Fee-only financial planning for families — coordinated across college, retirement, and legacy.
Family financial planning is the coordination problem: retirement saving, 529 funding, term life insurance, estate documents, tax-advantaged accounts, and multi-generational aging-parent support all compete for the same dollar. Wirehouse advisors tend to optimize for AUM, not for the full picture. Fee-only advisors model tradeoffs across all these
What our matched specialists handle
- Max 401k or fund 529s more aggressively?
- We have three kids, two of them likely college-bound — how much is enough?
- My spouse works — who should own the term life insurance and what amount?
- Aging parent moving in — what financial planning changes?
- We're thinking about a bigger house — how does that fit with retirement?
- Roth vs traditional 401(k) — whose matters more in a two-income household?
Tools & guides
Family Multi-Goal Savings Calculator
Project your household savings trajectory across retirement and children's college simultaneously.
Family Financial Planning Guide
Detailed framework — rules, tradeoffs, and common mistakes.
Family Budget Planner
Before "401(k) or 529?" comes "how much do we actually have left over?" Enter income and all expense categories to see your savings rate, where your money goes, and which categories are over the target range — with a priority stack for where the surplus should go.
529 Funding Strategy
How much to save per year by child's age — benchmarks, plan selection, superfunding, and the SECURE 2.0 rollover exit.
Term Life Insurance Calculator
DIME-method coverage calculator for two-earner households — per-earner debt, income, mortgage, and education breakdown.
Life Insurance for Stay-at-Home Parents: Coverage Calculator
Income-based formulas give SAH parents near-zero coverage — but replacing childcare, household management, and logistics can cost $100K–$175K/year. This calculator uses economic replacement value to estimate how much coverage your family actually needs, with a recommended term length based on your children's ages.
Insurance Layering for Families
How to layer term life, disability, and umbrella insurance — coverage gaps, dual-earner examples, and advisor value-add.
Long-Term Care Insurance for Families: Cost, Planning & When to Buy
70% of people who reach 65 will need long-term care. For families ages 35–55, that's two conversations at once: aging parents who may need care now, and locking in your own coverage before health conditions price you out. Calculator projects your future care cost exposure and estimated premium range — with 2026 tax deductibility limits and hybrid vs. traditional comparison.
Disability Insurance Calculator for Families
How much individual DI do you actually need? Enter your income, employer LTD terms, and emergency fund to see your coverage gap and estimated premium range.
Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) Calculator
Enter both earners' incomes and see which 401(k) strategy produces more after-tax retirement wealth — based on your actual household tax bracket.
401(k) vs. 529 Prioritization Calculator
Should you max your 401(k) or fund a 529 first? Enter your kids' ages and see your monthly 529 target — plus a priority framework for capturing employer match first.
Estate Planning for Families with Minor Children
Guardian designation, will vs. trust, beneficiary designation traps, and the funded-trust problem — what every family with kids under 18 needs to have in place.
When a Parent Moves In: Financial Checklist
Housing cost decisions, the $7,500 DCAP FSA (OBBBA 2026), dependent deduction, medical expense deduction, retirement impact, and Medicaid basics — before and after the move.
Bigger House vs. Retirement Savings Calculator
Calculate the true retirement wealth cost of a home upgrade — opportunity cost of the extra down payment, monthly payment drag, home equity gain, and the net impact at retirement.
529 College Savings Benchmarks by Age: Are You On Track? (2026)
"Do we have enough saved?" Enter your child's age and current 529 balance to see your monthly savings target — plus pre-built benchmark tables showing the on-track balance at every age for in-state, out-of-state, and private schools. Based on College Board 2025-26 cost data and 4.5% tuition inflation.
College Cost & 529 Savings Calculator
Enter your child's age and target school type to see the projected 4-year cost (with tuition inflation) and your monthly savings target — using College Board 2025-26 data.
Backdoor Roth IRA for High-Earning Families
Household income above $252K? Here's how to still contribute $15,000/year to Roth accounts — the mechanics, the pro-rata trap, and the mega backdoor option for families with after-tax 401(k) access.
