Financial Planning and Wealth Management Articles

The Northern Lights Advisors blog explores topics on financial planning and wealth management. We frequently write about financial industry trends, local and Seattle-based insights, and topics our clients are curious about, so if you’d like to learn more about something, please let us know!

a calculator and papers representing yearlong tax planning

Why Tax Planning Shouldn’t Be a Once-a-Year Event

Learn how year-round tax planning can help high-earning tech professionals make sound financial decisions.
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a boat on water that might make you ask "Should I buy that?"

Should You Buy That Boat?

You likely make enough money to afford to buy a boat...the question is, should you?
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5 Questions to Ask About a 529 if Your Child Doesn’t Want to Go to College

Wondering what to do with a 529 if your child isn't planning on the traditional college route?
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three northern lights advisors potentially hosting a family meeting

Why High-Earners and the Ultra-Wealthy Should Consider Financial Advisor-Hosted Family Meetings

High levels of wealth can be tricky when it comes to family dynamics — consider financial advisor-hosted meetings.
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a couple who just got massive wealth or financial windfall at a beach

Managing Sudden Wealth: How to Handle a Massive Financial Windfall

While massive wealth or a sudden financial windfall sounds fun, there are many things to keep in mind.
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a multi-generational family on the beach because of smart wealth planning strategies

Strategies for Multi-Generational Wealth Planning

In Seattle, an approach to multi-generational wealth planning requires its own lens and strategy.
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two men in suits looking at a tablet discussing private equity in portfolios.

What to Know About Private Equity in High Net Worth Portfolios

Curious what it takes to add private equity to your portfolio? We break it down.
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a person cleaning a counter to represent derisking relationships with home service providers

How to Derisk Relationships With Home Service Providers

Use home service providers? Learn how to protect yourself from potential liability, unexpected costs, or even legal headaches down the road.
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a happy traveler who told his financial advisor about his plans

Why You Should Add Your Financial Advisor to Your Travel Planning

Flight booked? Consider keeping your financial advisor in the loop before an extended trip or international vacation.
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A man and a woman, possibly conversing about why ongoing wealth management is better than hourly financial planning

How Ongoing Wealth Management Can Deliver Better Value Than Hourly Planning

Ongoing wealth management can often deliver significantly more value than hourly financial planning over time.
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a young family in need of college financial planning strategy

Financial Strategies: College Planning for High Earners

Curious how to build a college savings strategy that fits your unique financial situation?
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Financial Checklist For Pregnancy

Just found out you're having a baby? Check out this financial checklist for pregnancy to make sure your bases are covered.
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blurry photo with a wood house in foreground to symbolize estate planning

Estate Planning 101

Estate planning helps place assets and medical decisioning in the hands of someone you trust.
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A couple getting a consultation with a financial advisor discussing illiquid and liquid wealth strategies.

Liquidity Strategies for When Most of Your Wealth Is Illiquid

If most of your wealth is illiquid, a liquidity strategy discussion with your financial advisor is a good idea.
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three people who look like they work for a tech company talking about what to do before and IPO

How pre-IPO stock options are taxed (and what to do before a liquidity event)

Have pre-IPO stock options and wondering what to do? Let's explore some scenarios.
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How Northern Lights Advisors Builds Value for Clients and Employees

Martin Lundgren talks building a firm that reflects his values, creating emotional freedom for employees and clients, and dreaming big for the future.
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laptop and coffee

Unlocking Wealth: The Power of Direct Indexing for High-Earning Investors

Direct indexing is a nuanced investment strategy gaining traction as a compelling and tailored approach to wealth management.
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Tips for Choosing a Financial Advisor Who Prioritizes Your Data Security

When choosing a financial advisor, we think about investment strategy, and retirement projections. But data security is just as important
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a stack of credit cards symbolizing trying to choose the right strategy

Cost Vs. Value: Choosing The Right Credit Card Strategy

When choosing the right credit card strategy, try examining your choices through the lens of cost versus value.
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A parent and special needs child, perhaps in Seattle

3 Financial Considerations for a Special Needs Child

Curious about financial considerations for your special needs child?
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Man in suit at hotel check-in that might be better value than Airbnb

Airbnb vs. Hotels: What is the Better Value Now?

