Blog

When Should I Start Taking Social Security: 5 Factors to Consider

Janet Stanley

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Social Security decisions are often framed as a single question: “When should I start drawing benefits?” That question matters, but it can also be limiting. The better question is: how does Social Security fit into my overall...

Teaching Teens and Young Adults Financial Literacy Through Real-Life Decision Making

Janet Stanley

Thursday, April 2, 2026

If you are a parent of a teen or young adult, how do you teach them to make confident money decisions before the stakes are high? Teaching teens and young adults about money is less about formal instruction and more about repeated...

Helping Adult Children Buy a Home: How to Gift a Down Payment The Smart Way

Janet Stanley

Monday, March 23, 2026

Key TakeawaysHere are some questions this blog aims to answer:How can parents or grandparents help with a down payment for adult children?What are ways to gift a down payment, and how do the annual gift tax exclusion and lifetime...

Three Numbers Every Woman Should Know

Janet Stanley

Monday, March 2, 2026

Key TakeawaysHow much wealth are women on track to control in the next decade, and why does that matter?What does the life expectancy gap between women and men mean for how long money needs to last?How common is it for women to be...

Tax Prep vs. Tax Strategy: The Difference Matters More Than You Think

Janet Stanley

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Key TakeawaysTreat tax strategy as a continuous process, not a once-a-year filing exercise.Coordinate with financial and tax professionals throughout the year to identify opportunities for efficiency.Review contribution limits,...

Understanding the Emotions Behind Financial Decisions

Janet Stanley

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Key TakeawaysEmotions and biases might influence financial choices more often than most people realize.Behavioral patterns, such as loss aversion, familiarity bias, and herd mentality, can impact long-term results.Recognizing emotional...

AI and the New Face of Fraud: How to Protect Your Identity and Finances in 2026

Janet Stanley

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most revolutionary technology of our time, with industries scrambling to embrace its possibilities. AI’s early influence seems similar to the positive disruptions brought about by past...

2025 in Review and What You Should Know

Janet Stanley

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

As we begin a new year and consider the opportunities ahead, reflecting on the past year helps put today’s financial landscape into perspective and informs the strategies that can move us closer to our goals.2025 was a year marked by...

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Navigating New Tax Strategies for 2026 and Beyond

Janet Stanley

Friday, January 2, 2026

The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act has introduced several changes to the tax code that will take effect in 2026. This comprehensive legislation aims to simplify the tax system while offering new benefits and deductions to...

Goal Setting That Sticks: Simple Ways to Turn January Motivation into Lasting Wins

Janet Stanley

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Key Takeaways and Suggestions for Successful Goal SettingUse SMART Goals for Clarity and FocusSet goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This proven method helps break big ambitions into manageable...

Year-End Giving Strategies: Tax-Smart and Impactful

Janet Stanley

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Key TakeawaysA third of annual donations: About one-third of all charitable contributions are made in December.Donating before December 31 may offer tax advantages. New rules starting in 2026 (via the OBBB Act) may affect deductions...

The True Costs of Caring for Aging Parents

Janet Stanley

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Key TakeawaysCaring for aging parents is a growing reality for many Americans.The number of family caregivers in the U.S. has jumped to 63 million, a 45 percent increase over the past decade, making 1 in every 4 Americans a caregiver...

Money Talks: How to Use Holiday Gatherings to Start Family Financial Conversations

Janet Stanley

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Key TakeawaysYear-end holidays may be a good time to initiate a discussion about financial matters that may impact your family.If you have adult children, you may want to discuss your financial situation, estate strategy, and legal...

The benefit of funding a Roth IRA is the availability of tax-free distributions in the future. You pay taxes now on your contribution (or conversion) in exchange for tax-free earnings down the road. The rules can be complicated. Don’t...

When Marko the office pup needed an unexpected vet visit, it was a financial wake-up call. Learn how emergency funds protect your peace of mind—and your wallet—when life throws a curveball. Advice from CPA & fiduciary Janet Stanley.

Annual Paper Shred Day- THANK YOU

Janet Stanley

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Thank You for Joining Us at Our Annual Paper Shred Day!We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for this year’s Annual Paper Shred Day! It was a fantastic morning filled with friendly faces, community spirit,...

Meet Gizmo - Greeter/Morale Trainee

Stephanie Torres

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Meet Gizmo, Our Newest Team MemberWe’re excited to introduce Gizmo—the newest (and arguably cutest) addition to the Focus Point family! At just 10 months old, Gizmo has already made himself right at home. He plays hard, naps even...

Tax code is written in pencil

Janet Stanley

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Every 2 years politicians are up for election, do you really want to place your retirement plans in the hands of politicians? Now is a good time to see if your personal financial plan is in line with your life's plan. Knowledge is...

Ed Slott Elite IRA Advisor

Janet Stanley

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Ed Slott's Elite IRA Advisor Group℠ gathered in Indianapolis last week for another successful conference. I am proud to be a member of this Elite group of Advisors. Many of the Elite Advisors in the group are also CPA's like me.Over...

A Day in the Life of Marko: The Focus Point Office DogHey there, fellow humans! It's your favorite office dog, Marko, reporting in from the heart of Focus Point Wealth Management hustle and bustle. I may be small in stature, but let me...

As the new year dawns, setting resolutions is a common practice, but maintaining the motivation to achieve them can be challenging. Here are five key strategies to help you find and sustain the motivation needed for your New Year's...

2024 is right around the corner! You made it through 2023... pat yourself n the back! It's time to set resolutions for a more fulfilling life. Here are 5 goals to guide your journey.Prioritize Health:Focus on physical and mental...

