WEALTH INSIGHTS
PUBLICATIONS
WEALTH INSIGHTS
We regularly share our insights online, spanning wealth planning resources and educational content, from financial planning milestones to generational wealth. We also share our thoughts on the macroeconomy and our personal interests.
Beyond that, we publish our commentaries on a quarterly basis, in which we share our perspective on the state of the financial markets and our thoughts on investing.
QUICK REFERENCE: 2026 KEY FINANCIAL NUMBERS
18 may 2026 - alina carlson
There's a lot to keep track of when it comes to personal finances, and the IRS doesn't make it any easier by changing the numbers every year. We’ve put together our Quick Reference with the key 2026 figures in one place, from retirement contributions to gifting limits to tax brackets and more.
HOW TO INVEST IN SMALL CAPS
2 march 2026 - Manny Weintraub/Brew Markets
Manny Weintraub was a guest on the Brew Markets podcast to discuss investing in small capitalization stocks, a portion of the market that has been out of favor for many years but is showing signs of life. During his conversation with Ann Berry, Manny shared many insights, including his observation that investing in small caps is not well suited to passive strategies. “The nature of the rule-based approach to index inclusion means that when you own a small cap ETF, you are selling the stocks that do well and graduate into being mid-caps, and you are buying the stocks that are in decline and flunk out of being mid-caps.”
FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR NEW PARENTS
2 march 2026 by alina carlson
“Last summer, my husband and I welcomed our daughter. In addition to painting her room and putting the crib together, we also set aside some time to make sure that we were organized from a financial standpoint. Here are some steps that new parents should consider when expanding their families.” - Alina Carlson
READY, SET… GIVE!
21 November 2025 by Alina Carlson
This year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is changing the deductibility of charitable donations for both itemized filers and those who take the standard deduction. Therefore, charitable giving is one of those items that warrants staying on the 2025 to-do list, particularly for those who itemize their deductions. While the primary driver for charitable giving should inherently be about supporting an organization that one cares about, taxpayers who itemize have the added advantage of some tax savings.
ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT
20 August 2025 by William Herrman
With the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, there are some notable provisions. We want to bring your attention to some that are likely to impact discussions with your tax advisor and Cannell & Spears.
CASH BALANCE PLAN
20 August 2025 by John Raggio
At Cannell & Spears, most of our clients share the same big goals—grow their wealth, minimize taxes, and invest wisely for retirement. One of the most effective tools we use to help them get there is the cash balance plan. These plans are widely used by successful small business owners, professional practices, and high-income earners who want to accelerate retirement savings and manage their tax burden.
KEEPING YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER
30 Oct 2024 by Jennifer B. Lynn
We work closely with our clients across the various stages of their life, and we've observed a common challenge: when facing deeply emotional situations, such as a serious illness or the loss of a loved one, families are often burdened with a significant number of administrative tasks.
To ease this transition, we’ve put together the following checklist of key documentation and information you (and you spouse/partner, if applicable) should have up-to-date and at the ready to help prepare for life’s inevitable changes.
ROTH IRAs: TO DO OR NOT TO DO
16 Oct 2024 by Alina Carlson, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
While speaking to many of our clients, I've found Roth IRAs have been somewhat of an enigma. What's not often discussed are the potential ways in which a Roth IRA can be used as a tool for yours/your children's long term financial success. Depending on multiple factors, you may be able to lessen your overall tax burden and contribute more tax-friendly dollars.
GRANDPARENTS: GOLD IN YOUR HEARTS & MAYBE IN YOUR POCKETS
31 July 2024 by Rob Raich
16 October 2024 by Michele Cleary & Rob Raich (Podcast)
Recently, one of our team members at Cannell & Spears became a first-time grandparent, an incredibly special experience. Today, after decades of stock market and home value appreciation, grandparents are often able to give more than just the gold in their hearts – they can be a big financial help as well.
We often get questions from new grandparents about the best way to help. While everyone’s circumstances are different, these are some ideas.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
THE 10 FINANCIAL DECISIONS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 20s
05 june 2024 by Jennifer B. Lynn
25 July 2024 by Jennifer B. Lynn & Aashumi Mody (Podcast)
Personal finance in your 20s can lay the ground for your financial success and stability, but it can be a little overwhelming to navigate at the outset. What do you do with that first paycheck? Should you contribute to your 401k? When should you start investing? In what stocks?
The questions to consider and actions to take are plenty, so we’ve put together a guide to help you begin your financial journey. The most important rule? Get started.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
HOW WE THINK ABOUT STOCKS
10 April 2024 by Paul Wartman
07 June 2024 by Bob Morgenthau & Jeb Breece (podcast)
Clients sometimes ask why we don’t own a particular stock; usually the stock in question is a highflyer that has been in the news and just made an enormous move in price. Or they might ask if we are considering the purchase of a fallen angel, a revered company that the market believes has lost its way.
To answer, it is important to note that a “good company” does not always make for a “good stock” just as a “bad stock” does not always make for a “bad company”. It is really a discussion of Price vs Value.
We explored this topic in further detail in our Beyond Dollars Podcast. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
INHERITED IRA 2024s: THE PROS, CONS & CONSIDERATIONS
28 March 2024 by Will Herrman & Alina Carlson
We dived deeper into the topic of Inherited or Beneficiary IRA's with our very own: Will Herrman & Alina Miska Carlson, CFP®. We go over some of the changes in the Secure Act since 2019, potential advantages, items to verify and key considerations. Please note, this topic is particularly sensitive to individual circumstances, so please consult your advisory team accordingly.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
PERSONAL FINANCE: IRA “CHEAT SHEET”
13 February 2024 by Will Herrman & Alina Carlson
Given the evolving nature of IRA regulations, we’ve created our own “cheat sheet” on things to remember. As always, each of these will depend on individual circumstances, so please consult your advisory team accordingly.