Blog

Estate Planning for Connecticut Faculty: Why Your Strategy Needs a Review Before You Retire

David Wheatley, CLU^®, ChFC^®

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Most estate plans are created with good intentions and then quietly forgotten. For the general professional population, this is a common problem. For faculty and administrators at Connecticut’s universities, it tends to be a more...

Legacy Planning Before Retirement: What to Consider, When to Start, and How to Get It Right

David Wheatley, CLU^®, ChFC^®

Monday, April 27, 2026

When most people hear "legacy planning" or "estate planning," they picture complexity — attorneys, legal documents, decisions that feel distant or overwhelming. That perception keeps many people from starting at all.But legacy planning...

It has now been more than three-and-a-half years since the bull market started in October 2022. At that time, inflation was climbing at its fastest rate in fifty years, the Federal Reserve (the central bank that sets interest rates)...

What Academics and Physicians Often Get Wrong About Medicare — and Why It Can Cost Them

David Wheatley, CLU^®, ChFC^®

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

In more than two decades of working with faculty, researchers, physicians, and academic administrators, I have had this conversation more times than I can count: a client approaching 65 who has planned carefully for retirement,...

For most families, a home is much more than just a place to live. It is typically their biggest financial asset, their largest monthly bill, and their most significant debt. For the economy as a whole, the housing market is closely...

What Every Retiree Should Know About Medicare and Their Financial Future

David Wheatley, CLU^®, ChFC^®

Thursday, April 16, 2026

For most retirees, healthcare is one of the biggest and hardest-to-predict costs in retirement — often totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. Healthcare can come from many sources, and Medicare (a federal health insurance...

The conflict between the United States and Iran is still developing, and markets have been responding to each new update. When a ceasefire was announced, it helped calm tensions and pushed oil prices down, with Brent crude (a major...

How Do You Know When You’re ‘Ready’ to Retire?

David Wheatley, CLU^®, ChFC^®

Monday, April 13, 2026

It’s one of the most common questions I receive — often asked by people who, by most measures, are already in very good shape financially.“How do I know when I’m actually ready?”There’s a version of this question that has a clear,...

Global events have been shaping financial markets, with high oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and new tariff rules drawing investor attention. One important factor behind many of these trends is the value of the U.S. dollar. Currency...

When Should You Take Social Security? The Answer Depends on More Than Your Age

David Wheatley, CLU^®, ChFC^®

Thursday, April 2, 2026

There's No Single Right Answer — But There's a FrameworkThe Social Security claiming decision is one of the most consequential financial choices in retirement. It's also one of the most misunderstood.Many people default to claiming at...

For most Americans, the price of gasoline at the pump is one of the most direct ways the conflict in Iran touches their daily lives. Gas prices are easy to see and change often, and filling up the tank at least once a week is a must...

The Most Common Regret I Hear From People Near Retirement

David Wheatley, CLU^®, ChFC^®

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

The Number Isn't the ProblemIn 28 years of sitting across from people preparing for retirement, I've noticed something that doesn't show up in any financial model.Most people who arrive at retirement with their finances in order —...

Most investors follow the overall stock market through well-known indexes like the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. These are useful starting points, but looking a bit deeper at the individual sectors — or industry...

Spring Financial Review: What High-Earning Professionals Should Check Before Mid-Year

David Wheatley, CLU^®, ChFC^®

Thursday, March 19, 2026

A seasonal financial check-in can uncover misalignments before they compound. A practical guide for physicians, faculty, and high-earning professionals to refresh their financial strategy this spring.

In recent weeks, stock market swings have been largely driven by rising oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Brent crude oil — a widely used benchmark for oil prices — has climbed back above $100 per barrel. This raises...

Estate Strategies Aren’t “Set and Forget.”Here’s How Often You Should Revisit Yours

David Wheatley, CLU^®, ChFC^®

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Your estate plan isn't a one-time task. Learn how often high-earning professionals should review their strategy, which life events require immediate action, and what's at stake when plans are left unattended.

Schedule K-1 Delays: What Physicians, Faculty, and Researchers Need to Know Before Tax Day

David Wheatley, CLU^®, ChFC^®

Sunday, March 8, 2026

For physicians, university faculty, and researchers with partnership or private investment income, tax season brings a familiar and frustrating challenge: waiting on Schedule K-1 forms that arrive on their own timeline—rarely aligned...

The ongoing conflict involving Iran and the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical waterway for global oil shipments — have caused oil prices to rise sharply. Both major oil price benchmarks, Brent crude and WTI (West...

