Hicks & Mann Wealth Management

10/26/2026

Aretha Franklin passed away in 2018. Her family is still in probate court.

Her handwritten wills turned up in her home after she died, one of them in a couch. A jury had to decide which one counted. Eight years and more than 1,400 court filings later, her sons are still fighting over her estate.

If one of the most successful artists of all time can leave her estate plan unfinished, any of us can. Fame, money, and a busy life don't fill in the details. A plan does.

An up-to-date will or trust, reviewed by an attorney, is one of the kindest things you can leave the people you love.



For informational purposes only; not legal or tax advice.

10/24/2026

Market update: We have officially introduced a new high-performing asset to the office—confectionery equity.

For the second straight week, an incredible client has shown up with a pristine box of bakery goods. Our portfolio diversification now consists of chocolate chips, frosted thumbprints, and zero self-restraint.

Huge thanks to our clients for keeping the breakroom thriving two weeks in a row!

10/23/2026

25 years ago today, Apple introduced the iPod: "1,000 songs in your pocket."

Here's a twist most people don't know: many of the songs and movies you "bought" online were really licensed, not owned. In many cases, they can't simply be passed on to your kids like a record collection.

Today our lives are digital: photos, email, online accounts, even crypto. Does your estate plan say who can get into them?

A quick list of your accounts and passwords, plus a digital assets clause in your plan, can save your family a lot of headaches.



For informational purposes only; not legal or tax advice.

10/22/2026

At Hicks & Mann, it's important for us to study historical events so we can better understand how markets and people react under pressure. Some days in investing get studied and reviewed again and again, and the bank run of 1907 is one of them.

On this day in 1907, panicked customers lined up to pull their money out of the Knickerbocker Trust, one of New York's biggest banks.

Back then there was no Federal Reserve and no FDIC. When banks ran out of cash, the backup plan was basically one guy: J.P. Morgan. He locked bankers in his library until they agreed to a rescue. Congress decided that shouldn't happen again and created the Federal Reserve in 1913.

Panics are part of history, and they'll be part of the future too. The investors who come out ahead are usually the ones who had a plan before the panic started.


Historical example for illustration only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

10/21/2026

Real estate hasn't performed as well lately, but over our country's history it's been one of the best assets to own. Let's not forget one of the best real estate deals ever done.

223 years ago yesterday, the Senate approved the Louisiana Purchase: $15 million for 828,000 square miles, or about 4 cents an acre.

And it was bought on borrowed money. Most of the price was paid in bonds, and the deal cost more than the government spent in an entire year. Critics called it reckless. But we must remember that not all debt is bad. Jefferson had a bigger vision.

Today that land, cities included, is worth an estimated $4-6 trillion. Here's the surprising part: that's only about 6% per year return. No hot tip, no lucky timing, just a long time.

Your retirement works the same way. Start early, stay patient, let time do the heavy lifting.



Historical example for illustration only; estimated land value, not indicative of any investment's performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Using debt to invest involves significant risk.

10/15/2026

🚨 FRIENDLY REMINDER: Today is the ABSOLUTE LAST DAY to file your taxes if you filed an extension back in April!

Remember when you said, "I’ve got six whole months, I'll definitely do it later"?

Well, "later" is officially here. It’s today. No more extensions. No more excuses.

Time to pull out that shoebox of receipts, open those spreadsheets, and get it submitted before midnight! You can do it!

10/15/2026

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨

Social Security announced the new COLA numbers!

We did the official math: this adjustment officially covers a half-carton of eggs, a single stick of butter, AND 3 extra seconds of staring at the specialty dragon fruit in the produce aisle. Spend wisely!

https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/cola/

10/14/2026

Now that’s what we call "making some dough!"

Huge thanks to our amazing clients for dropping off these custom, money-themed treats from the Wyoming Pastry Shop. We didn't expect to be handling this much "cash" today, but we are definitely not complaining!

Clients like ours are truly the best!

09/15/2026

What is it really like to work with us?

In this client testimonial, hear directly from one of our clients about their experience working with our team, the trust they’ve built, and why they feel confident having us by their side.

From personalized financial guidance to ongoing support and communication, we are committed to making the wealth management experience feel clear, personal, and focused on what matters most to each client.

At Hicks & Mann, we help individuals, families, and business owners navigate important financial decisions through:

• Retirement planning
• Investment management
• Tax planning & tax preparation
• Estate planning
• Holistic financial guidance

But our relationship with clients goes beyond numbers and financial plans. It’s about listening, building trust, and helping clients feel confident about their financial future.

If you’re considering working with Hicks & Mann, hear directly from someone who has experienced what it’s like to have their team in your corner.

What is it really like to work with Hicks & Mann Wealth Management?...

09/10/2026

Missing an RMD deadline can come with a costly penalty.
But the bigger question is: how can you reduce the amount the IRS gets in the first place?

Forward looking tax strategies, including Roth conversions, can help shrink your tax deferred retirement bucket before RMDs begin. The goal is simple: keep more of what you’ve worked so hard to build.

Check out the full length YouTube video in the comments below to learn more.