Kowal Financial Advisors, LLC

07/15/2026

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle this year, your choice of model could save you up to $10,000 in interest deductions. Under the OBBBA, car loan interest on personal-use vehicles is now deductible—with a few "Made in America" catches.

The Criteria for 2026:
● Assembly: Final assembly must be in the U.S. (We recommend using the NHTSA VIN Decoder to verify).
● Weight: Must be under 14,000 lbs (covers most SUVs and half-ton pickups).
● Status: Must be a NEW vehicle purchase (no leases or used cars).
● Income: Full deduction is available for joint filers under $200k MAGI.



Source: IRS: One Big Beautiful Bill - Car Loan Interest Rules

Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC and Kowal Financial Advisors, LLC are separate entities. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult a legal or tax professional for information regarding your individual situation.

07/07/2026

Lately, the scammers out there aren't just getting aggressive—they are getting incredibly clever.

Just last week, one of our clients received an urgent message that looked like it came directly from her financial advisor. It had the right names, looked official, and had that panic-inducing tone designed to make you click a link before you think.

It was a total fake.

These days, bad actors can spoof email addresses, copy logos, and scrape lookalike information off the internet in minutes. They rely on creating a false sense of urgency—making you think your account is locked or a transaction failed—so you’ll hand over your login credentials.

Here is our team's golden rule at Kowal Financial Advisors to help safeguard your financial assets from fraud: If you get an unexpected text, email, or link about your money that feels even a little bit off, do not click it.

Instead, do this:
• Stop: Take a breath. Scammers count on you acting out of fear or haste.
• Verify: Pick up the phone and call us directly at our trusted office number. Don’t use the phone number printed in the suspicious email.
• Check: Let us verify if we actually sent it. (Spoiler: 99% of the time, we didn't.)

We work hard every single day to look for ways that may help you manage risk and protect what you've built. But the final line of defense is always a healthy dose of skepticism.

Be careful out there. And remember, we are always just a phone call away to help you sort through the noise.



Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC and Kowal Financial Advisors, LLC are separate entities. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult a legal or tax professional for information regarding your individual situation.

07/04/2026

This Independence Day is especially meaningful as our nation celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

As we reflect on the enduring values of freedom, opportunity, and perseverance, we're reminded that each generation plays a role in building a stronger future for the next.

From all of us at Kowal Financial Advisors, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful Fourth of July filled with family, gratitude, and celebration.

Happy Independence Day! 🔴⚪🔵



Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC and Kowal Financial Advisors, LLC are separate entities. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult a legal or tax professional for information regarding your individual situation.

07/03/2026

Starting tomorrow, July 4th, a brand-new type of tax-advantaged savings vehicle becomes official under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Think of it like an individual retirement account, but built specifically for kids under 18.

If you have kids or grandkids born between 2025 and 2028, the feds will kick in a $1,000 initial seed deposit to get things moving. Even better, if your kids are 10 or younger (born between 2016 and 2024) and you live in an eligible ZIP code where the median income is $150,000 or less, the Dell Foundation is throwing in an extra private $250 boost.

Here is what you need to know, plain and simple:
• The Contribution: You can put in up to $5,000 a year per child via the government plan.
• The Setup: You file IRS Form 4547, Trump Account Election(s), to establish it.
• The Strategy: By law, the money must be put into broad, low-cost stock index funds or ETFs to seek long-term growth. No complex day-trading here.
• The Long Game: At age 18, the whole thing rolls over into a Traditional IRA for the child.

Look, we always say that the best time to start investing was twenty years ago. The second best time is today—or in this case, tomorrow.

If you want to look up your ZIP code's eligibility for the private foundation money or check out the official portals, you can head directly to http://investamerica.org/dell/ or https://www.trumpaccounts.gov.

Have a fantastic, safe, and happy Fourth of July weekend from all of us at Kowal Financial Advisors!
Sources:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2025/12/landmark-dell-gift-supercharges-trump-accounts-for-americas-kids/
https://www.trumpaccounts.gov



Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC and Kowal Financial Advisors, LLC are separate entities. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult a legal or tax professional for information regarding your individual situation.

06/23/2026

Things move fast in this industry, and our team at Kowal Financial Advisors places a high priority on staying up to date. Jan Kowal, CFP®, recently met with executive leadership from SEI and Stratos in Oaks, PA, to collaborate with a select group of advisors on evolving technology and AI.

Our take on technology is pretty straightforward: when we use sophisticated tools to handle day-to-day data and cut down on paperwork, our team gets to spend more time doing what we actually care about. And that’s sitting across the table from you, listening and delivering personal, thorough guidance.

We do the heavy lifting behind the scenes so we can continue to provide a robust experience when you walk through our doors.



Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC and Kowal Financial Advisors, LLC are separate entities. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult a legal or tax professional for information regarding your individual situation.

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day from the Kowal family to yours! They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and around our office, that’s certainly true. Jan and Jason Kowal don’t just share a last name; they share a genuine passion for helping families navigate their financial journeys.

Working side-by-side as father and son gives them a unique perspective on what it means to help protect a legacy. It’s not just business for them—it’s personal. Whether they’re talking strategy at the office or catching up over a weekend meal, the goal is always the same: making sure the next generation is taken care of.

To all the dads out there who are leading by example and building something meaningful for their kids—we see you, and we celebrate you today.

Enjoy the day with your loved ones!


Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC and Kowal Financial Advisors, LLC are separate entities. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult a legal or tax professional for information regarding your individual situation.

06/16/2026

After many decades of working with individuals and families, there are clear differences between people’s habits and their long-term financial success. Certain patterns show up again and again. Below is a list of common pitfalls that, if not addressed, can keep you from reaching your financial goals.

No Financial Plan: Traveling without a map makes it tough to find your destination.

Procrastination: Time can quickly become your worst enemy when you keep putting things off.

Unrealistic Expectations: Assuming things will just work out without discipline isn’t a strategy.

Too Much Debt: It’s an uphill battle trying to save for the future while carrying heavy balances.
..and that is just the first few.

We see these patterns disrupt hard work all the time, but they don't have to stall your progress. Head over to our website to read the rest of the list and see how getting a handle on these habits can help keep you moving forward.

👉 Read the full breakdown here: https://kowalfinancialadvisors.com/pitfalls-to-avoid-in-financial-planning/



Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC and Kowal Financial Advisors, LLC are separate entities. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult a legal or tax professional for information regarding your individual situation. See less

After many decades of working with individuals and families, there are clear differences between people’s habits and their long-term financial success. Certain patterns show up again and again. Below is a list of common pitfalls that, if not addressed, can keep you from reaching your financial goa...

06/10/2026

Trump Accounts, 529s, Roth IRAs, and Buying a Home

There’s a common theme we’ve noticed after years of sitting across the table from clients with children: they aren’t just focused on their own retirement. Many are thinking more about their children and grandchildren. Whether it’s helping with a first home, a car, medical insurance or making sure a grandchild doesn’t graduate from college under a mountain of debt, many clients want to give the next generation a leg up. And, in most cases, they need it.

There have been some big changes recently in how you can save and gift money. Let’s get right to the practical stuff you can use. Read more at https://kowalfinancialadvisors.com/four-ways-to-help-the-next-generation-get-a-head-start/



Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC and Kowal Financial Advisors, LLC are separate entities. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult a legal or tax professional for information regarding your individual situation.

Trump Accounts, 529s, Roth IRAs, and Buying a Home There’s a common theme we’ve noticed after years of sitting across the table from clients with children: they aren’t just focused on their own retirement. Many are thinking more about their children and grandchildren. Whether it’s helping wi...

06/02/2026

As with any year, we have seen a barrage of media information and uncertainty. In fact, the constant stream creates anxiety and can give investors pause for staying the course with their investment strategy. These emotional impulses can get stronger as each day of reinforcement continues. This is why it’s so important to stick to a disciplined, time-tested approach rather than reacting to the daily headlines. Focusing on the big picture is what helps keep your long-term financial journey on the right track.

Read more at https://kowalfinancialadvisors.com/active-warfare-and-the-markets/



Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC and Kowal Financial Advisors, LLC are separate entities. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult a legal or tax professional for information regarding your individual situation.

As with any year, we have seen a barrage of media information and uncertainty. In fact, the constant stream creates anxiety and can give investors pause for staying the course with their investment strategy. These emotional impulses can get stronger as each day of reinforcement continues. This is wh...

05/27/2026

Emotional processing comes first after losing a spouse. But to prepare for your future, four critical financial priorities require immediate attention to prevent costly complications.

Four immediate priorities for stability:
1. Secure Documents: Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate. Locate the will, trust documents, and insurance policies.
2. Beneficiary Audit: Immediately review beneficiary designations on retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s) and insurance. These legally override a will.
3. Contact Key Professionals: Initiate contact with the estate planning attorney and the financial advisor/trustee to begin the process of asset retitling.
4. Cash Flow Stabilization: Ensure utilities, mortgage, and insurance payments are secure and establish a short-term liquidity plan.


Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC and Kowal Financial Advisors, LLC are separate entities. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult a legal or tax professional for information regarding your individual situation.

Sources:
https://everloved.com/after-death-checklist/
https://www.stratosretirement.com/resource-center/estate/a-checklist-for-when-a-spouse-or-parent-passes