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Gain the information and perspective you need to make confident financial decisions. We see the "experts" on the news, the radio, and social media giving overly simplified, black-and-white, all-or-nothing financial advice, and we're not having it. While they're not completely wrong, we believe each person's situation is unique, and that you are the one most qualified to decide what financial decisions best support the life you want to live. We're here to help you make confident decisions that are rooted in your convictions, and grounded in reality.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Washington’s estate tax rules have changed. The filing threshold is now higher, but estates near $3M+ should still review titling, beneficiary designations, liquidity, and estate documents.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

A widower nearly overpaid capital gains tax because key details were missed. Step-up in basis, selling costs, and improvements can dramatically reduce tax owed. Your accountant needs the full property history.

Saturday, January 31, 2026

When people think about life insurance, they usually think about replacing income. If you currently stay home with kids or manage the household, it’s easy to assume you don’t really need it.But the truth is that, unless you're already...

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Helping Your Kids Buy a Home: Options and TradeoffsFor many parents, the desire to help an adult child buy a home comes from recognizing that today’s housing market bears little resemblance to the one they experienced themselves....

Friday, December 5, 2025

Do you have a vision for the coming year? One of my favorite things to do each year as I look ahead and set my vision is to use the same worksheet that I've used in the past. I like going back to past worksheets and reminding...

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Monday, June 16, 2025

Big estate tax changes are coming to Washington July 1: the exemption increases to $3M, and up to $1M of your home’s value may be excluded. If your estate is near the threshold, now’s the time to review your plan and avoid unnecessary taxes

Monday, June 9, 2025

Washington's new rent control law sets statewide limits—but Bellingham adds stricter rules, including 120-day notice, relocation aid, and safety inspections. Landlords: make sure you have a pro helping you stay compliant.

Monday, March 24, 2025

Why a HELOC Can Be a Great Backup to Your Emergency Fund (and When It’s Not) A fully funded emergency savings account is the foundation of financial security, but what happens if you need more than you’ve saved? A Home Equity Line of...

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Losing a loved one is hard, but key steps can help. Obtain a death certificate, notify family, and arrange the funeral. Secure belongings, handle legal and financial matters, and seek support. Accept help, manage your own affairs, and give

Monday, January 6, 2025

Losing a spouse is hard. If you're under 67 and working, Social Security may reduce survivor benefits. Work with a financial advisor to understand your options. 🥰

Monday, January 6, 2025

For teachers interested in having more flexibility in their retirement contributions, how their money is invested, and when they retire, a 403b plan could be a great tool! This blog will share how.

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Do you love the idea of giving more to charity and less to taxes? If you are approaching age 70 1/2 -or- could afford to donate more than one years' worth of charitable giving in one year, then read on... Option for age 70 1/2 +:...

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Paid-Up Additions (PUAs) are extra life insurance you can buy with dividends or extra payments. They boost your policy’s cash value and death benefit instantly, need no ongoing payments, and grow tax-deferred. Adjust PUAs as your needs chan

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

The answer is: maybe. Getting life insurance after cancer can be more challenging, and it really depends on the details of your cancer and recovery. Here’s what you need to know about your options and what insurance companies might...

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

As a financial advisor, one of the most critical pieces of advice I share with business owners is to keep their business and personal finances separate. It's not just about good bookkeeping; keeping things separate protects your...

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

hat is an RMD? As you reach a certain age, the IRS requires you to start taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your retirement accounts. These accounts include traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and other tax-deferred retirement...

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Going through a divorce is never easy, especially when there are children involved. Among the myriad of decisions you'll face, one that often weighs heavily on many women's minds is whether to keep the family home. It's a decision...

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

I'm going to be honest with you... sometimes it's hard for me to talk about money with my husband. It never really feels like the "right" time, and it's hard to know how to structure the conversation. But I know it's important, so I...

Monday, August 14, 2023

In my role as a female financial advisor, I often refer to other professionals, preferably ones in or near Bellingham WA where many of my clients are located. Here is how I narrow down which professionals I refer to, using my "5 C's" system

Monday, June 12, 2023

Saving for retirement is an important goal for couples who want to carry their standard of living into their non-income-earning years. One of the questions I get from clients is "Does it really matter whose account we contribute to?" I...

