring on May 12, 2026

I’ve had the good fortune to serve on several boards over the years. Each one came with its own rhythm and its own built-in ending. Three-year terms. Sometimes three in a row if you were lucky. And then, just like that, your time was up.

In my twenties and thirties, I never gave much thought to those limits. Time felt generous back then. Wide open. Almost endless.

But I remember one moment clearly.

I was 41, sitting as the youngest member of a bank board, looking at a simple chart—a line next to each director’s name showing how long they could continue to serve before reaching the age limit. My line stretched out farther than anyone else’s.

I’ll admit I felt a little proud of that long line. And maybe just a little invincible.

Around the table, others looked at their shorter lines with a mix of humor and quiet understanding. We laughed about it. Compared notes. But underneath the laughter, there was an awareness that time, even when it looks long, has a way of moving.

And move it did.

Years unfolded in ways none of us could have predicted. We took the bank public. We navigated leadership changes. We celebrated growth. We weathered difficult seasons—moments that felt like they might never end, and others that passed in the blink of an eye.

Some stretches of time crawled. Others flew.

Somewhere along the way, without much announcement, I stopped being the young guy at the table.

I began to notice the chart again. Only this time, my line didn’t look quite so long.

That’s when it really struck me that the line isn’t as long as it looks.

What once felt distant had drawn close. What once seemed permanent revealed itself to be temporary. And yet, instead of feeling loss, I found something richer.

Gratitude.

Gratitude for the conversations that mattered. For the decisions that shaped people’s lives. For the relationships built over years of showing up, listening, contributing, and learning.

I found myself paying closer attention.

Not just to the work, but to the moments in between. The laughter before meetings, the thoughtful pauses during difficult decisions, the shared sense of responsibility for something larger than any one of us.

And I began to see something else. The shortening of the line doesn’t diminish its value. It clarifies it.

It reminds you to lean in. To be present. To say what matters. To appreciate the people you’re sitting beside while you still have the chance.

As we approached the final chapter in the transition of the bank and the closing of a long and meaningful era, that line, once long and steady, looked more like a dash.

And strangely, that felt right.

Because what filled that line—those years, those decisions, those shared experiences—that’s what mattered all along.

Now, looking back over 27 years, I don’t think about how long the line was.

I think about what we did with it.

And I’m reminded of something simple, something worth holding onto: It’s not the length of the line that defines the experience…it’s how fully you live it while you’re there.

Tom is a person who likes to see good things happen for others. It’s why his life’s work has focused on serving those who are building good things for themselves and others. This mostly looks like advising business owners, their family members, and their key employees in attaining success by aligning their personal and professional visions. He’s been doing this for nearly four decades and has watched as his clients’ financial situations have evolved, gaining insights that only experience can provide. Tom applies his mix of financial know-how and business acumen to guide clients toward better financial outcomes, avoiding the common traps that thwart even the most well-intentioned business owners.

Debt Isn’t Always the Enemy

TJ Conway on April 24, 2026

Debt isn’t inherently good or bad. It’s a tool, and like any tool, it depends on how you use it.

“I don’t want any debt and want to pay off my loans as quickly as possible.”

That’s how the conversation started.

We recently built a financial plan for a younger couple with dual income, no kids, and who were in a very strong financial position. From the start, it was clear they saw debt as something that needed to be eliminated as quickly as possible. It was one of the main reasons they wanted to meet.

For many people, debt feels heavy. In their words, it was “something hanging over them.”

It’s a very real and understandable mindset. At the same time, they were missing an important part of the bigger picture.

Debt is a Two-Sided Coin

Not all debt is created equal.

There’s the kind that works against you, such as high-interest credit cards, for example, where the cost of borrowing can quietly erode your progress.

And then there’s debt that can actually work for you, such as a mortgage, a business loan, or even strategically managed low-interest debt.

Some of the wealthiest individuals and families carry significant amounts of debt. Not because they have to, but because they strategically choose to.

They understand something important that some people tend to miss.

If your money can earn more elsewhere than your debt costs, while still staying accessible, aggressively paying it off may not be the most effective strategy in terms of the numbers.

