Messett Financial

Ever seen this image?

This breathtaking view of Wharariki Beach in New Zealand, often featured on screen savers, is more than just a beautiful photograph.

It represents a destination. A dream. A reward for years of hard work and disciplined financial planning.

Unfortunately, we speak with many individuals who, despite having the financial means to visit places like this, struggle to shift from a lifetime of saving to actively enjoying the wealth they’ve built.

The same discipline that created your success can sometimes make it difficult to embrace the freedom it was meant to provide.

The goal of wealth accumulation isn’t just to secure the future. It’s to fund a life filled with the experiences you’ve always imagined.

Whether that means chartering a yacht through the Greek Isles, embarking on a multi-generational safari in Tanzania, or spending a quiet month in a secluded Scottish cottage, your wealth should be a tool that serves your ambitions—not a treasure that remains locked away indefinitely.

Knowing that doesn’t necessarily make the psychological transition from a saver’s mindset to a spender’s mindset any easier.

We understand.

That’s why we help people navigate this transition all the time.

If you’re finding it difficult to start enjoying the wealth you’ve worked so hard to build and preserve, let’s have a conversation.

As Dr. Seuss wrote:

> “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose… You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! So… get on your way!”

During the 1920s, a bank robber named Willie Sutton stole more than $2 million.

After being arrested, Sutton was asked by a reporter why he robbed banks. His answer was probably apocryphal, but it’s gone down in legend anyway:

“Because that’s where the money is.”

These days, thieves still go where the money is… usually by targeting private individuals who have a lot of it.

But modern theft isn’t about lock-picking a safe or blowing a bank vault with dynamite. More often, it comes in the form of cyberattacks.

All investors are potentially vulnerable because nearly every investor has digital vulnerabilities that can be targeted by thieves.

As financial advisors, our job is to help people plan for the future they want to achieve. We’ve found that with each passing year, protecting your privacy becomes more important when it comes to securing that future.

The good news is that while cybercrime, identity theft, and other forms of fraud are very real problems, you can protect yourself and your privacy with a little advance planning.

We like to think of it as building a castle.

🏰 First, you must understand where you are vulnerable.

🏰 Second, you must build the necessary walls, gates, and drawbridges to protect those vulnerabilities... with a wide digital “moat” surrounding it all.

To help, we’ve put together a few basic, simple tips for both understanding your vulnerabilities and protecting them from cybercriminals.

Trump Accounts. By now you’ve probably heard about these, and maybe even done a little reading about them, too.

But what are they, exactly?

Who — and what — are they meant for? And are they right for you and your family?

First announced as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that went into law last year, Trump Accounts officially launch on July 4, 2026.

Below is some basic information on how Trump Accounts work, as well as some other options to consider when helping a child save for the future.

Every Memorial Day, we commemorate our nation’s greatest heroes.

Words cannot fully express the awe and gratitude we feel for the work and sacrifice of our military personnel.

But there are others we should commemorate too.

The families those heroes leave behind. The mothers and fathers who gave their sons and daughters to the cause of freedom. The wives and husbands who became widows and widowers. The children who lost parents, the brothers and sisters who lost siblings.

We must remember their sacrifice.

Their devotion.

There are no words appropriate enough.

No gestures adequate enough.

But we must do our best to show that at least we remember…and that we will never forget.

From the majestic slopes of the Alps to the sun-kissed beaches of Cape Hope. From the serene beauty of Mount Fuji to the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro. Every one of these destinations has a unique charm. The hardest part of any vacation for me? When it ends.

We have often wondered at the end of a great vacation, “What if we had a home here?”

Have you ever thought that too? Turning your dream destination into a part-time residence?

Of course, as you and us know, having a home overseas comes with its own challenges, especially when it comes to finances. Managing taxation, maintaining your business, and navigating complex legal systems can quickly turn that dream into a source of stress.

