Dylan Paskell, Financial Advisor

05/15/2026

A dollar from 2016 buys about 75 cents of stuff today.

A lot of people are still measuring their portfolios in raw dollars. They see "up 4% this year" and feel good about it. But if inflation ran at 3%, their real return was 1%.

For cash sitting in checking or low-yield savings, the math is rougher. $200k parked there in 2016 has lost roughly $50k in purchasing power.

This is one of the first things I look at when someone new comes in: not just what their portfolio earned, but what it actually earned after inflation, and which buckets are quietly falling behind.

Most people are surprised by the answer.

04/30/2026

I spent some quality time with my dad and brother this weekend fly fishing with the best guide in the smokies!

04/24/2026

I'm excited to lead our new office in Maryville, TN. Great things are in store for Elevate!

New Branch Alert!
Let’s congratulate Dylan Paskell, Financial Advisor on the launch of our newest Elevate branch!

We’re excited to see his leadership and dedication expand our mission of helping families build and protect their financial future. Growth isn’t just about numbers, it’s about impact. And we’re ready to make more of it in Knoxville, TN.

Stop by our newest location at 200 E Broadway Ave Ste 506 Maryville, TN 37804 Fifth floor, right corner.

04/14/2026

Most people don't avoid financial advisors because they don't want help, they avoid them because they just don't know what they're walking into.

I’d love to share what my process looks like so that you know exactly what you’re getting before you even start working with me.

Meeting 1 - About 30 minutes. You tell me where you are, what you're trying to do, and what's worrying you.

Meeting 2 - A little longer and more detailed. Around an hour. We build out exactly what your plan would include and what it would cost. I explain how I can help you with your goals and how we plan to get you there. At this point we determine together if it’s the right fit for you.

Meeting 3 - Short and simple and less than 30 minutes. All questions answered. If you're ready, we make it official and begin setting your plan into motion.

Three meetings. About two hours. That's it.

04/06/2026

We had a wonderful Easter weekend with family!

04/02/2026

I helped a client pay $6k less in taxes in his first year working with me.

He had $600k sitting in a HYSA accruing interest and was continuously adding to it each month as a second retirement account.

He wasn't taking full advantage of his 401(k) contributions.

Here's what we did:
• Moved the majority of that $600k cash into a brokerage account invested conservatively to optimize gains for long term capital gains rather than ordinary income ($4k taxes saved)

• Maximized pre-tax, roth, and after-tax 401(k) contributions to prioritize tax mitigation both now and in the future ($2k saved this year while building tax-free money for retirement)

Simple moves that busy professionals might not have the time to research and execute themselves. It only took four meetings over the course of a month to make a significant difference in his tax bill this year and in years to come.

03/11/2026

Many people are turning to AI like Chat GPT to ask personal finance questions.

It is a great place to start learning, but when the decisions involve your actual money, it helps to talk through the details with someone who can see the full picture. If you find yourself asking questions like these, it may be worth having a conversation with a financial advisor.

• How much do I really need saved for retirement?
• Should my 401(k) contributions be pre-tax or roth?
• Are there legitimate ways I can reduce my W-2 taxes?
• Is it better to put extra money toward my mortgage or invest it?
• Should I move to cash and wait for a market dip?

Most online tools will give a broad answer based on averages and assumptions. A financial advisor will look at your income, taxes, goals, timeline, and risk tolerance and help you make a decision that actually fits your situation.

General information is helpful. Personalized advice is where the real value shows up.

02/12/2026

If you are over the age of 50 and contribute to a 401(k), there are new rules that apply to you!

If you made more than $150k (F**A Earnings) in 2025 and are utilizing catch-up contributions in your 401(k) this year, they are required to be Roth.

Several 401(k) contribution rules have changed for 2026. Make sure your current strategy is aligned with these updates!

A look at the new retirement contribution limits from the IRS.

12/04/2025

Team Member Spotlight: Dylan Paskell, Financial Advisor

Meet Dylan- He's one of our Financial Advisor Team Leaders, who's passionate about helping others understand and take control of their finances.

Dylan graduated from Florida State University and went on to specialize in workplace benefits before becoming a financial advisor. From this experience, he gained insight into what people really need - financial education.

Dylan loves what he does because- “I truly love working with people. Every person I meet brings a unique background and story, and each one matters. Having the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in their lives is the most rewarding part of what I do.” Dylan also values family time with his wife and two daughters and enjoys taking them on trips to the beach.

We’re thankful to have Dylan on our Chattanooga team!

Book a meeting with Dylan today to see how he can help empower you with financial understanding and readiness.

Email him at [email protected]

11/19/2025

Sometimes we don’t think about certain things until it’s too late. Retirement is one of them, but estate and legacy planning often get overlooked even more.

Do you have a plan in place to handle things like probate, estate taxes, or Medicaid spend-down?

A little planning now can save your loved ones a lot of stress later.

Do you have an estate strategy? You should.

09/15/2025

A lot of my clients have never heard about Spousal Social Security Benefits.

A non-earning or lower-earning spouse has the option to take their allotted social security benefits OR a percentage of their spouse's benefits.

The Social Security Administration will not give you the higher benefit by default. You have to choose it yourself.

If you need help getting the most from your Social Security, I am happy to help.

Social Security benefits are a key source of income for retirees, including spouses. Read how spousal benefits are calculated and what you can do to maximize them.