Financial Planning Alternatives

06/25/2026

🏡 Homeowners Insurance: What You Need to Know

Your home is one of your most important assets, and keeping it properly protected is an essential part of a strong financial plan. Coverage needs can change over time, especially as rebuilding costs and home values evolve, so a periodic review can help ensure your policy continues to reflect your current situation.

Here are a few key areas to focus on:

🔍 What to look for in your policy
• Coverage based on the current cost to rebuild your home, not just its market value
• A clear understanding of what is covered and under which conditions
• Awareness of exclusions to help avoid unexpected gaps
• Protection for your belongings and appropriate liability coverage
• A deductible that aligns with your financial plan and comfort level
• Optional add-on coverages for additional protection

📆 When to review your coverage
• Annually
• Before and after major home improvements or renovations
• Following financial changes or large purchases
• After life events such as marriage, a new baby, or a move

📝 Do not overlook a home inventory
• Record a video walkthrough of each room
• Take photos of valuables
• Store receipts or digital records securely in the cloud

🏢 For renters too
Renter’s insurance plays a similar role by helping protect your belongings and providing liability coverage, often at a relatively low cost.

Taking the time to review your coverage, and discussing any changes with your agent, can help reduce surprises and ensure your protection keeps pace with your life.

06/24/2026

Small Caps Rallying – Can They Keep the Lead?

Small-cap stocks have quietly outperformed large caps this year, supported by improving earnings expectations, attractive valuations, and signs of stronger domestic growth. While the backdrop is becoming more supportive, important challenges remain, including margin pressure, uneven small-business activity, and concentrated market leadership. In this week's Markets in a Minute, Kara explores whether the recent small-cap rally marks the beginning of a lasting leadership shift or simply another temporary rotation.

Read more in this week’s Markets in a Minute.

We explore whether the recent small-cap rally marks the beginning of a lasting leadership shift or simply another temporary rotation.

06/23/2026

☀️ Don’t let your financial goals take a vacation!

Summer is for relaxing, and it is easy for financial goals to slip into the background. Yet this time of year can offer a valuable opportunity to step back, reflect, and make sure your financial decisions still align with what matters most.

Goals are not static. Priorities shift, expenses change, and life rarely follows a perfectly linear plan. Taking time to check in allows you to recognize progress, identify gaps, and adjust with intention rather than waiting until year-end.

Whether you are saving for a new home, planning for education, or preparing for retirement, even a brief review can provide clarity. It is often the small, consistent adjustments that make the biggest difference over time.

Consider taking a few moments to:
• Review your progress so far • Revisit your priorities and timelines
• Look at your spending patterns
• Check your savings and debt progress
• Reflect on any recent life changes

A simple reset now can help ensure your financial strategy continues to support both your short-term needs and long-term goals, so you can enjoy the season with greater confidence and peace of mind. 🏖️

Monisha Potter, CFP®, works with clients to turn these moments of reflection into thoughtful, personalized financial strategies that evolve alongside their lives.

👉 What is one financial goal you are focusing on right now?

06/18/2026

🌞 Make the most of summer without overspending!

With summer officially just around the corner, enjoying the season does not have to stretch your budget. In fact, some of the best memories are made with a little creativity and thoughtful planning, not big price tags.

For those focused on financial stability, whether that means building an emergency fund, paying down debt, or simply staying on track, it is absolutely okay to choose simpler options this summer. A memorable season does not require an expensive vacation. Kids and families remember time together, not the cost.

Even without a big getaway, there are plenty of budget-friendly or free ways to make the most of summer:

🌿 Explore local outdoor spots
Parks, beaches, hiking trails, and nature preserves offer beautiful scenery and relaxation close to home, often free or low cost.

👉 The National Park Service also offers free entrance days (July 3 to 5, August 25, and September 17).
👉 If you live in Rhode Island, take advantage of Governor’s Days, when parking fees are waived at many state beaches.

🎶 Check out free local events
Many towns and cities host free summer concerts, movies in the park, festivals, and community events. These are great ways to enjoy a night out while staying within budget and connecting with your community.

📚 Check the library
Your local library can be a hidden gem. Many offer free or discounted passes to museums, aquariums, cultural attractions, and state park parking.

🏛️ Look for free museum days
Many museums offer free admission days or evenings throughout the summer, making it easy to plan a fun outing without the price tag.

🍓 Pack your own snacks and shop local
Skip expensive convenience stops. Pack simple snacks and reusable water bottles, and consider visiting local farm stands for fresh, seasonal, and often more affordable options while supporting your community.

🎲 Bring your own entertainment
A frisbee, a deck of cards, a good book, or a favorite playlist can turn any outing into a lasting memory.

🏡 Embrace staycations and day trips
Explore nearby towns, try new local spots, or create themed days at home. You can save money and still enjoy meaningful experiences.

🗓️ Plan ahead and prioritize
If your financial foundation is not where you want it to be yet, that is okay. This is a great time to focus on building it.
Having an emergency fund and peace of mind is worth far more than an overpriced trip.