HSA Strategy for Families: The Triple Tax Account
The only account with three simultaneous tax advantages — 2026 family limit $8,750. How to use an HSA as a stealth retirement account instead of a healthcare debit card, plus HDHP vs. PPO break-even for families with kids.
FAFSA Strategy for Middle-Income Families
How families earning $150K-$500K can still maximize college financial aid — SAI calculation, asset placement (retirement accounts excluded, 529 ownership matters), merit aid strategy, and how CSS Profile differs from FAFSA at private colleges. 2026-27 guide.
Dependent Care FSA vs. Childcare Tax Credit 2026
OBBBA raised the Dependent Care FSA limit to $7,500 — which now wipes out the $6,000 childcare credit base entirely. Calculator shows exactly which benefit saves more at your AGI and state tax rate.
529 vs Roth IRA for College Savings
Both grow tax-free — but the Roth IRA is invisible to FAFSA, and unused funds stay in retirement. Calculator shows the tax-savings advantage of 529 vs the flexibility value of Roth at your marginal rate. Updated for 2026 ($7,500 Roth limit).
529 vs. UTMA Custodial Account
UTMA accounts give your child full control at 18 — and a 20% FAFSA assessment rate vs. 5.64% for a parent-owned 529. Calculator shows the after-tax growth gap and how much potential financial aid is at stake. 2026 kiddie tax rules included.
529 Withdrawal Strategy: Spend Your College Savings Tax-Free
The most expensive 529 mistake: using the account to pay the $4,000 that would have generated a $2,500 AOTC tax credit. Withdrawal optimizer shows exactly how to coordinate 529 distributions with education tax credits — plus qualified expense guide, non-qualified penalty math, and leftover-529 options including the SECURE 2.0 Roth rollover.
Best 529 Plans by State: 2026 Guide
You can use any state's 529 — the question is which maximizes your after-tax, after-fee outcome. Decision tree: tax parity states (deduct contributions to any plan), in-state-only deduction math, and states where the deduction doesn't apply. Morningstar Gold-rated plans compared: Utah my529, Illinois Bright Start, Pennsylvania, and New York Direct.
New Parent Financial Checklist 2026
A baby triggers eight simultaneous financial decisions — insurance update, estate docs, 529 setup, DCAP FSA enrollment, and the $2,200 Child Tax Credit. Here's the complete checklist in priority order, with the 30-day deadlines flagged.
Roth Conversion Strategy for Dual-Income Families
No income limit on Roth conversions. The strategy: find years when household income drops (parental leave, job gap, early retirement before Social Security) and convert at 12%–22% instead of your normal 24%–32% rate. 2026 bracket math and family-specific windows.
Spousal IRA: Fund Retirement for a Non-Working Spouse
A stay-at-home or lower-earning spouse can contribute $7,500 to their own Roth IRA in 2026 — using household income. Calculator shows what that account is worth at retirement, plus the deductibility rules and why waiting 5 years can cost $200K+.
Family Tax Planning Guide 2026
SALT cap expanded to $40,400 (up from $10K), Child Tax Credit raised to $2,200/child, and the AOTC phases out at $180K — meaning most families earning $200K+ get zero education credit. Every deduction and credit for two-income households with children, with a worked example.
Capital Gains Tax for Families: 2026 Calculator & Planning Guide
RSU vestings, home sales, and investment portfolio rebalancing all trigger capital gains. Enter your household income and gain amount to see your federal LTCG rate (0%, 15%, or 20%), NIIT exposure (3.8% above $250K MAGI), and after-tax proceeds. Covers the §121 home sale exclusion ($500K MFJ), the 0% bracket planning window, and tax-loss harvesting basics.
Child Tax Credit 2026: $2,200 Per Child — Calculator, Phase-Outs & Strategies
OBBBA permanently raised the CTC to $2,200 per qualifying child (indexed to inflation). Enter your AGI, filing status, and number of children to see your exact credit — including the refundable ACTC ($1,700/child), the phase-out math starting at $400K MFJ, and 401(k)/HSA strategies that can restore a partially phased-out credit.