But you also have to consider the other side of the coin—not just the math, but how it fits into your overall plan and priorities.

The Bucket Philosophy

One way I like to simplify this is what I call the bucket philosophy.

Think of your financial life as a series of buckets. Each one represents a different place your money can go—retirement accounts, investment accounts, savings, or paying down debt.

The question becomes:
Which buckets are giving you the best return?

If you have money left over each month, it may make sense to first fill the buckets that are working hardest for you.

For example:

Contributing to your 401(k) or 403(b), especially if there’s an employer match
Funding a Roth IRA, where growth can be tax-free
Investing in accounts that have long-term growth potential

These buckets have the ability to compound over time in a way that debt repayment simply doesn’t.

Once those higher-opportunity buckets are being filled, that’s when you shift focus.

Now it may make more sense to accelerate paying down debt, especially if it’s higher interest or no longer serving a strategic purpose.

This isn’t about ignoring debt, but about putting it in the right place within the bigger picture of your financial plan, making your money work more efficiently for you.

It’s Not Just Math. It’s Behavior

There’s an important layer to all of this.

Even if the math says one thing, your comfort level matters.

If having debt keeps you up at night, that’s real. And part of good planning is balancing both the numbers and how you feel about them.

But what I’ve found is that many people have been conditioned to view all debt the same way without ever stepping back to ask:

“Is this debt actually holding me back… or could it be part of a more strategic strategy?”

A Different Way to Think About It

The goal isn’t to carry debt for the sake of it. The goal is to be intentional.

To understand:

What your money is doing
Where it’s working hardest
And how each decision fits into your long-term plan

Because sometimes, the fastest path forward isn’t about eliminating debt as quickly as possible, but about making sure your money is positioned in the places that can do the most for you over time.

TJ Conway, CFP^® APMA™ is a Financial Advisor and Retirement Planning Associate at Note Advisors. As a Certified Financial Planner® and Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor℠ (APMA®), TJ is committed to providing client-focused, high-quality financial advice. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Schedule an Introductory Call

Fiduciary vs Suitability: What’s the Difference in Financial Advisors?

Note Team on April 13, 2026

If you’re searching for a financial advisor, you’ve likely come across terms like fiduciary, suitability, RIA, and CFP® professional.

These aren’t just industry jargon. They directly impact the kind of advice you receive.

Understanding the difference between the fiduciary standard vs. suitability standard can help you choose an advisor who truly aligns with your best interests.

What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor?

A fiduciary financial advisor is legally required to act in your best interest at all times.

This standard applies to Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) and certain financial professionals.

Key characteristics of a fiduciary:

Must put the client’s interests ahead of their own
Required to provide full transparency on fees and conflicts
Must act with care, prudence, and diligence
Obligated to avoid or properly manage conflicts of interest

In short, a fiduciary is held to the highest standard of care in the financial industry.

What Is the Suitability Standard?

The suitability standard is a lower standard that applies to many brokers and financial sales professionals.

Under this model:

Recommendations must be suitable based on your situation
They are not required to be the best option available
Advisors may recommend products that pay them higher commissions
The responsibility often falls on the client to identify poor advice

This means a recommendation can meet the standard even if a better, lower-cost, or more appropriate option exists.

Fiduciary vs. Suitability: Key Differences

Fiduciary Standard	Suitability Standard
Must act in your best interest	Must provide suitable recommendations
Full fee and conflict transparency	Limited disclosure requirements
Ongoing duty of care	Transaction-based relationship
Conflict management required	Conflicts may exist without full alignment
Higher legal accountability	Lower legal obligation

Why the Fiduciary Standard Matters

Choosing a fiduciary financial advisor can lead to:

More objective advice
Greater transparency around costs
Fewer conflicts of interest
A more comprehensive financial plan

For investors, this often translates into clearer guidance and greater confidence in decision-making.

What Is an RIA (Registered Investment Advisor)?

A Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) is a firm that operates under the fiduciary standard.

RIA firms are required to:

Act in the client’s best interest
Disclose how they are compensated
Provide ongoing advice and portfolio oversight

If you’re looking for a fiduciary advisor, working with an RIA is a strong place to start.

