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Eclectic Associates

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Fullerton, CA
Eclectic Associates

Eclectic Associates is a fee-only advisory firm that seeks to provide individuals and families throu

Eclectic Associates is a fee-only, fiduciary financial advisory firm that helps couples and individuals feel confident about their money and their future through comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning, and investment management. Based in Fullerton, California, we serve clients throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County, and across the country.

07/08/2026

One of the most valuable tax benefits available to investors is one many people have never heard of.

The step-up in basis allows appreciated assets to pass to heirs with a new cost basis at the time of death, which can eliminate decades of unrealized capital gains taxes under current law.

For families with investments, real estate, or business interests that have grown significantly over time, this is worth understanding. We walk through how it works and when it matters most.

https://bit.ly/4fcOiik

We explain how the step-up in basis can reduce or eliminate capital gains taxes on inherited stocks, real estate, and business interests.

07/02/2026

AI can now mimic voices convincingly enough to make a phone scam sound like a call from someone you love. It's a troubling development, and it's worth knowing how to protect yourself and the people around you.

We share four practical strategies for verifying whether a call is really from who it claims to be, including one simple step you can take with your family today.

Scammers now use AI to mimic the voices of family and friends. Learn simple ways to verify whether a call is really from someone you know.

06/16/2026

We had a wonderful evening hosting Apollo Lupescu, PhD, senior economist at Dimensional Fund Advisors, for a client reception.

The conversation touched on AI valuations, geopolitical risk, the semiconductor supply chain, and what market history tells us about staying invested through uncertain times.

Lupescu's message was grounding and, honestly, reassuring: The world is always changing, but the fundamental premise of investing doesn't.

We share the key insights from the evening here:

https://bit.ly/4v7s5Yx

DFA economist Apollo Lupescu joined Eclectic Associates to discuss AI, market valuations and why staying invested through uncertainty can help drive long-term success.

06/09/2026

Tax season just wrapped up, which actually makes right now one of the better times to think about next year.

Your return can be full of useful information: how dividends are being taxed, whether charitable distributions were reported correctly, whether losses can offset future gains, and how your AGI is affecting Social Security and Medicare costs.

We share what we look for on a Form 1040 review and the planning questions it helps answer.

https://bit.ly/43euILT

Tax planning starts with your Form 1040. We break down what to look for on last year's return to help find savings opportunities and avoid mistakes.

06/03/2026

Company stock in a 401(k) doesn't always need to go into an IRA, and sometimes it shouldn't.

A strategy called net unrealized appreciation (NUA) lets you distribute the stock to a taxable account, pay ordinary income tax only on the original cost basis, and then pay long-term capital gains rates on the appreciation when you sell. For highly appreciated stock, the potential savings can be meaningful.

We share a breakdown with two examples here.

https://bit.ly/3PBuYS9

If you own company stock in your 401(k), the net unrealized appreciation (NUA) strategy may reduce your tax bill. Here's how it works.

05/07/2026

If you have a living trust, you may have been told to name it as the beneficiary of your retirement accounts. The reasoning sounds logical: The trust already has instructions for who gets what, so why not run everything through it?

In practice, it's not always the right move. We've put together a clear breakdown of how to think through this decision, including what usually makes sense for different family situations and what questions are worth asking before you finalize any designation.

https://bit.ly/4n0LyXC

We updated our guide on naming your trust as a retirement account beneficiary. Learn when it helps and when a simpler approach may serve you better.

05/05/2026

How long should you keep that old bank statement? What about W-2s from five years ago?

These questions matter more than many people expect. Getting rid of the wrong document at the wrong time can mean a complicated capital gains situation, an audit without backup records, or an estate that takes longer to settle than it should.

We updated our guide on financial record-keeping, covering what to keep permanently, what to hold for a few years, and what can safely go. Worth a few minutes if you've been meaning to get organized.

https://bit.ly/4d7I3dE

How long should you keep financial records and important documents? This article, updated for 2026, provides timelines for saving records, including what to keep forever.

04/09/2026

Estate planning is one of those things most families know they should address and keep putting off.

But without a clear plan, even well-intentioned families can end up in conflict over inheritance, caregiving, and major decisions at the hardest possible moments.

Last month, our Vice President Carl Lachman, CFP®, sat down with estate planning attorney Dan York, J.D., to answer the questions families most commonly have about multi-generational estate planning: where to start, what to include, how to protect assets, and how to communicate your wishes to the people you love.

The takeaway: The best time to have these conversations is before you need to. This article is a helpful place to begin.

https://bit.ly/4bNXoQX

Learn how multi-generational estate planning helps protect your family's legacy, reduce conflict, and ensure your wishes are honored across generations.

Address

1440 North Harbor Boulevard, Suite 220
Fullerton, CA
92835

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 4pm

Website

http://www.eclecticassociates.com/

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