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Email: info@elevate-wealth.com
Should You Consider a Trump Savings Account?
Even before the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) last July, American savers faced a dizzying array of retirement account options, each with their own tax treatment and rules surrounding contributions, withdrawals, and eligibility. The OBBBA adds yet another type to the mix, officially dubbed the Section 530A account, but better known […]
Four Market Surprises from 2025
Welcome to 2026! The start of a new year means celebrations, resolutions, and of course, market predictions about the year to come. But as 2025 demonstrated so well, events are often unpredictable, as is the market’s reaction to those events. Below I’ve highlighted four of the major market surprises from last year that very few […]
Risk and Return in Bond Land
One of the first lessons you learn in Investments 101 is that risk and return are related. As evidence-based investors, this feature of capital markets is a core part of our investment philosophy and helps to explain why stocks have dramatically outperformed bonds over the long run. Stocks are risky investments to be sure, but […]
Is Economic Growth Inevitable?
Let’s start with some good news this month — the world is wealthier today than it has ever been. Total global wealth now clocks in at almost $500 trillion, or about $60,000 for every man, woman, and child on earth. World GDP per capita, a measure of annual global income, is also at all-time highs […]
Scam-Proof Your Finances: Practical Steps You Can Take Today
October was Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but it’s never too late to lower your digital risk. Taking a few smart steps now can prevent costly headaches later. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report tallied 859,532 complaints and more than $16 billion in reported losses, up 33% from 2023, with phishing/spoofing, extortion, and personal data breaches leading […]
Charitable Giving Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Happy Fall! As we enter the final quarter of the year, our attention turns toward those remaining items on our planning checklist for 2025. For many of us, making charitable gifts is high on the list of tasks to complete before the end of the year. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), however, significantly […]
Have We Entered a New Era of Corporate Profitability?
For more than 50 years after World War II, US corporate profits represented about 6% of annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP), rarely straying more than a percent or two from that level. This ratio was sometimes called the “most mean reverting series in all of finance”, because of its strong tendency to hover around that […]
What Is Fee-Only Financial Planning?
Offering Fee-Only Financial Planning If you’re searching for financial guidance, you’ve likely encountered the term “fee-only financial planning.” But what does it mean, and why are so many savvy individuals in Athens, GA, seeking fee-only financial planning firms like Elevate Wealth Advisory? As you read below, it will demystify the fee-only model, compare it to […]
How do High Yield Equity Funds Work?
The current dividend yield on the S&P 500 index is about 1.25%, which is very close to its all-time historical low of 1.08% in the summer of 2000. Investors seeking income are unlikely to invest exclusively in the S&P 500, therefore, and will tend to focus on higher yielding instruments such as bonds, real estate […]
What’s in the Big Beautiful Bill?
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the “Big Beautiful Bill” into law. This comprehensive tax and spending package will immediately impact Americans with several tax code changes that become effective this year. Some of the changes are permanent while others will expire in 2029 or 2030. Be sure to read on to see which […]
How Interest Rates Affect the Consumer Finance Industry
If you’re wondering, “How do interest rates affect the consumer finance industry?” you’re not alone. Savvy financial planning starts with understanding how economic changes can shape your money choices daily. With recent rate increases making headlines and many still asking, “Why are interest rates so high?”, we will break down the essentials and offer clear […]
Discover the Different Types of Retirement Accounts
Elevate Wealth Advisory is here to help you learn about the different types of retirement accounts available. Planning for the future isn’t just about saving money. It’s about making wise choices with the right tools. With so many retirement account options, deciding where to start can be overwhelming. Whether you’re a long-time employee, a new […]
Fiduciary Financial Advisers: What It Means to Put Clients First
Elevate Wealth Advisory is your trusted fiduciary financial adviser. Choosing a financial adviser is one of the most significant decisions you can make for your financial future. But with so many titles and qualifications floating around, how do you know your adviser truly has your best interests at heart? As you read below, we’ll unpack […]
A Truly Comprehensive Financial Plan Goes Beyond Investments
When most people think about financial planning, they tend to focus on one thing: investing. And that’s understandable. The idea of growing wealth through the stock market is front and center in much of the public conversation around money. But here’s the truth: investment management is just one part of the picture. A truly comprehensive […]
Elevate Welcomes Ben Hall
Elevate Wealth Advisory is pleased to announce the addition of Benjamin C. Hall, CPA, MBA, as Director of Tax Services and Wealth Adviser Associate. Ben brings more than two decades of leadership in accounting, finance, and tax strategy, and his expertise will further strengthen Elevate’s commitment to delivering exceptional, integrated, advanced wealth planning services to […]
An Update on Gold
Lately, it feels impossible to go a day without seeing an ad for gold. Whether it’s a celebrity urging you to protect your wealth or a commercial warning of economic collapse, the message is loud and clear: “Buy gold now!” But is it sound advice—or just marketing noise? Let’s take a closer look at what’s […]
Your First Quarter Statement Might Surprise You
It is often said that markets dislike uncertainty, which was certainly in abundance during the first quarter of 2025. In January, the incoming Trump administration wasted no time bringing swift and dramatic changes to trade, regulatory, immigration, and fiscal policies. While many of these policy shifts had been expected, the speed and extent of the […]
Make Informed Financial Decisions by Learning Investing Concepts
Investing can seem complicated, but understanding a few core principles can make all the difference. At Elevate Wealth, we believe that by mastering key investing concepts, you can make more informed financial decisions and build lasting wealth. Risk and Return: The Core of Investing One of the most important principles in investing is the relationship […]
Can You Over-Contribute to a 529 Plan?
Owning an “overfunded” 529 college savings account is probably not the worst problem you can imagine. Still, it is a real concern for some parents facing highly uncertain college costs in the future. If the costs of a college education turn out much lower than expected, either through need-based aid, merit-based aid, or just choosing […]
Market Wrap: Five Key Takeaways from 2024
Happy New Year! The beginning of January is traditionally a time to review and reflect over the past calendar year. As we know, a lot can happen over the course of a full year and 2024 was no different. This month, we will try to highlight some of the key events and main takeaways from […]
Are US Stocks Expensive?
Last week, the S&P 500 made another new all-time high, its 53rd of the year so far. US stocks are up nearly 30% year-to-date, which comes on the heels of a strong 2023, in which US stocks returned +26%. US markets are also doing well on a relative basis, broadly outperforming most other asset classes, […]
Will the Election Have Consequences for Your Portfolio?
While votes are still being counted as I write this post, it appears that the GOP has swept in the 2024 elections, capturing not only the White House and the Senate, but very likely the House of Representatives, as well. If so, an undivided government could pave the way for the incoming Trump administration to […]
Updated 2025 Tax Brackets and Your Retirement Plan
As the IRS announces its annual inflation adjustments for the 2025 tax year, there are key updates that pre-retirees and retirees should be aware of, especially when planning for retirement. At Elevate Wealth Advisory, we emphasize the importance of lifetime tax planning, which plays a critical role in making sure your retirement savings can go […]
How Will Interest Rate Cuts Affect the Stock Market?
In the past few months, the U.S. labor market has started to show unmistakable signs of softening; the unemployment rate has ticked up from a recent low of 3.4% to 4.2% today. Growth in monthly payrolls has slowed from an average of approximately 250,000 to below 150,000. These statistics have gotten the Federal Reserve’s attention; […]