If you are ever planning on living abroad, here are five big things to pay attention to:

💸 It’s generally well-known that if you spend 183 days or more in a country, you may be taxed as a resident. But many people don’t know that, depending on what you do in a foreign country (based on a ‘Center of Vital Interests’ rule), you could be subject to full taxation no matter how long you are there. [1]

💻 If you are a business owner or executive, doing business while overseas could inadvertently create a “permanent establishment” for your company in that country. That would make it liable for taxation there. [2]

🏠 If you want to make your overseas dream home your permanent home, the U.S. may treat your global assets as if they were immediately sold at fair market value, and you would be subject to any capital gains on unrealized gains. [3]

💰 You will need to disclose any accounts held overseas that exceed $10,000 (at any point) on your tax filing. [4]

👨‍👩‍👦 Some countries have “forced heirship” laws. They will force specific percentages of your assets to your children or spouse, regardless of what’s stated in your U.S.-based will or trust. [5]

Now, make no mistake: Having a home overseas can be wonderful! You just have to follow the rules.

So, if you ever dream of living abroad, always remember that we are here to answer your questions.

Source:
1. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-519
2. https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/oecd-model-tax-convention-on-income-and-on-capital.html
3. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/expatriation-tax
4. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations/summary-of-fatca-reporting-for-us-taxpayers
5. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32012R0650

For many people, summer means summer vacation…and vacation means a road trip!

Road trips are one of the best ways to travel. They enable us to explore corners of our country that we wouldn’t get to see otherwise. They often lead to the greatest memories and most enjoyable adventures.

But road trips can also be expensive. Depending on a number of factors, including time, distance, and the number of people going along, they can sometimes be pricier than flying. And when something unexpected happens, it’s easy to blow your budget before you’re even halfway to your destination.

With that in mind, here are a few simple, common-sense tips on how to save money on your next road trip. None of these are mind-blowing, but most are easy to forget…and when you add them all up, they can really make a difference in the long run.

Spring is in the air, but it’s the perfect time to start planning for your summer escape! If you haven’t thought about your trips yet, here are a few things to consider when planning.

- Maximize your travel dollars – Use your points/credit with any credit cards you have on flight and hotel travel expenses. Keep an eye out for online deals to save. Many have offers when combining trips or airfare and hotel together. Start looking for those deals NOW.

- Traveling to multiple locations? It’s a smart option to consider visiting multiple areas during the same period to reduce spending for numerous trips. Use alternatives instead of hotels, map out any vacation properties or family and friends along the way that you can stay with overnight. It can make the trip more memorable by visiting those you haven’t seen in a while.

- Plan for the unexpected – After budgeting for the trip, add in a buffer for those unforeseen expenses like cell phone roaming charges, foreign transaction fees, currency exchange fees, souvenirs, tourist taxes, etc. Suggestions vary, but we’ve seen recommendations to budget for around 10% to 20%. Each spending plan differs, so tailor these guidelines to your financial comfort zone.

- Manage your expectations — it’s rare for families to have unlimited money or time for vacation plans. Be realistic about your travel plans to avoid the assumption that each trip must be bigger and better than the last. Consider doing those bigger or longer vacations every other year, then you can plan the shorter trips in between.

Summer is right around the corner. Where will your wanderlust take you next?

Happy travels!

Some firsts, you never forget. Your first car. Your first love. Your first big job.

But nothing quite compares to the firsts that come with motherhood.

The first time a mother holds her child and realizes life will never be the same.

Hearing a child’s first laugh. Watching their first steps. Celebrating their first birthday.

Watching them walk through the doors on their first day of school.

Gripping the passenger seat grip handle during their first driving lesson.

Coping with the first time their bedroom stands empty because they’ve left the nest for good.

Mothers go through so many firsts. Funny firsts and happy firsts; scary firsts and sad. And by doing so, they ensure that we get to experience all the firsts in our lives.

Every first smile, every first word, every first brave step forward…they all happen because of someone cheering quietly in the background, holding out their hand, and offering unconditional love and encouragement.

Because our mothers make it possible.

To all mothers, thank you for your patience, your sacrifices, and your endless capacity to love and to lift others, one “first” at a time.

Wishing you a joyful, love-filled, and well-deserved Mother’s Day.