Social Security Headline Scares
Financial Planning 7 min read Social Security: What’s Actually Real, and What to Do About It A wave of headlines this summer declared Social Security is “going bankrupt.” Here’s what the 2026 Trustees Report actually says, what’s realistic to expect from Congress, and how we’re thinking about it for clients. Every June, the Social Security […]
College Savings Comparison Chart
Wealth Planning 7 min read College Savings Account Comparison A side-by-side comparison of 529 Plans, Taxable Brokerage Accounts, UTMA/UGMA Accounts, and Trump Accounts (530A) Choosing the right account for college savings — or for setting your child up for long-term financial success — depends on your goals, your need for flexibility, and how much control […]
Cybersecurity in 2026: Why the Risks Are Rising—and How to Stay Protected
Financial Education 8 min read Cybersecurity in 2026: Why the Risks Are Rising—and How to Stay Protected Cybercrime is no longer a distant or abstract threat — it is one of the fastest-growing financial risks facing individuals today. In the United States alone, reported cyber-enabled fraud losses reached approximately $21 billion in 2025, according to […]
Trump Accounts (530A)
Wealth Planning 9 min read Trump Accounts (530A) A quick reference guide Trump Accounts (formally 530A accounts) are a new federally created, tax-deferred savings and investment account for children under age 18, established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025). Think of them as a traditional IRA for minors — with special rules during […]
Fiduciaries: What Does It Mean and Why Should I Care?
Financial Education 5 min read Fiduciaries: What Does It Mean and Why Should I Care? When it comes to choosing a financial advisor, an important — but often misunderstood — term is “fiduciary.” At 44 North Capital, we believe you deserve to understand what this means and why it matters when trusting someone to guide […]
Blind Spots: Account Ownership and Beneficiaries
Wealth Planning 6 min read Blind Spots: Account Ownerships and Beneficiaries Over the years, we’ve identified a number of common blind spots that clients often overlook — sometimes for decades. In this article, we’ll walk through what these blind spots are, why they matter, and the practical steps you can take to address them. Why […]
Level Up Your Portfolio—Tax-Free—with 1031 Real Estate Swaps
Real Estate 10 min read Level Up Your Portfolio—Tax-Free—with 1031 Real Estate Swaps So, it’s time to sell that real estate investment property you own. Maybe the property value has appreciated significantly. Maybe you’re tired of the hassles of property management. Or perhaps you think you can better optimize your funds with a different investment. […]
Estate Planning After the One Big Beautiful Bill
Wealth Planning 8 min read Navigating Estate and Inheritance Planning in a New Tax Era With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the estate planning landscape has fundamentally shifted. Previously, the lifetime estate and gift tax exemption was scheduled to drop from its inflation-adjusted 2025 level of $13.99 million to around […]
Legacy Stock Holdings: Preserve, Reposition, or Protect? Making Informed Choices for the Future
Wealth Planning 9 min read Legacy Stock Holdings: Preserve, Reposition, or Protect? Making Informed Choices for the Future Legacy stock holdings — those long-standing, often highly appreciated positions — can be among the most emotionally and financially significant assets in a portfolio. They may have been inherited, accumulated through years at a company, or grown […]
Trade Wars, Tarrifs and Spending Cuts
Market Outlook April 2025 Trade Wars, Tariffs and Spending Cuts The market is worried about how recent White House policies will affect the economy. And we agree that there is potential for the economy to slow, potentially into a recession. However, it’s too early for any economic data to reflect the actual effects. Predicting what […]