How to Maximize Your Health Savings Account (HSA) for Tax-Free Growth I was reviewing a client’s financial plan last month when something struck me. Here was someone diligently maxing out their 401(k), executing backdoor Roth conversions, and optimizing their taxable accounts for tax efficiency. Yet they were treating their Health Savings Account (“HSA”) like a…
Navigating Politics, Policy & Portfolios (October 15, 2025). As we close another quarter, we wanted to share our perspective on the markets, the economy, and most importantly, how we’re positioning portfolios to thrive in the months ahead. Politics vs. Policy: What Actually Matters for Long-Term Investors The recent government shutdown reminds us that Washington doesn’t…
US Consumers and Valuation Gaps: Can the US Consumer Keep Carrying the Market? (July 15, 2025). The second quarter reminded us why staying grounded matters in investing. While markets celebrated new highs—with the S&P 500 breaking through 6,200—the foundations supporting this rally deserve closer examination. The quarter’s volatility, from April’s sharp selloff on tariff fears…
How Trustees Can Fulfill Their Duty of Care While Protecting Themselves Being named a trustee is an honor—but it also places you in a complex role, especially if you are not experienced in this area. As a trustee, you are responsible for stewarding someone’s financial legacy while balancing family dynamics, legal obligations, and investment decisions.…
At Riverwater Partners, we believe that smart investments can drive meaningful change—not just in the world, but in the lives of our clients. To bring that philosophy to life, we sat down with Brian Gigl, Director of Wealth Management, to hear about his journey, his approach to financial advising, and his perspective on guiding families…
When a friend or family member names you as trustee, it feels like an honor—a profound sign of trust and respect. But along with that honor comes something they rarely mention upfront: the keys to somebody’s financial legacy, a 100-page legal document written in dense legalese, anxious beneficiaries with competing needs, and the constant shadow…
The Art of the Tariff (April 4, 2025). As we close the books on the first quarter of 2025, markets find themselves adjusting to a wave of policy-driven uncertainty—most notably, a broad and aggressive shift in U.S. tariff and trade policy. While economic data through March remained relatively stable, the early-April announcement of sweeping tariffs…
Tax-Efficient Investment Strategies for the 2025 Landscape In today’s complex financial environment, investing wisely isn’t just about selecting the right assets—it’s also about understanding how taxation affects your returns. As we navigate 2025, several key tax-efficient considerations and strategies can help investors maximize their after-tax returns while staying compliant with current regulations. How Tax Efficiency…
Managing a trust is about more than financial oversight—it’s about honoring the grantor’s intent, supporting beneficiaries, and ensuring that the trust document is being followed. For trustees, this responsibility often comes alongside busy careers, family obligations, and other personal commitments. At Riverwater Partners, we understand the challenges trustees face and the importance of providing thoughtful…
Market Insights from 2024 As we close out another dynamic year in the financial markets, one theme that investors may have overlooked is the power of diversification. While U.S. equity markets dominated headlines with exceptionally strong back-to-back annual returns, a wide array of asset classes also contributed positively to portfolios. From the S&P 500 achieving…
