Blog

Ages 25-55 are critical earning years for wealth building. Time is your ally through compounding, but life brings competing priorities. Get our new book and use the framework that is a proven blueprint for building wealth."

There are several year-end tax strategies that could reduce the total amount you pay in taxes for the 2025. The catch, you must act before Dec 31, 2025. Due to tax law changes taking affect in 2026, this is the time to act!

Most Americans focus primarily on interest rates when choosing a home loan. But in this month’s blog, we reveal why the loan term—its duration—could influence your finances in unexpected ways. Don’t overlook this key strategy!

Ultra-wealthy Millennials aren’t just building fortunes—they’re focused on values, family, and legacy. With distinct views on work, giving, and inheritance, they’re redefining what it means to live—and pass on—“the best life.”

On August 6th, 2025, We hosted our Mid-Year Economic Update webinar. Every summer, we share data-driven economic insights, free of bias so that our clients can see exactly where the U.S. economy stands and what it means to you.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has been making headlines for months-but what's actually in it? This month, we break it down with a clear, factual look at what's included and how it may impact you.

Before saying "yes" to being an executor, know the duties, legal implications and family dynamics involved. This article explains key responsibilities, potential pitfalls and when to consider other options for managing an estate.

Our final webinar before this trip was held on Tuesday, June, 3rd. If you missed this meeting, we recorded it and you will find it captured here. We encourage you to watch the video if you missed the Zoom meeting. There is valuable...

In our April blog, we dive deep into the latest U.S. tariffs as well as DOGE's efforts to reduce the federal deficit. We outline the key details of the tariffs as well as provide a politically unbiased perspective on the current situation.

Estate planning is a vital part of any strong financial or retirement strategy. This blog kicks off with a quick rundown of the essentials before diving into advanced techniques designed to optimize tax efficiency and protect your assets.

Our second to last update webinar was held on Tuesday, March 4th! The replay is captured here for those planning to take the Ultimate Alaska Adventure in July 2025! Our FJP Alaska Adventure webpage will contain all of the trip information.

This month's blog explains the value of aligning the way to invest, save and spend money with our life goals. We provide tips about how to do this effectively and what can be done to make sure we stay the course.

Our January blog explores the State of the Economy as we head into 2025, focusing on key areas influenced by lingering market conditions, political shifts, and anticipated financial trends for the year ahead.

This blog covers the differences between tax preparation and tax planning. Tax preparation involves documenting past financial activity to determine taxes owed. Tax planning looks forward, using strategies to reduce future tax liabilities.

The laws and regulations for health care plans in 2025 will change greatly. Take the time to review your health insurance plan with an experienced professional to select the best health insurance plan for you.

A travel update webinar was held on Thursday, September 19! The replay is captured here for those planning to take the Ultimate Alaska Adventure in July 2025! The trip is intended for FJP clients and anyone they want to invite. 

We are proud to celebrate the 6th anniversary of FJP. Thank you all for making the past six years a great success. Our goal was to create a unique firm that focused on the needs of our clients while helping them Enjoy the Journey!

A travel update webinar was held on Thursday, July 18! The replay is captured here for those planning to take the Ultimate Alaska Adventure in July 2025! The trip is intended for FJP clients and anyone they want to invite. 

Travel is an amazing way to enjoy the journey. We asked our Travel Advisor to share trends and important things to know to prepare you for your next trip. Read our recap, view our recorded webinar, and book the trip of your dreams!

You can take steps to avoid being blindsided by financial surprises, which could cause anything from a minor inconvenience to a serious cash flow crunch. We include tips for keeping you on track to reach your financial goals.

It is important to create a retirement income plan consistent with your goals, consider potential issues, strategically optimize all sources of income for your lifetime, and work with your Wealth Manager to update it regularly.

FJP hosted a webinar with a special guest, Barry Garapedian. He works with young adults from 14 to 30 to teach them skills to succeed. While the webinar was geared toward what he calls young minds, there was something for everyone.

Elaine Manley discussed important topics about Medicare with Jennifer Taboada, a Senior Financial Wellness Consultant from BlackRock. This article will recap the March 2024 Webinar and share valuable Medicare resources.

Data breaches from large and small companies have resulted in confidential personal information being stolen by cybercriminals. Everyone needs to be aware of the risks in this area and take steps to minimize their risks whenever possible.

Scott Manley discussed important topics about the state of the US economy and the outlook for 2024 with Michael Riggs Senior Strategist at State Street. This article will recap the important points from their January 2024 Webinar.

Mergers & acquisitions can result in lost jobs and those impacted have many important life decisions to make on the personal and financial level. We have decades of experience helping people through these transitions and can help you.

We thank everyone who submitted photos for the 2023 FJP Photo Contest - They were stunning! See who our clients voted for as the winning photos in each category. Through your photos, we can see how all of you are “Enjoying the Journey.”

The Welcome Aboard Zoom Meeting was held on Monday, September 18! The replay is captured here for those planning to take the Ultimate Alaska Adventure in July 2025! The trip is intended for FJP clients and anyone they want to invite. 

