CochranBell Wealth and Tax Strategy

10/15/2026

Halloween is at the end of the month. But we have a list that might be scarier than any creepy costumes:

-Getting to retirement and realizing your savings won't cover your lifestyle
-Ignoring your beneficiary designations for a decade
-Paying thousands more in taxes than you had to because nobody looked at your whole financial picture
-Realizing your "emergency fund" is just your checking account buffer
-Having no idea what your 401(k) is actually invested in
-Discovering your life insurance lapsed... after you needed it

The good news: none of these have to be your story. We would love to help!

Sleep tight. 😅

10/15/2026

Open enrollment season is almost here and most people will spend less than five minutes on the most financially significant decision they make all year.

Our latest blog breaks down why your benefits packet is actually a financial planning document in disguise, and what's worth slowing down for before you hit submit.

Every fall, somewhere between the pumpkin spice lattes and the Halloween candy you swore you wouldn't buy until October 30th, your employer quietly drops a packet (digital or otherwise) that most people click through in about four...

10/08/2026

Today is the very popular, absolutely never forgotten holiday called World Financial Planning Day. 🥳

In all seriousness: financial planning isn't a one-time event. It's not the thing you do when you get your first real job or when you're staring down retirement. It's an ongoing conversation about your goals, your family, your life, and how your money can work harder so you don't have to.

A financial plan is for people who are figuring it out. Which, honestly, is all of us. If you've been meaning to sit down and get serious about your finances, today's a pretty good excuse to start.

10/06/2026

Q4 starts now, and December 31st has a way of sneaking up on people.

A few financial moves that may be worth making before the end of the year:

→ Max out (or increase) your 401(k) contributions while you still have pay periods left
→ Review your tax withholding — especially if your income changed this year
→ Use your FSA funds before they expire (use-it-or-lose-it is real)
→ Review your investment portfolio for any tax-loss harvesting opportunities
→ Make any planned charitable contributions before December 31st

These aren't complicated moves; they just require actually making them before the window closes.

Need help figuring out which of these apply to your situation? That's what we do.

10/03/2026

Today is National Kevin Day and we, as we do every year, are treating it with the gravity it deserves.

In honor of the occasion, here are a few things you should know about our Kevin:

🏋️ He once helped factory workers and oil field employees get healthier for a living.

📊 He loves a good dad joke.

🎓 He is always seeking to learn and grow when it comes to helping our clients.

☕ He operates best with coffee and a good question. Preferably both at once.

If you have a Kevin in your life today, hug them. (If your Kevin is also your financial advisor... a high-five will do, too).

Happy National Kevin Day from all of us at Cochran Bell.

09/29/2026

Nobody puts "life insurance policy" on their wish list. It's not exciting, it's not trendy, and it's easy to keep pushing to the bottom of the to-do list. But it might be one of the most loving things you do for your family this year. It is a way of saying "you're taken care of, no matter what" without ever having to say it out loud.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, so consider this your nudge to make sure 1) you have coverage, 2) that it is still ENOUGH coverage, and 3) that your family knows about it.

(We're happy to help you figure out what "enough" actually looks like for your family.)

09/23/2026

Think you need $1 million or more to retire happily? You're not alone. Northwestern Mutual's 2026 Planning & Progress Study found that Americans think they need $1.46 million to retire comfortably.

High-net-worth Americans think they need even more at an average of $2.67 million. Meanwhile, conventional wisdom says you should save at least 10 times your annual salary.

But here's the reality: many retirees do just fine with far less.

Read more on Kiplinger.

Conventional wisdom says you need a massive portfolio, but between Social Security and smart planning, a modest fund is often more than enough

09/17/2026

Beach people, mountain people, staycation people: we see you, and we've got thoughts.

We're breaking down the money lessons hiding in your favorite kind of trip (yes, even the one where you never left the backyard).

Read on to find out what your vacation says about your financial habits.

Every family has a "vacation person." In our house, it's me. I'm the one with the color-coded packing list three weeks out, the spreadsheet of activity times, and a backup plan for the backup plan. My husband, on the other hand, is a...

09/14/2026

You know you're an adult when...👇

-You have opinions about interest rates
-You moved money into a HYSA... and felt powerful
-You get excited about contributing more to retirement
-You've said the words "let me check our budget" out loud, unprompted
-You know your tax bracket off the top of your head
-A gift card is more exciting than cash
-You've Googled "is this a write-off" more than once

(If half of these hit a little too close to home, that's exactly the kind of thing we love talking through!)

09/10/2026

We understand that navigating the complexities of tax laws and regulations can be daunting.

That's why our team of experienced professionals is here to provide expert guidance and support every step of the way. From proactive tax planning to meticulous tax preparation and seamless filing, we offer a full suite of tax and accounting services tailored to meet your individual or business needs.