W-4 Withholding Calculator for Dual-Income Families
When both spouses work, each employer withholds independently — neither knows the other income exists. The result: your combined income lands in a higher bracket than either employer accounts for, and you owe thousands in April. Enter both salaries, your pre-tax deductions, and current per-paycheck withholding to see your gap and the exact Step 4(c) adjustment to fix it.
Pay Off Mortgage Early vs. Invest: Calculator for Families
Should extra cash go to mortgage principal or investments? Calculator compares your guaranteed after-tax mortgage rate against expected investment returns — with 2026 itemization rules (standard deduction $32,200 MFJ, SALT cap $40,400) and a priority framework for families who still have 401(k) and 529 space to fill.
Mortgage Refinance Calculator: Break-Even Analysis for Families
Should you refinance? Enter your current balance, rate, and remaining term against the new rate you've been quoted — plus your closing costs and how long you plan to stay. See your monthly savings, break-even timeline (in months), 5/10/15-year net savings, and a term-reset warning if you're extending your loan. Accounts for itemization and the SALT cap ($40,400 MFJ, OBBBA 2025).
Family Emergency Fund Calculator
The "3–6 months" rule ignores your household structure. Enter your earner count, income stability, and number of dependents to get a personalized emergency fund target — plus how long it takes to close the gap at your current savings rate.
Social Security Survivor Benefits for Families
If a parent dies, Social Security pays monthly benefits to minor children (75% of PIA each) and the surviving spouse caring for them. Most families don't know how much they'd receive — or about the "blackout period" between when children age out and when the spouse turns 60. Calculator + blackout period timeline included.
Blended Family Financial Planning Guide
Second marriage with kids from prior relationships? QTIP trusts protect biological children's inheritance while providing for a surviving spouse. Plus: the FAFSA step-parent income trap, life insurance across two households, the alimony tax rule change (TCJA 2018), and the 9-month rule for step-child Social Security survivor benefits.
Adoption Tax Credit 2026: $17,670 Per Child — Calculator & Complete Guide
The 2026 adoption tax credit is $17,670 per eligible child — and OBBBA made $5,120 of it refundable for the first time, meaning families can receive that portion as a cash refund even if their tax bill is zero. Calculator estimates your credit based on qualified expenses, household MAGI, and whether your child qualifies as special needs (full credit regardless of expenses). Covers employer adoption assistance (IRC §137, same $17,670 exclusion — tax-free even from FICA), income phase-out table ($265,080–$305,080), the 5-year carryforward for nonrefundable amounts, timing rules for domestic vs. international adoptions, and the full financial planning checklist for adoptive families: savings fund strategy, 529 at finalization, estate document updates, and how adoption costs fit in the household priority stack.
Financial Planning for Single Parents: 2026 Complete Guide
One income, one caregiver, no backup — single-parent finances require a different priority stack than dual-income planning. Emergency fund target calculator calibrated for single-income households (9–12 months vs. the standard 3–6), life insurance needs with no second earner, disability insurance as a non-negotiable, Head of Household tax advantages ($24,150 standard deduction, $7,500 DCAP FSA, $2,200 CTC), and a 10-step priority sequence from coverage to retirement to college.
Pre-College Financial Checklist: The 4-Year Window Before Move-In Day
FAFSA uses your income from 2 years before enrollment — the income optimization window closes in sophomore year. Year-by-year checklist: FAFSA base year planning, merit aid research, 529 final sprint, asset placement, college financing decision tree, and what to do when your 18-year-old is suddenly a legal adult.
Sandwich Generation Financial Planning
Raising kids while supporting an aging parent? Every $800/month in caregiving costs you redirect away from investments can reduce retirement wealth by $185K+ over 15 years. Priority framework, retirement impact calculator, tax offsets (DCAP FSA, dependent deduction, medical expenses), sibling cost-sharing structure, and insurance audit for both generations.