Whether you're retired or still on the path there, it's a good idea to learn some moves you can make to avoid these 5 significant financial errors during retirement.

We are celebrating our 5th Anniversary for Financial Journey Partners. It has been inspiring and rewarding to apply our decades of experience to build a firm with the central focus being the needs of our clients.

FJP Wealth Managers share our mid-year economic update. Examine financial indicators and hear discussions on financial questions that might be on your mind from inflation, mortgage rates, the stock market and more in this webinar replay.

We are more than halfway through 2023 with the economy rolling along and the stock market has had a surprisingly strong start to the year. Learn highlights from our August 3 mid-year economic update including headwinds and tailwinds.

AI and ChatGPT are in the news everywhere these days with stories about how AI is making people more efficient. In this article, we discuss various topics related to AI, ChatGPT, and how FJP uses AI to serve our clients better.

Comprehensive planning includes mitigating risks by using different types of insurance. We help our clients directly with life and LTC insurance. Here is our Q&A on property & casualty insurance with one of our network professionals.

Step back out of the busy world and take the time to think about what goals are most important to you! Now is the best time to determine your goals and build your future. Share what you learn with family, friends and your Wealth Manager!

March was a stressful month in the financial industry for both U.S. and European banks. In the blog this month, we will discuss items to consider if you are worried about your bank and wondering if you should make some changes.

March is the month for the NCAA college basketball tournament called “March Madness”. This year March Madness also came to the banks and in this article you can find a timeline of the important financial events of the month.

FJP hosted a webinar with special guest, Dr. Marc Milstein who shared the results of his research on ways to maximize productivity, slow aging and lower the risk for dementia so you can age-proof your brain. Pleased to share with you!

FJP Wealth Manager, Scott Manley, discussed important topics about the economy and the outlook for 2023 with BlackRock's Head of iShares Investment Strategy for the Americas, Gargi Pal Chaudhuri. Get a recap of the webinar.

Congress greatly expanded the changes to retirement savings by passing the SECURE Act 2.0, which introduced 92 new rule changes. Let's cover some major provisions for RMDs, accumulation, Roth revisions and more.

As a new year is on the horizon, it is a good time to refresh goals and reflect on the past year. Thank you for letting us be your partners in your financial journey. Let’s make 2023 an even better year!

2022 has been a challenging year in many ways for investors. In this blog, we share our recap of the year and our thoughts as we exit 2022.

Fed Chairman, Jerome Powell, has stated that it is a top priority of the Federal Reserve to reduce inflation. Let’s explore the issues caused by high inflation and you can consider how concerned should you be about inflation.

An important question many people are asking is “Are we in a recession?” We will discuss this topic with graphs and information on the state of the economy. Regardless of the technical definition of a recession - you be the judge.

I bonds are issued by the US Federal Government and are currently paying 6.89%. Can this be true? Yes, it is! In this article we will cover details including the pros and cons to see if I bonds may be right for you.

The S&P 500 is now down more than 20%. It is the worst start to the US stock and bond markets in decades. Let’s take a closer look at the markets and what is causing this significant sell off in stocks and bonds.

View webinar replays from Part 2 of our Strategies for Aging Family Members Webinar Series, which was focused on the role of a Professional Fiduciary and finding the right care solutions for aging family members.

The markets have been in a down trend since the beginning of 2022. The big questions now are: Has the US stock market reached a turning point? Is the stock market at a bottom? We are watching for signs of this every day.

Investigate evidence to support if we are in a housing bubble now -- the answer to this question could have a big impact on the economy over the next 24 months.

Learn the 10 signs to spot Alzheimer's and distinguish from other forms of dementia and estate planning tools to assist with changing capacity from our guest experts.

In this article we explore the changing bond market and how rising uncertainty increases market volatility which presents challenges as we actively look for opportunities, and actively manage investments.

There was weakness in the U.S. stock market in December 2021, which continued into January and February 2022. We think there are several contributing factors including the jobs numbers, rising inflation, interest rates rising - and Ukraine.

View our webinar replay where we discuss the state of the economy including several economic factors like inflation, consumer spending, interest rates, residential real estate, employment, the travel & entertainment industry and more.

As we’re nearing the 2-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are plenty of concerns as well as positive items in the news about the outlook for the economy.

A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) provides an opportunity to contribute to your favorite charity while meeting your commitment to your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), with less of a cost.

We use a collaborative approach – working with your tax person as a team to focus on your goals and mitigate your taxes where possible. View our webinar replay and resources for possible tax strategies to put into action.

Donor Advised Funds (DAF) can make it easier to donate to all your favorite charities and potentially achieve some tax savings. Learn about how Donor Advised Funds can work for you.

The economy had U.S. companies reporting strong earnings for the second quarter of 2021. So why has the US stock market been pulling back the last few weeks? We look at concerns, positive factors, and the history of September returns.

