Strathmore Capital Advisors

10/26/2026

Business owners spend a lot of time thinking about operations and employees, but as deadlines approach, taxes tend to become the main focus.

Some of the most common tax questions business owners ask throughout the year are:

❓Can this be deducted as a business expense?

The answer often depends on whether the expense is ordinary and necessary for operating the business, which can create gray areas for items like vehicles, travel, meals, and technology purchases.

❓Should I invest in equipment before year-end?

Large purchases can affect taxable income, but tax implications are only one part of the overall decision. Cash flow, financing, and business needs also matter, so it’s important that you’re taking these into consideration.

❓Am I paying myself the right way?

As revenue grows, it’s normal for business owners to start to wonder if their current compensation approach is still the best choice. How income is received can affect taxes, retirement savings opportunities, and cash flow planning, which is why this is often an ongoing conversation instead of a one-time decision.

❓What records should I be keeping?

It’s easy to underestimate how much time can be spent tracking down documents at tax time. If you keep organized records of income, expenses, payroll, equipment purchases, and other business transactions, this can help simplify the filing process and provide documentation to support deductions if needed in the future.

❓How will retirement contributions affect my taxes?

Retirement plans are often discussed as a savings tool, but they can also play a role in tax planning. Contributions may help lower taxable income in the current year, while allowing assets to continue growing for the future. Choosing the right plan often depends on factors such as business structure, employee headcount, cash flow, and long-term goals.

❓ What happens if I decide to sell or transition the business?

For a lot of owners, the business represents a large portion of their net worth. And depending on whether the goal is to sell to a third party, transfer ownership to family members, or establish a succession plan for key employees, the structure of the transition can influence both tax consequences and after-tax proceeds. As a result, these conversations should ideally start years before an owner is ready to step away from the business.

So, as you can see, taxes may only be filed once a year, but the decisions that influence them happen all year long, which is why business owners often find themselves revisiting these questions as their businesses change.

10/20/2026

When people think about retirement, one of the first questions they ask is "How much will I need?" However, where the money actually is spent can be just as important as the amount.

Some common spending patterns that retirees may experience:

🔹 Lower costs for commuting, professional attire, and other work-related expenses

🔹 Higher spending on travel, recreation, and hobbies during the early years of retirement

🔹 An increasing part of household spending devoted to healthcare as retirees age

🔹 Increased financial support for children or grandchildren where they see fit

🔹 Large one-time expenses, such as home renovations or accessibility upgrades

Of course, every retiree's experience is different, and spending often fluctuates from one set of priorities to another as needs change over time.

If you’re approaching retirement and have any questions at all about this topic, please feel free to reach out.

We’re here to help!

10/16/2026

What holds up when markets become more uncertain?

In the U.S. News and World Report's latest look at recession investing, Daniel J. O'Rourke shared his perspective on defensive sectors and portfolio diversification.

"People still eat, take medicine and keep the lights on."

While consumer staples aren't immune to market downturns, Dan notes that these sectors have historically experienced smaller drawdowns than the broader market, helping some investors stay invested and avoid emotional decisions during periods of volatility.

Read more in the full article below.

➡️https://money.usnews.com/financial-advisors/articles/best-investments-during-a-recession

Rising rates and sticky inflation are changing the ways investors should approach portfolio protection.

10/08/2026

Now that we’re into the fourth quarter, it’s a good time to start thinking about the organizations you want to start supporting before the end of the year.

So, if you’re planning on making charitable gifts this year, here are a few details worth paying attention to:

✔️ Cash donations and gifts of appreciated investments may be treated differently for tax purposes

✔️ Year-end deadlines matter. A gift intended to qualify for a 2026 tax deduction generally needs to be completed by December 31, 2026

✔️ Documentation is important, especially for larger gifts

✔️ Some donors choose to concentrate multiple years of giving into a single tax year, while others prefer a more consistent approach

✔️ Donor-advised funds, private foundations, and direct gifts each come with their own considerations

While it’s important to support the causes that matter the most to you, understanding the timing and tax rules surrounding those gifts can help avoid surprises when tax season arrives. If you have any questions about how to do this, please feel free to reach out.

09/30/2026

It’s hard to believe there are only three months left in 2026!

Now that the Fourth Quarter has kicked off, there are a few things worth reviewing to end the year on a high note.

Start by asking some simple questions:

❓What has changed this year?
❓What's still likely to happen before year-end?
❓Are your financial priorities the same as they were in January?

Now is the time when many people start figuring out what they need to accomplish before the year ends.

There might be a retirement date getting closer, a charitable gift you've been considering, a business transition in the works, or tax planning items that you haven’t gotten to.

It’s different for everyone, but these conversations usually go more according to plan when you have a few months to prepare, rather than trying to squeeze everything into December.

If you have questions about any of this, we’re here to help.

09/23/2026

If you’re thinking about selling your business, sometimes the most useful thing you can do initially is to look at your business from the viewpoint of the buyer.

Start by asking questions like this:

🔹What information would you want to see?

🔹Where are key processes documented?

🔹Which relationships are tied to the owner?

🔹Could the business operate without the owner's daily involvement?

Those are some of the questions that often come up before a transaction moves forward, and if you can answer them, you’re on the right track.

We dive deeper in our latest blog, and you can check it out at the link below.

➡️ https://strathmorecapadv.com/what-business-owners-should-know-before-selling/

09/03/2026

Dollar-cost averaging is a concept where you invest a set amount on a regular schedule, regardless of what the market is doing. While research has shown that investing a lump sum often comes out ahead mathematically, that's not always how life works. For some people, a disciplined, automatic approach can make it easier to put cash to work and stick with a long-term plan.

As Daniel J. O'Rourke shared with U.S. News and World Report:

"Markets have historically risen more often than they have fallen, so investing a lump sum immediately has generally produced better results than leaving part of it in cash and investing gradually. Dollar-cost averaging is less about maximizing the expected return and more about minimizing the chance that fear keeps someone from investing at all. The mathematically optimal strategy is worthless if an investor cannot live with it.”

This article looks at the tradeoffs between investing all at once and investing gradually, along with the role dollar-cost averaging can play in helping investors stay committed to a long-term plan.

You can read more here.

https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/what-is-dollar-cost-averaging

Thank you for including us, Kate Stalter!

Investors who automate their contributions never have to decide whether right now is the best time to buy.

08/26/2026

Camp and travel expenses drop off in August, but it’s right as school fees, activity registrations, and lunch accounts start to pick up.

So, now is a good time to revisit your budget and knock out a few financial tasks before the fall gets busy.

Our latest blog looks at several simple ways to do this.

https://strathmorecapadv.com/the-financial-side-of-back-to-school-season/

08/25/2026

We had a great dinner last night at North Italia!

It’s always so fun when we get together outside of the office, especially when we have team members come from out of town.

It was a great way to kick off the week!