Blog - Opal Advisors

What Is an Independent, Fee-Only Fiduciary Financial Advisor—and Why Should You Hire One?

October 26, 2026 | by justinyoung

What Is an Independent, Fee-Only Fiduciary Financial Advisor—and Why Should You Hire One? Choosing a financial advisor can be confusing. Terms such as independent, fee-only, and fiduciary may sound similar, but each describes something important about how an advisor operates, gets paid, and makes recommendations. An independent, fee-only fiduciary financial...

The $19,000 Gift Tax Myth: You Can Give More Than You Think

September 18, 2026 | by justinyoung

The $19,000 Gift Tax Myth: You Can Give More Than You Think One of the most common misconceptions about gifting is that you can only give someone $19,000 per year without paying gift tax. That’s not true. The $19,000 amount is the annual gift tax exclusion, not a limit on...

Selling Your Business? 4 Reasons to Meet With a Financial Advisor Before the Sale

September 18, 2026 | by justinyoung

Selling Your Business? 4 Reasons to Meet With a Financial Advisor Before the Sale For many business owners, selling their company is the culmination of decades of hard work—and potentially the largest financial transaction of their lifetime. Yet one of the biggest mistakes an owner can make is waiting until...

Washington Saves Is Coming: Most Business Owners Will Be Required To Offer A Retirement Plan

September 16, 2026 | by justinyoung

Washington Saves Is Coming: Most Business Owners Will Be Required To Offer A Retirement Plan If you own a business in Washington and don’t currently offer a retirement plan, a new state requirement is coming—and now is the time to start thinking about it. Washington Saves is expected to launch...

Don’t Let Scholarship Money Create an Unexpected Tax Bill

August 14, 2026 | by justinyoung

Don’t Let Scholarship Money Create an Unexpected Tax Bill Receiving a college scholarship is an exciting accomplishment and, in some cases, allow a student to attend a school they may not have been able to afford. However, many parents are often unaware that not all scholarship money is tax-free. The...

The Financial Planning Checklist Every Adult Child Should Complete with Their Aging Parents

August 14, 2026 | by justinyoung

The Financial Planning Checklist Every Adult Child Should Complete with Their Aging Parents Most adult children eventually find themselves helping their parents with their finances. Unfortunately, those conversations often don’t begin until there’s a health crisis, memory issue, or emergency. At that point, decisions become more stressful, more emotional, and...

Study Finds Financial Advisors Add Nearly 5% Per Year in Value—And It Has Very Little to Do with Picking Stocks

August 9, 2026 | by justinyoung

Study Finds Financial Advisors Add Nearly 5% Per Year in Value—And It Has Very Little to Do with Picking Stocks When people think about hiring a financial advisor, they usually assume the advisor’s job is to pick winning investments. After all, isn’t that what you’re paying for? Surprisingly, the answer...

The Best Wealth-Building Decision Might Be Not Buying A Home

June 19, 2026 | by justinyoung

In 2020, the financial break-even point between renting and buying a home in the Seattle area was roughly 7.5 years.

What Questions Should You Ask a Financial Advisor? A Practical Guide to Making the Right Choice

May 8, 2026 | by justinyoung

Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions you can make for your long-term financial well-being. The right advisor can help you grow your wealth, manage risk, and plan for life’s biggest milestones. The wrong one, however, can cost you—both financially and emotionally.

How Much Do I Need to Retire?

April 29, 2026 | by justinyoung

Wondering how much you need to retire? Learn a smarter, personalized approach to retirement planning and how Opal Advisors helps you retire with confidence.

What Parents Should Know About the “Trump Account”

March 31, 2026 | by christinahua

We wanted to share an update on a new federal investment program that may provide a meaningful financial head start for your child.

Build Wealth by Getting an Interest-Free Loan from the Government

March 16, 2026 | by justinyoung

When investors think about building long-term wealth, they often focus on returns: finding great companies to invest in, allocating assets wisely, and staying invested. But there’s another powerful tool that may significantly impact your long-term results: tax deferral.

How Business Owners Can Turn a Taxable Business Sale Into a Long-Term, Tax-Free Wealth Strategy with Opportunity Zone Funds

February 26, 2026 | by justinyoung

For many business owners, selling a company is the largest financial event of their lifetime. Years of hard work finally turn into liquidity — and then reality sets in: capital gains taxes can take a significant bite out of the proceeds.

Why Your Portfolio Makes Less than What You Think It Is

February 9, 2026 | by justinyoung

You’ve probably heard “The stock market returns about 10% per year.” While that sounds great, in reality your portfolio doesn’t grow 10% per year and can mislead investors.

Small Business Owners Can Start A 401(k) With Potentially No Cost Through Federal Tax Credits

February 9, 2026 | by justinyoung

For many small business owners, offering a 401(k) plan has historically felt expensive, complex, or out of reach. That perception is outdated and now businesses of any size can afford a 401(k) plan.

How to Talk to your Adult Children about Money

January 5, 2026 | by justinyoung

Opening up about money with adult children works best when it’s a gradual, values-based conversation, not a one-time disclosure of numbers. Parents do not have to share precise dollar amounts, but clarity about intentions, structure, and roles can greatly reduce future conflict and confusion.

Why Residential Real Estate May Not Be A Strong Investment Going Forward

January 3, 2026 | by justinyoung

For decades, residential real estate has been one of America’s favorite wealth-building tools. Rising home values, the appeal of owning something tangible, and generous leverage made real estate feel like a reliable investment path. But looking ahead, investors may need to rethink those assumptions.

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