Articles Library

Authored by: Erica Bourquin, CFP® A business can have strong revenue, loyal clients, and a compelling growth plan, yet still face one of its most difficult risks: losing the people who make the enterprise work. For some privately held companies, professional firms, and family-owned businesses, a small group of key employees may carry an outsized share of institutional knowledge, client relationships,…

Authored by: Derek J. Taylor A Granite Harbor Capital Perspective Most private capital vehicles specialize. A real estate fund buys and operates property. A private equity fund acquires and grows operating companies. Limited partners typically hold both exposures separately, in separate vehicles, with separate K-1s and separate tax profiles. The Mariner Fund takes a different approach. By housing investment…

Authored by: Timothy B. Smith, CFP® Retirement is often viewed as the reward for decades of hard work, but it also marks the beginning of a new set of financial decisions. For families who are charitably inclined, retirement offers unique opportunities to reduce taxes while making a lasting impact on the organizations and causes they value most. Unfortunately, many retirees treat investment decisions,…

Authored by: Brian W. Sak, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® For many corporate executives, changing employers triggers a long list of financial decisions. New compensation packages, equity awards, executive benefits, insurance coverage, and retirement plans all deserve attention. One of the most visible decisions is what to do with your former employer's 401(k). While important, a rollover is simply one action item…

Authored by: Dale Shaw, CFP®, RICP® A portfolio that earns ten percent in a given year may appear to outperform one that earns eight percent. On paper, the comparison seems straightforward. But for many successful investors, the more important question is not how much the portfolio earned. It is how much they kept after taxes. Taxes are one of the few factors that can consistently reduce investment…

What to do with Your 401(k) after Leaving a Job: Key Considerations & Advanced Tax Strategies When navigating a job transition, whether entering retirement or an unexpected layoff, one crucial aspect that requires careful consideration is what to do with your 401(k) plan. Making informed choices is of utmost importance to safeguard your financial future. By taking stock of your existing plan and…

Granite Harbor Managing Partner Brian W. Sak, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, has been recognized as one of the 2026 Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals, earning a place among the Top 50 professionals nationwide. In addition, Brian was one of only two professionals selected by Forbes for an exclusive feature profile highlighting his approach to helping clients make confident financial decisions. Read Brian's…

Authored by: Tom Kelley, MBA For many investors, portfolio success is often measured by account growth or annual returns. Perhaps a more meaningful goal is whether a portfolio can maintain the purchasing power necessary to support long term goals, lifestyle needs, and family legacy. Inflation may appear manageable in any single year, but over decades its cumulative effect can materially reduce the…

Contributed by: Dale Shaw, CFP®, RICP® In today’s digital world, wealth extends far beyond traditional bank accounts, investment portfolios, and physical property. Much of our financial life, personal history, and valuable information now exists online. From cryptocurrency wallets and cloud storage to online banking credentials and social media accounts, digital assets have become an essential part…