A diversified balance sheet makes you, your company, and your family more resilient. Most owners don’t realize just how much risk they carry until it’s too late. The squirrels in your backyard know this instinctively: one stash is vulnerable, but thousands of spread-out caches give them the best odds to make it through the winter. Business owners should follow the same principle.
Keeping up with government benefits is a full-time job—on top of the one you already have. Rules change. Eligibility shifts. And missing the fine print could mean missing out on real help. That’s why we’re here. To keep you informed on the things that matter, so you can focus on what matters most: your family. Here’s one of those key updates…
Long-term care insurance (LTC) is a powerful tool to protect your wealth and reduce uncertainty around quality of care late in life—but even for those that have policies many don’t know what their policy covers or how to use it when the time comes.
When we look honestly at our businesses, many of us see the truth: they may provide solid income, but not always lasting value. There are really two kinds of owners. The Lifestyle Owner, who builds a business that supports a good living. And the Value Creator, who builds a business that’s also a transferable asset—one that can thrive without them. Both matter. Only one sets you up for freedom when it’s time to step away.
Think of your life and business like a three-legged stool. One leg is your business goals (building value in your company). Another is your personal purpose (knowing what you’re aiming for beyond work). The third is your financial goals (the fuel that keeps everything upright and moving). Without all three, the stool wobbles—or tips over.
If you're a caregiver receiving In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) income, you've probably heard that those wages aren’t taxable—as long as you live in the same home as the person you’re caring for. That’s true for federal taxes. But when it comes to Social Security, the rules shift. Many people are surprised to learn that IHSS income, while tax-exempt, still counts as earned income under Social Security’s rules—and that can quietly reduce your benefits if you file before your full retirement age.