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 […]
Case Study: Building a Legacy
The Power of a Multi-Generational Family Financial Plan In today’s complex and fast-paced financial environment, families with substantial assets face a critical question: How can we ensure that our wealth not only endures, but also empowers future generations? The answer lies in the thoughtful design and disciplined execution of a multi-generational financial plan. For high-net-worth […]
Managing a Household Allocation
One of our mantras in planning is to “Know What You Own.” Peter Lynch popularized this term during his management of a Fidelity mutual fund in the 1980’s, and we think it applies to more than just investments. Your home, your health insurance, your business, and yes, your investments each have features, risks, and opportunities […]
Testing the Challenges of a Long Retirement
We often joke that our job was created because of increasing life expectancies and pensions seldom being offered. Obviously, finance and investing have become more complicated, and there are an ever-increasing number of investment vehicles and planning strategies we help our clients choose between. We also know there is great value placed in our ability […]
The Hidden Benefits of Saving Early in Life
We’re all aware that saving for retirement is not a strong suit for many Americans. There is no end to the alarming statistics regarding our lack of preparedness for when it’s finally time to call it a day. The most recent head-scratcher I came across was a survey conducted by J.P. Morgan Asset Management and […]