Monday, June 12, 2023

When you leave your job, you're probably initially focused on the most impactful part of the change- finding or starting your new job. On top of that, you have some other things to deal with, such as replacing health insurance,...

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

When I heard that First Republic Bank was taken over by the FDIC yesterday and sold to JP Morgan Chase, I immediately thought of my clients. I wrote the email below (now a blog for you!) to give you my take on what happened, share what...

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

This post shares critical tnumbers e to keep in mind as you sell or transfer your real estate property, particularly your residence, as a part of your divorce settlement. Make an informed decision that allows you to minimize capital gains

Friday, March 3, 2023

With fears of a recession, rising inflation, and market volatility, paying down your debt can be a good move. But how do you know which debt to pay down?

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

I'm an American citizen, but I live and work in another country. Do I still need to file a US tax return? Yes.   Sorry, wish we had better news.But, what if I'm paying income tax in another country?Still a...

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Should you sell your home the same year you divorce or file for separation? This post explains how capital gains on the sale of your home may be treated differently if you take either of these legal actions the year you sell your home.

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

January has arrived, and we've moved from the holidays into resolution-setting season. As I ponder what I desire for 2023, it's being present. Like, really present. Watching my kids play, looking people in the eye when they're talking,...

Monday, October 24, 2022

Do you feel like financial literacy in America is getting worse? It’s not just you. FINRA’s most recent National Financial Capability Survey revealed that only 34% of Americans could correctly answer four out of five basic questions....

Monday, October 24, 2022

About eight years ago, I went to the doctor for some health problems including brain fog, fatigue, and overall lack of joy in life. The last in particular was atypical for me. I left that appointment with a prescription in hand for an...

Saturday, October 1, 2022

If you read any investment publications, you've likely heard about something called a "Roth conversion". You may be wondering what a Roth conversion is, and if you should be utilizing this strategy. Let's start with how a Roth...

Thursday, September 1, 2022

Divorce is a messy, heart-wrenching, and overwhelming process to go through. In the midst of everything you're dealing with, it may be the most tempting time to avoid dealing with money. Some advice from a female financial advisor.

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

If you’ve started planning your wedding already, you’ve probably discussed your wedding budget with your significant other. What may not be as urgent, but is of equal importance, is budgeting how you will spend your money together as a coup

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Congratulations on getting married! If you're excited about becoming the new Mrs., keep in mind- your name does not change automatically because you're married! Changing your name legally requires a number of steps beyond changing...

Saturday, July 2, 2022

It's been a rough year, with multiple friends losing spouses or parents unexpectedly. While I am grateful for the generosity of friends and peers who start GoFundMe accounts, I can't help but think that the people we just lost did not...

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Determining how much life insurance you need is different for every person. It depends on things like whether you have children, how much you have in savings, and how much your family counts on your income. There's no rule of thumb...

Sunday, May 1, 2022

According to credit.com, the average student loan debt per person this year is $31,172. Ouch! That's about what most graduates will make per year when they graduate. While we can cross our fingers that some politician somewhere...

Friday, April 1, 2022

I'm seeing a lot of posts online fully attributing the labor shortage to government stimulus checks and lazy employees or to greedy businesses unwilling to pay a living wage. Both of these overly simplistic perspectives miss a really import

Thursday, February 3, 2022

So you're asking the question- should I sell or rent out my house? You're planning on moving, maybe because you're upgrading to a bigger home, or relocating for a new job or to be closer to family. You own your current home, and you're...

Saturday, January 15, 2022

Starting your own business can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll do in life, but also most challenging. Here are a few key considerations to help you grow a successful business. If you want a female financial advisor, reach out!

Saturday, January 1, 2022

As we enter 2022, I think we're all a bit hesitant to claim "2022 is our year!" given how that's worked out for many of us the last two years. I'm also wary in general of setting super ambitious goals that involve strict diets, strict...

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

In case you missed it: In May of 2019, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill into law, known as the "Aging and Long-Term Support Administration Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act", a state-operated long-term care insurance pro

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