For many, the significant drop in income during the early-retirement years can be a great time to engage in tax planning.
Blog posts by Mallory Kretman, Wealth Manager
What to know about potential tax increases in 2026
Some of the tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are due to expire in 2026. Learn what this could mean for you, and strategies to mitigate the effects.
The fundamentals of 529 plans
Education is expensive, but there are ways to mitigate those costs. Learn the basics about 529 plans.
4 strategies for planning your capital gains
Learn what capital gains are, how they affect taxes, and what you can do to mitigate your tax burden.
5 ways to save energy — and tax money
It’s no secret that energy costs keep going up. The good news is that federal tax credits are available to people who invest in energy efficiency in their home and vehicles.
Preserving family legacy by passing down your cabin
If you want your cabin to remain in the family, do you have a plan for how to make that happen? Here are some considerations.
Trust vs. will: Which is right for you?
Often, clients will ask the difference between wills and trusts, and which is better. Let’s look at wills, trusts, how they are used, and the pros and cons of each so you can go into a decision well-informed on your options.
7 ways the Secure 2.0 Act changes retirement plans
A new law could change the way you save for retirement and use your retirement funds. We explain the law’s key provisions.
Consider creating an ethical will (or legacy letter)
Ethical wills are a way to account for the intangible things you want to leave to your loved ones.
What are your retirement insurance needs? You might be surprised.
Retirement brings a lot of changes. While they might not be at the top of your list, don’t overlook your retirement insurance needs.
How to help aging parents with their finances
Help from adult children usually progresses over time. Here are some tips for each stage as you manage more and more financial matters.
Gifting money to family members 101
As people think about gifting money to family members, they want to do it in a way that is most beneficial to themselves and the recipients.
After divorce checklist for finances
When a divorce wraps up, there are still plenty of financial matters to attend to. This handy list may help anyone who has “loose ends” to deal with.
Concentrated stock 101: Balancing risk and reward
A concentrated stock can give you the opportunity “to shoot the moon,” but it has risks. See our strategies for balancing risk and reward.
How to write your money story. And why it matters.
At Laurel Wealth Planning we often talk with clients about their "money story." We help them identify their views on money — which impact how they make...