How Much Does a Fee-Only Financial Advisor Cost?
AUM fees run 0.75%–1.5%/year; annual retainers $2K–$9K; hourly $200–$400. Enter your household assets to see what families at your wealth level typically pay — plus the fee structures explained, the hidden cost of commission-based advisors, and questions to ask before hiring.
Custodial Roth IRA for Kids: 2026 Rules and Growth Calculator
If your child has earned income — from a summer job, babysitting, or lawn care — they qualify for a Roth IRA you open and control as custodian. $7,500 at age 15 grows to roughly $206,000 by age 65 at 7%, completely tax-free. Earned income rules, contribution limits, account setup steps, and a comparison with 529 and UTMA accounts.
Family Financial Planning by Decade: 30s, 40s, and 50s
The right financial priorities shift dramatically across each decade. In your 30s: get the foundation in place (term life, 529s, estate docs). In your 40s: max all tax-advantaged accounts and calibrate 529 vs. retirement. In your 50s: catch-up contributions, Roth conversions, and Social Security strategy. Benchmarks, priority sequences, and the tradeoffs that change as kids approach college.
Job Change Financial Checklist for Dual-Income Families
Changing jobs triggers five time-sensitive financial decisions — three with a hard 60-day deadline. COBRA vs. ACA vs. spouse's plan comparison, 401(k) rollover options (and when to keep the old plan), HSA portability, W-4 recalibration for two incomes, and the equity comp traps (vesting cliff, ISO exercise window) that cost families thousands when missed. Includes a deadline calculator.
Taxable Brokerage Account Strategy for Families
After maxing your 401(k), Roth, HSA, and 529 accounts, extra savings go into a taxable brokerage. How to invest there without unnecessary tax drag: asset location (which funds belong in which account type), tax-loss harvesting basics, the 2026 LTCG 0% bracket ($98,900 MFJ), and NIIT planning for the $250K threshold that hasn't moved since 2013. Calculator shows the Roth vs. taxable after-tax gap at your investment return and tax rate.
How to Choose a Financial Advisor for Your Family
Credentials that matter (CFP vs. CFA vs. CPA/PFS), 10 interview questions to ask before signing, red flags to watch for, how to read an ADV Part 2 disclosure, and a first-meeting document checklist. A practical vetting framework for families at the $250K–$5M asset level — so you hire the right advisor, not the best marketer.
Student Loan Repayment Strategy for Families
Where student loans fit in the household priority stack, the 2026 repayment plan landscape (SAVE is gone, IBR stays, RAP launches July 1), PSLF family planning implications, refinancing decision framework, and a payoff acceleration calculator that compares accelerated payoff against investing the difference.
Debt Payoff Calculator: Snowball vs. Avalanche
Carrying credit cards, student loans, and a car loan? Enter each debt and an extra monthly payment to see exactly when every balance hits zero — and how much less interest you pay by attacking the highest-rate debt first (avalanche) vs. the lowest balance first (snowball). Side-by-side comparison shows how much each strategy saves.
How Much House Can I Afford? Calculator for Dual-Income Families
Lenders qualify you on combined income — but childcare costs, one-income stress tests, and the opportunity cost of a larger down payment don't show up in their math. Enter HHI, existing debts, and down payment savings to see your max purchase price, full PITI breakdown (including PMI if under 20% down), and how long until you reach 20% down at your current savings rate.
Social Security Claiming Strategy for Married Couples (2026)
When should each spouse claim Social Security? The higher earner delaying to 70 raises the survivor benefit to 124% of their PIA — permanently. Calculator compares 4 claiming strategies side-by-side: monthly household income while both are alive and the surviving spouse's monthly income after the higher earner dies. Includes earnings test limits, IRMAA interaction, and WEP/GPO repeal update.
2026-27 FAFSA Financial Aid Estimator — What's Your SAI?