Medicare is an important part of your retirement strategy but it doesn't have to be complicated with the right information. View our Medicare 101 Webinar replay on-demand with our Medicare expert guest speaker Joanne Giardini.

We are seeing more and more scams coming through email and cell phones, to us and to our clients. It reminds us that we need to be vigilant daily, because one wrong click can lead to devastating consequences.

Are 2021 Federal Tax Increases Inevitable? We explore recent proposals, learning from a conference for CPAs and the complexity of Special Tax Rules. Tax planning is essential View our webinar: Reducing Taxes Before & During Retirement.

What are those letters and words are at the end of the name of a mutual fund? Learn more about the share classes for mutual funds and how our Wealth Managers pick mutual funds at Financial Journey Partners.

You can't prevent a natural disaster but you can prepare for one. Our recorded Emergency Preparedness Webinar gives you the tools to plan and survive. Our thanks to Quake Kare for sharing their expertise.

We work hard every day to help our clients reach their goals, including retiring, and take great pleasure in helping our employees retire too! Thanks for everything Ingalill – and we wish you a very happy and healthy retirement!

We just experienced air travel and an adventure at Florida's Walt Disney World Resort! .We share our learning and 8 tips to make your trip easier. It feels like a good time to shake off the COVID resistance to travel and get back out there!

LTC Care insurance is a critical element of any financial plan. This article explores the current situation and explains the basics of LTC insurance and what to expect moving forward.

Where to? With the passage of CA Prop 19, all 58 counties are now in view as possible locations for the Over 55, with a more affordable property tax. Learn how to calculate your new CA Proposition 19 options.

Since March of 2020, the U.S. stock market dropped about 34% on the fears and uncertainty of a worsening pandemic and later recovered to all-time highs, a massive stimulus and increasing risk to prevent overheating.

Are you optimistic at the one-year mark of the COVID-19 journey? Explore our views on the state of the economy and our outlook for rest of the year.

Put your FJP Client Portal to work for you. View our recorded webinar where we address areas to gain Client Portal efficiency.

Since we live in Northern California in the middle of Silicon Valley, we have a first-hand account of why people are leaving the Golden State. There is a lot to love but growing reasons for people and businesses to pack their bags to leave.

Would you travel internationally during the pandemic? Caring for family members who are ill can make traveling essential, even in times like this. Read our FJP Advisor's story and learn from her international pandemic travel takeaways.

GameStop, AMC and other low-priced stocks that have made explosive moves up and down recently causing major wins and major loss. What's going on? We'll discuss the market volatility and potential forces at play such as the stimulus.

Avoid these two significant estate problems to make things easier for those you care about, not harder. A little energy now can go a long way for your peace of mind and the security of your family.

The pandemic in 2020 accelerated some trends that were already in place and started some new trends. What investments will benefit? See the 6 themes for 2021 that we see on the horizon.

New year, new financial goals. See our checklist of 6 goals to consider for 2021 to make the year a success.

Cyber criminals are noticing we are spending more time at home with emails and online. Phishing emails and cyber crimes are on the rise. Learn how you can spot a cyber crime designed to part you from your money.

The 2020 elections are historic. A divided government is expected. If Joe Biden becomes the next President and the Republicans keep the majority in the Senate, what Biden policies are likely to be possible and what are unlikely?

A K-shaped, recovery means that part of the economy is improving while other parts of the economy are struggling. Are we having a K shaped recovery? If so shat are the trends for the strong and weak parts of the economy?

Large companies are announcing plans to leave California and we've observed that more Californians are making individual plans to leave. Is this a long-term trend? If so where are Californians moving to and why?

A mid-year review of the US stock market and economy. We will summarize the key points and assess where things stand today and important areas to watch for the remainder of the year.

Have you noticed you've been adding TV and movie services one after another? This cost can really add up. We took up the challenge to see if we could cut the cord and increase our entertainment options and possibly save money.

The Coronavirus has impacted the world much more than previous diseases. Having said that, we do believe sometime later in the year, life should return to normal and the Coronavirus concerns will have subsided.

As of Monday, March 2, 2020, this is our view on the coronavirus, economy and stock market.

Your Client Portal is a valuable asset in your financial planning toolkit. Here are some key features we shared at our recent client seminar.

What factors are contributing to the recent stock market rally? Could it be increasing earnings of US companies, growth in the US GDP, political factors or actions by the Federal Reserve?

An estate plan that was carefully and thoughtfully created over time may have elements that are no longer appropriate. A small amount of time spent to keep it updated can save your family and heirs a lot of time and heartbreak later.

On July 4th, Independence Day, we reflect on the meaning of the day and our founding fathers who bet everything to strive for freedom and independence.

Here is an update on our views on the US economy, stock market and changes we have made to client portfolios in the past month. Figure 1. S&P 500 Total ReturnSource: HiddenLevers.com The S&P 500 reached new all-time highs on May 3,...

Financial markets work through cycles that are upward and are downward, just as the economy goes through such cycles varying from strong to weak. When a financial market as a whole, or as a group of securities has been rising, this is...