Benchmark Wealth Management

📝 Finding the right financial advisor is more than just picking someone with the right credentials; it’s about aligning with someone who understands your unique financial vision. In this article with Memphis Business Journal, Shannon Acosta outlines 5 key questions to ask to ensure the perfect fit. These insights can help you build a partnership that supports your financial journey with clarity and trust. Read more here! 👉

Our CEO’s journey in the financial world has been anything but traditional, and that’s what makes Benchmark Wealth Management truly unique. Nancy's story is one of resilience, vision, and a passion for people over profits—a philosophy that shapes everything we do here. Just as Nancy took a different path to build her success, Benchmark has carved its own way by focusing on genuine relationships, transparency, and client-centered innovation. We hope you'll have a listen as Nancy shares her story with Sam Coates! 🎧

Guess what?! Benchmark Wealth Management has been named one of Memphis' Best Places to Work by the Memphis Business Journal for the third year in a row! 🏆 An award like this reflects our culture and team morale...but why does this matter to our clients? 🤔 🔵 Better Client Care: Happy team = happy clients! We are energized, motivated, and ready to go above and beyond to provide thoughtful, personal care every step of the way. 🔵 Collaboration & Innovation: Our teamwork game is strong 💪, and that means we're constantly improving the way we care for our clients and their needs, always aiming for top-notch service. 🔵 Work-Life Harmony: A cared-for team brings their A-game every day, allowing them to focus on supporting our clients in every interaction. We're beyond thankful for our amazing team and clients, both of whom make Benchmark the Best Place to Work!

🌭 Hot Dog Inflation: Ballpark Edition 🌭 The Benchmark team has been to our fair share of baseball games - some for love of the sport and some for love of the snacks! Did you know that hot dogs at MLB games have their own inflation story? Here’s the scoop: 🌎 Average MLB Hot Dog Price: $5.99 💸 High End: $8.39 "Colossal Dog" at Oakland Coliseum 🧢 Low End: $2.99 at Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks) 🍁 Cheapest Overall: $2.55 at Toronto’s Rogers Centre Compared to NFL prices, MLB keeps it relatively affordable! But when you factor in tickets, parking, drinks, and snacks, a family of 4 spends around $180.54. LA and Boston games? Expect to pay over $320! 😯 Why the steep costs? Those hot dogs help cover everything—from stadium maintenance to player salaries (like Ohtani’s $700M contract!). ⚾ As the season wraps up, we hope you're enjoying a few more games—whether at the park or grilling your own dogs at home. 👨🍳

👶From Diapers to Dollars: Juggling Family, Work, and Finances Financial Advisor, Becca Coleman Mirza, recently welcomed her second son. Upon her return from maternity leave, Becca shared some of her precious time with us to offer practical tips on: 🍼 Budgeting for the Unexpected 🍼 Simplifying Your Finances 🍼 Setting Realistic Work Goals 🍼 Planning for the Future Whether you’re a new parent or simply looking to find more balance, Becca’s insights will leave you feeling empowered and ready to take on both family and financial goals.

The Federal Reserve’s upcoming meeting on Sept 17-18 is getting some attention, but no need to stress. Here’s what’s going on: 🔑 Key factors to keep an eye on: ▪ Job market: Still strong overall. ▪ July job openings are at a 3.5-year low, but nothing alarming. ▪ Unemployment rate? A steady 4.3%. 📊 What’s in the mix: ▪ Will we see a small rate cut of 0.25% or a slightly bigger 0.50%? 👀 What to watch: ▪ Friday's jobs report and next week’s consumer price index. 💡 Why it’s worth paying attention: Fed decisions have a trickle-down effect on things like mortgages and loans, but the changes are all part of the normal economic ebb and flow. We’ll keep an eye on it for you—no big shifts expected, just keeping you in the loop!

📚 Heads up, college-bound families! The FAFSA process for the 2025-2026 school year is changing, and we want to make sure you're prepared for what's ahead. The Department of Education is rolling out FAFSA a little differently this year: 💻 A limited rollout starts on October 1, 2024. 💻 Public access opens on December 1, 2024. This delay is meant to avoid the tech issues we saw last year, so while the timeline's a bit different, most of you should still be right on track. Here’s the scoop: 🔹 FAFSA is your gateway to federal aid, grants, and scholarships—don’t miss out! 🔹 Despite the delay, you should still be able to meet most colleges' financial aid deadlines. 🔹 Submitting early can boost your chances of getting the support you need. 🔹 Even if you're unsure you'll qualify, it’s always worth applying. For more tips on navigating the college journey, check out Elian's latest blog post. Stay ahead of the game and keep your college funding options open. Timing can make all the difference in securing the aid that helps you reach your goals. 💡

⭐ Join us in celebrating Katrina Ridgeway! ⭐ We are thrilled to announce that Katrina Ridgeway has been selected as a 2024 LPL Financial Achieve Rising Star, an honor that recognizes the next generation of talented women advisors. Katrina’s dedication, vision, and passion are evident to all who work with her. Here's what her fellow Benchmark advisors have to say about this well-deserved recognition: ⭐ Nancy Knous, CFP®, CFS™: "Katrina has a vision for her future that is crystal clear. She pursues that vision daily with determination and grace. She is a force, and we’re blessed to have her on our team." ⭐ Elian Levatino, CFP®: “We’ve known Katrina was a rising star for years, and now others are recognizing it too. This is an honor well deserved.” ⭐ Shannon Acosta CFP® (2021 Rising Star): "Katrina is the most genuine person you'll ever meet. Over the nearly 8 years I've known her, I’ve watched her grow in astounding ways. She challenges me to be a more intentional mom, a more supportive wife, and a more empathetic advisor. When Katrina and I collaborate on a planning issue, you can practically see the sparks fly from the electric energy she brings to her thinking process. She is truly a rockstar, and I'm honored to serve clients alongside her." ⭐ Becca Coleman Mirza, CFP®, CPA (2023 Rising Star): "Katrina is energetic, passionate, and authentic. She harmonizes her roles as wife, mom, advisor, and friend with grace. She’s an inspiration and a source of encouragement to our team. Always striving for growth, Katrina is a humble lifelong learner who pushes beyond the status quo. I can’t think of a more deserving rising star!"

You may know we have 20 human team members. But did you know there are another 20 of us with four legs? 🐾 It's National Dog Day and if you know Benchmark, you know we are dog people. Here are the sweet faces of Dot, Rainn, Cody, Rex, Moses, Willow, Oakley, Bobby, Faith, Buddy, Angel, Lottie, Aibee, Presley, Fitz, Rue, Banner, Daisy, Knuckles, and Tillie. With 20 (!) dogs in the Benchmark family, we're starting to wonder who's really in charge around here! 😄

Are you putting off important financial decisions? Whether it's inertia, trepidation, or just life getting in the way, delaying critical financial choices can lead to serious consequences. Inaction often goes unnoticed but can greatly impact your future financial security. Here’s where this happens most often: 📊 Your 401(k) Plan: Failing to enroll means missing out on key retirement savings opportunities—not to mention potential employer-matching contributions. With the SECURE 2.0 Act, automatic enrollment will become the norm in 2025, but why wait? And don’t let indecision make your investment choices for you—take control now to ensure your investments align with your goals. 💼 Forgotten Financials: Just like clutter accumulates in a home, investments can pile up without purpose. Whether it’s an old account from a previous job or an investment you don’t fully understand, over time, your portfolio might stray from your objectives. Regular reviews can help you make informed decisions and keep your investments aligned with your goals. ✍️ And Don't Forget Your Will: Procrastination isn’t limited to retirement plans. Failing to create or update a will can leave your loved ones in a difficult position. It's one of the most important decisions you can make to protect your family's future—so don’t leave it to chance. Taking deliberate, thoughtful steps today can make a world of difference tomorrow. Your future self—and your loved ones—will thank you.