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Continuing Care Retirement Communities: What They Cost, How They Work, and When to Start Preparing
Why Is This Conversation So Important Right Now? The U.S. is in the middle of a sustained demographic shift. More than 61 million adults are aged 65 and older as of 2025, and that number is projected to reach approximately 82 million...
Read MoreWhen Should I Start Taking Social Security: 5 Factors to Consider
Social Security decisions are often framed as a single question: “When should I start drawing benefits?” That question matters, but it can also be limiting. The better question is: how does Social Security fit into my overall...
Read MoreTeaching Teens and Young Adults Financial Literacy Through Real-Life Decision Making
If you are a parent of a teen or young adult, how do you teach them to make confident money decisions before the stakes are high? Teaching teens and young adults about money is less about formal instruction and more about repeated...
Read MoreHelping Adult Children Buy a Home: How to Gift a Down Payment The Smart Way
Key TakeawaysHere are some questions this blog aims to answer:How can parents or grandparents help with a down payment for adult children?What are ways to gift a down payment, and how do the annual gift tax exclusion and lifetime...
Read MoreThree Numbers Every Woman Should Know
Key TakeawaysHow much wealth are women on track to control in the next decade, and why does that matter?What does the life expectancy gap between women and men mean for how long money needs to last?How common is it for women to be...
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Read MoreUnderstanding the Emotions Behind Financial Decisions
Key TakeawaysEmotions and biases might influence financial choices more often than most people realize.Behavioral patterns, such as loss aversion, familiarity bias, and herd mentality, can impact long-term results.Recognizing emotional...
Read MoreAI and the New Face of Fraud: How to Protect Your Identity and Finances in 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most revolutionary technology of our time, with industries scrambling to embrace its possibilities. AI’s early influence seems similar to the positive disruptions brought about by past...
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Read More2025 in Review and What You Should Know
As we begin a new year and consider the opportunities ahead, reflecting on the past year helps put today’s financial landscape into perspective and informs the strategies that can move us closer to our goals.2025 was a year marked by...
Read MoreGoal Setting That Sticks: Simple Ways to Turn January Motivation into Lasting Wins
Key Takeaways and Suggestions for Successful Goal Setting Use SMART Goals for Clarity and FocusSet goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This proven method helps break big ambitions into manageable...
Read MoreThe True Costs of Caring for Aging Parents
Key Takeaways Caring for aging parents is a growing reality for many Americans. The number of family caregivers in the U.S. has jumped to 63 million, a 45 percent increase over the past decade, making 1 in every 4 Americans a...
Read MoreA 2025 Guide to Protecting Seniors from Fraud
If you’ve found yourself stepping into a more active role in your parents’ financial lives, you’re not alone. Some of us are helping aging parents navigate everything from healthcare decisions to bill payments—and increasingly, we’re...
Read MoreDo You Have Enough Money to Retire?
In this segment, Les Szarka discusses:How much should you be saving to enjoy a comfortable retirement? Q: There’s been a lot of talk about the 50-30-20 rule when it comes to saving for retirement. Can you explain what that is and...
Read MoreSmart Moves to Consider Before Year-End
The final months of the year can sneak up quickly, and with them come deadlines, decisions, and distractions. Before the holiday season takes over your calendar, fall can be a valuable window to revisit your financial strategy and...
Read MoreNEW Money Talks Szarka Financial Market Update with Alex Szarka, Timothy Marcinek, & Les Szarka
NEW Money TalksSzarka Financial Market UpdateAlex Szarka Timothy Marcinek, ChFC®, AIF®Les Szarka, CFP®, ChFC® https://lnkd.in/eAf4snGC 17:34mhashtag#Cleveland hashtag#Finances hashtag#Money The video titled "Money Talks - Market Update...
Read MoreBreaking Down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What You Need to Know
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) included lower federal income tax brackets, bigger standard deductions, and higher gift and estate tax exemptions, among other provisions. The law stipulated that some of those tax breaks would...
Read More2025 / NEW TAX BREAK FOR SENIORS
2025 / NEW TAX BREAK FOR SENIORS LES AND ALEX: https://youtu.be/43t_22xn3RE?feature=shared Key Points What is the Senior Tax Deduction? A new deduction created as a workaround to reduce taxes on Social Security benefits. Part of the...
Read MoreElection Day and Your Money
Election Day is here, and the big question on everyone’s mind is: How will the results impact your finances and investments? 🗳️ Les Szarka, CEO of Szarka Financial, shares insights on the potential market and economic reactions to...
Read MoreWATCH: Retirement Taxes: Essential Tips to Avoid Costly Mistakes
When you enter retirement, taxes might be the last thing on your mind. However, understanding how your retirement income is taxed is crucial to avoid unexpected financial burdens. Les Szarka, CEO of Szarka Financial, shares insights...
Read MorePost-Election Economy: Stock Market Insights, Bonds, and What’s Next
Join Les Szarka and Alex Szarka on this episode of Money Talks as they break down the economic and financial implications following the recent election results. With the presidency decided and shifts in the House and Senate, discover...
Read MorePost-Election Market Reactions: What Investors Need to Know
The elections are over, but the financial impact is just beginning. Alex Menassa, MT, CPA, JD, senior financial advisor at Szarka Financial, breaks down how the market is responding to the new administration and what it means for your...
Read MoreWATCH: It’s Raining Tariffs—Grab Popcorn
In this unscripted episode of Money Talks, Les and Alex tackle two timely subjects rattling the markets: the newly named Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the escalating use of tariffs. They explain how the U.S. reached...
Read MoreChoosing the Right Financial Advisor
In this interview, Alex Szarka, Senior Financial Planner, and Les Szarka, CEO of Szarka Financial, share essential advice on selecting a financial advisor who truly meets your needs. They discuss the importance of comprehensive...
Read MoreStock Market Rollercoaster
In this episode, Les Szarka, CEO of Szarka Financial, tackles the recent surge in market volatility and the key forces driving it—from surprising Chinese AI advancements to new tariffs and a rapidly shifting government landscape....
Read MoreOur New Segment with Les and Alex Szarka
In this segment, Les and Alex from Szarka Financial share timely insights on what you can expect in 2025. They discuss how inflation, interest rates, and changing government policies might affect everything from your daily budget to...
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