Enter your household AGI, family size, and parent assets to estimate your Student Aid Index (SAI) and see how much need-based financial aid your family could receive at in-state public, out-of-state public, and private colleges. Uses the official 2026-27 federal formula — including the key change that pre-tax 401(k) contributions are no longer added back to income, and the elimination of the sibling discount.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator: True Cost Comparison for Families
"Renting is throwing money away" ignores the opportunity cost of a $150K down payment invested at 7% for 7 years — $81K in foregone gains. This calculator runs both scenarios side-by-side over your time horizon: net cash paid minus wealth recovered (sale proceeds vs. investment gains), year-1 monthly payment comparison, and the exact year buying breaks even with renting.
Open Enrollment Guide: Health Insurance for Dual-Income Families
When both spouses have employer plans, "just pick your own" leaves thousands on the table. Compare total annual costs across four coverage combinations, navigate the FSA/HSA compatibility trap that disqualifies HSA contributions when a spouse has a general FSA, understand the birthday rule for kids, and stack dependent care FSA correctly within the $7,500 household cap. Includes a plan cost comparison calculator.
Family Net Worth Calculator — Assets, Liabilities & Retirement Benchmark
Your net worth is the single number that tells you where you stand financially. Enter home value, retirement accounts (both spouses), 529s, brokerage, cash, and all liabilities — see your total net worth, investable asset base, home equity, and how your retirement savings compare to Fidelity's age-based benchmarks at your household income.
Social Security for Stay-at-Home Parents: Protecting Benefits Through Caregiving Gaps
Every caregiving year with zero earnings goes into your SS calculation as $0. Social Security averages your 35 highest-earning years — so a 10-year caregiving gap can reduce your monthly benefit by $400–$800 permanently. Caregiving gap impact calculator, spousal benefit comparison (50% of spouse PIA vs. your own reduced record), part-time earnings strategy, divorced spouse 10-year rule, and how the survivor benefit ties the whole household strategy together.
Parental Leave Financial Planning: Income Gap Calculator
Federal FMLA is unpaid. Most employer STD plans pay 60% of salary for only 6–10 weeks. For a $130K earner taking 12 weeks of leave, that's an $18,000 income gap that catches most families off guard. Calculator shows your exact gap by leave phase (full pay, STD, unpaid), your recommended cash buffer, and whether your lower-income year opens a Roth conversion window. Covers both parents, state SDI programs, 401(k) front-loading strategy, and HSA coordination for delivery costs.
Nanny Tax 2026: Household Employer Cost Calculator + Schedule H Guide
Hiring a nanny or full-time babysitter? Once you pay $3,000+ in wages, you owe FICA — adding 7.65% to your employer cost. A $60,000 nanny salary costs $64,590 before state taxes. Calculator shows your true outlay and how much the $7,500 DCAP FSA (raised by OBBBA) cuts your net cost. Plus: exactly what to file on Schedule H, W-2 obligations, and what paying off the books actually costs both parties.
Grandparent 529 Plan Guide 2026: Superfunding, FAFSA Rules, and Direct Tuition Payment
The 2024-25 FAFSA eliminated the old grandparent 529 penalty — distributions from grandparent-owned accounts no longer count as student income. Now grandparents can superfund $95,000 per grandchild ($190,000 per couple) in one shot, claim a state deduction, and remove assets from their estate — all without harming federal financial aid eligibility. Plus: the unlimited direct tuition payment exception, CSS Profile caveat, and the 529-to-Roth rollover safety valve.
Using a 529 for Private K-12 School: 2026 Rules and Tradeoff Calculator
OBBBA doubled the annual 529 K-12 withdrawal cap to $20,000 and expanded qualified expenses to include tutoring, curriculum, and test fees — but 13 states (NY, CA, IL, and others) still don't conform, meaning withdrawals there trigger state tax on earnings. Calculator shows exactly how much K-12 withdrawals reduce your college balance at every withdrawal level.
