Articles by Sam Wood-Bednarz

Optimizing Your Charitable Giving

By |2024-11-08T15:17:51-08:00October 18th, 2024|

Whether you’re motivated by a passion for a particular cause, a desire to give back to the community, or you want to support a loved one’s passion or cause, charitable giving is a way that many of our clients choose to have an impact in areas that are important to them.

Illuminating the Next Chapter

By |2024-07-25T10:57:56-07:00February 9th, 2024|

In honor of our team member Ariana Alisjahbana welcoming her first child this week, we are rerunning an article from June 2022 that highlights financial considerations to keep in mind as you celebrate this next phase of life. Congratulations to Ariana and her growing family!  

Planning for College with 529s

By |2024-01-26T13:35:57-08:00January 19th, 2024|

Even while tuition bills seem far off in the future, 529 plans can be a powerful tool which can help parents establish the habit of saving early and ease some of the financial and psychological stress that can arise as college enrollment approaches.

Leaving a Personalized Legacy

By |2023-05-12T15:46:12-07:00May 5th, 2023|

To personalize your legacy, take a step forward with your estate planning, adopting an attitude of contemplation as you mentally meander through what you want and what you don’t want.

The Right Amount of Liquidity

By |2023-04-14T13:55:57-07:00March 24th, 2023|

Many things can affect the “right” amount of cash to have on hand. In our conversations with clients, we compare it to financial decisions involving a trade-off between security, risk, and return.

Power of Attorney: A Caretaking Role

By |2022-08-26T15:25:31-07:00August 12th, 2022|

Being power of attorney for someone is a fiduciary responsibility, and it’s not one we should agree to lightly. We agree to serve because it means taking care of someone we love when they can no longer care for themselves.

Sharing the Power (of Attorney)

By |2022-08-05T14:20:37-07:00July 15th, 2022|

Naming a good power of attorney and sharing your wishes, values, and financials with them will ease the transition into sharing control of critical aspects of your life and provide peace of mind.

Illuminating the Next Chapter

By |2022-07-01T09:45:06-07:00June 10th, 2022|

At its core, cash flow planning is about helping us make better decisions. It involves organizing our financial life into something comprehensible and then looking into the future to understand the range of potential outcomes.

Planning While the World is in Flux

By |2022-01-07T14:31:38-08:00December 10th, 2021|

Plans rarely come with a guaranteed outcome. However, the process of planning reduces uncertainty and increases the likelihood that you will arrive at an outcome that aligns with your values and priorities.

Firewise Planning

By |2021-10-22T13:29:14-07:00October 8th, 2021|

Fire season is now an annual concern for Californians. Having a plan for the risk of fire can better protect your family's financial resources.

Back to School

By |2021-08-20T14:43:53-07:00August 13th, 2021|

There are four primary avenues to paying for college: scholarships, student loans, work-study, and savings. Many families' college cash flow plans include several of these options, and each has different lessons for parents and children.

Your Retirement, Your Values

By |2021-06-03T10:45:51-07:00May 11th, 2021|

A successful transition to retirement must express your values. Understanding the motivation behind your decision, and being prepared for how you will spend your time post-retirement, are key steps to achieving a fulfilling retirement.