C. Beach Brown, LLC

10/01/2026

FAFSA season has a way of making even organized parents wonder, “Wait…are we doing this right?” 🎓💰

And with changes to the FAFSA process, some of the rules and terminology families remember from the last time around may not apply anymore.

Whether you’re filling it out for the first time or you’ve already sent a child (or two!) to college, it’s worth knowing what’s changed before you dive in.

This helpful overview breaks down some of the key FAFSA updates and what families should know as they plan for college costs.



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For the 2026-2027 school year, there are key FAFSA changes you need to know about. Learn more at Citizens

09/30/2026

What if retirement had a dimmer switch instead of an on/off button? 💡

For some people, going from a full-time career to a completely open calendar overnight sounds wonderful. For others, a phased retirement may be a much better fit.

Working fewer hours, shifting responsibilities, consulting, or gradually stepping away can give you more time and freedom while allowing you to keep earning income and ease into your next chapter.

Of course, there are financial questions to consider, too — from healthcare and Social Security to retirement savings, taxes, and cash flow.

If you’re getting closer to retirement but aren’t quite ready to close the laptop for good, a phased approach might be worth exploring.



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The conversation around retirement planning is changing. We used to plan for the day when work would become optional. I now have had several conversations with clients where we have planned for the day when they are going to cut back on work and accept a smaller paycheck.

09/24/2026

🎓 College tuition is coming due. Your parents may need more help. And somewhere in the middle of all of it is your own retirement.

Welcome to the financial juggling act many families find themselves facing.

When multiple generations need support at the same time, it can be hard to know which financial priority should come first — especially when every choice feels personal.

The answer isn’t necessarily to divide your money equally or try to do everything at once. It’s to understand what you can realistically afford, which expenses have other funding options, and where helping someone else could put your own financial security at risk.

We're looking at how to balance college costs, elder care, and your own long-term goals without letting guilt make the decisions for you.

CLICK HERE: https://buff.ly/TW1zjpT

09/23/2026

Gen X grew up with latchkeys, landlines, and a healthy dose of “figure it out yourself.” 🔑📼

So it’s probably no surprise that many Gen X parents developed a pretty independent approach to money, too.

But their kids are coming of age in a very different financial world — with higher housing costs, student debt, changing career paths, and different ideas about what financial success should look like.

That can make conversations about spending, saving, homeownership, careers, and financial independence…interesting. 😅

Understanding where those differences come from can help families have better conversations about money — without assuming one generation is doing it “right” and the other is doing it “wrong.”



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This is our opportunity to open communication so that future generations are more comfortable talking about finances – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

09/17/2026

The sandwich generation is getting younger — and apparently 34 is the new “How am I supposed to take care of everyone?” 😅

Many people are finding themselves helping aging parents while they’re still raising children, building careers, paying down debt, and trying to save for their own futures.

And the impact isn’t just financial. Caregiving can affect work schedules, career opportunities, stress levels, and the countless little responsibilities that somehow end up on your plate.

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New Care.com research puts the average onset of dual caregiving at 34. Sixty-six percent conceal it from employers, and 61 percent of millennials have turned down an advancement.

09/10/2026

💸 The car needs a major repair. The HVAC quits. A medical bill shows up that you definitely didn’t budget for.

Unexpected expenses have a way of feeling urgent — and that urgency can make it tempting to reach for the fastest solution instead of the best one.

Before you drain an account, put a big expense on a credit card, or make a quick financial decision, take a minute to look at the bigger picture.

Where should the money come from? What are the tradeoffs? And how can you cover the expense without creating a second financial headache down the road?

Here's how to approach an unexpected expense calmly, weigh your options, and make a decision that fits into your overall financial plan: https://buff.ly/hiBlwNN

09/09/2026

Maxed out your 401(k)? 🎉 That’s a pretty good financial problem to have.

But it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re done saving for retirement.

Depending on your employer’s plan, you may be able to make after-tax 401(k) contributions beyond the regular employee contribution limit — potentially creating an opportunity to move even more money into Roth savings.

For high earners who are already checking the usual retirement-savings boxes, this can be a strategy worth understanding.

Before you assume your 401(k) is officially “full,” take a closer look at what your plan allows. There may be more room to save than you think.

https://buff.ly/6C8XGPS

Already maxing out your 401(k)? Learn how after-tax 401(k) contributions can help high earners build significantly more Roth savings for retirement.

09/03/2026

When was the last time the two of you got away without a to-do list, a packed schedule, or someone asking, “What’s for dinner?” 😄

Sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what you need to reconnect, slow down, and enjoy being together without all the distractions of everyday life.

Whether your idea of a great getaway involves spa treatments and room service, hiking and fresh air, or simply sitting somewhere beautiful with nowhere you need to be, a couples retreat can be a pretty good excuse to put everything else on hold for a few days.

The Good Trade rounded up some of the best couples retreats across the U.S. for a little inspiration.

If you could escape for a long weekend together, where would you go?

Whether you are longing to play, learn, reconnect, or just spend uninterrupted time together, check out these unique resorts for a truly engaging couples retreat.

09/02/2026

Having money and having money available when you need it aren’t always the same thing.

You can have a healthy investment portfolio, retirement accounts, real estate, and other assets...and still find yourself wondering where the cash is going to come from when a big expense pops up.

That’s where liquidity comes into the picture.

The goal isn’t necessarily to keep a huge amount of money sitting in cash “just in case.” It’s about finding the right balance between having enough readily available for your everyday life and unexpected expenses while still allowing the rest of your money to stay invested toward your longer-term goals.

And that balance can change as your life changes.

How confident are you that you have the right amount of cash available—not too much and not too little?

👉 Read more: https://buff.ly/VRwnx4t

How do you strike the right balance between investing for long-term growth and maintaining enough liquidity to meet your short-term needs?

08/27/2026

Who says you have to have your entire career figured out by 40?

For many women, their 40s and beyond can actually be the perfect time to rethink what they want from work. You have experience, perspective, a much better idea of what you’re good at—and, perhaps most importantly, a clearer sense of what you’re no longer willing to put up with. 😉

Whether you’re looking for more flexibility, better pay, a new challenge, or work that fits the life you have now, changing careers doesn’t mean starting over. It means taking everything you’ve learned and deciding where you want to take it next.

This article looks at some of the best jobs and career paths for women over 40 in 2026.

Would you consider making a major career change at this stage of your life?

If you’re a woman over 40 exploring your career options, 2026 is shaping up to be a strong year for making a move. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics