Jefferson’s Ice Cream: A Sweet 250th Birthday Tradition

Written by Minich MacGregor Wealth Management on July 4, 2026. Posted in Posts.

How to Celebrate Independence Day Like a Founding Father

In just a few days, America will turn 250 years old!

So much has changed in our country since the Declaration of Independence was signed, but one thing hasn’t: Our sweet tooth. Whether it’s cobbler, apple pie, or a giant cake decorated like an American flag, most of us will celebrate the 4^th of July with some sort of delicious dessert.

But a special birthday requires an extra-special treat. So, this year, why not celebrate like the Founding Fathers would? Specifically, by taking a page from the book of the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence.

In 1785, Thomas Jefferson was appointed the country’s second ambassador to France. (As a result, he missed out on the Constitutional Convention.) He stayed there for four years, returning with a mastery of French, the ability to write secret coded messages using a cipher he had created…and a lifelong passion for ice cream.

Jefferson was notthe first person to introduce ice cream to America, as is sometimes claimed. But he can claim to be the author of one of the oldest written ice cream recipes in America. Written in Jefferson’s own handwriting, it still exists today…and we’ve included it with this message!

Jefferson was so fond of ice cream that he brought all his equipment to the White House, frequently serving it whenever he had guests. We can think of few better ways to honor both him and our country’s founding than through his own recipe. So, without further ado, we present to you Thomas Jefferson’s ice cream…the quickest way to exercise our own pursuit of happiness.

Happy 250^th Independence Day!

Ice Cream For Independence Day
By Thomas Jefferson¹

Ice Cream.

2. bottles of good cream.
6. yolks of eggs.
1/2 lb. sugar

Mix the yolks & sugar. Put the cream on a fire in a casserole [deep pot or saucepan], first putting in a stick of Vanilla. When near boiling take it off & pour it gently into the mixture of eggs & sugar.

Stir it well.

Put it on the fire again stirring it thoroughly with a spoon to prevent it’s sticking to the casserole.
When near boiling take it off and strain it thro’ a towel.

Put it in the Sabottiere.* Then set it in ice an hour before it is to be served. Put into the ice a handful of salt.

Put salt on the coverlid of the Sabotierre & cover the whole with ice. Leave it still half a quarter of an hour. Then turn the Sabottiere in the ice 10 minutes

Open it to loosen with a spatula the ice from the inner sides of the Sabotierre. Shut it & replace it in the ice.

Open it from time to time to detach the ice from the sides. When well taken (prise) stir it well with the Spatula.

Put it in moulds, justling it well down on the knee. Then put the mould into the same bucket of ice. Leave it there to the moment of serving it. To withdraw it, immerse the mould in warm water, turning it well till it will come out & turn it into a plate.

*A Sabotierre is an inner canister used in an ice pail.

If Jefferson’s instructions are a little hard to follow, well…it was the 18^th century, after all. Here’s a more modern version!

Beat the yolks of 6 eggs until thick and lemon colored. Add, gradually, 1 cup of sugar and a pinch of salt.

Bring to a boil 1 quart of cream and pour slowly on the egg mixture. Put in top of double boiler and when it thickens, remove and strain through a fine sieve into a bowl.

When cool add 2 teaspoonfuls of vanilla. Freeze, as usual, with one part of salt to three parts of ice. Place in a mould, pack in ice and salt for several hours.

For electric refrigerators, follow usual direction, but stir frequently.

SOURCE:
¹ “Ice Cream,” The Thomas Jefferson Foundation,” Monticello.org, https://www.monticello.org/encyclopedia/ice-cream

Your Q3 Financial Checklist

Written by Minich MacGregor Wealth Management on June 24, 2026. Posted in Posts.

“How can smart people so often be wrong? They don’t do what I’m telling you to do: Use a checklist.” — Charlie Munger¹

Whether you’re a pilot flying a plane, a surgeon performing an operation, or an engineer constructing a building, checklists are the smart person’s secret weapon. They prevent errors, ensure consistency, and make the future just a little more reliable.

