Chris Balcerowiak

12/02/2025

💡 Are your charitable dollars working as hard as they could?

Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to consider not just how much to give, but also how to give.

With a little preparation, generosity can go further—both for the causes that matter most and your overall financial strategy.

One strategy to consider is donating appreciated assets. Another involves depreciated assets, which may seem counterintuitive but can work in some instances.

There are several approaches we can review that pursue tax efficiency, support long-term goals, and even shape a family’s legacy.

This is where working with a financial professional can add real value, helping generosity become a coordinated part of an overall strategy. We’re here to help.

12/01/2025

💻 Cyber Monday is an exciting day for shoppers AND for scammers!

With billions expected to be spent online today, protecting personal and financial information is just as important as finding the best deal.

🔐 5 quick ways to shop safely:
• Use credit cards
• Check for secure sites (look for “https” in the URL)
• Think twice before entering payment info on public Wi-Fi
• Consider turning on two-factor authentication for retailer accounts
• Check credit card and bank statements over the next few days

Online security is an integral part of financial wellness, and adopting a few simple habits can help keep your identity safe.

11/29/2025

🧐 Did you know…

Small businesses (firms with 249 or fewer employees) made up 53 percent of the total net job creation in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Small Business Saturday celebrates exactly this—the vital role entrepreneurs play in our economy and communities.

We have the privilege and honor of working with business owners and helping them translate their hard work into personal financial strategies for the years ahead.

This Small Business Saturday, every local purchase supports the local economy, job creation, and the personal dreams behind each storefront.

A healthier small business community supports us all. 🚀

11/27/2025

🦃 This Thanksgiving, our hearts are full of gratitude.

We are thankful for:
💛 The trust our clients place in us to guide their financial journeys
👏 The dedication of our team, whose commitment makes everything possible
🏡 The communities we serve, which inspire us every day with their resilience and strength

We want to express our deepest appreciation in a season that reminds us of the importance of connection. The relationships we share with clients, colleagues, and friends are what make our work meaningful.

From our team to yours, may your Thanksgiving be filled with gratitude, great company, and plenty of pie. 🥧🥧

11/26/2025

Last year’s Cyber Week, the five-day shopping period from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, brought in a record $41.1 billion in online spending, up 8 percent from 2023!

What will happen in 2025? Here are some interesting stats from Adobe Analytics about 2024’s Cyber Week:

➡️ Generative AI-powered platforms are impacting how consumers shop online, with traffic to retail sites on Cyber Monday up 1,950 percent from the year prior

➡️ A record for online spending, with Cyber Monday growing 7.3 percent year-over-year (YoY), and Cyber Week up 8.2 percent

➡️ 57 percent of online sales came through a mobile device on Cyber Monday, an all-time high, up 13.3 percent YoY

As we enter Cyber Week 2025, these are the trends to watch: Will mobile and AI continue to reshape consumer behavior even further?

Happy shopping!

11/25/2025

⏰ It’s Open Enrollment season, which means it’s time to review your health and benefits coverage for the year ahead.

According to Fidelity, here are the general timelines to keep in mind:
📌 ACA/HealthCare.gov: Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026 (enroll by Dec 15 for Jan 1 coverage)
📌 Medicare: Oct 15 – Dec 7 (separate rules apply for Initial and General Enrollment)
📌 Medicaid/CHIP: Enrollment available year-round if eligible
📌 State marketplaces: Some states have slightly different windows—check your state’s site
📌 Employer plans: Typically run 2–4 weeks in Oct/Nov (HR/benefits will confirm exact dates)

💡 The reminder: Open Enrollment only comes once a year. It’s your chance to compare options, weigh costs, and align your coverage with your needs.

If you’d like to talk through how your benefits fit into your broader financial strategy, we’re here to help.

11/24/2025

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the standard Medicare Part B premium will rise to $202.90 per month in 2026, up from $185 in 2025 — a 9.7% increase.

CMS also confirmed the Part B annual deductible will increase to $283, up from $257.

According to CMS data, these adjustments reflect updated program costs for medical and preventive services covered under Part B. Since premiums are typically deducted from Social Security benefits, the change may affect the amount beneficiaries receive each month once the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment is applied.



