The Meakem Group

The Meakem Group Financial planning doesn't have to be a big deal. Our approach starts with a conversation.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Important Disclosure Information: http://raymondjames.com/smicd.htm

The Meakem Group is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services

10/08/2026

Retirement can feel very different when a work paycheck is no longer covering the monthly bills.

That’s why fixed expenses deserve attention before you retire.

A mortgage, car payment, or other large obligation may be manageable while you’re working, but it can put more pressure on your cash flow later.

That doesn’t mean every debt has to be gone before retirement. It means understanding how much of your future income is already committed before you get to choose how the rest is spent.

Lower overhead may give you more room to handle unexpected expenses without immediately increasing portfolio withdrawals.

Click the link to watch my video about building more financial flexibility before and during retirement.

https://themeakemgroup.com/4-ways-to-build-more-financial-flexibility-in-retirement/

November and December are “blink, and you’ll miss it” months, so if you have any unused preventive care services, maximu...
09/30/2026

November and December are “blink, and you’ll miss it” months, so if you have any unused preventive care services, maximums, or FSA funds, think about using them before the holidays hit. And if you’ve already hit your deductible and have pending visits or procedures, get them scheduled now.

Here’s another reason to get in early: everyone else is working with the same deadlines, which means getting a dental or healthcare appointment toward the end of the year may be challenging. Don’t wait, especially if you have “use it or lose it” credits!

09/24/2026

School loans, housing costs, and family expenses can all feel more immediate than retirement.

They’re part of your life right now, while retirement may still feel far away. That makes it easy to keep pushing it to the bottom of the list.

But financial planning isn’t about ignoring today’s needs so you can focus only on the future. It’s about finding a realistic place for each of your priorities.

Your retirement contribution may not be as large as you’d eventually like it to be. You may also be paying down debt, building savings, or preparing for another major goal. What matters is having an intentional strategy rather than waiting for a time when life suddenly becomes less expensive or complicated.

Watch our full conversation about balancing retirement with the other financial goals competing for your attention:

https://themeakemgroup.com/how-to-balance-competing-financial-goals-without-putting-your-life-on-hold/

09/17/2026

When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to focus on the purchase price, down payment, and mortgage approval.

But the more important question may be what your life will look like after you move in.

Will the monthly payment leave room for utilities, repairs, maintenance, and the unexpected costs that come with homeownership? Will you still have emergency savings? Can you continue working toward retirement and the other goals that matter to you?

Financial coaching can help you look beyond what a lender says you can borrow and think more carefully about what you can comfortably afford.

Your home should fit into your life, not force every other priority out of it.

Click the link to watch our full conversation about balancing homeownership, debt, savings, retirement, and other competing priorities.

https://themeakemgroup.com/how-to-balance-competing-financial-goals-without-putting-your-life-on-hold/

Medicare Open Enrollment is right around the corner, which means this is a great time to check on your coverage, especia...
09/16/2026

Medicare Open Enrollment is right around the corner, which means this is a great time to check on your coverage, especially your Part D.

Prescription formularies (a plan’s list of approved medications) change every year. That means a medication that was previously covered by your current Part D plan could shift to a higher tier or drop off your plan's coverage list entirely.

Before you commit to a plan for next year, pull up the plan's formulary and compare it against your current prescriptions. If something has moved tiers or lost coverage, Open Enrollment is your window to make a change. Don’t forget to verify whether your preferred pharmacies are still in-network, and check for changes to premiums or copays.

Ready to compare your options? Visit medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d to explore Part D plans and make the most of your Open Enrollment Period.

The brain may not be a muscle (technically, it’s an organ), but it could still do with a workout routine, especially as ...
09/14/2026

The brain may not be a muscle (technically, it’s an organ), but it could still do with a workout routine, especially as we age.

This month is World Alzheimer’s Month, and it’s as good a time as any to talk about how to keep your noggin sharp, no matter how many gray hairs have sprouted.

Swipe to see some of our favorite (easy!) ways to exercise your mental muscles, or read more at https://themeakemgroup.com/keeping-your-brain-sharp/

Alzheimer's Association

09/10/2026

Preparing for a baby usually comes with a long list of things to buy, schedule, and figure out. It can also change the way money moves through your household almost overnight.

Childcare, healthcare expenses, supplies, parental leave, and changes to your work schedule can all affect a budget that seemed perfectly manageable just a few months ago.

Financial coaching gives you an opportunity to step back and look at what has changed. It can help you identify spending habits that may no longer fit, decide which priorities need more room, and make adjustments that feel manageable in real life.

You may not need to overhaul everything. A few intentional changes can help your financial life grow along with your family.

Click the link below to watch our full conversation about preparing for major life changes while continuing to work toward your other financial goals.

https://themeakemgroup.com/how-to-balance-competing-financial-goals-without-putting-your-life-on-hold/

“Is it too late to make progress on my financial goals this year?”This is a great time to take meaningful steps. Here ar...
09/07/2026

“Is it too late to make progress on my financial goals this year?”

This is a great time to take meaningful steps. Here are three opportunities worth a look right now:

- Review your retirement contribution limits. Are you maximizing what you can be putting away for the future? If not, consider how you can get closer to the max. Note that if you were born in 1966 or 1976, your contribution limits may have increased this year.
- If you have Flex Spending or HSA dollars that evaporate if you don’t use them by year-end, make sure you understand the rules and deadlines. Consider scheduling medical, dental, vision, or other eligible appointments before calendars fill up later in the year.
- Are you considering a Roth conversion? Now may be a good time to look at your cash flow and expected income. Speak with your tax and financial advisors about whether a Roth conversion makes sense this year and how much you may want to convert.

Thoughtful planning can help you get closer to your financial goals, and the end of summer is a great time to reflect on your next steps.

09/03/2026

When you’re paying off school loans, it can feel like every available dollar should go toward the debt.

But you’re also trying to build emergency savings, contribute toward retirement, manage your monthly expenses, and prepare for the life you want next.

That’s where financial coaching can help. It gives you a clearer view of what your money needs to accomplish right now and where thoughtful tradeoffs may make sense.

The goal isn’t to ignore your loans or delay everything else until they’re gone. It’s to create a realistic path that helps you make progress in more than one area of your financial life.

Watch our full conversation about balancing debt, savings, retirement, and other major financial goals:

https://themeakemgroup.com/how-to-balance-competing-financial-goals-without-putting-your-life-on-hold/

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4800 Hampden Lane, Suite 810
Bethesda, MD
20814

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+12407434971

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