Checklists are an amazing financial tool, too. The late Charlie Munger, who was Warren Buffett’s business partner and unquestionably one of the most successful investors of all time, frequently discussed the importance of checklists in his own decision-making.

“I’m a great believer in solving hard problems by using a checklist. You need to get all likely and unlikely answers before you; otherwise, it’s easy to miss something important.” — Charlie Munger²

With that in mind, we’ve created a new “summer financial checklist” specifically for the third quarter of 2026. This checklist has five items, and while some may apply to you and some may not, each is worth doing now while the heat is high and the days are long.

Of course, everyone’s financial situation is different, so if you would ever like to discuss any additional items that are more particular to you, please let us know. In the meantime, we hope you have a great third quarter…and a wonderful summer!

Q3 Financial Checklist for 2026
▢ Update Your Estate Plan Statistically speaking, there’s a good chance you’ll attend a wedding or celebrate a loved one’s new baby during the summer. Both events are excellent reminders of the need to keep your estate plan updated. When we first create an estate plan, it reflects exactly what we are thinking and feeling in that moment. But as time passes and life changes, those thoughts and feelings may change, too. That’s why, if you haven’t already done so lately, you should take the time this summer to create or update your will, trusts, advanced directives, and beneficiary designations so they reflect everything and everyone you want to take care of. ▢ Freeze Unnecessary Subscriptions Summer means summer vacation, and for many people, vacations mean travel! Which, in turn, means we can often be away from home for weeks at a time. But while we usually remember to turn the AC down and the lights off before we leave the house, all our subscriptions stay turned on, quietly costing us money even though we’re not using them. So, as you prepare to go on any trips this summer, consider pausing or temporarily canceling any subscriptions you’re not likely to use much. That streaming service that’s meant more for cold winter nights than warm summer evenings. The gym membership that won’t get used while you’re away. Auto-deliveries from companies like Amazon you won’t be there to receive. It’s an easy way to save money for that perfect souvenir or an upgrade to first class. ▢ Review Your Interest Rate Expenses From gas to beef, prices are on the rise again, and with rising inflation often comes the possibility of rising interest rates. (The Federal Reserve typically hikes rates as a way of combatting inflation.) That makes this the perfect time to review how interest rates are impacting your ability to spend, save, and invest. From credit cards to car payments, from a mortgage to medical debt, it’s easy for interest rates to stack on each other and act as a drag on our finances. Take an hour to review all the various forms of interest you are paying to determine whether there’s a way to decrease them. Options like refinancing or payment plans aren’t always right for everyone, but they are always worth considering. ▢ Plan For Upcoming Expenditures It’s hard to believe, but the year is already half over! That means the beginning of Q3 is the time to plan for any big-budget expenses that might take place during the second half of year. Major purchases, family events, a child or grandchild starting college, even holiday plans. By getting a good sense of what these will cost, and when those costs will hit, we can ensure that not only will those expenditures be covered, but that they won’t detract from saving and investing for even longer-term goals. ▢ Hold Family Financial Conversations Whether it’s an impromptu Sunday BBQ, a long road trip, or a reunion, summer is a season when families tend to spend more time together. That makes it the perfect opportunity to have “family financial conversations.” There are three types of conversations that are good to have. The first centers on “Family Financial Preparedness,” which is where everyone (or at least the adults) talks about their plans and intentions should the unexpected happen. The second is “Family Financial Assistance.” This is where the family discusses what help loved ones may need with their finances. For instance, getting out of debt, helping someone go to college, or even investing in a family member’s business. The final conversation is about “Family Financial Priorities.” Here, the family decides what they want to accomplish together. What trips and activities do you want to do together? What property would the family like to purchase and share? With all three conversations, the family is using the summer months to get on the same page, move in the same direction, and ensure financial harmony in the home.

