Westchester Financial Planning

06/15/2026

Before you start house hunting, find out what you can realistically afford. This calculator factors in your income, debts, and down payment to give you a number.

06/12/2026

Work at IBM? Your retirement benefits look different than they did a couple of years ago here's what changed and why it matters.

As a CFP® professional who works with IBM employees (see testimonial below) on their retirement, I focus on helping them understand and coordinate benefits. Effective in 2024, IBM moved away from its traditional 401(k) company match and introduced the Retirement Benefit Account (RBA), a cash balance plan into which IBM credits a percentage of an employee's salary. Many IBM employees I meet are still thinking in terms of the old dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match and have questions about how the RBA works and how it fits alongside their own 401(k) contributions. Because the company match changed, it's worth reviewing your contribution strategy so your overall savings plan still reflects your goals.

"Russell helped my family with two big things, saving for my three kids' college and getting me ready to retire from IBM. He took the time to actually understand how my IBM benefits worked, and I appreciated being able to sit down with him in person rather than just over the phone. I always felt like he had my family's best interest in mind."
— Anna Gallo, client of Westchester Financial Planning

This statement is a testimonial by a client of the financial professional as of 06/04/2026. The client has not been paid or received any other compensation for making these statements. As a result, the client does not receive any material incentives or benefits for providing the testimonial. These views may not be representative of the views of other clients and are not indicative of future performance or success.

06/10/2026

Can you put a dollar figure on being healthy?

One study that compared active and inactive adults found that healthcare costs are 9% to nearly 27% lower for those who stay "on the move," according to a landmark study by BMJ Journals.

When socking away money for retirement, savvy savers are not only accumulating money but also thinking about what they won't have to spend.

06/08/2026

How much is enough for your emergency fund?

Having an emergency fund may help alleviate the stress and worry associated with a financial crisis.

06/05/2026

Markets continued their upward climb in May, supported by strong technology performance, positive economic data, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Nasdaq gained 8.36%, the S&P 500 rose 5.15%, and Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 2.37%, while investors welcomed better-than-expected job growth and upbeat corporate earnings. With the Fed's next meeting scheduled for June, attention is turning to updated economic projections and what they may signal about the broader economy. From \$24 billion spent on Father's Day to the popularity of dining out and special outings, this month's by-the-numbers highlights how families celebrate the dads in their lives.

Stocks surged in April, notching their best month in five years as investors cheered upbeat economic news, efforts to lower tensions in the Middle East, and first-quarter results.

06/03/2026

Nearly half of healthy aging experts name physical activity as the single most important lifestyle habit for longevity, according to a September 2025 U.S. News & World Report article.

Not supplements. Not sleep hacks. Not anything you might read about on a social feed. Just movement. Plain and simple.

What habit has made the biggest difference for you?

06/01/2026

A disability could keep you from work and increase costs. How can you protect yourself?

05/25/2026

D&O insurance can be a risk management tool for small businesses, non-profits and educational institutions.

Not only can D&O insurance provide financial protection, but it can help improve an organization’s decision-making.

05/19/2026

Registration required at https://www.katonahreadingroom.com/things-i-think-about/westchester-financial-planning.

05/18/2026

For a small business, the loss of a key person could cause financial hardship.

Business owners may be able to protect themselves from the financial consequences of losing a key employee.