The Meakem Group

Name: The Meakem Group
Address: 4800 Hampden Lane, Suite 810, Bethesda, MD, 20814, US
Telephone: +12407434971

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The Meakem Group

Financial planning doesn't have to be a big deal. Our approach starts with a conversation.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Important Disclosure Information: http://raymondjames.com/smicd.htm

The Meakem Group is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services

06/03/2026

“How can I help my college student start investing?”

Summer jobs mean real paychecks—and a perfect chance to build great habits early. Start by reviewing their pay stub together so they understand gross pay, deductions, and take-home income. Remember: the first habit of building wealth is paying attention. Learn more with this video: https://themeakemgroup.com/smart-about-money-your-childs-first-paycheck/

A full budget (with investing built in) is a great goal—but it can feel like a big leap at this stage. Instead, begin with something simpler: See if their earnings make them eligible for a Roth IRA. (In 2026, those under 50 can generally contribute up to the lesser of earned income or $7,500—check with your tax preparer.)

If they qualify, consider what I call a “Parent Match.” They earn the income to be eligible, and you help fund the contribution. It’s a powerful way to jump-start their future. The benefits go far beyond the dollars invested. They’ll gain hands-on experience opening an account, setting up online access, and monitoring their investments. It opens the door to conversations about diversification, risk tolerance, and the long-term power of tax-free growth. Check in together when they’re home so they can see their progress. With that foundation, don’t be surprised if they’re ready to start contributing their own money before long.

05/29/2026

What if you could gift your child or grandchild a college scholarship that:

- Didn’t restrict them to any school (and could even be applied to studies abroad)
- Didn’t significantly impact their financial aid eligibility
- Could be partially rolled over into a Roth IRA if the recipient didn't use it all

Thanks to 529 plans, you can! Learn more about this incredible investment vehicle and how to maximize it at https://themeakemgroup.com/smart-strategies-for-using-a-529-plan/

Happy 529 Day!

05/28/2026

Investments, taxes, estate planning, and lending all influence each other. The CFP® framework looks at how those pieces work together instead of treating decisions as one-offs.

CFP® stands for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, and I consider it the gold standard because it covers investing, taxes, estate planning, risk, and lending all together.

That perspective helps avoid unintended consequences and supports more thoughtful planning.

Want to dig deeper into what financial credentials mean and why they matter? Watch the full video:

https://themeakemgroup.com/what-financial-credentials-really-mean-and-why-they-matter-for-your-decisions/

The College for Financial Planning

05/27/2026

Downsizing from the house where you raised a family can be a lot to navigate. Who gets the china? What if nobody wants it? Don’t even mention trying to find someone who has room for the piano.

Selling the family home is one of those complicated retirement tasks that doesn’t get talked about enough. That’s why we put together a guide to help you make it as quick and painless as possible (and maybe even a little bit freeing).

Check it out here: https://themeakemgroup.com/selling-the-family-home-a-smart-approach-to-downsizing/

05/26/2026

We’re happy to introduce the newest member of our team, Bridget O’Carroll!

Bridget recently joined The Meakem Group as a financial advisor and brings a genuine joy in serving others to everything she does. She’s also passionate about improving lives and communities through education. In fact, after college, she spent a year teaching students in Camden, NJ, about food and nutrition through AmeriCorps. If you know us, you know that means she fits right in.

Whether you see her the next time you’re in our office or on a video call, make sure to give her a warm welcome.

05/25/2026

The National Spelling Bee starts tomorrow! This is a special year, as it coincides with our country’s semiquincentennial celebrations. In honor of the United States' 250th birthday, for the first time ever, the Bee will be held at the Daughters of the American Revolution National Headquarters Constitution Hall.

Washington D.C.’s largest auditorium seems like a fitting place to host some of our nation’s brightest young minds. Don’t miss it! Visit spellingbee.com to find out how you can watch all three days of the competition.

05/22/2026

You might think the contestants have the most difficult role at the National Spelling Bee, but choosing words to challenge these stellar spellers makes it ALMOST as hard to be a judge!

In 2019, 8 contestants proved they were ready for anything the dictionary could throw their way, ultimately leading to an unprecedented 8-way tie. These Octochamps cinched their legendary win with “auslaut,” “erysipelas,” “palama,” “aiguillette,” “odylic,” “cernuous,” “pendeloque,” and “bougainvillea.”

We’re one week away from this year’s showdown!

05/21/2026

Markets don’t move on math alone. People, emotions, and habits all play a role.

Behavioral finance helps explain how subtle biases can influence decisions and why real-life outcomes often differ from what theory predicts.

Wanting to understand this more is why I earned my newest credential, the ABFP®, which stands for Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional™. So I can help you spot when behavior is helping or hurting your progress.

Want to know more about the other letters behind my name? Watch the full video:

https://themeakemgroup.com/what-financial-credentials-really-mean-and-why-they-matter-for-your-decisions/

05/20/2026

If your homebuying process begins with getting pre-approved for a mortgage, you’ve already started out on the wrong foot.

That’s because your preapproval number may be more than you can actually afford, once you factor everything else in.

Want to be Smart About Money™? Start here to find out your real price range:
https://themeakemgroup.com/how-to-calculate-how-much-home-you-can-afford/

05/19/2026

“How do I recognize a good interest rate for my non‑investment money?”

A useful benchmark is the 10‑year U.S. Treasury rate, often considered the risk‑free rate of return. It reflects what you would earn by lending money to the U.S. government for ten years and changes as market conditions evolve.

When comparing interest rates with similar credit risk, the key variable to consider is liquidity. Ask yourself two questions:

1️⃣How long is my money tied up?
2️⃣What happens if I need it sooner?

In a normal market, shorter commitments earn lower rates. For example, a 24‑month bank CD typically pays less than a 10‑year Treasury because the institution can rely on your funds for a shorter period. If your money is fully liquid and available on demand, the expected interest rate is lower still.

As you evaluate interest rates for non‑investment money, balance the rate offered with credit risk, time horizon, and access to your cash. The right rate is the one that fits how you need your money to work for you.

Address

4800 Hampden Lane, Suite 810
Bethesda, MD
20814

Telephone

+12407434971

Website

http://themeakemgroup.com/

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