Melissa Guttenberger, Financial Advisor/ Partner Croix Wealth Management

10/21/2026

A new series: Estate Planning, made clearer.

One thing I hear often from clients: "I think my estate plan is in good shape… but I'm not really sure what it does."

That's completely understandable. Estate planning documents are full of legal terms, and the details that matter most often get lost. So over the next several weeks, I'm sharing a short series breaking down the key ideas in plain English.

Here's what's coming:
1️⃣ The foundation: wills, trusts, and why a trust only works if it's funded
2️⃣ Protecting what you leave behind: keeping an inheritance safe from divorce, creditors, and life's surprises
3️⃣ IRAs: why retirement accounts play by their own rules
4️⃣ Your year-end checkup: a simple checklist to start the new year with confidence

To be clear about my role: I'm not an attorney, and I don't draft legal documents. Your estate planning attorney is a vital part of your team. My goal is to help you understand your options, make sure your accounts match your plan, and help you go into your attorney's office with great questions.

When your advisor, attorney, and CPA work together, your family wins!

This series is for educational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice.

10/20/2026

What an inspiring afternoon at the fall Women In Touch Initiative luncheon! 🥂🌸

We were proud to sponsor a table and share it with these amazing women. Thank you to the Women In Touch Initiative for bringing so many women together for great food, beautiful flowers, and even better company.

Speaker Sarah Cain shared her journey of building her floral business in Houston and her return home to Matagorda County. Her message stuck with us: every roadblock she thought she’d hit turned out to be the next door opening. 🚪

Today, Sarah focuses on wellness and encouraged all of us to do the same: to slow down, care for ourselves, and trust that our path is unfolding just as it should.

Grateful to support an organization that helps women in our community show up, lift each other up, and keep growing together. 💛 Women in Touch Initiative

10/07/2026

One of the biggest questions many people have as they prepare for retirement is:

❓"How much can I comfortably spend without running out of money?"

That's where the idea of a safe withdrawal rate comes in.

A safe withdrawal rate is simply a guideline that helps determine how much you may be able to withdraw from your retirement savings each year while helping your money last throughout retirement.

But the reality is that there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer.

Your ideal withdrawal strategy depends on factors such as:
✔ Age
✔ Your retirement goals
✔ Lifestyle and spending needs – what other big purchases will you need to make in retirement besides your monthly check?
✔ Other income sources
✔ Health considerations
✔ Market conditions

The goal isn't just preserving your savings. It's creating a plan that allows you to intentionally enjoy the retirement you've worked hard for while feeling confident about the future.

Whether you're preparing for retirement, navigating life after the loss of a spouse, or simply taking a more active role in your financial future, having a strategy can help you make decisions with greater confidence and worry less about “am I spending too much?”

Life changes. Your financial plan should too. This is where a trusted advisor can add value.

10/02/2026

Retired? Semi-retired? Dianne and Sherry will always have a special seat at our table! ❤️

09/23/2026

When it comes to building financial confidence, it's often the small decisions that can help make the biggest difference.

✅ Increasing retirement contributions sometimes by even as much as 1% a year
✅ Reviewing spending habits regularly
✅ Updating beneficiaries and your Will
✅ Maintaining an emergency fund
✅ Creating and sticking to a financial plan

Financial success isn't usually built through one major decision. It's often the result of consistent habits practiced over time.

If you're wondering which changes could have the greatest impact on your financial future, talking with an experienced financial planning team is an excellent place to start.

09/07/2026

🇺🇸 Wishing You a Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

Labor Day is a wonderful reminder to pause and appreciate the effort, commitment, and perseverance that go into making each day a little better.

I hope you’re able to enjoy some well-deserved time with family and friends, soak up the last moments of summer, and simply relax and recharge.

Wishing you a safe, happy, and restful Labor Day!

08/27/2026

One of my greatest joys everyday is to work with amazing humans and dear friends like this one!!

Happy Birthday Beautiful Natalie! 💗

08/26/2026

Money doesn’t equal answers.

It gives you choices, definitely.

But as your wealth grows, you’ll come to face an important decision: How to use it well.

One of the most rewarding parts of managing wealth is shifting focus from accumulating “enough” to making intentional choices that feel fulfilling and meaningful.

It’s also one of the aspects of wealth management that surprises clients the most. After decades spent on the singular goal of saving, it’s hard to turn off that switch.

I like to remind clients that passing on with the biggest bank account is never the goal.

Using it to fuel your passions, build a legacy for your kids, make incredible memories… that’s what it’s really all about.

Building wealth is a big accomplishment. Now, it’s time to think about how you’ll use it well.

If you need help making a plan, my doors are always open.

08/14/2026

After years of retirement conversations, these are the three mistakes I see most.

Every one of them is usually fixable once you know how to look for it. ✔️ ✔️ ✔️

08/03/2026

A little ice cream never hurt anyone!
Come out and support the Lady Lions tonight and meet the upcoming Ricebird football team.🍨

5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

🍦 Tickets are available now for the El Campo Lady Lions Ice Cream Social!

Join us August 3, 2026, at the El Campo Civic Center for an evening filled with ice cream sundaes and floats served by the El Campo Ricebirds, games, face painting, raffles, free eye screenings and plenty of family fun.

Don’t wait until the last minute, get your tickets and make plans to enjoy this sweet community tradition with the El Campo Lady Lions! t
This is one event you won’t want to miss!

📅 August 3, 2026
📍 El Campo Civic Center

Contact an El Campo Lady Lion to purchase your tickets.