Arnold & Mote Newsletter Archive
Five Ways the 0% Capital Gains Bracket Quietly Costs Retirees Money
When a 0% tax rate can be costly. Plus, our favorite summer reads so far Hi Reader, We hope you're enjoying the heart of summer - whether that means time at the lake, a family trip, or just a slower pace at home. This month's newsletter has plenty to dig into: an introduction to our July webinar on the 0% capital gains bracket (and the surprising ways "tax-free" gains can backfire), the Arnold & Mote team's summer reading and watching list, a look at how QCDs can make your charitable giving...
1 in 7 homeowners now goes without insurance — should you?
The math behind changing insurance coverage. Plus a new CFP® on the Arnold & Mote team and recent press. Hi Reader, Welcome to this month's newsletter! We've got a lot to share with you — a new CFP® on the team, and our upcoming webinar on a question more and more households are wrestling with: when does it actually make sense to raise a deductible or drop a home or auto insurance policy? Plus, a look at recent blog posts and media interviews where we cover Roth conversions and Social...
Is now a good time to buy stocks?
What 20+ years of data says about reacting to market headlines. Hi Reader, If your inbox and news feed look anything like ours, the last few weeks have served up plenty of reasons to second-guess your portfolio — tariffs, elections, a new Fed chairman, a war, an AI boom, oil price spike, private credit failures, and more. We are asked regularly whether it represents a good time to change up the portfolio and sell, or buy, because of concerns or optimism about the market. Our answer is almost...
What Your 2025 Tax Return Is Trying to Tell You
How to do a comprehensive tax review Hi Reader, We know this time of year means many of you have newly filed tax returns in hand, or at least reviewed the numbers before extending. If you feel a little overwhelmed looking at your return, you're not alone. When the 1040 tax form debuted in 1913, the entire form (and all instructions) was just four pages. Today, the form, schedules, and instructions run 148 pages! The good news is you don't have to make sense of all 148 pages on your own. If...
Your Plan Was Built for Moments Like This
War, private credit crash, our upcoming Roth conversion webinar, and Social Security tax changes. Hi Reader, Welcome to the March edition of our newsletter! As we move into spring and the busiest stretch of tax season, we wanted to share a few timely updates on what's happening in the markets and strategies worth keeping on your radar. In this issue, you'll find updates on: Our Next Webinar: Join us for a deep dive into Roth conversion planning. Timely Update: What you need to know about your...
Family gifting strategies that fit your financial plan
Smart gifting to grow family wealth and opening "Trump Accounts" Hi Reader, Welcome to our February update! Now that the holiday decorations are finally put away, we’re beginning to settle into the rhythm of the new year. For us, February is the perfect time to look past the day-to-day and shift our focus toward the big picture and ensuring your most important priorities are being looked after. For many of you, family is one of those priorities. In this edition, we want to share how you can...
The Hidden Risk in "Total Market" Funds and 2025 Client Milestones
Why the standard 3-fund portfolio might not be enough + Download our 2026 Tax Reference Guide. Hi Reader, Happy 2026 from Arnold & Mote! Before we say a final goodbye to 2025, and in keeping with tradition for our first newsletter of the year, we wanted to first recognize the reasons our clients had a lot to be grateful for last year. Here are a few important milestones we helped our clients prepare for and celebrate this past year: Arnold & Mote Client Milestones for 2025 Retirements: 9...
The Problem With Indexed Annuities, and Smarter Ways to Reduce Risk
Before buying into “downside protection,” see why these complex products often do more harm than good. Hi Reader, With the market sitting near all-time highs, it’s natural to wonder what will happen next, and how to protect the investments you’ve built and seen grow. Periods like this often bring a wave of complex, high-cost products that promise market-like returns with little risk. This month, our webinar takes a closer look at two of the most popular examples, indexed annuities and indexed...
The Surprising Way Families Are Using 529s
From tax advantages to legacy planning, see why 529s are becoming one of the most versatile wealth tools. Hi Reader, Our goal each month is to keep you informed on topics that can make a meaningful difference in your financial life. With September being College Savings Month, it’s the perfect time to highlight new strategies for making the most of 529 plans, which today offer powerful opportunities for tax-free growth and legacy planning, not just paying for tuition. In this issue, we...
Markets Hit New Highs—Should You Change Your Plan?
Also In Your Newsletter: The Truth About Direct Indexing Hi Reader, Markets have a way of keeping investors on their toes. Just months after a rocky start to the year, U.S. stocks are once again closing in on all-time highs. Just a few months ago, our newsletter focused on managing investments during market declines. Today, investors face a new “problem”: what to do now that markets have reached record levels. In fact, this is the basis for one of the most common questions we’re hearing now:...