529 Calculator for Multiple Children: Age-Weighted Allocation Across Your Kids
Have three kids? An equal $300/month split between a 5-, 9-, and 14-year-old significantly underfunds your oldest — who has only 4 years of compounding left — while over-building reserves for your youngest. This calculator takes your total monthly 529 budget and allocates it proportionally to each child's funding urgency, showing per-child projected balances, gaps, and the total monthly savings needed to fully fund all of them. Plus: overlapping college year planning and superfunding math across multiple children.
Term vs. Whole Life Insurance: True Cost Comparison for Families
A whole life policy pays your agent a first-year commission of 50–110% of the annual premium. A fee-only advisor earns nothing on insurance — which is why most of them recommend buying term and investing the difference. The invest-the-difference calculator shows what the premium gap grows to over your coverage period, with honest IRR math on whole life cash value and the 4 situations where permanent insurance actually makes sense.
HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan: Which Is Right for Your Family?
Both let you tap home equity — but a HELOC is a revolving credit line (interest-only during the draw period, variable rate) while a home equity loan is a fixed-rate lump sum. Calculator compares monthly payments and total interest for each option. Covers the 2026 tax rules after OBBBA made TCJA's deductibility restrictions permanent — interest is only deductible if funds are used for home improvement, regardless of how the loan is labeled.
Married Filing Jointly vs. Separately: 2026 Tax Calculator
For most families, filing jointly saves thousands — but PSLF borrowers can save far more by filing separately, because income-driven loan payments are calculated on the borrower's income alone. Side-by-side federal tax comparison, credits you lose under MFS (AOTC, student loan interest deduction, Roth IRA access, dependent care credit), the itemization trap, and a framework for making the right call for your household. Updated for 2026 brackets and OBBBA.
I Bonds for Families: 2026 Guide — Rate, Limits & Education Exclusion
Series I savings bonds currently pay 4.26% (May–Oct 2026), exempt from state income tax, with interest deferred until redemption. Best use for families: the "tier 2" emergency fund layer you don't touch for short disruptions, plus a modest college savings supplement. The IRC §135 education exclusion can make the interest completely tax-free for families under the income limits — includes a calculator for your redemption year scenario, plus the 529 coordination strategy for redeeming in a low-income year.
ABLE Account for Families: 2026 Complete Guide
As of January 1, 2026, the ABLE Age Adjustment Act expanded eligibility to anyone whose disability began before age 46 (previously limited to age 26) — covering millions of veterans, adults with late-onset disabilities, and their families for the first time. ABLE accounts (IRC §529A) let a disabled person save up to $20,000/year tax-free without losing SSI or Medicaid. The first $100,000 in an ABLE account is completely excluded from the SSI resource test. Covers contribution limits (including the ABLE to Work $15,650 additional), ABLE vs. Special Needs Trust comparison, 529-to-ABLE rollover, and how to choose a state plan.
Charitable Giving Strategy for Families: DAF Bunching Calculator 2026
OBBBA introduced three changes that reshape charitable tax planning starting 2026: a new 0.5% AGI floor (the first 0.5% of AGI in giving generates no deduction), a $2,000 non-itemizer deduction for cash gifts directly to charities (not DAFs), and a 35% cap on deduction value for 37%-bracket households. DAF bunching calculator shows how concentrating two years of giving into one year compares to spreading it evenly. Appreciated stock donation calculator shows the exact tax savings from donating shares directly vs. selling first — typically the single highest-ROI charitable move for families with taxable accounts. QCD rules for aging parents 70½+ covered.
ESPP Tax Guide 2026: Qualifying vs. Disqualifying Disposition Calculator
Your company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan lets you buy stock at a 15% discount with a lookback — a guaranteed pre-tax return before the market moves. But the sell-immediately vs. hold-for-qualifying-disposition decision has big tax implications for dual-career families. Calculator compares both scenarios side-by-side, explains the cost basis trap on Form 3922, and shows where ESPP fits in the family priority stack.
