Total Wealth Solutions

07/22/2026

Many have heard they should avoid probate; do you understand what probate is and how it works?

Probate can be a completely public process, or it can be managed to include as little information as possible.

07/21/2026

Attention Estate Executors: Do you know about the Alternate Valuation Date?

Executors can value the estate on the date of death, or on its six-month anniversary —the “Alternate Valuation Date.

07/20/2026

What a $5 Frappuccino can teach your teen about building wealth 👇

April is National Financial Literacy Month, and here's a number worth sharing at the dinner table.

If your teen opens a Roth IRA at 18 with $1,000 from a part-time job and adds $1,000 a year, that single account could be worth nearly $500,000 by age 65. Tax-free.

Think they can't save $1,000 a year? Skipping the daily Frappuccino more than covers it. ☕

But the best financial education isn't about the math. It's about real decisions with real consequences.

A few things that actually work:

✅ Hand them cash instead of a credit card for shopping. Let them keep what they don't spend.

✅ Give them a clothing budget for the year. If they blow it by October, that's the lesson.

✅ Have the college money talk before they fall in love with a school. As one counselor put it, "Have the conversation before they buy the hoodie."

✅ With the Roth IRA, you can show them that there are certain rules with certain accounts. For example, to qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Also, tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain other circumstances, such as the owner's death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals.

What's one money lesson you wish someone had taught you earlier? 👇

Please consult with a tax and finance professional before making any decisions.



Sources:
-https://www.calculator.net/roth-ira-calculator.html?cstartingprinciple=1%2C000&cannualaddition=1%2C000&cmax=n&cinterestrate=8&ccurrentage=18&cretirementage=65&ctaxtrate=25&printit=0&x=Calculate -ira-result
-https://www.ngpf.org/blog/advocacy/how-many-states-require-students-to-take-a-personal-finance-course-before-graduating-from-high-school-is-it-6-or-is-it-21/

07/19/2026

When it comes to small business retirement options, the choices can feel overwhelming. This post highlights that a SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and 401(k) are structured differently, and that the right fit depends on business size, number of employees, and overall goals.

07/18/2026

Choices, choices, choices. Make sure you know the benefits and limitations before committing your money.

Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.

07/17/2026

You've done the hard work. Now come the fun choices.

A life well-lived doesn't have to be extravagant. One moment you may crave that favorite food from childhood, the next an elegant wine at a table under the stars, and finally a chef-inspired dream you talk about for years to come. There are no wrong answers to how you experience joy. Only the freedom to celebrate the way you deserve, thanks to the good decisions you've made along the way.

Savor every bite. You've earned it.

07/17/2026

Ask yourself hard questions: Do I know enough about estate management? Will my family be ready?

Is your estate in order? This short quiz may help you assess your overall strategy.

07/16/2026

Do you know how to avoid internet fraud? Janet does. Learn how to keep yourself safe from data thieves of all kinds.

Learn about the dangers of internet fraud with this highly educational and fun “pulp” comic.

07/15/2026

The price of a first-class Forever stamp rose from 78 cents to 82 cents on July 12.

The increase is part of a series of price hikes from the U.S. Postal Service, which has raised the cost of a first-class stamp several times in recent years.

USPS has cited financial losses, rising operating expenses, and declining mail volume as reasons for the latest increase.

Other postage costs also increased. Domestic postcards rose to 65 cents, while international postcards and letters rose to $1.75.

One important reminder: Forever stamps purchased before the increase still work after the price change. They continue to cover the current cost of one ounce of First-Class Mail postage.

For households and small businesses, postage may seem like a small expense — but recurring cost increases can add up over time, especially for anyone who still relies on mailed bills, invoices, cards, or client communications.



Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/usps-forever-stamp-price-increase-july-2026/

07/15/2026

As health care expenses continue to climb, faster than wages and inflation, many American families struggle to afford necessary medical care. But tools are available to help ease the financial burden. HSAs and FSAs might help your household.

How HSAs and FSAs might help your household.