Read More:

Medicare Part B premiums are often deducted directly from Social Security checks, and therefore affect how much of an increase beneficiaries may see in 2026.

11/22/2025

The IRS has released the 2026 contribution limits for workplace retirement plans, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, most 457 plans, and the federal Thrift Savings Plan.

Here’s what’s changing:
▪️Employee contribution limit: $24,500 for 2026 (up from $23,500 in 2025)
▪️Catch-up contribution (age 50+): $8,000 for 2026
▪️Special catch-up (age 60–63): $11,250, unchanged from last year

These annual adjustments reflect updated IRS thresholds and may influence how individuals approach their savings goals for the upcoming year.



Read More:

The IRS has announced higher 401(k) contribution limits for 2026. Here’s what savers need to know.

11/21/2025

🎁 PricewaterhouseCoopers projects U.S. holiday spending will see its steepest drop since 2020:
▪️ Overall spending down 5 percent
▪️ Gift budgets down 11 percent
▪️ Gen Z cutting back a striking 23 percent

💭 When people spend less, the real question becomes: What drives the purchases we do make?

A 2023 Simple Money article, “The Psychology of Holiday Spending,” points out that overspending often happens when:
▪️ We try to “re-create” the holidays of our childhood with bigger or more gifts
▪️ We feel pressure to match the generosity of friends or family
▪️ Retailers remind us that “time is running out,” and we click buy now before thinking twice

🧠 The real opportunity this season isn’t about spending less—it’s about spending with intention.

As we know, the best gifts are rarely the ones wrapped in paper.

When financial choices align with values, the holidays can feel lighter, less stressful, and more meaningful. Wishing a wonderful holiday to you and all those you love.

11/19/2025

💡 Did you know? If you’re over 50, a big retirement savings rule change is coming in 2026.

It has to do with retirement plan catch-up contributions (the extra dollars allowed once you turn 50).

First, catch-up contributions aren’t going away. You’ll still be able to make them in 2026 and beyond.

BUT—here’s the important difference:
📌 High earners will face a new rule. If you earned more than $145,000 from your employer in the prior year (indexed for inflation), all of your catch-up contributions will be handled differently. For some, that may mean you’ll have a taxable event now but down the road certain retirement plan withdrawals could be tax-free.
📌 Keep in mind that many companies are updating their retirement plans to make it easier for higher-earners to follow the new rule.
📌 If you earn less than $145,000, you can still choose where to place your money depending on your plan's choices.

If you’re turning 50 soon or already making catch-up contributions, now is the time to review your strategy and see if your plan is keeping up with the new rule.

11/18/2025

Entrepreneurs take ideas and turn them into reality.

They create jobs, drive innovation, and fuel the growth of our communities and economy.

Working with entrepreneurs, we see the dedication it takes to balance today’s challenges with tomorrow’s vision—which sounds a lot easier than it is!

Their determination and creativity inspire us, and we are proud to support them as they pursue their goals.

Take a moment to celebrate the entrepreneurs around you—the risk-takers, builders, and leaders who show us that progress often begins with a single step forward.

Trusting yourself when others doubt, pushing through the hard times, and holding on to your vision can take courage. And that courage is worth celebrating today and every day.

11/17/2025

⏰ The end of the year presents unique opportunities for financial strategy decisions.

Here are a few smart moves to consider before December 31 that could make a real difference. According to Plancorp’s Ultimate Checklist:

✅ Use the IRS Withholding Estimator to see if you might need to make a final estimated payment by January 15
✅ Consider rebalancing your portfolio and exploring tax-loss harvesting before December 31
✅ Review your FSA contributions. Remember, FSAs may be “use it or lose it”
✅ Consider boosting your college savings while making the most of the annual gift exclusion

Year-end preparation isn’t about adding more to your to-do list. It’s about making small, timely moves that can have a lasting impact.

Taking an hour now can help you start 2026 confident and prepared.

💡 If any of these ideas create some interest—or if you have some of your own—we might be able to provide you with additional information. But we would encourage you to check in with your tax, legal, or accounting professional before making any changes.