Christmas Day is a perfect occasion to create cherished memories with your family. If you're looking for delightful ways to celebrate together, here are five fantastic ideas for a memorable day.Baking Bliss: Gather your family in the...

We all love the great treats the holidays bring! Here are a couple of recipes to get you started on making some of the best holiday snacks! The holidays are a time of year when we’re inspired to perfect every home-cooked meal to try...

Focus Point Wealth Management LLC had its annual Client Appreciation Holiday Open House on Thursday the 7th of December. From 3-6:30pm we had clients stop by to partake in the impressive spread that was highlighted by Italian Pizzelle...

Focus Point Wealth Management hosted its annual Pie Day event on November 21st 2023. The spirit of generosity reigned supreme as clients generously brought in food goods to make a very successful food drive. Together we gathered over...

The designation of an "Ed Slott Master Elite IRA Advisor Group" is a prestigious recognition within the financial advisory industry, denoting a high level of expertise and commitment to providing exceptional guidance and strategies...

Introduction:With all the recent talk about unidentified flying objects and the possibility of non-human life is time to consider that the announcement of the existence of alien life would undoubtedly be a groundbreaking moment in...

This weekend the Focus Point Wealth Management LLC team celebrated our furry companions at Main Community Park in Windsor! The event could not have had better weather and the park was full of life on Saturday morning. Coffee went down...

As the temperature rises and the days become longer, summer often brings a sense of freedom and a desire to indulge in leisurely activities and travel. However, amidst the excitement and temptation, it's important to remember the value...

Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) in the United States, is an additional tax on investment income for higher-earning individuals. Many Americans are unaware of this tax until they find themselves owing it. The NIIT is a 3.8% surtax on...

In the wake of the spring turmoil, US banks have taken decisive steps to bolster their liquidity positions. While progress has been made, it is imperative for banks to remain vigilant and proactive. This article explores how US banks...

Introduction:Are you envisioning the thrill of riding a motorcycle, cruising in an RV, or lounging by your very own pool? Making substantial purchases like RVs, boats, motorcycles, new cars, or pools requires careful financial planning...

A Certified Public Accountant with a Personal Financial Specialist (CPA/PFS) designation is a professional who has demonstrated expertise in providing comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory services to individuals,...

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance at a rapid pace, its potential for both positive and negative applications becomes increasingly apparent. While AI brings numerous benefits to society, there is also concern about...

Nurses, often referred to as the backbone of healthcare systems, play an invaluable role in our lives. Their dedication, compassion, and expertise make them indispensable in providing quality care and support to patients. This article...

How Can a Fiduciary Help You Save on Taxes?Working with a fiduciary can help you save on taxes in several ways:Tax PlanningA fiduciary can help you create a tax-efficient investment plan that minimizes your tax liability. They can help...

John and Mary had been married for over 50 years. They had raised a family, built a successful business, and were looking forward to enjoying their golden years together. However, as they approached their 70s, they began to think about...

Term life insurance is a type of life insurance policy that provides coverage for a specific period, typically ranging from 5 to 30 years. If the policyholder dies during the term, the beneficiaries receive a lump-sum payout from the...

Retirement is an important stage of life that requires careful planning and preparation. To ensure a comfortable and secure retirement, it is important to understand the various options available to you. Two of the most common options...

An IRA, or Individual Retirement Account, is a type of savings account that provides tax advantages to help individuals save for their retirement. There are several types of IRAs, including Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, and...

Honoring Women's History Month 👩‍🔬👩‍🏫👩‍💻

Janet Stanley

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

We are so fortunate to work with the most amazing women, not only in our industry, but in the world.These HISTORY making female advisors make such a positive impact in the lives of their clients every single day.In honor of Women's...

Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!The new year is an opportunity to embrace the 400-year-old tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions serve as a good reminder that we can embrace new beginnings to focus on...

Happy Thanksgiving

Janet Stanley

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate what we value most, a time to cherish the many gifts we have, and the people that make life special. We can also be thankful that we live in a great country known for its prosperity and abundance.As...

Empowering Women

Janet Stanley

Monday, November 8, 2021

Two weeks ago I attended a financial conference for our Broker Dealer. It was wonderful meeting with other inspiring women at this years Women Forward Event in Nashville. Empowering women and their finances. Check out our new Female...

Happy Halloween!

Janet Stanley

Sunday, October 31, 2021

That spooky-yet-sweet time of year is coming – Halloween! Whether the costumes you or your kids wear are homemade or store-bought, whether the pumpkins by your home are hard-carved or plastic, whether you trick-or-treat in the...

October Is Financial Planning Month

Janet Stanley

Monday, October 18, 2021

When training to become a financial professional, much of our course work centers on the six critical areas of creating a financial strategy. Some recognize October as Financial Planning Month, so it's an excellent opportunity to...

5 Facts to Remember During Market Volatility

Janet Stanley

Monday, October 11, 2021

Wouldn’t it be nice if the stock market didn’t have such violent swings in either direction? Especially the dramatic downward plunges - we’d ALL like to avoid those! But the reality is, the markets include a certain amount of...

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Janet Stanley

Friday, October 8, 2021

October brings to mind the beauty of the leaves changing colors and a time to enjoy the colder weather. But October also holds another meaning for millions of people: it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.Based on the numbers, there’s a...

Don’t Let Stocks Spook You

Janet Stanley

Monday, October 4, 2021

Autumn is here with its stunning scenery, lower temperatures and promise of the holidays, so bring on the candy and creative Halloween costumes!Don’t forget that the deadline to file your 2020 Form 1040 is October 15, 2021. The...