Black Walnut Wealth Management

10/21/2026

With just a couple months left in 2026, what’s still on your financial to-do list before December 31?

We’re revisiting an article from the archives, originally featured in the Traverse City Business News, with 5 areas worth reviewing before the year ends:

● Cash reserves for unexpected expenses and upcoming spending
● Your investment mix and whether it still fits your needs
● Charitable gifts you’d like to make
● Tax planning opportunities to discuss with your advisor
● Estate documents, beneficiaries, and insurance coverage

If you’ve accumulated significant wealth across multiple accounts and properties, give yourself time to review how these pieces work together.

Start by choosing one item you’ve been putting off and bringing it to your next planning conversation.

Take the time to prepare before the end of 2024 (it’ll be here before we know it!) by considering these five end-of-year financial actions to cover all your bases.

10/16/2026

Year-end decisions can affect more than your next tax bill. Retirement withdrawals, charitable gifts, investment sales, and family changes all deserve a coordinated look.

Our October newsletter explores what Northern Michigan families should consider this fall:

• How a financial plan built for two would work for one, featured in this month’s Traverse City Business News

• Which year-end decisions need attention before December

• How a tax projection can help identify adjustments while there’s still time to act

• What to check before following financial suggestions from AI

At Black Walnut Wealth Management, we guide the decisions, coordinate with your other professionals, and handle the details so you can spend more time enjoying life.

Read our October newsletter here:

As we meet with clients this fall, we’re looking at decisions that need attention before December and how well each plan would hold up if life changed.

10/12/2026

Having significant wealth doesn’t make Medicare irrelevant.

For affluent families, Medicare can require even more planning because higher income may lead to higher premiums, while decisions around retirement income, Roth conversions, capital gains, and other taxable events can affect what you ultimately pay.

With Medicare Open Enrollment beginning October 15, now is a good time to review your coverage and understand whether your current choices still fit your needs.

Healthcare may be only one piece of a larger retirement plan, but it can have meaningful implications for cash flow, taxes, and the way you draw income throughout retirement.

In this article, we cover several Medicare considerations worth understanding as you approach retirement or review your existing coverage.

Read more:

Medicare plays a crucial role in the healthcare plans of many U.S. retirees. Without a clear understanding of how the system works, you could face costly mistakes.

10/09/2026

Please join us in congratulating Amy Clapham on her promotion to Senior Client Service Associate! 🎉

Over her more than 2 years at Black Walnut Wealth Management, Amy has built strong relationships with our clients and become an important part of our team. Her attention to detail and commitment to exceptional service shine through in the care she brings to her work.

Amy, thank you for everything you do for our clients and colleagues. We’re excited to celebrate this well-deserved next step with you!

10/01/2026

Most financial plans are built around two people sharing income, decisions, and responsibilities. When one spouse passes away, those responsibilities often shift quickly to one person, usually during a period of grief and uncertainty.

Ask your financial advisor to model how the plan would change following the death of either spouse, including how much income would be lost, how taxes and Medicare costs could change, which assets would be immediately accessible, and what decisions the surviving spouse would need to make.

Read the full article here:
https://blackwalnutwm.com/insights/would-your-financial-plan-still-work-for-one/

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳 2026 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴.

Both spouses should understand the major pieces of the family’s financial life and how they work together.

09/25/2026

Fall marks the beginning of a busy planning season at Black Walnut Wealth Management. As we prepare for year-end decisions, we’re reviewing investments, retirement income, taxes, estate plans, and any personal changes that may affect the broader financial picture.

Read our September newsletter to find more insights into what's happening and what we're focused on this month.

Fall marks the beginning of a busy planning season at Black Walnut, as we prepare for year-end decisions any personal changes that may affect the broader financial picture.

09/17/2026

In many households, one spouse naturally takes the lead on the finances.

They may be the one who talks with the advisor, keeps track of accounts, reviews investments, or stays on top of tax and estate planning decisions.

That can work well, but over time it can also create a gap in how much each spouse understands about the family’s financial plan.

In our latest article, we look at why both spouses should have a working understanding of the bigger picture, including:

• Where income will come from in retirement
• How accounts and investments fit together
• Where important documents are kept
• Who the family relies on for financial, tax, and legal guidance
• What questions each spouse should be comfortable asking

The goal isn’t for both people to manage every detail. It’s to make sure both understand the plan well enough to participate in important decisions.

Both spouses should understand the major pieces of the family’s financial life and how they work together.

09/14/2026

09/02/2026

Financial concerns can look different for every family, but some worries tend to come up more often for women, especially as retirement gets closer.

● Will my money last as long as I do?
● What happens financially if I lose my spouse?
● Am I involved enough in our financial decisions to know where everything stands?
● Could supporting children or other family members affect my own long-term security?

These aren’t questions to leave until a major life event forces an answer.

In this article, we look at 5 common financial fears that affect women and the planning conversations that can help address them before they become bigger concerns.

Financial fears can paralyze anyone from making a decision about money, but for many women, money matters are particularly terrifying. Why all the fear? Here are five of the most common fears women have when it comes to money and ways to overcome them.