RSU Tax Planning for Dual-Income Families: Withholding Gap Calculator (2026)
When RSUs vest, your employer withholds at the 22% supplemental rate — but most dual-income families earning $150K–$500K owe 24–32%. On a $75,000 RSU vest in the 32% bracket, that's a $7,500 shortfall due at filing. Calculator shows your exact gap, the quarterly estimated payment to avoid the IRC §6654 underpayment penalty, the LTCG benefit of holding shares 12+ months, and how pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce the marginal rate RSU income lands in.
ISO Stock Options & AMT Planning for Dual-Income Families (2026)
Incentive Stock Options are the most tax-advantaged equity comp you can receive — but exercising at the wrong time creates an AMT bill due the following April. In 2026, the OBBBA lowered the AMT exemption phaseout threshold to $1 million MFJ (down from $1.25M), exposing more families to AMT than before. Enter your household income and your planned ISO exercise to see your safe exercise limit — the maximum shares you can exercise this year before AMT kicks in — plus your AMT credit carried forward if you exceed it. Covers qualifying vs. disqualifying dispositions, the 90-day window after leaving your employer, and when a same-day sale makes more sense than holding.
Catch-Up Contribution Calculator 2026 — Ages 50, 55, and 60–63
Once you turn 50, the IRS lets you contribute $8,000 extra to your 401(k) annually — and at ages 60–63, SECURE 2.0's super catch-up raises that to $11,250 above the standard $24,500 limit. A dual-income household where both spouses are 60–63 can shelter up to $99,450/year in tax-advantaged accounts. Includes a calculator showing what catch-up contributions are worth at your retirement date, the 2026 household maximum table by age bracket, IRA and HSA catch-up rules, and the new high-earner Roth rule: if you earned above $150,000 in 2025, all 2026 catch-up contributions must be Roth.
IRMAA Planning for Families: 2026 Medicare Surcharge Calculator
Medicare charges high earners up to $487/month extra per person — based on income from two years ago. A Roth conversion, large RSU vest, or home sale in 2026 won't hit your Medicare bill until 2028. Calculator shows your 2026 IRMAA tier and annual household surcharge based on your 2024 MAGI, with a cliff warning if you're within $10,000 of the next tier. Covers the Roth conversion trap, early retirement planning window, life-changing event appeals, and QCD strategy to reduce IRMAA-inflating RMDs after 70½.
Teaching Kids About Money: Age-by-Age Guide for Parents
Financial habits form by age 7 — but the most powerful moves happen much later: a 16-year-old with a summer job and a custodial Roth IRA starts a 50-year tax-free compounding clock. Age-by-age guide covers the three-jar system at 3–6, first bank account at 7–10, UTMA and kiddie tax awareness at 11–14, first Roth IRA at 15–17, and full financial independence launch at 18+. Includes a compound head-start calculator showing how any monthly savings amount at a child's current age grows to age 65, plus an account comparison table (savings/529/UTMA/custodial Roth) and three allowance frameworks.
Umbrella Insurance for Families: How Much Do You Need? (2026)
A $1 million umbrella policy costs $150–$550/year — less than many families spend on streaming services — but protects everything you've built from a single lawsuit. Once your net worth exceeds $500K, the coverage-per-premium-dollar ratio is unmatched by any other insurance type. Coverage calculator sizes your recommended limit based on net worth, income, and specific risk factors (teen driver, pool, rental property, dog). Includes underlying limits requirements most families don't know they're missing, 2026 premium tables, and why a fee-only advisor should audit your home/auto/umbrella stack together.
Solo 401(k) for Self-Employed Spouses: 2026 Contribution Calculator
One spouse on a W-2; the other freelancing, consulting, or running a side business. A Solo 401(k) lets the self-employed spouse defer up to $72,000/year in 2026 — independent of the W-2 spouse's 401(k). At $100K net SE income, a Solo 401(k) shelters roughly $38K more than a SEP-IRA. Calculator shows your exact employee deferral, employer profit-sharing, catch-up (including the 60–63 super catch-up), and combined household retirement contribution total. Includes eligibility rules, plan setup deadline, Roth option, and QBI deduction coordination.