Once considered a better value, Airbnbs don't always stack up to hotels the way they used to.
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A family teaching good financial habits to children

6 Tips for Teaching Children Good Financial Habits  

Are you setting a good example? We're sharing a few strategies to help teach children good financial habits.
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couple gift giving financial alternative

Why Non-Material Gifts Can Be The Most Romantic Gifts of All

When love is in the air, it doesn’t mean you should feel it in your wallet. Discover why you should talk with your partner about gift-giving expectations.
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a person of good financial health visiting a medical concierge

How to Determine if a Medical Concierge Aligns with Your Financial Health

Medical concierge services can fit into your financial health and be a meaningful upgrade to the standard healthcare experience.
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private plane representing flying private or commercial

Flying Private vs. Commercial: Financial Considerations for Travel

For those with ultra-high-net-worth, flying private over commercial has perks, so let's dive into some other financial considerations.
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a new baby in male arms symbolizing the need for a post pregnancy financial checklist

Post-Baby Financial Checklist: What to Do After Bringing A Baby Home

For those who just brought home a bundle of joy (or are about to), here is one post-baby financial checklist you won’t want to skip.
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two people doing taxes using tips to navigate the season

10 Tips to Navigate Tax Season: A Document Guide for Tech Professionals

To ensure a smooth and efficient process this tax season, here's a comprehensive list to help you gather everything you need for your taxes.
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Seattle space needle against dark sky representing how ultra-wealthy can stay under the radar

Tips to Help Ultra-Wealthy Households Stay Under the Radar in Seattle

Many ultra-wealthy households face constant requests for donations and support, so we dive into a few ways to stay under the radar.
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Seattle wealth advisor and financial planner

Company Stock Compensation Plans: How They Work and How to Use For Retirement Savings

Here’s a 101 on how company stock compensation plans work — and how to make the most of them.
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multi-generational family symbolizing grandparents wondering how to support the third generation as ultra-wealthy persons

How Ultra-Wealthy Families Can Support the Third Generation

Many ultra-wealthy families in Seattle want to support the third generation without creating dependence, entitlement, or pressure. This article explores how.
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A woman and a child at a pharmacy who want to get more out of their health benefits

Simple Tips to Save Time and Get More Out of Your Health Benefits

A few small steps now can help you save time and get the most value out of your health benefits.
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couple looking at papers representing learning about required minimum distributions (RMDS)

A Year-End To-Do: Understanding RMDs and Their Impact On Your Finances

One critical financial task that high-earning executives can’t afford to overlook is required minimum distributions (RMDs).
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home plans indicating a renovation or new build

Renovating vs. Building New: How to Decide What’s Right for Your Seattle Home

On the fence between renovating and building new? Try viewing your project through a long-term lens.
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a multi-generational family around a table indicating 5 financial activities to take care of before EOY

5 Financial Activities to Take Care of Before the End of the Year

Curious about what end-of-year financial activities you should be doing? This article shares 5.
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two women possibly discussing how much to pay for direct indexing

How Much Should You Pay for Direct Indexing

The strategy of direct indexing is increasing in popularity but how much should you pay for it? Let's dive into the details.
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piggy bank in front of pumpkin symbolizing scary financial mistakes to avoid

5 Scary Financial Mistakes to Avoid

This Halloween season, don't get spooked. We're breaking down five scary financial mistakes you can easily avoid!
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a cabin in some woods suggesting needing home insurance in a time of global warming

Global Warming and the Future of Home Insurance

Global warming and climate change are altering the home insurance industry — let's explore what you need to know.
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American money (100$ bills) symbolizing weak vs strong dollars and inflation

Weaker Dollar vs a Strong Dollar and Inflation Impact

Let's unpacks weak vs. strong dollars, what’s going on, how inflation ties into the story, and what it means for your investments and lifestyle.
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things symbolizing laws to reflect what the big beautiful bill means

The Good, Bad, and Ugly: What the Big Beautiful Bill Means for You

Wondering what the big beautiful bill means for your financial future? Here's our best analysis of relevant takeaways.
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A woman staring directly at camera representing an HR person helping employee get most out of their employee benefits.

Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Employee Benefits?

Employee benefits are a critical part of your overall compensation — so talk with your financial advisor to make sure you get the most out of them!
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A note on our financial planning and wealth management articles:

The financial planning and wealth management articles provided on this website are for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, the content may not always reflect the most current market conditions or regulatory requirements.

Readers are encouraged to consult with their financial advisors before making any investment decisions. Our team is available if you have questions. Northern Lights Advisors is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.