What Does CFP® Certification Mean?

A Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professional is someone who has met rigorous standards in:

Financial planning education
Examination and technical knowledge
Ethics and professional conduct

Importantly, CFP® professionals are also held to a fiduciary standard when providing financial advice.

How to Choose the Right Financial Advisor

When evaluating advisors, ask these key questions:

Are you a fiduciary at all times?
How are you compensated (fees vs. commissions)?
Do you provide comprehensive financial planning or just investment advice?
Are you a CFP®?

These answers will help you understand how advice is delivered and whether it aligns with your goals.

Our Approach at Note Advisors

At Note Advisors, we are a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and operate under a fiduciary standard.

Our approach includes:

Putting your interests first. Always
Transparent and fee-based advisement
Delivering holistic financial planning, not just investment recommendations

Our team includes Certified Financial Planner® professionals who are committed to helping you make thoughtful, informed decisions about your financial future.

Final Thoughts: Why This Distinction Matters

Not all financial advisors operate under the same rules.

Understanding the difference between fiduciary vs. suitability can help you:

Avoid conflicts of interest
Ask better questions
Choose an advisor you can trust

Because when it comes to your financial future, the standard your advisor follows matters more than most people realize.

If you want to learn more, schedule an introductory call with one of our Certified Financial Planners (CFP®) to see if we are the right fit.

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What Your Relationship With Money Reveals

Christine Mathieu on April 10, 2026

What looks like a money issue is often something deeper.

Can you dig into the archives of your life and find memories of when you first began to misrepresent money… and how that misrepresentation has cost you?

I’ll go first.

At the age of four (that’s me in the photo above), I unknowingly decided to become a thief.

I stashed three cherry-flavored suckers into the pockets of my dress while my father was busy chatting with the owner of the drugstore. When we arrived back at my Nannie’s apartment for lunch, I took one of those suckers and popped it into my mouth.

Busted.

Within seconds, questions and accusations were hurled at me.

Where did you get that?
Did you take more? Where’s the rest?
What made you think it was okay to steal candy?

I cried.

All I knew was that, in the eyes of my parents, I had done something very wrong. But no one explained it to me. I had no idea what money was. I had no idea what it meant to steal.

Instead of understanding, I felt shame.

And shame sticks.

No one sat me down and taught me how money worked. What I learned instead was emotional. I learned that wanting something I couldn’t have could lead to guilt. And that doing something wrong might mean that something was wrong with me.

Over time, those moments formed quiet beliefs.

Not conscious ones.
But powerful ones.

I can’t have what I want.
There’s not enough.
If I get this wrong, I am wrong.

And the truth is, those beliefs do not stay in childhood.

They follow us.

They shape how we earn, spend, save, avoid, and overthink. They influence the risks we take — or don’t take. And they quietly define what we believe we are allowed to have, receive, or enjoy.

Years later, after 16 years as a financial advisor, I found myself in a place I never expected.

At 39, after the birth of my second son and on the heels of my third divorce, I filed for bankruptcy.

On paper, it made no sense.

I understood finances.
I had built a career around it.

And yet there I was, asking myself:

How did this happen?
What’s wrong with me?

I felt angry.
I felt confused.
And underneath it all, I felt that same familiar shame I had felt in childhood.

That is when I began to see something more clearly:

This wasn’t just a financial problem.
It was a meaning problem.

Not because money has no meaning, but because I had assigned money a role it was never meant to play.

Growing up, money wasn’t talked about. It was modeled.

My mother would say, “Christine, you have champagne taste on a beer budget.”

As a child, that did not land as, “We can’t afford that right now.”

It landed as, “Christine, you can’t have what you want.”
And deeper still, “Christine, you are not worthy of what you want.”

Without realizing it, money became tied to worthiness.
To guilt.
To shame.
To deprivation.

Money became more than a resource.
It became a symbol. A judge. A measuring stick.

And when we ask for money to do jobs like that, it gets heavy.

We ask it to make us feel safe.
We ask it to make us feel enough.
We ask it to give us peace.
We ask it to prove our value.