Q3 Financial Checklist for 2026

Tip: Print this out and stick it on the fridge or somewhere else it will be seen. That way, you can check off the items one by one as you complete them!

▢ Update Your Estate Plan
Statistically speaking, there’s a good chance you’ll attend a wedding or celebrate a loved one’s new baby during the summer. Both events are excellent reminders of the need to keep your estate plan updated.

When we first create an estate plan, it reflects exactly what we are thinking and feeling in that moment. But as time passes and life changes, those thoughts and feelings may change, too. That’s why, if you haven’t already done so lately, you should take the time this summer to create or update your will, trusts, advanced directives, and beneficiary designations so they reflect everything and everyone you want to take care of.

▢ Freeze Unnecessary Subscriptions
Summer means summer vacation, and for many people, vacations mean travel! Which, in turn, means we can often be away from home for weeks at a time. But while we usually remember to turn the AC down and the lights off before we leave the house, all our subscriptions stay turned on, quietly costing us money even though we’re not using them. So, as you prepare to go on any trips this summer, consider pausing or temporarily canceling any subscriptions you’re not likely to use much. That streaming service that’s meant more for cold winter nights than warm summer evenings. The gym membership that won’t get used while you’re away. Auto-deliveries from companies like Amazon you won’t be there to receive. It’s an easy way to save money for that perfect souvenir or an upgrade to first class.

▢ Review Your Interest Rate Expenses
From gas to beef, prices are on the rise again, and with rising inflation often comes the possibility of rising interest rates. (The Federal Reserve typically hikes rates as a way of combatting inflation.) That makes this the perfect time to review how interest rates are impacting your ability to spend, save, and invest. From credit cards to car payments, from a mortgage to medical debt, it’s easy for interest rates to stack on each other and act as a drag on our finances. Take an hour to review all the various forms of interest you are paying to determine whether there’s a way to decrease them. Options like refinancing or payment plans aren’t always right for everyone, but they are always worth considering.

▢ Plan For Upcoming Expenditures
It’s hard to believe, but the year is already half over! That means the beginning of Q3 is the time to plan for any big-budget expenses that might take place during the second half of year. Major purchases, family events, a child or grandchild starting college, even holiday plans. By getting a good sense of what these will cost, and when those costs will hit, we can ensure that not only will those expenditures be covered, but that they won’t detract from saving and investing for even longer-term goals.

▢ Hold Family Financial Conversations
Whether it’s an impromptu Sunday BBQ, a long road trip, or a reunion, summer is a season when families tend to spend more time together. That makes it the perfect opportunity to have “family financial conversations.” There are three types of conversations that are good to have. The first centers on “Family Financial Preparedness,” which is where everyone (or at least the adults) talks about their plans and intentions should the unexpected happen. The second is “Family Financial Assistance.” This is where the family discusses what help loved ones may need with their finances. For instance, getting out of debt, helping someone go to college, or even investing in a family member’s business. The final conversation is about “Family Financial Priorities.” Here, the family decides what they want to accomplish together. What trips and activities do you want to do together? What property would the family like to purchase and share? With all three conversations, the family is using the summer months to get on the same page, move in the same direction, and ensure financial harmony in the home.

¹ “Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger,” edited by Peter D. Kaufman, Expanded Third Edition, 2008, Virginia Beach: The Donning Company Publishers.
² “Charlie Munger: The Complete Investor,” Tren Griffin, 2015, Columbia Business School Publishing.

Happy Father’s Day: Celebrating Our Real-Life Superheroes

Written by Minich MacGregor Wealth Management on June 21, 2026. Posted in Posts.

In honor of Father’s Day, we wanted to share a message written by a colleague about her father. While her experiences were, of course, specific to her, we think they are the perfect illustration of what good fatherhood looks like…and why having a good father can make all the difference in the world.

When I was little, I was terrorized by nightly visits from a monster that lived in my closet.

Now, as an adult, I know monsters aren’t real of course. But back then, I believed in superheroes, fairytales, imaginary friends—and, unfortunately, scary monsters—as most children do.

