Plain-English Perspectives on Money, Markets & Life
Practical reads on retirement, investing, insurance, taxes, and the financial questions our clients actually ask. No jargon, no fearmongering — just clear thinking on the topics that matter.
Latest from the SFS team
The most recent posts from our team. Click through for the full read, or browse by category below.
Find articles on what you're working through right now
Planning, preparing, and living well in retirement
From contribution limits to Social Security timing to navigating Medicare — practical reads for every stage of the retirement journey.
Deciding When to Take Social Security
Understand the ins and outs of Social Security benefits and how to maximize your retirement income.
Understanding the Social Security Fairness Act
The impact of the new legislation on public-sector workers and the benefits now available.
Contribution Rates for 2025: 401(k)s, IRAs & Catch-Up Contributions
Understand the 2025 contribution limits and how they can enhance your retirement planning.
The Importance of Catch-Up Contributions
Boost your retirement savings as you approach retirement age. How catch-up contributions help bridge the gap.
Navigating Medicare Decisions
Essential financial planning tips for retirees facing Medicare's enrollment maze.
Planning Your Retirement Budget: Making Your Savings Go the Distance
Secure your future with effective financial planning for retirement, including budgeting strategies.
Estate Planning: What You Need To Know
The essentials of estate planning and what every retiree should consider for beneficiaries.
Introduction to Retirement Accounts: 401(k)s & IRAs Explained
A clear walkthrough of the main retirement vehicles and how each one fits in.
Optimizing Your 401(k): How to Get the Most Out of Your Account
Effective strategies for 401(k) optimization and securing your financial future.
How to Maximize the Value of Your 403(b) Account
Maximize your retirement savings with a 403(b) account — for educators and nonprofit employees.
Build a portfolio that fits your goals — not the headlines
Asset allocation, diversification, market conditions, and the timeless principles that have built wealth over decades.
Diversifying Your Portfolio With International Investments
The benefits of international exposure for diversification and how to think about global allocation.
Asset Allocation: The Leading Asset Classes to Consider
How asset classes impact your investment strategy — and how to allocate for growth and risk management.
Understanding Diversification & Building a Resilient Portfolio
How to build a strong investment portfolio through diversification — minimizing risk while maximizing returns.
The 2024 Election: What Investors Need To Know
How political shifts may impact investment strategies and portfolio management.
How Lower Interest Rates Will Affect Investments
The economy, the Federal Reserve, and what changing interest rates mean for your portfolio.
The protection layer of a solid financial plan
Life, disability, health, and the coverages that protect what you've worked to build.
Does Your Credit Score Affect Your Insurance Rates?
The surprising relationship between financial planning, credit, and what you pay for coverage.
Can Group and Private Disability Policies Work Together?
How layering coverage protects your income — and what to know about the interaction between policy types.
Protecting Your Income: An Introduction to Disability Insurance
The basics of disability insurance and how it protects your income from unexpected setbacks.
Health Insurance 101: Navigating Coverage Options in Your 20s
Essential health insurance basics — and why coverage matters even when you feel invincible.
Financial decisions that come with life's big moments
Marriage, kids, college, divorce, home-buying, downsizing — practical guides for the transitions that reshape your finances.
Funding Their College Future: How Parents Can Prepare
Smart college funding strategies for parents — what to do during the high school years.
Financial Planning for Divorce: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Navigate divorce with smart financial planning to avoid costly mistakes and secure your future.
What If Your Kid Doesn't Go to College: Alternative Uses for 529 Plan Funds
Flexible options for 529 plan funds beyond traditional college savings.
Creating Your First Budget: A Step-by-Step Guide for Early Careers
Start your financial journey with budgeting essentials for the first chapter of your career.
Downsizing Your Home: Simplifying Your Life Before Retirement
The benefits of downsizing your home before retirement — and what to think through first.
Buying Your First Home: How to Prepare & What to Expect
Essential tips for first-time home buyers — from financial readiness to closing day.
Planning for Your Child's Future: Understanding College Funds
Manage the rising costs of education with smart college savings planning.
Big-picture strategy and the principles that hold up over time
Wealth-building fundamentals, savings strategies, economic trends, and the foundations of a healthy financial life.
Planning Your Financial Life Around Student Debt
Effective strategies to manage student debt and improve your personal finance future.
Building a Financial Legacy: A Roadmap for Long-Term Wealth Planning
The principles that create lasting stability — budgeting, savings, and intelligent investing.
A Closer Look at the U.S. Personal Saving Rate
What the national personal saving rate tells you about economic health — and your own planning.
Personal Finance Calendar: Planning Your 2025
A month-by-month finance calendar to enhance your planning with proactive financial moves.
How Tariffs Would Affect Consumers
Understanding tariffs, consumer prices, and product availability — plus the financial implications.
Getting in Financial Shape: What You Need to Know About Effective Financial Planning
Master the art of financial planning to reach your short- and long-term goals with confidence.
The fastest way to clarity is usually a conversation
Reading is a great place to start. But when you have a specific question, sitting down with an advisor is usually quicker — and almost always more useful — than another deep-dive article.