But money cannot do any of those things.

Money is neutral. It does not create our inner state — it reveals it.

It reveals what we believe.
It reveals what we fear.
It reveals the meaning we have assigned to it.

That is why what often looks like a money issue is not just about finances.

It is an invitation.

An invitation to pause and ask:

What have I been asking money to mean?
What have I been asking it to prove?
What role have I given it in my life?

Because when money is no longer responsible for our peace, our worth, or our identity, it can return to its rightful role:

A tool.
A resource.
Something that supports what matters most, rather than something we depend on to tell us who we are.

That shift is where healing begins.

If this resonates with you, you may be noticing that your relationship with money is not just about numbers.

It may be about safety.
Worthiness.
Identity.
Control.
Freedom.
Peace.

That is the work I guide people through.

If you are ready to explore your own soul and money dynamic — the deeper beliefs, patterns, and meanings shaping your decisions — I invite you to start that conversation with me. Because sometimes what appears to be about money is revealing something far more important. And seeing that clearly can change everything.

Book a Discovery Call

As Western New York’s only Certified Money Coach (CMC®), Christine partners with our financial advisors to bring clients the best of both worlds: the technical expertise of financial planning and the transformational insight of wealth coaching. She helps individuals uncover limiting beliefs, align financial choices with what matters most, and move toward clarity. Connect with her on LinkedIn or visit our website to learn more about wealth coaching.

The Most Romantic Financial Move: We Agreements

Christine Mathieu on February 10, 2026

Valentine’s Day is full of symbols like hearts, roses, and candles. But in relationships, the most meaningful word I think about isn’t a symbol at all. It’s the word we.

For couples, money tension often starts where “we” disappears. It becomes:

“My spending” vs “Your spending”

“My anxiety” vs “Your avoidance”

“My plan” vs “Your freedom”

“My responsibility” vs “Your resistance”

Suddenly, money isn’t a shared tool. It’s a scoreboard.

So, here’s a Valentine’s Day practice that is surprisingly intimate: Create one “We Agreement.”

This isn’t a budget overhaul or a financial plan. It’s simply one shared agreement that says: “We’re on the same side.”

Start with this question: “What do we want money to support in our life together?” Here are some examples:

More ease on weekends
Less resentment
A home that feels calm
Travel that feels aligned
Generosity without guilt
Retirement without fear
A partnership where both voices matter

Then choose one agreement that fits your current season:

A weekly 10-minute check-in (same day, same time)
A spending threshold you both agree on (no surprises)
One shared savings goal that feels meaningful (not punishing)
A monthly “money date” where the goal is connection, not correction

A Note About Agreements

Agreements only work when they reflect values. Most couples have never slowed down long enough to name what they truly value both individually and together.

So, if you keep breaking the agreement, don’t shame yourselves. It may simply mean you’re trying to build a “we” plan on top of two unspoken “me” stories. Beneath those stories is usually something money is trying to protect—our sense of safety, freedom, or control. When we get curious about that, instead of being critical, real change becomes possible

The Valentine’s Day Reframe

Money will always be present in your relationship, but you get to decide what role it plays:

A wedge that proves you’re different
or
A bridge that helps you understand each other more deeply

This year, if you’re tempted to focus on the external gesture, consider something quieter, but more powerful:

Choose one “We Agreement.”
Speak it gently.
Write it down.
Honor it imperfectly.

That’s real partnership.

And that, to me, is a very grown-up kind of romance.

If you’re an individual who struggles with conversations about money in your relationship, let’s connect.

Book a Discovery Call

The Retirement Risk No One Warns You About

Christine Mathieu on February 9, 2026

I recently read a Wall Street Journal article titled, “The Retirement Crisis No One Warns You About: Mattering.” As someone who works closely with individuals navigating the transition into retirement, the message felt deeply familiar.

Not because of market uncertainty or longevity planning, but because of something far more human: Mattering.

Retirement is often framed as a financial milestone. But in reality, it is one of the most significant identity shifts a person will ever experience. While many people plan carefully for their wealth and health, far fewer prepare for what the article describes as their “mattering span,” or the need to continue feeling valued, useful, and connected in daily life.

