Boyd Wealth Management

The headlines are getting loud again.

War in the Middle East.
Oil prices spiking toward $100 per barrel.
Questions about whether AI spending has gone too far.
And the opposite fear - that AI could eventually replace large numbers of workers and even entire companies.

Every market cycle brings a new reason to worry.

But here’s something interesting.

Research from Morningstar estimates investors often earn 1.2% less per year than the investments they own.

Not because the investments were bad. Because emotion influences timing decisions.

Buy after markets rise.
Sell when headlines get scary.

It happens every cycle.

The difference between successful long-term investors and everyone else usually isn’t intelligence.

It’s temperament.

I shared a few thoughts on that here.

When Headlines Get Loud, Discipline Matters Lately the headlines have gotten louder. War in the Middle East. Oil prices spiking toward $100 per barrel. Questions about whether AI spending has gotten ahead of itself...

Selling a business is hard.

Most owners spend decades building value. Then one day, a call comes in. The number is big. The timing feels right. And suddenly you’re in diligence, making decisions that will affect the after-tax outcome for the rest of your life.

This is where small details become big details.

Colby walks through some of the finer points between a stock sale and an asset sale in his latest blog post. Including how structure, tax elections, and state-specific rules can influence the outcome.

If selling your business is even a distant possibility, it’s worth understanding these issues before you’re negotiating under a deadline.

Reach out if we can help with the process.

Selling Your Business? Understanding Stock vs. Asset Sale Tax Implications When considering the sale of your business, buyers will almost always approach the transaction with priorities that differ from yours. Buyers generally have a preference to purchase assets, while sellers typically favor stock sales....

Markets tested patience in 2025. Discipline mattered.
We’ve shared a brief recap from our 18th Annual Economic Outlook Breakfast, including:

🔵 The return of volatility
🔵 Why diversification worked
🔵 International stocks reminded us why they belong in portfolio
🔵 How headline risk affects investor behavior
🔵 Key themes for 2026 from BlackRock

We also included everyone’s favorite visual: our Asset Class Returns Quilt for 2026, plus a summary of key themes shared by Gargi Chaudhuri from BlackRock. If you missed the event, or want a clean summary, I’ve linked to the post in the comments.

Big congratulations to Colby! 🎉👊

We’re excited to share that Colby recently passed all three parts of the IRS Enrolled Agent exam and is now officially recognized as an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the Internal Revenue Service.

This achievement says a lot about Colby. He is curious, dedicated, and always pushing himself to grow so he can better serve our clients. His passion for solving complex planning issues and commitment to continual learning make him an incredible asset to our team.

While we don’t prepare tax returns, having an EA on our team strengthens something far more valuable, the depth and precision of our planning. Taxes touch everything - investments, retirement income, business exits, charitable giving, college planning, estate strategies. It's your largest lifetime expense, and smart planning around it can meaningfully change outcomes.

Colby’s expertise helps us see opportunities others might miss and ensures every client’s plan reflects thoughtful, tax-aware decision-making. All while intelligently collaborating with our clients' trusted CPAs.

Please help us congratulate Colby on this well-earned milestone. We’re proud of him and our clients will benefit from his work for years to come. 👏👏👏

It's not too late! We put together 12 quick planning ideas before year-end. You can browse it quickly and see if any apply to you.

Reach out if we can help.

12 Planning Ideas for Year-End 2025 As if you needed another reminder that year-end is quickly approaching, here are twelve quick but meaningful planning ideas to consider as we close out the calendar year. These ideas can help you maximize retirement, minimize taxes...

Anyone approaching age 65 and wondering what the heck to do about Medicare? 🙋‍♂️

Colby breaks it down on our blog in plain English and covers:

🔹 Your Initial Enrollment Period (and potential penalties if you miss it)
🔹 The gaps in Original Medicare and why some people choose Advantage or Medigap
🔹 When it actually makes sense to delay enrollment if you’re still covered at work

Check it out and if you're approaching retirement, this is the kind of planning we help our clients navigate with confidence.

What Should You Know Before Starting Medicare Enrollment? Although retirement can be an exciting milestone, it inevitably raises many questions. Beyond replacing your paycheck, applying for Social Security, and scheduling the vacations you’ve postponed for years, you’ll need to secure health...

