Timothy Cicala, CFP

10/08/2026

Stocks finished the third quarter mixed. The S&P 500 gained 2.03%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.47%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 2.70%. Halloween is next on the calendar, with U.S. consumers expected to spend \$13.5 billion USD this year and 6.26 million Canadian children in their trick-or-treating years.

Quarterly Market Insights | October 2026 U.S. and Canadian Markets Stocks were mixed in the third quarter as economic, geopolitical, and corporate earnings news pushed the broad market higher while weighing on the Dow Industrials. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 2.03 percent, while the Nasd...

09/16/2026

Markets pushed higher in August as AI-driven optimism helped investors look past softer economic data. The S&P 500 gained 2.62% and the S&P/TSX Composite rose 2.96%, even as softening retail sales kept consumer spending in focus. Back-to-school season adds another data point to that story, with spending expected to reach \$146.8 billion in the U.S. and \$4.5 billion in Canada this year.

Monthly Market Insights | September 2026 U.S. and Canadian Markets Renewed enthusiasm for AI pushed stocks higher in August as investors looked past mixed economic signals. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 2.62 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 3.93 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial...

09/10/2026

Tim's Table of Wealth 🥪

Not all upgrades come from spending more.

Sometimes they come from simply knowing what you like.

This sandwich started with homemade pistachio pesto made from basil growing in my garden, pistachios, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, garlic, olive oil, and a little salt.

I paired it with imported speck, fresh burrata, and bread from a local Italian bakery.

Could I have made a more traditional version? Sure.

Classic pesto uses pine nuts. Most people would reach for prosciutto.

But over time, I've learned that I actually prefer pistachios in pesto. They add a richness and texture that I love. And while prosciutto is excellent, I tend to reach for speck because of its subtle smokiness and the spices that make it a little more interesting.

What I enjoy most about cooking is that it teaches you to develop your own taste.

At first, you follow recipes exactly as written. Eventually, you learn enough to make choices with confidence. You discover what works for you, what doesn't, and where you find the most enjoyment.

I've found that life often works the same way.

Many people spend years following the defaults they were handed. The expected career path. The expected spending habits. The expected definition of success.

There's nothing wrong with that.

But one of the great benefits of experience is discovering that fulfillment often comes from understanding your own preferences rather than adopting someone else's.

A well-lived life, like a good meal, doesn't have to be the most expensive or the most traditional.

It just has to be authentically yours.

09/07/2026

One of the things I enjoy most about the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council is the opportunity to spend time with professionals who are committed to helping families, business owners, and individuals navigate some of life's most important decisions.

Recently, I attended a PEPC event at Manufacturers Country Club, which brought together members from a variety of disciplines in a relaxed setting. While the venue and views were outstanding, the real value came from the conversations, relationships, and shared commitment to serving clients well.

In our profession, no one operates in a vacuum. The best outcomes are often the result of thoughtful collaboration among advisors, attorneys, accountants, trust professionals, and others who each bring a unique perspective to the table.

Grateful for the opportunity to spend time with colleagues, strengthen relationships, and enjoy a beautiful day at one of the area's great clubs.

09/03/2026

Tim's Table of Wealth 🍝

One of my favorite things about Italian cooking is how often it proves that simplicity isn't the same thing as being simple.

This spaghetti puttanesca wasn't the traditional version with anchovies. Instead, I made it with tuna 🐟.

Nothing particularly extravagant.

In fact, most of the ingredients are things many people already have sitting in their pantry.

Yet when they come together, something remarkable happens. The brininess of the olives and capers, the richness of the tuna, the acidity of the tomatoes, the heat from the chili pepper. Every ingredient has a job to do, and none of them are there just for show.

Cooking has reminded me that complexity and quality are not the same thing.

We live in a world that often equates "more" with "better." More features. More choices. More information. More stuff.

But some of the best meals are built on a handful of ingredients that complement one another beautifully.

The same can be true of a well-designed life.

