Frank Summers, CFP

07/17/2026

Trump Accounts vs. 529s? Actually, it isn't fair to compare the two, since they have different intended uses. Both provide benefits, explained in this article.

Did you know that anyone can open a 529 for a child such as a grandchild or niece or nephew? The tax benefits vary by state. If you'd like more information about opening a 529, or what options are available for you, please reach out to me.

Trump accounts offer $1,000 at birth, but they’re not for education. Learn why 529 plans are still the best way to save for college and K–12 expenses.

07/15/2026

Heat waves can affect more than daily comfort and public health. They can also create real economic costs.

Extreme heat can reduce productivity among outdoor workers, increase utility bills, strain power grids, reduce crop yields, and keep some consumers closer to home.

One federal climate assessment found that the average number of heat waves in major U.S. cities each year has doubled since the 1980s.

Researchers have also found that more frequent extreme heat and severe droughts can weigh on gross domestic product, while heat-related economic losses have reached trillions of dollars globally in recent decades.

The impact can be especially significant for heat-exposed industries such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and mining.

For households and businesses, extreme heat is a reminder that weather risk can affect budgets, supply chains, labor productivity, food prices, and energy costs.


Source:

Heat waves threaten costs for the economy, sapping workers' productivity, shutting shoppers inside their homes and driving up utility costs, analysts told ABC News.

06/11/2026

If you're in your 50s (or older), it's time to talk about long-term care. Costs, and the likelihood of being approved for coverage are much better the younger you are.

Here are ten things you should know about long-term care insurance. If LTC insurance isn't right for you, there are other options we can talk about.

It can have a high cost and limited choices, but long-term care insurance can make the difference as you age.

05/27/2026

The U.S. House has approved a bipartisan housing affordability bill aimed at addressing the role of large institutional buyers in the single-family housing market.

The bill passed by a 396-13 vote and would prevent institutional investors that already own more than 350 single-family homes from buying additional existing homes.

However, the measure would still allow those investors to build more housing units, a key distinction that helped gain support from rental, construction, and housing industry groups.

Supporters say the bill could help improve access to single-family homes, while critics argue that some provisions may not go far enough to address build-to-rent activity.

The measure still needs Senate approval before it can move forward, meaning additional changes or debate may follow.

For housing markets, the discussion highlights the ongoing tension between affordability, supply, rentals, and homeownership.


Source:

The U.S. House approved an updated housing affordability bill after removing industry-opposed requirements on selling build-to-rent homes.

04/15/2026

I don't like sharing articles that scare people -- they're usually clickbait. This situation, however, is real. The impact of long-term care health need is not just for the person being cared for, it's also for the caregiver who has to take reduced hours or quit their job even though they still have their own bills to pay.

Who provides the most care? Women (straight, le***an and otherwise), and gay men. For any of us who think we might need care -- or might need to provide care to others -- it's worth a conversation with a financial planner.

Costs will further deepen the economic divide in the country, as only the wealthiest Americans can bear the costs of long-term care.

04/07/2026

Freezing your credit is good advice. A credit freeze locks your credit file so that no one — not even you — can open a new loan or credit card until you unfreeze it. If you need access to credit at any point, you can always log in and temporarily thaw the freeze. And, no, freezing and/or unfreezing your credit has zero effect on your credit score.

Three Easy Steps
1. Go online to each of the three credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian.
2. Separately create free accounts for all three.
3. On each, find the option that reads, “Security Freeze.” Then click and confirm — that’s it.

Don't let your credit become a casualty of war.

04/06/2026

What if your most expensive tax decision in 2026 happens long before you file your return?
Tax prep looks backward; tax strategy looks ahead, and that gap is where real after-tax outcomes get decided.

A few high-impact levers to keep on the radar:
➡️ When Income Lands: Timing bonuses, self-employment income, and retirement distributions can help manage brackets.

➡️ How You Might Save: Consider taking advantage of the higher 401(k) limits in 2026 and catch-up provisions—but be sure to look into whether you need to use a Roth for those catch-up contributions.

➡️ Where Giving Shows Up: New rules change how charitable gifts and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limits work together.

➡️ What You Do in Down Markets: Tax-loss harvesting can turn volatility into a tool, not just noise.

➡️ With most retirement accounts, once you reach age 73, you must begin taking required minimum distributions. Roth accounts are the exception. Withdrawal penalties may apply if you take the money before age 59½. Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after the account holder reaches age 59½.

Preparing year-round can help shape future cash flow, flexibility, and choices.



Sources:
➡️ https://www.affiancefinancial.com/news/tax-planning-or-tax-preparation-which-do-i-need
➡️ https://www.bdo.com/insights/tax/irs-issues-final-catch-up-contribution-regulations-for-salary-deferrals-in-retirement-plans
➡️https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-25-67.pdf
https://silvertaxgroup.com/donor-advised-funds-strategy/
➡️ https://www.fidelitycharitable.org/guidance/charitable-tax-strategies/bunching-charitable-donations.html
➡️ https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/convert-to-roth-ira/