the fed and oil prices financial planning

The Warsh Era Begins: Why the Fed Isn’t likely to Stop the Growth Engine

The Federal Reserve has officially entered a new era.  Newly minted Fed Chair Kevin Warsh just wrapped up his first meeting, keeping rates steady at 3.50% to 3.75%.  While the headlines screamed about his “hawkish” tone, don’t let the media noise rattle your portfolio. Warsh did drop some old-school discipline in Washington.  He stripped down the Fed’s usually wordy statement …

financial planning headlines

Beyond the Headlines: Building Portfolio Resilience in a Volatile World

The 24-hour news cycle is a powerful machine.  It is designed to capture your attention, and nothing captures attention quite like a geopolitical crisis.  Currently, the conflict involving Iran and the broader Middle East is dominating every screen.  While the headlines are undeniably serious, successful long-term investing requires the resilience of your portfolio. Finding the “Off-Ramp” in the Noise While …

tax preparation chandler arizona

The “April 15th Audible”: Last-Minute Moves to Lower Your 2025 Tax Bill

Most people believe that once the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve, their opportunity to impact their 2025 tax bill vanished.  While it is true that many big-ticket items require action before December 31, there are several powerful “retroactive” moves you can make right now.  At Wealthnest, we view the weeks leading up to the April 15 filing deadline as …

bitcoin and gold financial planning

The CLARITY Act: Growing Pains or Crypto’s “Grown-Up” Era?

What’s the Big Deal with CLARITY? Right now, the biggest headache for the industry is “regulation by enforcement.”  Basically, companies are guessing whether their tokens are “securities” (regulated by the SEC) or “commodities” (regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, CFTC).  The CLARITY Act aims to draw a hard line in the sand: When will it actually pass? Despite the …

retirement planning and taxes Chandler arizona

The Case for Aggressive Rate Cuts: Easing the Burden of Debt Service

The national deficit and debt service percentage are critical economic indicators that offer insights into a country’s fiscal health. As of January 2026, the challenges and opportunities around the U.S. national debt are particularly relevant, especially as interest rates and inflation data evolve. The data below highlights the dual pressures that the federal budget faces, servicing debt and fulfilling entitlements.  …

roth conversions Arizona

Year-end Roth Conversion?

Roth conversions of pre-tax IRA’s have become a prominent topic in retirement planning, offering significant advantages such as tax-free withdrawals in retirement and no required minimum distributions (RMDs).  However, determining whether a Roth conversion is right for you depends on several pivotal criteria. Key Criteria for Roth Conversions Current and Future Tax RatesOne of the most critical factors in deciding …

income management in retirement

The First 10 Years of Retirement Matter More Than the Next 20

Most people view retirement planning as a long-term horizon, but what matters most is not the full timeline. It is the first decade. The first 10 years set the financial trajectory for the next 20. If these foundational years are not structured intentionally, retirees may face higher taxes, unnecessary withdrawals, and volatile income patterns that reduce long-term confidence. This phase …