Spark Financial Advisors

09/18/2026

09/15/2026

Lauren recently joined Alyssa Edwards host of In The Room, On Purpose for a hot seat conversation answering listener's financial questions. Be sure to check it out on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts!

09/04/2026

A lot of major tech firm employees (META, AMZN, PLTR) have RSUs that vest in the end of August. RSUs are not like Incentive Stock Options (ISOs), there is no holding period requirement for a favorable tax treatment. The value of your RSUs are taxed to you as income whether you cash them out or decide to hold the shares "in kind."

Many companies default into simply delivering shares to your RSU account, but this may not be the right decision for you. You need to think about how this impacts your concentration risk, your asset allocation, and whether or not it makes sense to hold onto company stock when your income is also tied to that company.

We actually have a whole series on RSUs on YouTube if you want to learn more about your RSUs and how to think about integrating them into your financial picture. Link in the comments.

08/31/2026

While reviewing a new client’s 2025 tax return we discovered significant self-employment income and no self-employed retirement plan. Using our tax planning software we modeled a couple of different scenarios to highlight how they could use a SEP IRA contribution to reduce their income and at the same time claw back their SALT deduction since they were in the phaseout. Since we haven’t crossed the extended tax filing deadline there’s still time for our client to save thousands of dollars in taxes! Now we are hard at work getting this account opened and funded before the deadline.*

We love a good tax planning opportunity and that’s why we start every planning engagement with a tax return review.

*Always speak with your CPA/tax preparer or Financial Advisor before making any changes. This is educational in nature and not specific tax advice.

08/28/2026

As a solopreneur, were you shocked by your tax bill for 2025? If you're looking to build wealth outside of your business and save money on taxes, a SEP IRA may be just the ticket. The best part - it's not too late! Reach out to your financial planner to see if a SEP IRA could make sense for you.

Don't have a financial planner? Or trying to figure out a way to tackle tax planning year round instead of just at tax filing deadlines? Let's talk.
Book a call in the link on our profile
*Don't make any changes before consulting with your tax preparer and/or financial advisor.

08/20/2026

“Keep it simple” sounds great... until it doesn’t. 🏡

Someone recently told me their plan: leave the house to the kids, no direction on how to handle it.

I wasn’t a fan.

Here’s why — your heirs usually aren’t in the same financial situation. Or even the same stage of life.

Inheriting a river house on the lower Rappahannock? Sounds amazing. But if I’m building a career in DC or NYC, I can’t really use it — let alone afford to maintain it.

🧨 And just like that, something that sounded wonderful in theory has me in conflict with my siblings or cousins.

“Simple” and “thoughtful” aren’t always the same thing.

Have you talked through the “how,” not just the “what,” in your estate plan?

08/14/2026

"Back to school" season is the perfect time to review your college savings strategy. Take some time this weekend to see if your 529 College Savings accounts invested appropriately.
If your teens are heading to college soon, are they too aggressive?
If your child is young, are they too conservative?

08/06/2026

Your HSA could be doing a lot more for you. 👀 Here are the 3 mistakes we see high-income earners make most often:

1️⃣ Not fully funding it each year
2️⃣ Keeping the balance in cash instead of investing it
3️⃣ Using it for everyday medical costs instead of letting it compound

Full breakdown in our latest video — link in bio.

This is educational in nature and not personalized financial advice. Talk to your financial advisor before making changes.

08/05/2026

Kind of chic to make your own your economic power.