As a parent, I feel lucky that my daughter is still young enough that we haven’t had to cross that bridge yet. But thanks to my dad, I feel well-equipped for when that day inevitably comes.

You see, my dad didn’t just peek into the closet and offer a reassuring word. He didn’t just tell me monsters weren’t real.

No, he fought them.

He shut himself in the closet and made a show of it—banging and booming as he wrestled “the beast” into submission. He stuffed it into a trash bag, dragged it out to the curb, and sat with me at the window until the garbage truck came and hauled it away.

And just like that, the nightmares stopped.

Here’s the thing—I’m pretty sure he didn’t think twice about it. I don’t think he saw it as a grand gesture. I don’t think it was even planned.

It was just my dad being… my dad.

But to me?

He was a superhero.

I knew I could count on him to show up, every time, anywhere, without ever needing applause. Because that’s what dads do. They hold steady. They stand guard. They make the darkness feel a little less scary. They protect us when we’re small—not just from the things that scare us, but from the things we don’t yet know how to handle. And they do it quietly. Without fanfare. Without needing a thank you. Without ever asking to be noticed.

Maybe your dad didn’t fight closet monsters. Maybe he saved the day in smaller ways. A light left on. A ride in the rain. A voice in the dark that said, “I’m here.”

But, no matter what, good dads show up when we need them most, as any superhero would.

So, here’s to the dads who did that for us. To every man who answered to “Dad,” whether by blood, by marriage, or simply by heart. To the stepdads, grandfathers, uncles, and chosen father figures who stood in when it mattered most. To the ones who may never have worn a cape, but still made us feel safe in this big, scary world.

Happy Father’s Day.

And thank you, Dad—for being my real-life superhero and always helping me fight my monsters.

From our entire team to all the great superhero dads out there…Happy Father’s Day!

Decoding the Bond Market: Why Rising Yields Matter to You

Written by Minich MacGregor Wealth Management on June 17, 2026. Posted in Posts.

There’s a financial topic that never gets discussed around the water cooler or at the dinner table. It’s boring and obscure…especially compared to the stock market, or bitcoin, or real estate, or any of a dozen other subjects people do talk about. And yet, it’s arguably more important than any of those. In fact, it plays a critical role in the functioning of our economy.

We’re referring, of course, to the bond market.

The bond market is something that tends to hum along in the background, mostly unnoticed. But every so often, something happens with bonds that makes headlines. Earlier this year, long-term Treasury yields climbed to some of their highest levels in nearly two decades.1

For most people, that last sentence likely has no emotional impact whatsoever. The what on what did what? Treasury yields are one of several indicators investors use to assess where the economy might be headed. While yields have eased somewhat in recent weeks, investors continue to monitor the factors that contributed to the earlier spike. So, we thought it would be a good idea to explain what headlines like this are all about and why the topic matters.

Let’s start by breaking down what we mean by “yield.” To put it simply, a bond’s yield is the return an investor expects to gain until a bond matures.

Yields can be determined by dividing the bond’s annual interest rate payment by its price. For example, imagine an investor, whom we’ll call Alfred, buys a bond with a 10% interest rate for $1000. The bond’s yield would be 10%, too. But now imagine that Alfred sells that bond to Ethyl a year later…but for $75 more than his initial $1000 investment ($1075). Since the bond is being traded for more than its original value, the yield would go down to 9.3%. (After all, if Ethyl pays more than Alfred for the same level of interest rate, she’s getting a lower return on her investment than Alfred did.) However, if Alfred sold the bond for less than he originally paid — say, $975 — then Ethyl’s yield would rise to 10.25%.

Based on this example, we can see that yields and bond prices are inversely related. If a bond’s price goes up, its yield will go down. If the price goes down, the yield goes up. Make sense?