Why Retirement Can Feel Unsettling Even When the Numbers Say You Can

Many retirees are surprised by how disorienting retirement feels. Even those who retire “on plan” often describe an unexpected loss of structure, relevance, or purpose.

In my conversations with clients, I frequently hear:

“I thought I’d feel more at peace.”
“I didn’t realize how much my work grounded me.”
“I’m financially fine, but something feels missing.”

This isn’t a personal shortcoming. It’s a natural response to the sudden removal of roles that once provided meaning, purpose, and connection. Work quietly answers questions like, “Who needs me?” Or “Where do I belong?”

As the end of that chapter approaches, those questions don’t disappear. They often get louder.

What it Means to Matter

The WSJ article outlines four components of mattering: feeling significant, appreciated, invested in, and depended on. What stands out is that none of these is guaranteed by financial independence alone.

You can have ample resources and still feel invisible.
You can have freedom and still feel unneeded.

The retirees who thrive are rarely the busiest. They are the ones who find ways to carry a thread of their former identity into their next chapter, not by recreating their careers, but by re-expressing their strengths in new ways.

Why Lifestyle Planning Means Just as Much as Financial Planning

Research cited in the article shows that lifestyle planning is a stronger predictor of retirement satisfaction than financial preparation alone. That finding aligns closely with what I see in practice.

The most fulfilling retirements are shaped by intentional conversations before work ends. We have conversations about meaning, contribution, relationships, and identity.

Questions like:

What parts of your work give you energy?
Where do you feel most useful?
Who depends on you today, and how might that evolve?
What would make your days feel purposeful, not just full?

These questions deserve a seat at the retirement planning table.

Redefining Success in Retirement

The article invites a powerful shift from “How long will I live?” to “How will I continue to matter while I do?“

When retirement is viewed as a transition vs an ending, it becomes an opportunity to intentionally reallocate time, talent, and attention toward what truly matters.

Financial security creates the freedom to ask these questions.
Clarity and purpose are what turn that freedom into a fulfilling life.

As a wealth coach, my role is to help people navigate this human side of retirement so that the next chapter isn’t just financially sound, but deeply lived. If you’re approaching retirement and want to talk, click the button below.

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Life is Good. How I Got Here.

Tom Waring on February 5, 2026

There was a time when I thought “well-being” meant things were calm, balanced, and mostly under control.

As a business owner, I’ve learned that it rarely looks that way in real life.

My journey hasn’t been a straight line. There have been seasons of growth and momentum as well as seasons of doubt, exhaustion, and pressure that sat heavier than I expected. There were times when the business was moving forward, but I wasn’t sure I was. Times when success, on paper, didn’t feel as satisfying as I thought it would.

And yet, today, I can honestly say: life is good.

Not because everything is perfect. Not because I get to play golf more often these days (though that does help). It’s because I’ve come to understand what true well-being really means and how intentional choices, over time, shape not just a business but a life.

The Ups and Downs No One Talks About

When you run a business, responsibility is constant. You carry the weight of decisions that affect employees, clients, and families—including your own. You’re expected to have answers, stay optimistic, and keep things moving, even when uncertainty is sitting right beside you.

There were moments when I pushed through stress rather than acknowledge it. When I focused so much on growth and progress that I didn’t pause to ask whether the pace I was keeping was sustainable. I told myself that this was just “part of the job.”

Over time, I realized something important: ignoring your own well-being doesn’t make you stronger. It just delays the reckoning.

Redefining What ‘Well’ Actually Means

For me, well-being isn’t about eliminating stress or achieving perfect balance. It’s about alignment.

It’s knowing that the way you spend your time reflects what matters most to you. It’s having clarity around your values and allowing them to guide decisions, even when it would be easier not to. It’s being honest with yourself about what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change.

True wellbeing shows up when:

You can step back without guilt
You trust the people around you
You’re no longer holding everything together by yourself
You feel peace about where you’re headed, not just where you’ve been

That didn’t happen overnight. It came from learning to let go of control, of ego, and of the belief that everything depended on me.

