Articles Library

Contributed by: Timothy Smith, CFP® Why January–February Is the Most Important Tax Window of the Year The most important tax planning window of the year isn’t March or April. It’s January and February. In a high-rate, high-deficit environment—where federal debt continues to expand and future tax increases remain a realistic policy response—early-year tax strategy has become one of the most powerful…

Contributed by: Brian Sak, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® Market volatility is often discussed as an investment concern. From an estate planning perspective, it is more accurately a valuation event. When asset prices fluctuate, the cost of transferring wealth changes, sometimes dramatically. For families with taxable estates, these periods can create opportunities to improve long term outcomes if they are deliberately…

As covered in our 401(k) – Super Roth article, a Roth IRA offers an attractive tax benefit. But, what do you do if you do not have a 401(k) or your 401(k) does not allow post-tax contributions? The answer is the Backdoor Roth which is the conversion from a Traditional to a Roth IRA. Both the Super Roth and Back Door options are for people who exceed the income limits (single filers that make over $168,000…

Mostly gone are the days where someone spends their entire career working for one company. Talented executives have become “free agents” and can transition between companies as needed. When planned, these job transitions can be an exciting time. Sometimes factors beyond our control force us to endure an unplanned job transition. This can add stress, usually at the worst possible time, as a variety…

Contributed by: Brian Sak, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® For wealthy families, business owners, and executives—particularly those with complex estate plans—trusts are often a key component of multigenerational wealth transfer, asset protection, and tax minimization strategies. Yet too often, trusts are created, then left dormant or mismanaged. As a result, what was once a well-designed structure can quietly unravel. At…

Contributed by: Timothy Smith, CFP® Economic uncertainty has a way of making even the most values-driven investors pause. When markets are volatile, inflation is persistent, and headlines feel relentlessly negative, charitable giving and impact investing are often the first areas questioned. Should generosity wait for more stable times? Does impact investing still make sense when returns feel less…

Authored by: Derek J. Taylor For high net worth investors, portfolio construction extends well beyond traditional public markets. While public equities and fixed income remain foundational, they are increasingly insufficient on their own to address the complexity of modern wealth objectives—capital preservation, long-term growth, income generation, and downside resilience across market cycles. At Granite…

Contributed by: Timothy B. Smith, CFP® For many affluent families, philanthropy is not simply an act of generosity; it is a reflection of purpose, legacy, and responsibility. As wealth grows and financial priorities evolve, traditional charitable giving alone often feels insufficient. Increasingly, investors are turning toward impact investing — the pursuit of measurable social and environmental outcomes…

Getting Started with Private Markets as part of a Comprehensive Investment Strategy for Accredited Investors. Private Market Investing has become increasingly popular over the years as investors seek higher returns in a low-interest-rate environment and an alternative to the daily volatility of the public markets1. Private Markets can be a profitable venture for the right investor. While investing…