More accounts, more strategies, or more possessions don't automatically create more fulfillment. Often, the goal is clarity. Knowing what matters, focusing on it intentionally, and eliminating what doesn't add value.

A bowl of pasta probably won't teach you everything about wealth.

But it might remind you that sometimes the most satisfying things come from getting the basics right.

08/28/2026

There's something special about playing tennis on grass. 🎾

The Union League Tennis Club recently had the opportunity to host an event at the historic Germantown Cricket Club, one of the few places in the country where you can still experience the game the way it was originally played.

As a member of the Tennis Committee, it was rewarding to help organize the day and see such a great turnout. From longtime players to those trying grass courts for the first time, everyone embraced the challenge, the tradition, and most importantly, the camaraderie.

One of my favorite moments was looking around before we got started and seeing a full room of people excited to spend the morning enjoying some friendly competition, fresh air, and good company. In a world that often feels increasingly digital, events like these are a reminder of how valuable face-to-face connections really are.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us and to Germantown Cricket Club for being such an incredible host. Looking forward to the next one.

08/27/2026

Tim's Table of Wealth 🐑

I recently had the honor to cook dinner for my aunt and uncle down the shore.

They had given me a place to stay, so making dinner felt like the least I could do.

The menu was simple: marinated and grilled lamb chops, grilled eggplant and zucchini, and a caprese salad made with fresh Jersey tomatoes. The lamb sat in a marinade of olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and rosemary picked right from their garden.

Everything came together beautifully.

But what stayed with me wasn't the food.

It was sitting on their screened porch as the sun went down, sharing a meal with people I care about and having nowhere else I needed to be.

When people think about wealth, they often think about numbers. Assets. Account balances. Investment returns.

Those things matter.

But moments like this remind me that wealth is also about having the freedom to enjoy life's simple pleasures: good food, meaningful relationships, and the time to slow down long enough to appreciate them.

The lamb chops were great. The Jersey tomatoes were at their peak.

But the real value of the evening wasn't on the plate.

It was around the table.

08/07/2026

Markets navigated mixed signals in July. Inflation eased, tech faced pressure, and energy surged. Meanwhile, Americans are planning record travel spending in 2026: \$1.37 trillion. What's shaping your household budget this summer?

Monthly Market Insights | August 2026 U.S. and Canadian Markets Stocks were mixed in July as investors navigated a cross-current of news on the outlook for AI spending and Q2 corporate reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, adding 0.32 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index edged down 0....

07/28/2026

Tim's Table of Wealth 🍞

A loaf like this can start with four basic ingredients plus a little creativity.

This one has rich& crumbly 15-month aged PDO English cheddar and fresh thyme folded into the dough.

Nothing processed or rushed.
Just quality ingredients and time.

I've always appreciated things that look simple on the surface but require patience and care behind the scenes.

Bread is like that.

So is financial planning.

The finished product is what people see.

What they don't see are the countless small decisions, the discipline, and the willingness to stick with a process over time.

Simple done consistently is often more powerful than complicated done occasionally.

And sharing homemade food with people you care about is one of life's great pleasures.

07/21/2026

Tim's Table of Wealth 🥣

A great meal can inspire more than just a good memory.

I first had Alsatian Apple & Onion Soup at The Berghoff in Chicago and knew immediately I wanted to learn how to make it myself.

I've always enjoyed French onion soup, but this was on another level.

The sweetness of the apples, the depth of the caramelized onions, and just a touch of spice created a balance of flavors that was unforgettable.

When I got home, I recreated it almost exactly.

The crostini was made from my homemade bread, and I topped it with aged cheddar instead of Muenster simply because that's what I had on hand.

The best part?

It turned out every bit as flavorful as I remembered.

One of the things I enjoy most about cooking is that a great experience doesn't have to end when the meal is over.

Sometimes it becomes a new skill.

A new tradition.

Or another meal shared with the people you care about.

I've found that some of life's greatest returns come from experiences that inspire us to learn something new and then pass it along to others.

To me, that's a form of wealth.