Schwallier Wealth Management

Most people assume that anyone with a title like "financial advisor" or "wealth manager" is fundamentally in the same business: giving you advice. That assumption is worth questioning, because the way an advisor gets paid has...

What Is a Fee-Only Financial Advisor? Fee-only advisors are paid only by you, never by commissions. Learn what fee-only means, how advisors are paid, and why it matters for your financial future.

Two advisors can hand you nearly identical business cards. Both may say "financial advisor." Both may even say "fiduciary." But one of them can only be paid by you, and the other can be paid by you and by the companies whose products...

Fee-Only vs. Fee-Based Financial Advisor: The Difference Fee-only and fee-based sound alike but work differently. See how compensation shapes advice, and what it means for the guidance you receive.

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 The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 2.62 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 3.93 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, adding 1.34 percent. The S&P/TSX rose 2.96 percent.1,2

September is College Savings Month, and if saving for a kid's (or grandkid's) future school costs is on your mind, a 529 plan is worth knowing about.

529 plans come with some nice tax perks and flexibility for school costs. They also come with a few things worth weighing, like investment risk, fees, and rules around when the money can come out.

Every family's situation looks a little different, so what makes sense for one household might not for another.

Curious how a 529 plan might fit (or not fit) for you? Happy to sit down and talk it through.

Disclosure: A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged education savings plan. Before choosing a plan, it's important to consider not only the state tax treatment but also any associated fees and expenses. Availability of a state tax deduction will depend on your state of residence, as state tax laws and treatment may vary from federal tax laws. If you make nonqualified distributions, earnings will be subject to income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax.

Sources: Internal Revenue Service, Investopedia, Investor.gov, Intuit Blog

August is known as "Make a Will Month". But it would be better to rebrand it as "Estate Plan Month" instead. Here's why:

A will is a good start, but on its own it's really just a set of instructions for the probate court. When you're dealing with the death of a loved one, the last thing you need is a lengthy, expensive, stressful probate process.

A full estate plan is different. It can include a will, power of attorney, and medical directive, all working together so more can pass directly to family, without going through the courts, with less delay and cost along the way.

Think of a will as one piece of a bigger picture. What's in your plan? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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 Stocks were mixed in July as investors navigated a cross-current of news on the outlook for AI spending and Q2 corporate reports.

Life doesn't stand still, and neither should your estate plan. Putting a plan in place is an important first step, but it isn't a set-it-and-forget-it document. Here are a few moments that call for a second look:
1️⃣ Family Changes: Marriage, divorce, a new baby, or the loss of a loved one can all shift what your plan needs to say.
2️⃣ Relocation: A move to a new state can mean new laws to account for.
3️⃣ Financial Shifts: New accounts, a business, or new property should be reflected in your plan. 4️⃣ Executor/Trustee Changes: Make sure the people you named are still the right fit.
5️⃣ Law Changes: Staying current helps you stay compliant and avoid surprises.
6️⃣ Beneficiary Updates: Relationships evolve. Your plan should too.
7️⃣ Time: A good rule of thumb is to revisit your plan every 3 to 5 years.

If it's been a while since you looked at yours, now's a good time.

Markets posted solid second-quarter gains as investors responded to upbeat economic reports, continued diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, and strong first-quarter corporate numbers. The S&P 500 rose 14.87%, the Nasdaq gained 21.41%, and the Dow picked up 12.90%, while Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 6.37%. Looking ahead, markets may continue to react to Middle East updates, oil prices, inflation trends, and the pace of global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz. From U.S. home price growth to Canadian housing forecasts, this quarter’s by-the-numbers highlights the data behind one of North America’s most closely watched markets.

Quarterly Market Insights | July 2026 Stocks saw solid gains in the second quarter, riding a wave of enthusiasm over upbeat economic reports, ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, and strong first-quarter corporate numbers.

Markets continued their upward climb in May, supported by strong technology performance, positive economic data, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Nasdaq gained 8.36%, the S&P 500 rose 5.15%, and Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 2.37%, while investors welcomed better-than-expected job growth and upbeat corporate earnings. With the Fed's next meeting scheduled for June, attention is turning to updated economic projections and what they may signal about the broader economy. From \$24 billion spent on Father's Day to the popularity of dining out and special outings, this month's by-the-numbers highlights how families celebrate the dads in their lives.

Monthly Market Insights | June 2026 Stocks pushed higher in May, fueled by big tech names, positive economic news, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.