Insights, Advice, and Conversations to Shape Your Financial Future
DISCUSS WITH RUSS
“Discuss With Russ” is your go-to resource for navigating the complex world of personal finance. Whether you’re looking to manage risk, seize new opportunities, or avoid common financial pitfalls, our blog offers insights to help you succeed at every stage of your financial journey.
We’re here to provide actionable strategies and thoughtful guidance to help you take control of your financial future.
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Do You Need a Will, a Trust, or Both?
A will may be an important part of your estate plan, but is it enough for everything you want your plan to accomplish? See how wills and trusts can play different roles as your family and finances change.
Choosing Health Insurance That Fits Your Family and Financial Plan
Health insurance is one of the largest recurring expenses many families face, yet it's often renewed without much review. Discover a practical framework for evaluating your options before open enrollment ends.
What Happens If You Die Without a Will?
A will gives you a say in what happens to your assets and who cares for your children after you die. Without one, state law and the courts make many of those decisions instead. Russ Rivera explains what that can mean for your family and why documenting your wishes is an important part of your financial plan.
Why Every Adult Needs a Living Will and Health Care Proxy
If you were unable to make your own medical decisions, would your loved ones know what you want? Learn how a living will and health care proxy work together to provide clear guidance when it matters most.
Trump Accounts Give Families a New Way to Save
As his son gets closer to college, Russ is thinking about how families save for their kids over the long term. In this Sidewalk Talk, he shares what caught his attention about Trump Accounts, including the ability for parents, grandparents, and other family members to contribute.
Why Fall Is the Real Tax Planning Season for High Earners & Retirees
The most valuable tax strategies for high earners and retirees are deadline-driven, and many require more lead time than you'd expect. Starting your planning in fall gives you room to act with precision, not pressure.
How to Prepare Your Finances for Natural Disasters
Wildfires, floods, and storms make headlines almost every year, but is your financial plan actually ready for one of them? A little preparation now can make recovery far less stressful once disaster eventually hits close to home.
The Financial Skills Your College Student Needs Before Move-In Day
College students face more financial decisions in their first few weeks on campus than they did their entire four years of high school. From budgeting and credit to student loans and investing, this article walks parents through the essential financial skills their college student needs and how to start the conversation before small mistakes become expensive lessons.
Teenagers Have No Idea What Money Actually Means
Are your teens actually ready to manage their own money? Russ Rivera breaks down why today's teenagers are making high-stakes financial decisions without the necessary guidance.
Are Your Investments Ready for Retirement? Key Adjustments to Make Now
The investment strategy that built your retirement savings may not be the right one to carry you through it. This article covers the key adjustments to consider as retirement approaches, from managing sequence of returns risk to Roth conversions, catch-up contributions, Social Security timing, and healthcare planning with an HSA.
Mid-Year Money Check-In: Is Your Plan Still Working?
Are your finances still headed in the right direction? A mid-year check-in helps you spot what's working, what's drifted, and where a small correction now could keep you on track for your goals.
Your Kids Can Learn Money Earlier Than You Think
If you've ever wondered whether your child is old enough to start learning about money, the short answer is probably yes. Russell Rivera shares the simple, low-pressure ways families can start those conversations early, using real situations like grocery shopping and saving for a toy.
Celebrate Financial Independence Day: What True Freedom Looks Like for High Earners
As America celebrates 250 years of independence, it's a good time to think about what freedom means in your own financial life. If a strong income hasn't translated into real security, a deliberate plan can help you close the gap.
What to Do When You're 50 and Behind on Retirement Savings
What happens when you hit 50 and realize retirement savings took a backseat? In this video, Russell Rivera shares how one client turned that moment of panic into a plan of action. He walks through strategies like catch-up contributions and investment adjustments that can make a real difference when you're starting later than you'd hoped.
5 Costly 401(k) Mistakes That Could Shrink Your Retirement Savings
A 401(k) is designed to build retirement security over decades, yet overlooked details can reduce its effectiveness. Taking a closer look at five common mistakes can help you better position your retirement savings for stability and growth.
The Liability Insurance Gap Many Affluent Families Overlook
Standard homeowners and auto policies often cap liability at levels that may not reflect accumulated wealth. Understanding how liability insurance fits into a comprehensive financial plan can help protect savings and personal assets.
AI Knows a Lot, But It Doesn't Know You
A lot of people are using AI to get financial information, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. But there's a gap between getting information and getting advice that's actually built around your life. Russell walks through why that gap matters and what real financial planning looks like when someone actually takes the time to understand who you are.
What to Do When the IRS Comes Knocking
Most people don't call a tax resolution specialist until things are already bad. In this conversation, Russell Rivera and Ron Friedman break down the situations that lead people there, and what those people wish they'd known sooner. If you've had a gap in filing or received an IRS notice, this video covers the basics you need to make sense of your situation.
What to Do Now to Avoid a Financial Crisis Later
High income doesn’t guarantee financial security. Discover why emergency planning matters and how to create a safety net for when life takes a turn.
New Login Rules for Social Security and Medicare Could Disrupt Access
Struggling to log in to your Social Security or Medicare account? A new federal login system may be to blame. Learn what changed, why it matters, and how to stay connected to the benefits you rely on.