Newlywed Financial Planning Checklist: 12 Money Moves for Year One
Getting married changes your W-4 withholding, health insurance options, beneficiary designations, retirement account thresholds, and tax filing status — most of it time-sensitive. Includes a marriage tax bonus/penalty calculator that shows whether your combined income is taxed more or less than two single returns, plus a 12-step checklist covering insurance, estate documents, debt strategy, and when to start a 529 — even before children arrive.
Parent PLUS Loans 2026: Rates, Repayment Options & OBBBA Changes
Parent PLUS Loans now carry an 8.94% fixed rate plus a 4.228% origination fee — and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act capped new borrowing at $20,000/year starting July 2026. More importantly, the window to consolidate PLUS loans and access income-driven repayment (ICR/IBR) closed June 30, 2026. Payment calculator compares Standard (10-year), Extended (25-year), and ICR monthly payments at your balance and income. Covers PSLF eligibility for PLUS borrowers, the consolidation-to-IBR path, the RAP exclusion, Parent PLUS vs. HELOC vs. private loans, and the four common misconceptions that cost families thousands.
Pension Lump Sum vs. Monthly Payment Calculator (2026)
One of the most irreversible financial decisions many families make — and most people choose within 60 days without running the numbers. Calculator shows your simple break-even age (no investment returns), investment break-even age at your assumed return rate, and the required annual return needed for the lump sum to match lifetime monthly payments at your life expectancy. Includes survivor benefit (J&S) trade-off analysis, PBGC guarantee context ($7,789.77/month maximum at age 65 for plans terminating in 2026), and the direct rollover rule that avoids 20% mandatory withholding on a $600K+ lump sum.
403(b) and 457(b) Guide for Families: 2026 Limits, Double-Up Strategy & Household Calculator
One spouse is a teacher, nurse, or nonprofit worker with a 403(b) — not a 401(k). The limits are identical ($24,500 in 2026), but three things are different: a 15-year catch-up that applies even before age 50, a frequent annuity fee trap that can cost hundreds of thousands in retirement wealth, and — if your employer also offers a 457(b) — an entirely independent second contribution limit that effectively doubles your tax-deferred capacity. Public school teachers and government workers under 50 who max both plans shelter $49,000/year. Calculator shows your household's total retirement contribution capacity across all plan types.
Job Loss & Severance Financial Planning for Families: Runway Calculator
A layoff triggers decisions that a voluntary job-change checklist doesn't cover: how long does your family's money actually last, unemployment benefits are taxable income most families under-withhold on, severance is withheld at 22% but your actual bracket may be 24–32%, and this low-income year may be the best Roth conversion window you ever get. Savings runway calculator shows months of coverage under three scenarios (UI + spouse income, spouse income only, no income). Covers the COBRA retroactive election strategy, 401(k) rollover urgency, the Additional Medicare Tax gap, and a priority framework for the first 90 days after a layoff.
Education Tax Credits 2026: AOTC & Lifetime Learning Credit Calculator
The American Opportunity Tax Credit is worth up to $2,500 per student — but phases out completely at $180,000 MFJ, excluding most families in this income range. Calculator shows your exact credit based on MAGI, number of eligible students, and expenses. Covers the 529 coordination strategy (reserve $4,000 out-of-pocket per student to generate the full $2,500 AOTC), the non-dependent student strategy that lets high-earning parents effectively access the credit, and what to do if you earn too much to qualify: AOTC versus LLC comparison, qualified expense rules, and a framework for families earning over $180K.
FIRE Calculator for Families: Your Real Financial Independence Number
The standard 25× rule gives you a ballpark FIRE number — but it ignores college costs and the healthcare gap between early retirement and Medicare at 65. This calculator builds a family-adjusted FIRE number (adding unfunded college as a lump sum, healthcare premiums to annual expenses, and offsetting Social Security), shows your Coast FIRE milestone (the balance where compound growth carries you to FIRE by 65 with no contributions), and calculates exactly how many years to financial independence at your current savings rate.
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