You’ve sold the business.
The wire hit.
Now what?

It’s easy to picture post-exit life as long vacations, no emails, and a margarita on the beach. And at first, that’s exactly what you need.

But after the dust settles, many business owners find themselves asking a different question: What’s next?

Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of guiding many owners not just through the sale itself, but through what comes after which is the emotional, mental, and financial transitions that define life beyond the business.

In our latest blog, we talk about:
✅ When to know you’re truly ready to sell
✅ The fantasy (and reality) of post-exit life
✅ Why giving yourself grace matters more than you think
✅ The importance of not going it alone

If you or someone you know is approaching a business exit, this one’s worth a read.

After the Exit: What No One Tells You About Life Post-Deal The deal is done, now what? See how to find clarity, purpose, and balance in life after selling your business.

Starting in 2026, a sneaky tax change from the new “One Big Beautiful Bill” will limit the deductibility of charitable gifts. Only amounts above 0.5% of your AGI will be itemizable.

So if for instance your AGI is $300,000, that’s a $1,500 “floor” you have to clear before your donations count. A $10,000 gift might only give you ~$8,500 in deduction. That’s a stealth hit on philanthropy for people who itemize.

Colby breaks it down in his latest blog post!

Prepare for Tax Policy Changes Affecting Charitable Giving Since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) became law on July 4th, 2025, much of the attention has been given to provisions that affect most taxpayers...

“I’m not going to lie… sometimes clients question our intelligence for owning international stocks in their portfolio. So it’s nice to see them doing really well this year.”

📊 Mid-Year Market Recap: 2025

International stocks are delivering one of their strongest stretches of outperformance over U.S. large caps in years, a welcome boost to diversified portfolios.

Municipal bonds have lagged taxable bonds, but tax-equivalent yields remain highly attractive for high-income investors.

April’s steep drop was followed by one of the fastest rebounds we’ve seen, which is a powerful reminder to stay invested during volatility.

🎥 Watch the full recap here:

2025 Mid-Year Market Recap | International Stocks Lead, Munis Lag, Big Rebound The stock market has been anything but quiet in 2025 — from international stocks outpacing U.S. large caps, to municipal bonds lagging, to one of the fastest...

Private equity. Private credit. Real estate. Infrastructure.

If you’ve been hearing more buzz about “alts” or alternative investments lately, you’re not alone. These investments are becoming more accessible, and more popular, among high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth investors looking for new ways to diversify their portfolios.

But what exactly are alternative investments? How do they work, and are they right for you?

In our latest post, we break down what “alts” are, why they matter, and how we approach them at Boyd Wealth Management.

Alternative Investments: What Are They and Why Are They Getting More Attention? Discover how alternative investments like private equity and private credit can fit into a diversified portfolio. Learn the pros, cons, and how Boyd Wealth evaluates whether alts are right for your plan.

What if you had slept through the first five months of 2025?

You’d wake up today, see that markets are up, and wonder what all the fuss was about.

But if you were paying attention, you know it didn’t feel that easy.

We take a look back at the headlines, volatility, and market recovery — and why staying invested, even when it’s uncomfortable, remains the smartest move.

Rip Van Winkle and the Markets Markets are up, but the road was bumpy. See what happened in 2025 so far—and why staying the course still works, even when headlines say otherwise.

I recently spoke at the PHCC of California's annual convention in Las Vegas and turned part of that presentation into a blog post—specifically the section on how (and how not) to sell your business to private equity.

While the original talk was geared toward plumbing, heating, and cooling contractors (PHCC), the strategies I outlined apply to any business owner thinking about a future exit—especially in today's environment where private equity is showing serious interest in industries like construction, healthcare, tech, consumer goods, and home services.

If you’re a few years out from selling—or just want to be prepared when the time comes—this post is for you.

How Not to Sell Your Business to Private Equity: Two Scenarios Learn how to sell your business to private equity the right way. Discover two real-world scenarios that show how planning ahead can protect your valuation, reduce stress, and maximize your exit—especially in today’s hot M&A market.