✨ The best summer memories do not come from spending more. They come from time well spent.

How will you make the most of the start of summer?

06/17/2026

Money with Murphy – The Cost of Success: Rethinking Capital Gains Taxes

No one likes paying taxes, but that check to the IRS is often a sign your investments are doing exactly what they’re supposed to. In today’s increasingly concentrated market environment, avoiding taxes can come at the cost of taking on unintended risks. In this week’s Money with Murphy, Kara reframes how to think about capital gains and why disciplined portfolio management matters more than tax avoidance.

No one likes paying taxes, but that check to the IRS is often a sig...

06/12/2026

📢 Annuity Awareness Month

Annuities can be helpful, but only if they fit your overall plan.

We recently shared what an annuity is. The next question is whether one fits into your financial plan.

Annuities can be valuable in the right situation, but they are not one size fits all. They are often best suited for individuals who:
✔️ Want predictable income in retirement
✔️ Are concerned about outliving their savings
✔️ Prefer some protection from market volatility

As life expectancy increases, planning for lasting income becomes even more important. Certain annuities can provide a steady income stream for a set period or for life, helping transfer longevity risk to the insurance company while adding greater predictability to your plan.

Annuities may not be the right fit if you need flexibility, access to your funds, or are primarily focused on growth rather than guaranteed income or protection.

✨ The key: Understanding how an annuity fits alongside your other income sources, such as Social Security, investments, and retirement accounts. A thoughtful strategy matters more than any single product.

👉 See how annuities can fit into a broader retirement plan: https://www.fpa-online.com/202606post/

Wondering how this might fit into your plan? We’d be glad to walk through it with you.
📞 508‑636‑6521
📩 [email protected]

06/11/2026

A Fighting Chance for Active Management

Passive investing has gained popularity by keeping costs low and capturing most of the market’s return. It’s an advantage that has set a high bar for active managers. But a new form of active management is emerging, and in this week’s Markets in a Minute, KIM Portfolio Manager Michael Humbert explains why active management is becoming an increasingly important complement in portfolios.

Read more in this week’s Markets in a Minute.

Learn why active management is becoming an increasingly important complement in portfolios.

06/10/2026

Retirement planning isn’t just about how much you save, it’s about how long it needs to last.

According to the American College of Financial Services, 52% of Americans do not consider how long they may live when making saving and investment decisions.

Longevity should be a key part of retirement planning to help ensure you do not outlive your financial resources.

📌 In recognition of Annuity Awareness Month, it’s a good time to consider ways to create income that lasts throughout retirement.

At Financial Planning Alternatives, we help clients build plans designed to generate reliable income over time. This may include coordinating investments, Social Security, and, in some cases, tools like annuities that can help create more predictable income.

✨ The goal: Confidence that your financial plan can support you at every stage of retirement.

👉 It’s worth asking: Is your plan built to last as long as you do?
📞 508-636-6521
📩 [email protected]

06/08/2026

📢 Annuity Awareness Month

Most people have heard of annuities but aren’t quite sure how they work.

An annuity is a contract with an insurance company designed to turn your savings into future income. You invest money today, often tax deferred, with the intention of receiving payments later, for a set period or even for life.

Here’s a quick overview of the most common types:
🔹 Immediate Annuity: Converts savings into income right away, creating monthly or yearly payments to you
🔹 Deferred Annuity: Income begins later, giving your investment time to grow tax deferred
🔹 Fixed Annuity: Offers a guaranteed interest rate with lower risk and lower potential returns
🔹 Variable Annuity: Invests in market-based subaccounts with higher growth potential and higher risk
🔹 Indexed Annuity: Growth tied to a market index (like the S&P 500), with limits on gains and some protection against market losses
🔹 Riders: Optional features that can be utilized to enhance or modify the annuity’s benefits, such as a lifetime income rider or enhanced death benefit rider.

✨ The primary goal: Provide income and help manage the risk of outliving your assets

Curious if an annuity might fit into your retirement strategy? We’re happy to talk it through.
📞 508‑636‑6521
📩 [email protected]

06/04/2026

🛡️ Fraud Protection is Financial Protection

Scams and fraud attempts are becoming more sophisticated every year. Staying alert is one of the most effective ways to protect your money, whether it is a suspicious email, a fake text alert, or an unexpected phone call.

A few steady habits can strengthen your defenses:
📞 Verify before you respond. Do not share personal information with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly. If something feels uncertain, hang up and call the organization using a trusted number.
💳 Turn on account alerts so you can spot unusual activity early.
📬 Watch for phishing attempts. Scammers often imitate real institutions.
🔐 Shred sensitive documents before discarding them.
🧾 Review your bank and credit statements regularly to catch unfamiliar charges.

Fraud prevention is not only about avoiding scams. It is about protecting your peace of mind and supporting your long term financial security.

👉 What fraud prevention habit are you strengthening this year?