So, that’s yield in a nutshell. Now, you may be wondering, “Why am I hearing so much about bond yields in the media?” Well, many analysts and economists use yields to help assess future interest-rate expectations and broader economic conditions. You see, when interest rates are expected to rise, bond prices tend to go down. (That’s because an existing bond’s interest rate will no longer be as attractive as that of a new bond, meaning the owner would need to sell the bond at a discount.) And when interest rates are expected to fall, bond prices rise. For that reason, when

yields rise across the entire bond market, analysts often see it as a signal that interest rates may rise soon, too.

Why have yields been elevated recently? Several factors are contributing. Investors continue to monitor inflation trends, Federal Reserve policy, economic growth expectations, federal borrowing needs, and global demand for U.S. Treasury securities. Changes in any of these factors can influence bond prices and yields.

The Federal Reserve plays an important role in the bond market because its monetary policy decisions can influence interest rates throughout the economy. As a result, investors pay close attention to Fed communications and economic data when assessing the future direction of bond yields.

Now, why does all this matter? Well, Treasury yields are an important bellwether for the overall economy. Because U.S. Treasury securities are generally viewed as among the highest-quality fixed-income investments, investors all over the world buy U.S. Treasury bonds so they can simultaneously secure their money while also earning a return on it. Because of this, many other interest rates and borrowing costs are tied to Treasury bonds. Treasury yields influence many borrowing costs throughout the economy, including consumer loans, business financing, and mortgage rates.

When all these events happen — rising inflation, rising yields, and rising interest rates — it can sometimes affect economic growth. Inflation, obviously, reduces purchasing power, which decreases consumer spending. But higher yields can have a similar effect because companies have to pay higher interest rates to borrow money. At the same time, higher yields can also put pressure on stock valuations. That’s because bonds that yield a higher return can start to look more attractive than stocks, which are historically seen as riskier, more volatile investments.

It’s worth noting that everything in the last two paragraphs is hypothetical. Economic growth has been solid in 2026, and the stock market has reached record highs. But as we move into the second half of the year, it’s worth keeping an eye on Treasury yields and interest rates as a potential “early indicator” for volatility on the horizon.

One important point: Rising yields are not inherently negative for investors. While higher yields can create short-term volatility, they also mean that newly issued bonds may offer higher levels of income than were available in previous years. For long-term investors, that can create opportunities within a diversified portfolio.

While headlines often focus on short-term movements in interest rates and Treasury yields, our investment decisions remain guided by your long-term financial plan rather than day-to-day market fluctuations.

As always, you don’t have to spend much time thinking about any of this. That’s what our team is here for! But whenever you see bond yield headlines in the news, now you know what they’re talking about…and why it matters. In the meantime, if you ever have any questions or concerns, please let us know. We always love to hear from you. Have a great summer!

¹ “30-year Treasury yield tops 5.19%, highest since the financial crisis,” CNBC, www.cnbc.com/2026/05/19/treasurys-yields-inflation-traders-fed-interest-rates.html

Know Before You Go: Smart Road Trip Savings Tips

Written by Minich MacGregor Wealth Management on June 10, 2026. Posted in Posts.

For many people, summer means summer vacation…and vacation means a road trip!

Road trips are one of the best ways to travel. They enable us to explore corners of our country that we wouldn’t get to see otherwise. They often lead to the greatest memories and most enjoyable adventures.

But road trips can also be expensive. Depending on a variety of factors, including time, distance, and the number of people going along, they can sometimes be pricier than flying. And when something unexpected happens, it’s easy to blow your budget before you’re even halfway to your destination.

With that in mind, we have created a new infographic with a few simple, common-sense tips on how to save money on your next road trip. None of these are mind-blowing, but most are easy to forget…and when you add them all up, they can really make a difference in the long run.

If you’re going on a road trip this summer, have fun, stay safe…and send us pictures!

Education-Infographics-Road Trip Tips PDF Download

Memorial Day: A Time to Remember and Honor

Written by Minich MacGregor Wealth Management on May 25, 2026. Posted in Posts.

