SteelPeak Wealth

Divorce can be one of life’s most challenging transitions, and having a financial expert by your side makes all the difference. Learn how Certified Divorce Financial Analysts like Christine Mueller Coley, CFP®, CDFA® and Heidi Wilson, WMCP® CDFA® can help guide you through complex financial decisions during this time.

🙋♀️Ask an Advisor: When does it make sense to start working with a financial advisor? Wayne Slappy, Wealth Advisor When you’re ready to be open and curious about handling your financial situation. There’s an old saying that “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”  Working with a financial advisor is a lot like working with a doctor. In many cultures, including the one I grew up in, going to see a doctor was taboo. You only did it when you were horribly sick or hurt, especially men. We would “tough it out” or end up in the ER. The idea of preventative medicine amounted to eating an apple, taking vitamin C, and using Vicks VapoRub. Talking about money in both stellar and difficult situations has also been taboo for many people. The idea of sitting down with an advisor and allowing us to review their entire financial standing is a tough ask for many. Some are only willing to discuss what amounts to a very small piece of their financial picture. This can prove very difficult for us to diagnose the problem. You wouldn’t walk into a doctor’s office and question why they are checking your blood pressure or taking height and weight measurements. As fiduciary advisors, we must get as clear a picture as possible of both your financial health and your financial psychology. Sometimes, this can take a few meetings to get a clear picture.  Being open to receiving advice is paramount. Many people have found a way to make money. We are there to help guide our clients to the most efficient way to preserve and grow their wealth. We act as a kind of GPS to help clients navigate the many twists and turns that can come up throughout their life. This means listening to and executing advice. This is not easy for everyone, particularly for people who may have had some success along the way. We tend to be ready to listen to our doctor when we’re sick. What about when we’re healthy?  Are you ready to be open and share what’s going on for you financially? Are you prepared to take and execute steps we suggest to improve your financial situation? Then you may be ready to work with a financial advisor. Whether a person needs a financial “triple bypass” or if they are Olympic financial athlete looking to take it to the next level, fiduciary advisors are here to help.   ### If you have a question you’d like to ask an advisor, drop it in the comments ⬇️ The stories and guidance that you read here are based on real scenarios, yet sometimes modified to protect anonymity. 

Did you know hiring a family member in your business could save you significant taxes? It's just one of the strategies we use to help clients maximize their savings while keeping it all in the family. Rina Pineda, CPA, MST

Delighted to support Chase Griffin and the Bruin football community. A perfect partnership for SteelPeak—providing financial planning expertise while supporting these athletes and the business of sports in this new era of NIL.

Sitting on a sizable stock position? You know it’s time to diversify. But here’s the catch: Letting go of that stock might feel impossible. Whether it’s the emotional attachment to a family legacy stock, the incredible run of a tech giant, or the fear of missing future gains, concentrated positions can become a double-edged sword. There are strategic ways to manage concentrated stock positions while mitigating risk and still generating income. You don’t have to choose between your attachment to a stock and the desire for more security in your portfolio.

🙋♀️ 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿: 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 $𝟮𝟱𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗖𝗗 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲? 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗯𝘂𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀? Jim Bray, CFP® When faced with the question of what to do with $250,000 after a CD expires, the answer isn’t as simple as jumping straight into the stock market. In fact, the best course of action depends on a variety of factors unique to each individual. First, it’s important to consider why the money was in a CD in the first place. Was it for the safety of a guaranteed return? Perhaps the funds were earmarked for a specific goal, such as buying a home. If so, and you're still planning on making that purchase, keeping the money liquid in a high-yield money market fund might be the best move, rather than exposing it to the volatility of the stock market. However, if your situation has changed—say, you were saving for a down payment but decided to keep renting—the conversation shifts. Moving from a secure investment like a CD to equities involves more risk, and it’s essential to understand that risk fully. This is where a comprehensive plan comes into play. Investing shouldn’t be about reacting to market trends or what you’ve heard from others. Instead, it should be driven by your long-term goals. For example, if your aim is to retire in 20 years with $3 million saved, that goal will shape how you should invest today. The first step is to assess your risk tolerance, discuss your goals, and consider all your financial assets, from 401(k)s to IRAs. Ultimately, every investment decision should be part of a larger, well-thought-out plan. The right move isn’t just about where to put your money next—it’s about understanding why you’re making that decision in the context of your broader financial goals. If you have a question you’d like to ask an advisor, drop it in the comments ⬇️ ### The team at SteelPeak is here to provide guidance about managing your money. Whether you are a DIY investor seeking some professional advice or are looking to hire a professional, we will provide you with unbiased information based on financial scenarios faced by millions of Americans.  Simplying the complexities of wealth management is at the heart of what we do. We know there is a lot of confusing and potentially harmful advice floating around the Internet these days. So to address the financial scenarios that might unfold in your life, we go straight to the source: a financial advisor. At SteelPeak we call them wealth advisors and they are truly at the top of the advice profession. They serve as fiduciaries to clients, ensuring that they are always on the same side of the table.  The stories and guidance that you read here are based on real scenarios, yet sometimes modified to protect anonymity.   

Last week our very own Rina Pineda, CPA, MST attended the American Institute of Certified Tax Planners event, earning her designation of Certified Tax Coach. During the conference, she explored various case studies that highlighted the best tax strategies and practices. Our core values of constant learning and education are on full display in our tax consulting practice.

Want to invest smarter? Don't let taxes trip you up. Here’s the latest from our Director of Tax Consulting, Rina Pineda, CPA, MST.

As we work with clients to help with investments, we will oftentimes look at their past tax filings and we see a pattern of mistakes when it comes to income taxes. To help you avoid a similar fate with your taxes, we thought we would share. Here are the top 7 tax mistakes that people commonly make – some are obvious, and some require a professional to help guide you through them.  Rina Pineda, CPA, MST

"As financial advisors it is our job to remind clients that 'time in the market' is more important than the political party of the U.S. president when it comes to investment returns."