CWM Private Wealth

10/23/2026

Open enrollment is here, and healthcare costs are expected to rise again in 2027. Before you simply renew last year’s plan, take a closer look at what may be changing.
1. Don’t just compare premiums: Review deductibles, provider networks and out-of-pocket maximums to see which plan could actually cost you less based on the care you expect to use.
2. Watch your income estimate on the marketplace: If you receive advance tax credits, update your projected 2027 income when circumstances change to reduce the risk of owing money back later.
3. Review your full benefits package: Check for HSAs, EAPs and other workplace programs you may be able to use to help cover healthcare needs or expenses.

See what to review before choosing your 2027 health plan:

As healthcare costs continue to climb, use these strategies to select an insurance plan with the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

10/22/2026

Paying an adult child’s bills may help in the moment, but open-ended support can affect both their independence and your own financial future. A clear plan can make assistance more productive.
🎯 Support with a purpose: Tie help to a specific goal, such as finishing school, finding work, or recovering from a setback.
📋 Set expectations early: Agree on how long support will last and what progress you expect along the way.
✂️ Reduce help gradually: Transition over several months and consider paying essential bills directly instead of providing unrestricted cash.

Learn how to set boundaries without damaging your relationship or retirement plans:

Some parents may feel obligated to help their adult children – but that support may be doing more harm than good.

10/20/2026

Dreaming of a surprise inheritance? Managing an inherited IRA isn’t all windfalls and celebrations—it’s also rules, required minimum distributions, and tax planning. Learn how to navigate your options and avoid costly mistakes:

Understanding the complex considerations when inheriting an IRA, including RMD changes in 2025.

10/19/2026

Bonds took center stage in Q3, but what should investors be watching next? In this month’s Market Observatory, Commonwealth looks at what’s driving the bond market, where opportunities may be emerging, and what earnings season could bring. Watch here:

In the latest episode of the Market Observatory, Chris Fasciano and Sam Millette talk rising rates, resilient markets, and potential opportunities for the well-diversified investor.

10/16/2026

Scammers want you to act fast. Your best defense? Do the opposite. If a request involving your money feels urgent, pause and check the source independently before sending money or sharing information.

10/15/2026

Retirement isn’t just about growing your nest egg; it’s also about managing taxes once you start using it. One planner compares direct indexing to a custom kitchen rather than a meal kit: it offers more ways to customize how you manage a taxable portfolio. Here’s how it works:

1. Own the ingredients, not the fund: Holding individual stocks instead of an index fund can create more opportunities to harvest losses and offset gains.
2. Set a capital gains budget: Planning realized gains in advance can help coordinate Roth conversions while keeping tax brackets and Medicare surcharges in mind.
3. Build flexibility for later: Carried-forward losses may give you more options when managing taxes on future withdrawals, including when larger expenses such as long-term care come up.

See whether direct indexing could play a role in your retirement tax strategy:

A tax planning strategy that combines direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting could help retirees minimize what they pay Uncle Sam and keep more of their wealth.

10/14/2026

Retirement involves so many moving parts that even the most organized among us can lose track of what matters most. A good checklist won’t replace professional guidance, but it can help you spot gaps before they become costly. Here are three places to start:

1. Rethink your retirement date: Research shows people often misjudge when they’ll retire, so build flexibility into your plan rather than banking on one exact date.
2. Know what retirement may cost: Rules of thumb can help, but your actual spending will depend on the life you plan to live. Review your expected expenses one by one for a more realistic estimate.
3. Don’t overlook taxes and insurance: Coordinating withdrawals across tax-deferred, taxable, and Roth accounts, along with reviewing Medicare and long-term care needs, can help strengthen your overall plan.

See where your retirement checklist may still need attention:

The date you retire is only part of the picture. Also consider your income needs, spending rate, taxes, and more.

10/13/2026

66% of Gen Z investors now bet on sports, and more than half say they’ve used money meant for investing in wagers instead. Experts worry about the increasingly blurred line between betting and investing, especially since the two work very differently. Here’s what’s worth keeping in mind:

- Know the real odds: The average sportsbook or prediction market user loses money, even though winning streaks get more attention.
- Separate entertainment from strategy: Sports betting may be entertainment, but it doesn’t offer the same long-term wealth-building potential as traditional investing.
- Watch for warning signs: When betting starts affecting work, school, or relationships, it may be time to seek support, not chase losses.

Learn why keeping betting and investing separate can matter for your long-term financial health:

Surveys show Gen Z increasingly views sports bets as a form of investment, and those who gamble too often face mental health risks.

10/12/2026

Exit planning isn't a sudden decision—it's a years-long process that protects your business value, family wealth, and peace of mind.
• Start years ahead: Build clean financials, transferable systems, and leadership structures that reduce founder dependency—buyers pay for performance, not potential
• Clarify objectives early: 75% of founders feel regret within a year of exiting because they lacked clarity on what success looks like beyond the sale price
• Prepare for options and surprises: Evaluate multiple exit paths, plan for taxes and wealth transfer, and put contingency plans in place for the unexpected
Source:

Most entrepreneurs focus on building their business, not planning their exit. However, early exit planning is critical to protecting value, legacy, and what comes next.

10/08/2026

Most homeowners think they’re fully covered, but research shows more than 70% of fire claimants were underinsured by roughly 20%. With rebuilding costs rising and more disasters happening, discovering a coverage gap after a loss is the worst possible time. Here’s where the biggest blind spots tend to hide:

Flooding often isn’t covered: Standard policies exclude flood damage, yet 99% of U.S. counties have experienced flooding in the past 20 years, and claims can run into the tens of thousands.

Rebuilding costs are rising fast: Replacement costs jumped 45% in just a few years, making options like extended replacement cost or ordinance or law coverage worth reviewing.

High-value items may be capped: Jewelry, art, and collectibles often have low payout limits unless you add specific coverage.

Review your policy now to see where gaps may be hiding:

Many consumers have a gap in their homeowners insurance coverage. This puts them at financial risk, and they are likely unaware, experts said.