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Christian West

Christian West

Charitable Planning to Wrap Up 2025: Strategies to Maximize Your Impact and Your Tax Benefits

As 2025 comes to a close, many families, retirees, and business owners are taking a fresh look at their charitable goals. This year is particularly important because the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces meaningful tax changes starting in 2026. These changes affect how charitable deducti

The 4% Rule Revisited: Determining a Sustainable Withdrawal Rate

For decades, the "4% rule" has served as a widely cited guideline for retirees. This concept, developed by financial planner William Bengen in the early 1990s, suggested that an investor could successfully sustain a 30-year retirement by initially withdrawing 4% of their total invested portfolio and

Year-End Financial Planning Checklist: Setting the Stage for 2026

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and take proactive steps to align your financial life with your goals. A structured year-end review ensures you’re maximizing opportunities for tax efficiency, fine-tuning your investments, and entering the new year with confiden

How to Qualify for Real Estate Professional (RE Pro) Tax Status

For many real estate investors, one of the most valuable tax planning opportunities is qualifying for Real Estate Professional (RE Pro) status with the IRS. Achieving this designation can change how your rental activity is treated for tax purposes, potentially allowing you to deduct real estate loss

How Credit Cards Influence Your Credit Score — and Smart Ways to Improve It

How Credit Cards Impact Your Credit Score Credit cards can be valuable financial tools when used wisely. They offer flexibility, rewards, and can help establish or strengthen your credit history. But how you manage your credit cards directly influences your credit score — for better or worse. Unders

Social Security Benefits Are Increasing in 2026 — Here’s What That Means for Your Retirement Plan

Each fall, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announces the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which determines how much benefits will increase to help keep up with inflation. For 2026, Social Security benefits are set to increase by approximately 2.8%. While this adjustment is automatic

Why Every Financial Plan Needs an Emergency Reserve

How Liquid Cash Protects Your Long-Term Strategy A sound financial plan isn’t just about growth — it’s also about resilience. Market fluctuations, medical expenses, or household repairs can occur without warning. That’s why maintaining an emergency reserve is a critical part of any financial strateg

World Financial Planning Day: A Reminder to Get Financially Fit

October 8th is World Financial Planning Day — a global reminder of the value of taking time to review your financial goals and strategy. Whether you’re just getting started or refining a well-established plan, it’s a great opportunity to pause and ask: Is my financial plan still aligned with the lif

Exit Strategies for Real Estate Investors

Real estate investors often put tremendous energy into finding and financing the right property. Yet many underestimate the importance of the exit strategy. How you leave an investment can be just as impactful as how you enter it. Done thoughtfully, the exit can provide liquidity, unlock higher valu

New IRS Reporting for Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): What You Need to Know for 2025

For retirees who give charitably, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are one of the most tax-efficient ways to support a cause. Starting in 2025, the IRS is making an important update that simplifies how these charitable IRA distributions are reported—reducing confusion and potential tax erro