Here’s a question I’ve been asking a lot lately: Does your retirement plan actually account for inflation or does it just assume everything stays the same? A lifestyle that costs $5,000 a month today could cost nearly $6,700 a month 10 years from now at just 3% annual inflation. That is not a worst-case scenario… Continue reading Is Inflation Killing Your Retirement Savings?
A common question I hear from people approaching retirement: What do I do with my 401(k) when I stop working? It sounds like a straightforward question. But the answer matters more than expected, and the wrong move can mean a tax bill that catches you completely off guard or giving up a withdrawal benefit you… Continue reading The Biggest 401(k) Mistakes I See People Make in Retirement
By Joe Dowdall, CFP®, RICP®, CRPC®, CCFC, TPCP® Retirement doesn’t come with a single tax problem; it comes with a series of them, each arriving at a different stage, each requiring a different answer. Over the years, I’ve worked with couples across Dallas who are navigating these exact decisions. And what I’ve found is that… Continue reading 3 Couples, 3 Stages, 1 Goal: A Tax-Smart Retirement
Tax season is stressful, but for a growing number of people, it’s also when scammers strike. Every year, the IRS releases its “Dirty Dozen” list, a roundup of the most dangerous tax scams in circulation. The 2026 list is out, and this year’s edition includes something new: AI-powered phone scams that are getting harder… Continue reading The IRS Dirty Dozen: Tax Scams to Watch Out for in 2026
I wanted to share a story about a conversation that changed how I think about financial planning. I’ve been working with this couple for years—healthy, active, and building a future together. But then one of them was diagnosed with early-onset dementia. I wasn’t looking forward to the meeting, but when they came in, I was… Continue reading The Hardest Financial Planning Conversation I’ve Had With a Client (and Why It Mattered)
A 20% return sounds better than 8%. But which investor actually ends up with more money? The answer might surprise you.
Before you file your taxes—pause. These 6 questions could uncover missed savings and help you avoid costly surprises.
Are you wondering, “How much money do I need to retire?” Most people don’t know their real retirement number. That’s a risky guessing game! This short video helps you find the answer with a three-minute retirement reality check to quickly assess where you are, what you may be missing, and how close you really… Continue reading 3-Minute Reality Check: How Much Money Do I Need to Retire?
A few years ago, I had a client meeting that I’ll never forget.
He walked into my office looking absolutely drained—like he’d been carrying a weight for years. What he said to me that day has stuck with me ever since. And what happened next reminded me why I do this work.
Top financial mistakes by newly single women. Joe Dowdall is a fee-only fiduciary financial advisor at Worth Asset Management in Dallas, TX.
