West Invest, LLC

10/13/2026

Heads up, Whatcom County. Medicare season is around the corner, Open Enrollment starts OCTOBER 15th! A few things look a little different this year -- especially if you're enrolled in an Advantage plan. If you have questions, let us know and we'll connect you to somebody who can help!

09/30/2026

The end of the year is coming at us quick. As a reminder, here are the 2026 retirement account contribution limits:

· The 2026 401(k) and 403(b) contribution limit is $24,500

· Catch-up for age 50+ is an additional $8,000

· Super Catch-up for age 60–63 is expanded to $11,250

IRA contributions:

· The 2026 contribution limit is $7,500

· The age 50+ catch-up allows for an additional $1,100

There’s nuance to these contribution limits as they relate to your income, and as they relate to employer contributions. So if you want to strategize your end-of-year contributions, reach out to us!

09/25/2026

Reminder: if you haven't taken your Required Minimum Distribution yet, the clock's ticking. The deadline is December 31! Talk to us ahead of time!

09/09/2026

Have you scheduled your annual review yet?

We know that with holidays the end of the year fills up fast. Let's get you on the calendar if you haven't had your annual review yet!

We'll be sure to cover:
• Life updates: new job, move, marriage, kids, whatever's changed
• Reviewing and setting goals, short term and long term
• How your investments performed this year
• Anything else on your mind: taxes, retirement, estate planning, updated contact info

Call our office and we'll find a time that works.

09/02/2026

It’s back to school season and that’s a good time for us to check in with you about 529 plans.

A 529 is a tax-advantaged account you fund now so your child (or grandchild, or anybody you designate) can use it later to pay for qualified education costs.

People often associate 529 plans with paying for college tuition, but there’s so much more to it. SWIPE through for the less obvious things a 529 can actually cover.

There is a lot more to know about 529 plans and how to make one work for you and your family. If you want a 529 plan, are actively spending from a 529 plan, or have leftover funds sitting in a 529, reach out to us to strategize.

08/11/2026

Meet our new intern, Case! Originally from Kobe, Japan, he lives in Seattle, Washington, where he is pursuing a degree in Finance with a minor in Environmental Studies at the University of Washington. He’s joining us here in Bellingham for the summer!

About why he’s pursuing a career in finance, Case says: “I've always been interested in business, but through my coursework at UW, I discovered a passion for the financial industry because it combines analytical thinking while creating meaningful relationships.

So far, my favorite part of the internship has been learning about the financial planning industry while working alongside such a welcoming and supportive team. I'm grateful for this opportunity and excited to continue learning and growing throughout the internship.”

Here are some fun facts about Case:
· He doesn’t have a favorite sports team, but will root for any team LeBron James is playing for
· His go-to takeout meal is getting a Lamb and Beef Shawarma at Aladdin’s on the Ave in Seattle
· He’s pretty sure that he’s seen every single movie on Netflix

07/31/2026

It’s Time for Your Mid-Year Money Check-In!

Six months ago you probably made a plan, a budget, or even a resolution. Then life happened. Gas prices shifted, maybe a kid started daycare, or a job changed.

July is a good time to check if that plan still matches your actual life. Whether it takes you two minutes or twenty, here’s a few things to check.

1. What's changed in your monthly expenses? Check for any increases in regular expenses, or on the flip side, extra cash from decreased spending in any specific categories.

2. Has your income changed? Did you get a raise, change jobs, retire, or have a side gig that started or stopped?

3. Have you made progress on your saving goals? Check on your emergency fund, and any contributions toward retirement accounts or Health Savings Accounts.

If you find surprises, good or bad, call us.

07/17/2026

Another birthday, another post by Blair!

Happy Birthday to one of our Paraplanners, Luke!

It’s hard to believe Luke has already been part of West Invest for two years. His analytical mind keeps us thinking, improving, and looking for better ways to serve our clients. It also gives me plenty of opportunities to tease him.

A few things you may not know about Luke:
• He’s a fellow Thunderbird from Kulshan Middle School and a Raider/Bayhawk from Bellingham High School.
• The best golfer on our team.
• He earned his bachelor’s degree in Slovenia and loves experiencing different foods, architecture, and cultures.
• He has collected quite a few office nicknames, including Luko and Lukey and several others that probably shouldn’t be shared publicly.

Enjoy this picture of us, an outtake from a video that EB was making us practice filming!

Luke, we’re grateful to have you on the team and excited to see what the future holds for you.

07/15/2026

Here's a quick read about financial independence and why it isn't only about retirement!

You’ve probably heard the term ‘financial independence’ before. Let's talk about what it really means!

07/10/2026

Blair here again, with another birthday celebration post! Today we’re celebrating Marty!

He started West Invest in 2000 and has been a financial planner for even longer, but to me he’s dad. He’s taught me a lot over the years, about business and life, and I’m grateful to have been working with him for almost ten years in the family business.

If you’ve worked with Marty at all you know he’s always making jokes, but did you know:
• He’s also a total history buff,
• He’s climbed a ton of mountains including Mt Blanc, Kilimanjaro, and Cotopaxi. And local mountains too, like Mount Hood (in the first picture of us in 2015) and Mount Baker (in the second picture in 2013),
• And he loves to go crabbing

Happy birthday Dad!