This Week’s Takeaways:
- “Concierge medicine” — where you pay an annual fee for more personalized, quicker-access medical care — is growing fast. The convenience and the health perks are real, but the tangible health benefits have been harder to quantify.
- 529 plans are the best way to save for college expenses, and the my529 plan from Utah is the highest ranked plan.
- If Berkshire Hathaway’s actions are any indication, Warren Buffett thinks the market is overvalued, and it may be time to rotate out of AI.
- Your home equity can be a tremendous retirement asset if you tap into it correctly and in ways that balance stability and peace of mind through ways like downsizing or reverse mortgages.
- Things to Do This Weekend in Boston in the Boston Corner.
- Plus my latest book recommendation.
Concierge Medicine Is Booming. Should You Join the VIP Club? by Barron’s
Concierge medicine offers easier access to doctors and more personalized care, but it comes with steep annual fees that can strain a household budget. The health perks—like fewer hospitalizations and faster appointments—are real but don’t clearly translate into longer lives. For someone mindful of both health and money, it’s a question of whether paying for convenience and peace of mind outweighs investing that same money in insurance, preventive care, or savings.
Morningstar’s Guide to 529 Plans by Morningstar
A 529 college savings plan can be a powerful tool when saving for future education expenses because investments in the plan can grow tax-free. The my529 Utah plan continues to rank highest, according to Morningstar.
Let’s Call Him ‘Warn’ Buffett. Berkshire’s Recent Moves Suggest It’s Time to Play Defense. by Barron’s Advisor
You could read Berkshire Hathaway’s current cash position as reflecting concerns about market valuations. If so, rotating out of AI names and into defensive stocks and sectors is warranted.
Home equity: A powerful tool for retirement security by Vanguard
For many retirees, the house is their biggest untapped asset, and using it wisely can ease pressure on savings and improve financial security. Options like downsizing, renting, or taking a reverse mortgage can free up income but also carry emotional and market risks. For someone balancing health and finances, it’s about ensuring housing choices support both stability and peace of mind in later life.
2025 Year-End Planning Strategies Webinar Replay by Heritage Financial
Our Year-End Planning Strategies webinar shared actionable insights to help you maximize your wealth and prepare for the changes coming in 2026. We also discussed key provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and how they will impact individuals and business owners. Topics covered include:
- Year-end moves to reduce your tax bill
- Retirement planning opportunities
- Charitable giving strategies
- Roth conversions
- Important tax and legislative updates
- OBBBA impacts and deadlines
- What to expect in 2026
Book Recommendation
The Widow: A Novel by John Grisham
Simon Latch is a lawyer in rural Virginia, making just enough to pay his bills while his marriage slowly falls apart. Then into his office walks Eleanor Barnett, an elderly widow in need of a new will. Apparently, her husband left her a small fortune, and no one knows about it.
Once he hooks the richest client of his career, Simon works quietly to keep her wealth under the radar. But soon her story begins to crack. When she is hospitalized after a car accident, Simon realizes that nothing is as it seems, and he finds himself on trial for a crime he swears he didn’t commit: murder.
Simon knows he’s innocent. But he also knows the circumstantial evidence is against him, and he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. To save himself, he must find the real killer….
Boston Corner
Shifting ground: Dozens of college closures across New England jolt region famed for higher ed
