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Bracket Busting: Coping with Life’s Unexpected "Upset" Wins and Losses

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Bracket Busting: Coping with Life’s Unexpected "Upset" Wins and Losses

Out of 36 million brackets submitted to major online games for the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, only four perfect brackets remained heading into the final day of the second round.

And none of those brackets stayed perfect heading into the Sweet 16.

Still, even though "perfect" is no longer possible, the tournament will go on. There will be more upsets, more blow-outs, and more brackets busted. And fans all over the country will cheer some wins, cope with some disappointments, and find new teams, players, and storylines to root for if their favorites don't make it all the way.

Throughout the course of your financial plan, you'll often have to let go of "perfect" and adjust to the ups and downs that life throws at you. These three strategies can help you stay in the game and win round by round all the way to retirement.

How a Financial Advisor Can Help Lower Your Tax Bill

How a Financial Advisor Can Help Lower Your Tax Bill

Tax planning is a vital part of any wealth management strategy, but reducing your tax burden isn’t always a straightforward process, especially for individuals with more complicated returns. Careful planning can help minimize your tax liability leaving you with more money to further your financial goals. 

Tax planning isn’t just something you think about when filing, it requires year-round attention if done properly. Surely, your accountant should play a large role in this, but consider working with a financial advisor who can recommend tax-efficient investment strategies as well.

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How to Maximize Your Credit Score

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How to Maximize Your Credit Score

For the wealthy, credit scores can feel like a formality. After all, when you have ample liquidity, who’s really checking your credit? 

Turns out, plenty of people are. Lenders, underwriters, insurers, and even business partners may review your credit as a measure of trustworthiness and financial discipline. And while a high-net-worth can open doors, a poor credit score can close a few behind the scenes.

Whether you're acquiring property, investing in new ventures, or simply maintaining your financial reputation, your credit score matters. These strategies can help you protect and elevate it.

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How to Fire Old Financial Habits

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How to Fire Old Financial Habits

You’ve advanced in your career. You’re earning more and managing the responsibilities that come with success. Yet maybe you’ve maintained some financial habits that you should have left behind.

These habits are often rooted in past visions of security or achievement. But if the conditions have changed, it’s worth asking whether the behavior still fits. You might recognize some of these signals:

Develop Healthy Hobbies as a Family

Develop Healthy Hobbies as a Family

We may feel like we spend lots of time with our family members. But squeezing in a few hugs and meals on our way to and from work, school, and soccer practice isn't really the same as scheduling meaningful family time. Developing family hobbies can help you all spend more purposeful time together, improve your family's wellbeing, and find new ways to connect. 

Mix and match a few of these ideas to find some go-to family hobbies, rain or shine. 

A Simple 5-Step Portfolio Checkup Anyone Can Do

A Simple 5-Step Portfolio Checkup Anyone Can Do

Most people glance at their accounts, see that the balance is up or down, and move on. But that surface check can hide deeper issues like unnecessary overlap or risks that don’t match your current life situation. A simple portfolio review starts with asking the right questions and being crystal clear about what each investment is doing for you.

Here’s a five-step audit you can run on your own accounts: