Educating Heirs on Student Debt
One of my favorite television shows is Shark Tank, which shows aspiring entrepreneurs pitching their business plans to seasoned investors, the “sharks,” in hopes of an investment. The sharks use their own money to invest, so they ask tough questions to help evaluate the business’s potential. Have they demonstrated sales? How much does it cost […]
Should Business Owners Raise Their Salary to Earn More Social Security?
Key Takeaways: Lower taxes are better, right? We spend a great deal of time planning around the tax code to help people accomplish their goals in the most tax-efficient manner. However, lowering taxes today often has consequences down the road. Sometimes there is a clear mathematical break-even, and other times a complex web of behavioral […]
Should Business Owners Raise Their Salary to Earn More Social Security?
Key Takeaways: Pass-through entity owners can choose to take profits as wages or distributions Increasing owner salary raises payroll tax liability but also increases future Social Security benefits Older owners and owners with non-working spouses and/or incomplete earnings records stand to benefit the most from increasing their salaries Lower taxes are better, […]
Investing at Stock Market All-Time Highs: What to Do When the S&P 500 and Dow Hit Records
As the S&P 500 approaches 7,000 and the Dow Jones nears 50,000 in early 2026, many investors are wondering: Is now the time to sell? Stock market all-time highs often trigger anxiety, but historical data reveals a surprising truth about investing during record-breaking periods. This article explains why market peaks are a normal part of […]
Ballast Welcomes Two New Team Members: Catherine Richmond and Madelyn Mozeleski
Ballast, an independent, employee-owned financial planning and investment management firm, is proud to announce the addition of two new team members: Catherine Richmond, joining as a Financial Advocate, and Madelyn Mozeleski, joining as a Financial Planning Intern. Catherine Richmond brings a wealth of analytical experience and a strong client-centered approach to her role. After earning […]
NIL Gives a Lesson in Time Value of Money
Most of the families we serve are not NCAA athletes at power conference schools, but many are fans and season ticket holders. They are more likely to be athletic boosters than athletic legends, starting with yours truly! But we all inhabit the same financial landscape and use the same tools to make decisions. I hope our families with […]
Tax-Efficient Charitable Giving Strategies: 3 Ways to Maximize Your Donations
Charitable giving doesn’t have to mean paying more in taxes. With strategic planning, you can maximize your philanthropic impact while reducing your tax burden. Whether you no longer itemize deductions, hold appreciated stock, or are in retirement, these three tax-efficient charitable giving strategies can help you donate more effectively while optimizing your tax situation. _____ […]
Liquidity & Exit Planning
For many business owners, the sale of their company is a once-in-a-lifetime event that creates a sudden and significant infusion of wealth. While exciting, this new liquidity also presents both challenges and opportunities. To navigate the transition effectively, owners should address five critical questions. First, what is my after-tax liquidity? The headline number from a […]
Q&A with Ballast CEO/Founder, John V. Boardman, III
Q: When you first began your career, what did you expect it to look like? A: I pictured a life behind a computer, researching companies, trading securities, and managing portfolios. That is what I thought success in finance looked like. But when the firm I worked for was acquired, I was introduced to financial planning, […]
Market Commentary | Q3
Markets entered September with a cautiously optimistic tone following a mixed August that was marked by softening labor data, persistent inflation pressures, and renewed speculation around Federal Reserve policy direction. The S&P 500 posted modest gains last month, driven largely by strength in AI-related tech, semiconductors, and mega-cap growth stocks. At the same time, small-caps, […]
Guest Commentary: Jeffrey Gehring on Estate Law and Planning
Jeffrey L. Gehring Dickinson Wright PLLC 300 W. Vine Street, Suite 1700 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 899-8713 jgehring@dickinson-wright.com Personal & Professional Journey What inspired you to pursue a career in estate law, and what has kept you passionate about it over the years? I really love the intersection of the technical rules related to […]
Guest Commentary: Stefan Hendrickson on OBBBA & Taxes
An interview with Stefan Hendrickson, CPA/ABV, Tax Associate Director, Dean Dorton. In your view, what are the most important provisions of the OBBBA that individuals and families should know about? The big headline for the OBBBA for the majority of taxpayers is the extension of many of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act […]