Van Cleave Wealth Management

02/09/2026

Check washing is not new; this crime has been around for decades. Paying online instead of mailing a check by mail is safer in many ways; however, paying online has different risks, thanks to prevalent hackers. Regardless of your preferred method, checking statements timely is your best defense. Many banks now add check images to monthly statements, so be sure to check the payees on your check images to make sure none of your check got washed.

With penalties, their total damage came to roughly $60,000.

11/14/2025

Contribution limits for retirement accounts are adjusted for inflation annually. The IRS just announced the contribution limits adjusted for 2026. For IRAs and Roth IRAs, the 2026 contribution limit is $7,500 plus $1,100 for age 50 years or older. IRAs and Roth IRAs do have earnings requirements and income limitations. For 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and TSP plans, the 2026 contribution limit is $24,500 plus $8,000 for those age 50 years or older. If you haven't done so already, the 2025 contribution limits are $7,000 for IRAs and Roth IRAs and $23,500 for 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and TSP plans plus $1,000 and $7,000, respectively, for those age 50 years or older.

11/14/2025

If you are in the Kansas City area next week, check out Global Entrepreneur Week that will be celebrated at Union Station.
This event offers networking breakfast and lunch and numerous breakout sessions covering funding, marketing, HR, and many more topics geared to help you and your business or business idea to succeed. Check out http://www.gewkc.org for more information.

09/27/2025

Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

www.FINRA.org | www.SIPC.org

09/23/2025

This is more than a marketing gimmick. This is the time that many people reevaluate their financial position. Unfortunately, many don't take into account what their families' financial condition would be due to a premature death in the family. How would your family fare? Would your life insurance through work take care of your family for years or just a year? As you ponder this, also think about what would happen if you become disabled and cannot work. Do we need to talk?

05/05/2025

➡️ $4.8 Billion Lost: The Growing Cost of Scams Targeting Seniors

Investment fraud, phishing emails, and tech support scams aren't just digital annoyances; they drain billions from older Americans each year. According to a recent FBI report, seniors were hit hardest, with losses totaling $4.8 billion. And that may be just the tip of the iceberg, as many cases go unreported due to shame or fear. Worse yet, they don't realize they are being scammed.

This article fails to mention romance scams. The biggest problem with those scams is that victims often may be in denial that they are being scammed despite family members trying to convince them otherwise.

Upcoming Mother's Day and Father's Day provides a great opportunity to visit elderly parents and watch for signs of scams perpetrated against them.


Source:

The FBI issued its annual internet crime report on Wednesday.

04/28/2025

Late last week, I attended the 44th annual Kansas City Estate Planning Symposium that drew over 400 in-person attendees and more than 200 more who watched remotely to hear from legal and tax experts from across the country. If you want your loved ones to fight and hate each other, all the while the bulk of your estate goes to their attorneys after you are gone, then don’t bother setting up an estate plan. On the other hand, if you want to make sure your loved ones are taken care of and your wishes carried out after you are gone, then I suggest working with an estate planning attorney and wealth advisor who attends seminars like this one. I, for one, gained valuable knowledge on estate planning including charitable giving and special needs trusts. At the very least, make sure your beneficiaries and transfer on desth designees are up to date for all of your financial accounts. last week, I attended the 44th annual Kansas City Estate Planning Symposium that drew over 400 in-person attendees and more than 200 more who watched remotely to hear from legal and tax experts from across the country. If you want your loved ones to fight and hate each other, all the while the bulk of your estate goes to their attorneys after you are gone, then don’t bother setting up an estate plan. On the other hand, if you want to make sure your loved ones are taken care of and your wishes carried out after you are gone, then I suggest working with an estate planning attorney and wealth advisor who attends seminars like this one. I, for one, gained valuable knowledge on estate planning including charitable giving and special needs trusts. At the very least, make sure your beneficiaries and transfer on desth designees are up to date for all of your financial accounts.

01/28/2025

Check out the latest commentary from which discusses the stock market sell-off caused by questions abound high valuations in tech stocks. Click here to read more:

In this commentary we discuss today’s stock market sell-off which was caused by questions around high valuations in tech stocks. These stocks account for a significant portion of many indices. Diversification is prudent.

12/30/2024

Whether you plan to have one drink, several drinks, or even no drinks on New Years Eve, have a plan to get home safely. Download the Uber and/or Lyft apps on your phone, and setup your accounts on those apps so that you don't make the mistake of thinking you are okay to drive home. My sources say attorneys are charging DUI defendants $10K. For those who have professional licenses, you may be required to disclose DUI arrests and/or convictions and face disciplinary actions accordingly. Finally, courts are sentencing DUI defendants who caused an injury accident or fatality accident to much longer prison terms. Please stay safe!

11/11/2024

These are views from my hotel this week in San Diego, but I'll be busy at the 2024 National Conference learning more ways to grow my clients' wealth and legally keep as much as possible away from Uncle Sam.

09/09/2024

In this month’s market update video, Ivan Gruhl, CFA®, Co-Chief Investment Officer at Avantax recaps returns for August and then shifts to discussion around the Federal Reserve, the economic backdrop and our outlook for the markets going forward.

In this month’s market update video, Ivan Gruhl, CFA®, Co-Chief Investment Officer at Avantax recaps returns for August and then shifts to discussion around ...