Deidre Fernald, CFP

We are almost halfway through the year, how does your money look?

Most people know their weight.
Most people know how much they earn.

But very few people know their net worth so let's spend a few minutes checking in on it.

Your net worth is simply: Everything you own minus everything you owe.

Add up:
✅ Checking accounts
✅ Savings accounts
✅ Retirement accounts
✅ Investment accounts
✅ Home equity
✅ Other assets

Then subtract:
❌ Credit cards
❌ Auto loans
❌ Student loans
❌ Mortgages
❌ Personal loans

That's it.

Don't worry if the number is lower than you'd like.
Don't celebrate too much if it's higher than you expected.

The goal isn't to judge yourself. The goal is to measure progress.

Maybe you've paid off $5,000 of debt this year.
Maybe you've increased your 401(k).
Maybe your emergency fund finally looks healthy.

Those wins don't always feel real until you see them on paper. So take 15 minutes this week and do a mid-year money checkup.

How does your net worth compare to January 1st?

If you're not sure what the number means or what you should do next, that's exactly what financial planning is for.

Your net worth is more than a number, it's a snapshot of the financial life you're building.

And if you need help working on your net worth, you can download my guide to start your plan! https://fernfinancialplanning.com/download-your-money-your-plan/

Use the Save Our Homes tax savings calculator to get a quick, personalized estimate of how much you could save on your property taxes based on available property data.

What do you think? Will it pass? Is this the right move? Will Floridians be taxed in another way? Will this just accelerate the Florida housing market?

Find out what your property taxes could be.
https://www.saveourhomesfl.com

Some large investment companies will create a financial plan for free if you have your investments with them and for some people, that's exactly what they need.

But here's the difference: A free plan is often like getting a map. You sit down, answer some questions, receive recommendations, and leave with a document showing where you are and where you're headed.

What I do is more like being your tour guide. We don't just build the plan, we walk through it together.

When your child starts college...When your parent gets sick...When you get a raise...
When you're wondering if you should pay off debt, save more, buy a house, retire, or help your kids...

You don't have to figure it out alone.

I help clients make hundreds of financial decisions over time, not just the big ones that show up in a retirement projection.

Could you get a free plan somewhere else? Absolutely.

But if you're looking for accountability, guidance, education, encouragement, and someone who knows your family's story, that's a different service.

The plan isn't the product, the relationship is and for many families, that's where the real value comes from.

When one partner earns significantly more than the other, money conversations can get complicated.

It’s not just about the numbers. It’s about communication, expectations, and feeling like you’re on the same team. A few things that can help include aligning on shared goals, being open about finances, and agreeing on how decisions are made, whether that’s jointly or with defined roles.

At the end of the day, a strong financial partnership is less about who earns more. It’s about how you plan together.

Something to think about this week. You don't have to have it all figured out. Just start making plans!

What if you could “test-drive” retirement before it actually begins?

One simple idea: try living on your planned retirement income for a month while you’re still working. It can help you better understand your spending and make adjustments ahead of time.

You might also use vacation time to see what your days actually look like without work, or even spend a few weeks in a place you’re considering for retirement.

A little real-world testing now can go a long way in helping you feel more prepared for what’s ahead.

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

May we honor their memory not just today, but every day.

I recently found out I had unclaimed money with the state. Over $600 from an insurance refund!! Check to see if you have unclaimed money too! https://fltreasurehunt.gov

I filed the claim using the form found through the state website and then suddenly started getting letters from companies offering to “help” me recover it for a fee. Some wanted nearly 20% of the money!

Please know, you usually do NOT need to pay anyone to claim your own unclaimed funds.

These companies search public records and offer to do paperwork you can often do yourself for free through your state’s official unclaimed property website.

So this is your reminder to:
✅ Search your name for unclaimed money (tell your family to do it too!)
✅ Use the state’s official website
✅ Be cautious of letters asking for a percentage of your claim

It takes 5 minutes to check and you might be surprised what’s out there.

And if you start getting mysterious letters afterward, don’t be alarmed. Read carefully and with a lot of skepticism before signing anything.

There has to be another way! 🙃

Happy FriYAY!

“Social Security is going broke.” You’ve seen these headlines for years and while the situation is getting more serious, I think it’s important to talk about it without panic.

Current projections show that the Social Security trust fund could face shortfalls around 2035 if changes aren’t made. That does NOT mean checks suddenly disappear. It means the system may only be able to pay a portion of scheduled benefits unless Congress steps in. Currently, only about 83% of benefits will be funded. You can find this information at the bottom of your Social Security statement, so this is real.

Realistically, something will likely change before then but what?

Possible ideas being discussed include:
• Raising the full retirement age - likely
• Increasing payroll taxes - likely
• Reducing benefits for higher earners - likely
• Adjusting cost-of-living increases -meh
• Increasing the income cap subject to Social Security taxes - likely

Now remember...Social Security was never meant to be your entire retirement plan, it was designed to be one piece of the puzzle. For many people, it WILL still be an important piece.

This is why financial planning matters so much, especially in your 40s, 50s, and early retirement years because the goal is flexibility.

✔ Having savings outside of Social Security
✔ Understanding your spending
✔ Reducing debt before retirement
✔ Knowing your “must-have” income number
✔ Creating multiple income sources when possible
✔ Making thoughtful decisions before you’re forced to make reactive ones

Fear-based headlines get clicks. For some retirees, Social Security is extra income. For others, it’s survival. That is why these conversations matter so much and why thoughtful planning is so important.

As a financial planner, my job is not to predict every future law change perfectly. I am here to help build plans that can adapt when life, taxes, markets, or government programs change over time.