Aspen Wealth Management

06/01/2026

It turns out that when someone tries to build their own financial plan inside ChatGPT, they eventually hit a wall. The questions get more complex, the answers get less satisfying, and at some point, the AI suggests they find a real advisor. For Aspen Wealth Management, that moment has become a steady and growing source of qualified prospects. Helen Stephens joined Michael Kitces on the Financial Advisor Success podcast to talk about how more than a decade of SEO investment is now paying off in ways she never anticipated.

Listen to the full episode: https://www.kitces.com/blog/helen-stephens-aspen-wealth-management-seo-strategy-search-engine-optimization-aeo-google-prospects-marketing/

05/26/2026

Periods of volatility can be unsettling, but they are a normal part of investing. For investors with long-term goals and diversified portfolios, accepting short-term fluctuations is part of pursuing higher, long-term expected returns. Understanding that relationship is central to how we think about asset allocation at Aspen Wealth Management.

Watch our Q1 2026 Quarterly Market Review to learn more: https://www.aspenwealthmgmt.com/blog/webinars/geopolitics-inflation-and-volatility-quarterly-market-review-q1-2026.

05/25/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, the Federal Reserve, U.S. banks, and stock markets will be closed on Monday, May 25th.

This weekend, we pause to honor the men and women who gave everything in service to our country. From all of us at Aspen Wealth Management, we wish you a meaningful Memorial Day.

05/21/2026

Not ready for a hard stop? Director of Client Engagement Troy Fore explains how phased retirement works, from part-time arrangements and benefit sequencing to income planning, so you can transition on your terms without sacrificing financial security.

A practical guide to winding down gradually: part-time work strategies, sequencing benefit elections, and managing income during the transition.

05/20/2026

A reminder for self-employed individuals, freelancers, and investors: your second-quarter estimated tax payment is due June 15th.

Late May is a good time to start preparing. Review your income from January through May, account for any changes in your business or investment activity, and make sure your payment reflects your current-year picture. Underpaying can lead to penalties, so it’s worth being proactive.

If your income has changed this year and you’re unsure how to calculate your Q2 payment, our team can help: https://www.aspenwealthmgmt.com/tax-planning

05/19/2026

Uncertainty is not a question of if, but when. That is exactly why we build a sound investment strategy from day one. When geopolitical risks resurface and market conditions shift, that strategy is the foundation that helps investors stay the course. Discipline is not a reaction to volatility; it is the plan we put in place long before volatility arrives.

Watch our Q1 2026 Quarterly Market Review to hear more from CIO Nathan Davis, CFP®, CFA: https://www.aspenwealthmgmt.com/blog/webinars/geopolitics-inflation-and-volatility-quarterly-market-review-q1-2026.

05/18/2026

Fifteen years ago, Aspen Wealth Management started taking on financial planning clients for a fee — no assets required. At the time, that looked like patience. Today, it looks like a strategy. Those same clients are now facing the life events that come with managing real money, and they’re returning to a team they already trust. In her recent appearance on the Financial Advisor Success podcast with Michael Kitces, Helen Stephens explains how that long-term approach to planning-first relationships is now one of the most powerful drivers in Aspen’s pipeline.

Catch the full conversation here: https://www.kitces.com/blog/helen-stephens-aspen-wealth-management-seo-strategy-search-engine-optimization-aeo-google-prospects-marketing/

05/13/2026

If a meaningful portion of your wealth is tied up in real estate, private business interests, or other hard-to-sell holdings, you're not alone. It’s a common position to be in, and it comes with some unique planning considerations.

Our team recently put together a piece on how to think about illiquid assets within a broader financial plan. It covers where they can add diversification, how to plan around liquidity needs, and how to coordinate tax, investment, and estate strategies alongside them.

If you’ve been wondering whether those illiquid positions are working as effectively as they could be, this is worth a read:

Discover how to incorporate real estate, family businesses & other illiquid assets into your financial strategy for stability & growth.

05/12/2026

Aspen Wealth Management has been recognized by USA Today as one of the Best Financial Advisory Firms in the U.S. for 2026.

What matters most to us is the trust our clients place in us each day. As a fee-only, fiduciary firm, our sole focus is serving your best interests. No commissions, no kickbacks, just planning that puts you first.

We’re grateful for the trust you place in us.

Thank you to our clients, our team, and our community for making this possible. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2026/04/14/top-best-financial-adviser-firms-2026/89482619007/

No compensation was paid to be listed on or to market this award.

05/11/2026

Tax season is behind you. Now what?

Filing your return is just one piece of the puzzle. The weeks that follow are a great time to revisit your financial plan and make a few smart adjustments for the year ahead. That might mean reviewing your withholding or estimated payments based on what you owed, looking at contributions to tax-advantaged accounts, or identifying planning opportunities before the year starts to get away from you.

The most effective tax planning isn’t done in April. It’s built into your financial plan throughout the year.
If you’d like to walk through what this year’s return revealed and how it fits into your broader plan, we’re here to help: https://www.aspenwealthmgmt.com/tax-planning