As widely reported, the U.S. and Israel have carried out military strikes against Iran, with targets including its leadership, military capabilities, and nuclear facilities. Iran’s Supreme Leader has been confirmed killed, and Iran has...

After nearly a year of uncertainty surrounding trade policy, the Supreme Court’s decision that recent tariffs are unconstitutional has fundamentally altered the policy environment. Yet, as is frequently the case in Washington, the...

Jobs, Inflation, Growth: Is the Economy Strong?

David Wheatley, CLU^®, ChFC^®

Friday, February 20, 2026

For long-term investors, the health of the economy matters because it has a direct bearing on their portfolios and financial goals. Recent data releases have painted a mixed picture, leaving many investors uncertain about how to...

Integrating Equity Compensation Into Your Overall Financial Strategy

David Wheatley, CLU^®, ChFC^®

Monday, February 16, 2026

In today's professional landscape, equity compensation has evolved from a supplementary benefit to a cornerstone of wealth building throughout one's career. Forms such as restricted stock units (RSUs), stock options, and other...

Navigating AI's Market Impact: What Investors Should Know

Bill McDonald, CFP^®

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Over a decade ago, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen declared that "software is eating the world" predicting that digital automation would transform every possible service. His insight proved prescient as cloud computing and digital...

A More Thoughtful Approach to Tax Season

Bill McDonald, CFP^®

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Avoiding overlooked opportunities through preparation, awareness, and coordinationTax season is often treated as a deadline-driven obligation to get through and move past. In reality, it’s a valuable checkpoint. Your tax return...

U.S. markets pushed into record territory last week as investors parsed fresh employment and inflation data—both arriving just days before the Federal Reserve’s final policy decision of 2025. The S&P 500 added 0.31%, the Nasdaq gained...

Charitable giving remains one of the most powerful ways individuals and families can make an impact. And in recent years, Americans have continued to step up. With strong markets and increasing community needs, philanthropy has become...

Last week offered another reminder of how quickly markets can shift as investors weighed concerns around artificial intelligence (AI) stock valuations and the Federal Reserve’s next steps on interest rates. This market commentary on AI...

As we approach Thanksgiving — and the wave of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales — many of us are focused on deals, family gatherings, and wrapping up the year on a high note. But this season also presents an overlooked opportunity:...

As we head into mid-November, the financial headlines continue to revolve around Washington. After nearly 40 days of gridlock, the U.S. Senate has advanced a measure to reopen the federal government. Markets reacted positively to the...

The stock market kept performing well in October, even though there was uncertainty from a government shutdown and new trade tensions with China at the start of the month. Many important market indexes hit new record highs after...

If you’re retired or close to retirement, making sure your savings last throughout your retirement years is likely your top priority. This has become more difficult because of rising prices over recent years, which means your cash...

Reflections on Guiding Educators, Researchers, and Physicians Through Financial Clarity When I first began working with educators, researchers, and physicians, I noticed something they all shared — an unwavering commitment to others....

Universities and healthcare systems are navigating major financial and operational changes. Here’s how these trends may affect academics, researchers, and physicians — and what to consider for your personal financial plan. Across the U...

Four Years of Tidewater Wealth Management: Lessons, Growth, and Gratitude Four years ago, Tidewater Wealth Management was founded with a clear purpose — to help individuals and families navigate retirement with confidence, clarity, and...

Market ups and downs are a normal part of investing. This year has seen its share of both. When markets fall, like they did earlier this year, it can feel uncomfortable. But lower prices also mean better opportunities to invest. When...

This weekend’s financial headlines highlighted the push and pull between political uncertainty and investor confidence. Three themes — government shutdown negotiations, record-high gold prices, and renewed equity inflows — are setting...

Policy Shocks, Elevated Valuations & Political Risk Markets are navigating three major developments: a surprise $100,000 H-1B visa fee, stocks climbing to record highs, and the possibility of a U.S. government shutdown. Each carries...

When people ask why I became a financial advisor, the easy answer is that it fit my education and background. But the truth is, it’s more than that. I didn’t begin this career driven by a passion for financial planning. Early on, it...

Recently, someone asked me how I envision my retirement lifestyle 20 years from now. And I realized something remarkable: it’s already exactly how I live today. The freedom to spend meaningful time with my family, pursue hobbies,...

Nearly 90% of Americans over age 65 rely on Social Security, and for many, it makes up almost a third of their retirement income. Yet with new rules and updates rolling out—like the SSA’s recent move to phase out paper checks in favor...

