Year: 2026

Last week, I attended a wealth symposium in Washington, D.C. and one of the more
interesting takeaways had little to do with stock prices, interest rates, or election
forecasts.

During discussions featuring former Federal Reserve Chair and Treasury Secretary
Janet Yellen, Democratic strategist James Carville, and Republican strategist Karl Rove,
a common theme kept emerging. Despite their different backgrounds and perspectives,
all three spoke about the resilience of the American people, the strength of our
economy, and the unique ability of this country to innovate and create opportunity.

As I listened, I could not help but think about one of the biggest investment stories
capturing headlines today: the growing space economy.

Most retirees have never heard the term IRMAA until they enroll in Medicare or begin discussing retirement income planning. Once it enters the conversation, however, it often becomes a major focus. Questions about Roth conversions, capital gains, retirement account withdrawals, and other income decisions suddenly take on added importance because of their potential impact on Medicare premiums.

Growing up, my family always went to Oak Island, North Carolina, a tradition that still stands to this day. If you’ve never been, it’s not the polished, energetic, high-rise version of a bustling beach town. Oak Island is different. It’s quieter, more lived-in, and unapologetically real in a way that feels harder and harder to find along the Carolina coast.

It’s the kind of place where faded beach cottages sit on stilts beside newer homes with wide porches and rocking chairs, where golf carts drift down side streets carrying sunburned kids with sandy feet and melting ice cream cones, and where seafood restaurants still write their specials by hand out front while seasoned fishermen crowd the piers swapping stories about tides and bait like they’re discussing the stock market.

This weekend, I was reminded that even the best routines need a little flexibility.

At our house, bedtime with two young boys usually has a rhythm. Bath, snack, books, calm voices. Lights down. The whole thing is designed to gently land the plane after a busy day.

But this weekend, with my almost-three-year-old, the routine took a detour.

Before the books and quiet voices, we ended up wrestling on the bed. Nothing fancy. Just dad and son, laughing, rolling around, and making one of those little memories you hope you never forget. And I will admit, I was emotional that evening thinking about my little boy and how he will one day be a young man.

Eventually, we still made it back to the routine. Books were read. The room got quiet and bedtime happened.

But the best part wasn’t the schedule.

It was the adjustment.

While it’s a blessing to be included as a beneficiary of an estate, it’s not typically something most of us go through more than once or twice in our lifetimes. This makes it tough to be practiced at the complications involved in receiving an inheritance after the death of a loved one. This usually presents itself via a phone call from a sibling, parent or doctor…or maybe it’s something you’ve been preparing for over a long period of time. A parent passes, a trust gets activated, and suddenly someone who has spent their entire life earning, saving, and planning is now on the receiving end of wealth instead of the building side of it.

About a year and a half ago, we were down in Southport over Labor Day weekend.

My wife and I had our son Kaiden with us, he was just over a year old at the time, and we were there with our family, including my wife’s parents. We decided to book a sunset boat ride together. Nothing complicated. Just a chance to get out on the water, enjoy the evening, and maybe spot a few dolphins.

It ended up being one of those nights you don’t forget.