Posts by Steve Pollock

ROSES ARE RED, TAXES ARE DUE: HOW VALENTINE’s DAY IS BASICALLY APRIL 15th IN DISGUISE At first glance, Valentine’s Day and the tax deadline seem like opposites. One promises romance, chocolates, and candlelit dinners. The other delivers receipts, spreadsheets, and mild panic. But look a little closer, and you’ll realize they have more in common…

The following 2026 Market Outlook is authored by Brian Andrew, Chief Investment Officer at Merit Financial Group, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Mr. Andrew, formerly Executive Vice President at Johnson Financial Group, oversees Merit’s investment department and leads asset allocation decision-making for client portfolios. As we expand our content offerings this year, we’re excited…

CalSavers Requirements California now requires all employers with at least one employee to offer a retirement savings plan. This mandate is fully phased in by December 31, 2025. Below is a summary of next steps: Who Must Comply by 12/31/25? Any California employer with 1 or more employees Applies even if employees are part-time or…

What is the yield curve and why does it matter? It’s hard to predict a recession—when to expect one, how severe it might be, and what a recovery could look like. And yet, for all of the variables around predicting a potential recession, there’s one indicator that has been largely accurate, predicting every U.S. recession…

For those of us who grew up with rotary phones, Saturday morning cartoons, and cassette tapes, Halloween wasn’t just about sugar rushes and plastic pumpkins — it was a cultural time capsule. Costumes weren’t ordered with a click; they were assembled with ingenuity, parental duct tape, and a touch of DIY grit. So when you…

Discover how dollar-cost averaging lets you buy low and sell high without timing the market—boosting returns by 8% through consistent investing strategies.

Breaking Down the OBBBA: What the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ Means for Your Tax Strategy Signed July 4, 2025, the landmark tax legislation offers permanent extensions, temporary relief, and strategic incentives for individuals and business owners alike. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), signed into law on Independence Day 2025, delivers sweeping tax…