Passing the Torch Starts Long Before You’re Ready

One of the biggest shifts in my own sense of well-being came when I started thinking seriously about succession, not just as a business decision, but as a life decision.

Passing the torch isn’t just about ownership or leadership. It’s about identity. About trust. About believing that the business—and the people within it—can thrive without you at the center of everything.

A vision for my business that I have held since my mid-thirties has been a guide to test my response to questions like:

What do I want my legacy to be?
Are we building something that lasts or something that only works if I’m here?
Can I get out of the way of the bright people in this team?
Can I move from managing to leading, and leading to governing?
Can I exit my ownership during my lifetime?
What does a truly well-lived life look like beyond the business?

Answering those questions and others like it by referencing my vision led to better choices, better decisions, better responses, and great well-being and rich relationships.

What I’ve Learned About True Wellbeing

Looking back, well-being wasn’t something I found after the work was done. It was something I built by making more thoughtful, intentional choices along the way.

A few things made the difference:

Surrounding myself with people I trust and listen to
Putting a “pregnant pause” between an event and my choice of response, instead of reacting.
Accepting that growth includes discomfort
Recognizing that success means very little if it costs you your well-being.

Wellbeing isn’t passive. It’s something you actively protect.

Life Is Good—Because It’s Intentional

Today, life feels good not because the challenges are gone, but because I’m better equipped to meet them. I’m clearer about what matters, more comfortable asking for support, and more confident in letting others step forward.

If you’re a business owner in the thick of it—feeling stretched, uncertain, or quietly exhausted—I want you to know this: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry it all yourself.

How Your Mindset Affects Financial Decisions in Retirement

Shawn Glogowski on January 14, 2026

How fear and habits can hold retirees back, and how a financial planner can help you spend with confidence.

A recently retired client told me they were finally ready to take the trip they’d been talking about for years.

As we discussed flights, they casually mentioned they’d fly economy to save on airfare. It wasn’t hesitation, but habit.

I pulled up their plan and walked them through the numbers. They had saved. They had prepared. They had done exactly what they were supposed to do.

So I said, “You can take the trip. And you can fly first class.”

They laughed at first. Then they paused.

Because for many people, the hardest part of retirement isn’t understanding the math.
It’s trusting yourself to spend after decades of saving.

Money Is Emotional Whether We Admit It or Not

We like to think financial decisions are purely logical, but money is shaped by far more than numbers.

It’s influenced by years of habits, responsibility, and the stories we tell ourselves about safety and security. For most of adulthood, the goal is simple: save, be careful, and prepare for the future.

When retirement arrives, the rules quietly change. The paycheck stops, but the saving mindset doesn’t. And that’s where many people get stuck. The goal in retirement is to be able to spend the money you worked so hard to earn.

The Fear That Follows Us Into Retirement

Even with a solid plan in place, a common question surfaces:

What if I run out?

This fear can influence decisions in subtle ways by choosing discomfort over ease, delaying experiences, or living more cautiously than necessary. Not because the numbers demand it, but because the mindset hasn’t caught up.

When fear drives decisions, retirement can look responsible on paper while feeling smaller in real life.

Aligning the Plan and the Person

The goal of financial planning isn’t just to make money last.

It’s to help people live well with the money they’ve earned.

That means aligning the plan with the person. It’s helping clients shift from accumulation to intention, and from caution to confidence.

My role as an advisor goes beyond building a plan. It’s helping clients trust it when it’s time to live it.

Because you didn’t save all these years just to get by.
You saved so you could live comfortably and enjoy life to the fullest.

Sometimes the most meaningful part of hiring a financial planner isn’t just preparing for the future. It’s having someone give you the peace of mind to help you step into the future with confidence.

Shawn C. Glogowski, CFP®, is Principal and Co-Owner at Note Advisors, LLC, where he serves as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. He works closely with clients to design, implement, and oversee comprehensive financial plans tailored to their unique goals. Shawn is passionate about meeting clients where they are and providing clear guidance on investment, tax, retirement, and estate planning strategies to help them make confident decisions for their future.

Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn for insights on financial planning topics.