In 2025, the OBBBA made permanent the gift and estate tax basic exclusion and GST exemption amount established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. Beginning in 2026, that amount is $15,000,000 for both (indexed annually for inflation starting in 2027).
Today, women have more financial responsibilities than ever before. How will your family or loved ones manage financially if you die? Whether you are single, married, employed, or a stay-at-home mom, you probably need life insurance. At the very least, life insurance can help pay for the costs of funeral and burial services, estate administration, outstanding debts, estate taxes, and the uninsured expenses of a final illness.
Children are a special blessing and their arrival brings boundless love and joy into our lives that you can’t put a price on. But adding a child to the household impacts the family budget in very measurable ways. Whether this is your first child or your fourth, here are some financial matters to think about and plan for before and after your child arrives.
Throughout your career, retirement planning will likely be one of the most important components of your overall financial plan. Whether you have just graduated and taken your first job, or are starting a family, enjoying your peak earning years, or preparing to retire, your employer-sponsored retirement plan can play a key role in your financial strategies.
There are five estate planning documents you may
need, regardless of your age, health, or wealth:
1. Durable power of attorney
2. Advance medical directives
3. Will
4. Letter of instruction
5. Living trust
Over the past several years, news reports have grown more intense about the precarious global supply of rare earth minerals. Yet outside scientific and national security arenas, many people may not fully understand the importance of rare earths. What are these mysterious materials and why are they receiving so much attention?
On April 2, 2025, an executive order was issued eliminating the de minimis exemption for low-value imports from China, which previously allowed U.S. consumers to buy goods worth up to $800 directly from online marketplaces based outside of the United States without paying duties. Since the order took effect on May 2, some U.S. shoppers have been surprised by notices from shipping carriers requesting duties that in some cases surpassed the value of the items that were ordered.1
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, after months of deliberation in the House and Senate. The legislation includes multiple tax provisions that will guide individuals, business owners, and investors in planning their finances for many years to come. It makes permanent most of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) tax provisions that were set to expire this year, while delivering some new deductions and changes.
Buffett’s investment strategy evolved into a blend of quality and value — which means he identifies well-run companies with solid balance sheets that are priced fairly based on their intrinsic value (the earnings and cash flow that the underlying business produces for shareholders). Having bought his first stock at age 11, he became known for diligent research and diving deep into the financial statements of his businesses and acquisition targets.
After you die, somebody must take charge of your estate and settle your affairs. This person will take your estate through probate, a court-supervised process that winds up your financial affairs after your death.