Martin Wealth Management LLC

National Parents’ Day is this Sunday, which is news to most parents.

So no, the day will probably not put parents in the spotlight. But parenting is a 365-day job, and one piece of it gets quietly transferred whether parents are intentional or not: financial habits.

Some kids and grandkids absorb attitudes about earning, saving, and risk long before they understand the math.

A few questions worth asking before the next family gathering:

🔹 What do the kids and grandkids actually know about how the family operates financially?

🔹 What do we want them to understand about earning, saving, giving, and risk?

🔹 When was the last family discussion about money that was not about a specific bill or expense?

🔹 Is there a generational wealth strategy, and does the next generation know enough about it to carry it?

The families we see do this best hold a standing meeting once or twice a year, and summer is a perfect time!

Nothing formal. Just enough rhythm that the next generation knows what is being built and why.

Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment
returns.

Inflation and Your Portfolio Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

Summer with kids is not cheap.

And camp is often one of the biggest line items!

But did you know you may be able to use a Dependent Care FSA for day camp costs?

What qualifies:

✅ Day camps, including specialty camps for sports, coding, or arts

✅ Care that allows the parent (and spouse, if married) to work or look for work

✅ Children under age 13 at the time of care

What doesn’t count:

❌ Overnight or sleepaway camps, even if the daytime hours are separated out

❌ Tutoring, music lessons, or other primarily educational programs

❌ Camps attended while one parent is at home and available to provide care

If your child has a booked summer and you meet any of the conditions above, it's worth considering. If you have specific questions, consult with your HR team.

⚠️ A 10 percent position in a single stock is sometimes called a concentrated position.

Most people don't realize it when they have one.

It's usually not a conscious decision.

Ten years go by, and one company’s stock is a large percentage of the portfolio.

That isn't loyalty. It's exposure.

🔍 A few questions you might consider:

🛑 If the stock dropped tomorrow, what would change for your family?

🛑 Is the position there because selling always felt premature?

🛑 Has the embedded capital gain quietly become the reason nothing has been done?

There are several ways to unwind a concentrated position without writing a large check to the IRS.

The correct path depends on the situation.

If this sounds familiar, we’d welcome a conversation to share ideas that may help. Before any action is taken, however, it’s important to consult your tax, legal, and accounting professionals so you understand the tax consequences of any decision.

When you choose to take Social Security might impact your retirement income. Find out how.

Deciding When to Take Social Security One of the most common questions people ask about Social Security is when they should start taking benefits.

Stocks fell last week as the chip-stock trade entered a selloff phase, despite upbeat news on inflation. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.55 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.90 percent. The Dow Jones...

Weekly Market Insights | Inflation Retreats; Chips Stumble

December is the busiest month for RMDs.

But waiting until then can mean you miss some chances with charitable giving or with estate ideas.

For anyone age 73 or older, the required minimum distribution is mandatory, and the penalty for missing a deadline can be steep. If taken before age 59½, withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income and may be subject to a 10 percent penalty.

But the timing of the withdrawal and which accounts it comes from can shape the tax bill in ways a December scramble can’t.

A few things worth knowing:

👉 Multiple IRAs can be aggregated; retirement plans cannot. Each RMD must come from that specific plan.

👉 In 2026, a Qualified Charitable Distribution may allow up to $111,000 per individual to go directly from an IRA to a qualified charity, satisfying the RMD without adding to taxable income. Check with your tax, legal, or accounting professional if you’re considering this approach.

👉 A QCD has to be a direct transfer. Once the money lands in a personal account, the option is gone.

👉 Coordinating across accounts, spouses, and inherited IRAs is where most of the value might sit.

Mid-year is when there is still room to model it.

If RMDs are part of your plan this year, this is a good time to map them.

The choice of business structure is not a final decision. You may amend your business structure to your changing needs.

www.martinwealthmanagement.net

When it comes to making a difference, which is better? Investing for impact or starting your own philanthropy?

Impact Investing or Philanthropy This fun piece can help your clients explore the benefits of impact investing versus founding a philanthropy.

Travel fraud gets worse every summer, and we hear more stories from clients every year.

A quick login from the lobby.

A brokerage app checked from the airport lounge.

A bank balance pulled up at a cafe.

Public networks are where accounts can get exposed.

A few habits worth building before the next trip:

🛑 Skip public WiFi for anything financial. Use cellular data or a personal hotspot.

🛑 Turn on real-time transaction alerts for every card.

🛑 Consider using credit, not debit.

🛑 Watch for skimmers (devices attached to gas pumps and ATMs that copy card data).

A few minutes of preparation before the trip can help prevent months of cleanup after.