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently spoke at the Fed’s yearly Jackson Hole meeting, which got a lot of media attention. His speech suggested that the Fed will likely lower interest rates in September. Powell said that while...

If your family depends on your income, securing adequate life insurance is crucial to ensure their financial stability after your passing. Surprisingly, nearly 50% of Americans lack life insurance coverage, even though 39% plan to...

Think about natural disasters for a moment. Earthquakes happen suddenly and cause immediate damage, while erosion works slowly over many years. Both can harm your property, but they require different ways to protect yourself. Money...

U.S. stocks staged a strong rebound last week, as investors looked past new tariff announcements and focused instead on robust second-quarter earnings and growing speculation that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates as early...

The S&P 500 stock market index reached ten new record highs in July. This happened because companies reported strong earnings (profits), the economy showed it was doing well, and new trade agreements were made before the tariff...

Investors always watch company earnings (profits) to see how businesses are doing. This earnings season is especially important because of tariffs. Tariffs are fees that companies must pay when bringing goods into the United States...

For nearly nine decades, Social Security has served as a cornerstone of retirement security for millions of Americans. However, demographic shifts and funding challenges are raising questions about the program’s long-term viability....

The relationship between the White House and the Federal Reserve has recently become a hot topic. This is because there can be natural disagreements between elected politicians and the Fed, since they each have different goals and...

The relationship between the White House and the Federal Reserve has recently become a hot topic. This is because there can be natural disagreements between elected politicians and the Fed, since they each have different goals and...

Congress recently passed a major new tax and spending law that President Trump signed on July 4th. This wide-reaching budget makes many parts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent (meaning they won’t expire), raises limits on state...

When we think about retirement, the conversation often starts—and ends—with finances. But true fulfillment in your “second act” depends just as much on non-financial factors that don’t come with a price tag. As you prepare for...

The second quarter of 2025 showed how strong financial markets can be, even when facing uncertain government policies. The stock market had to deal with new trade policies announced in April and growing tensions between Israel and Iran...

Retirement for university academics is often a transition—not a full stop. Many faculty members continue to contribute to their fields through independent research, publishing, consulting, or serving on boards. Yet without a clear plan...

A famous president once said that the most important things are rarely urgent, and urgent things are rarely important. This idea helps explain a common problem for investors: it can feel like every news story about the stock market...

At first glance, the opening months of 2025 have presented considerable obstacles for market participants. Between trade tensions and market volatility, ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts, and rising concerns about federal debt levels,...

The war between Israel and Iran has gotten worldwide attention and made financial markets uncertain. Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites and military bases started on June 13 and quickly caused Iran to fight back. Then, on June 21...

Healthcare planning is a critical component of retirement preparation for university educators—especially those retiring before age 65. Many institutions offer subsidized health benefits to retirees for a limited period, but these...

Recent escalations between Israel and Iran have drawn worldwide focus and generated volatility across financial markets. Beginning June 13, Israeli operations against Iranian nuclear and military installations triggered responsive...

Retiring from a university system comes with both advantages and unique planning considerations. For tenured professors and higher education professionals, retirement income is rarely as straightforward as it is for other workers....

Many Americans see the U.S. dollar as a sign of how strong our country is in the world. Recently, the dollar has gotten weaker compared to other major currencies. It’s now at its lowest point in three years. This has made some people...

Will you pay higher taxes in retirement? It’s possible. But that will largely depend on how you generate income. Will it be from working? Will it be from retirement plans? And if it does come from retirement plans, it’s important to...

May 2025 Market Update: Stocks Rise Despite Credit Rating Cut. May 20, 2025 Stock markets bounced back in May, with the S&P 500 recovering all its losses for the year. This happened even though there were concerns about U.S....

How Health Savings Accounts help offset rising health care costs and boost retirement planning. May 20, 2025 Health care costs keep rising and have become one of retirement’s biggest expenses. Today, a 65-year-old might need about $165...

Looking Beyond Big U.S. Companies: Other Investment Options May 27, 2025 Most people know that owning stocks is important for building wealth over time. When stocks are part of a complete investment plan, they have helped many people...

Warren Buffett’s Simple Wisdom for Today’s Market Warren Buffett, who recently announced his retirement after 50+ years leading Berkshire Hathaway, has always emphasized patience and long-term thinking as keys to investment success....

Common Retirement Mistakes to Avoid Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible. No Strategy Yes, the...