Memorial Day is when we pause to remember.

Below is a remembrance of that brave group of men and women who made so much possible for us. We hope you will share it with your family and friends. Please feel free to print or make copies for personal sharing. It was very fortunate that the author of this letter has given written permission to print this poem.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend. But do pause to remember.

It Is the Soldier
It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Plain English: Translating the Language of Trusts

Written by Minich MacGregor Wealth Management on May 14, 2026. Posted in Posts.

As financial advisors, one of our “unofficial duties” is acting as a sort of translator: Taking financial terms, jargon, or legalese that may be important but are hard to understand and explaining them in plain English. We really enjoy this part of our job, because it helps provide clarity…and the more clarity people have, the more confident they feel.

Helping people feel confident is one of the most important things any financial advisor can do.

One related group of financial terms that we are often asked about involve trusts.

Since trusts are widely used for a variety of estate planning purposes, we have prepared a simple primer of trust terms that should help with the translation.

First, a trust is simply a legal document that acts as a container to hold or own property, cash, securities, or other items of value.

There are three parties to a trust. The first is the maker of the trust, called the trustor or grantor, who establishes the trust. The second is the trustee who manages and carries out the terms of the trust. Finally, there is the beneficiary who receives the benefits of the trust, either in the form of income or outright distribution of assets.

Now, here is where many people sometimes get a little confused if they are setting up or dealing with a trust for the first time. You see, there are two forms of trusts: revocable and irrevocable. What’s the difference? A revocable trust can be changed by the grantor. For example, if the grantor ever wants to change which assets are inside a trust, or who the beneficiary is, a revocable trust enables them to do that.

An irrevocable trust, on the other hand, cannot be changed. Once established, it is fixed, with most details set in stone except under very specific circumstances. For this reason, most people only choose an irrevocable trust if they are trying to avoid triggering the estate tax or to protect assets from creditors, although there may be other reasons.

Two more types of trusts include a living trust and a testamentary trust. A living trust (also known as an inter vivos trust) is considered a revocable trust since it can be changed by the grantor. A trust created by a person’s will, known as a testamentary trust, is generally irrevocable. A living grantor may also establish an irrevocable trust by making an irrevocable decision to change title to property into the name of the trust. A typical example of such a trust would be an education trust fund set up by grandparents for a grandchild or a life insurance trust.

In a revocable trust, the grantor, the trustee, and the beneficiary may all be the same person. In most irrevocable trusts, each will be a different person.

When a grantor establishes a trust, it is funded by changing property titles to the name of the trust, which makes the property subject to the terms and control of the trust. For example, when a person establishes a living trust and changes the title of a home into the name of the trust, they have funded the trust with the retitled home. This asset now becomes part of the principal, or corpus, of the trust.

A grantor of a trust may reserve for themselves the power to manage the trust as a trustee. Alternatively, they may give those powers to another person. Commonly, a corporate trustee is named as the primary trustee, especially if the trust is expected to last many years. Banks with trust departments are most often named as a corporate trustee, since it is assumed the bank will be in existence for the life of the trust.

Trusts are often defined by their purpose. For example, a charitable remainder or charitable lead trust is used, as the name suggests, in charitable planning. Life insurance trusts allow the proceeds of a large amount of life insurance to pass, tax free, to beneficiaries. A Qualified Principal Residence Trust (QPRT) can be used to pass on a family or vacation home while allowing the grantor to live in the home.

As you can see, there are many terms related to trusts, and trusts themselves rarely make for light summer reading. But hopefully this makes the language of trusts easier to decipher in case you ever need to speak it in the future! As always, please let us know if you have questions, or if we can ever help you with anything related to trusts, estate planning…or finance in general.

Have a great week!

Honoring Mothers and the Moments That Shape Us

Written by Minich MacGregor Wealth Management on May 10, 2026. Posted in Posts.

Some firsts, you never forget. Your first car. Your first love. Your first big job. Each one feels exciting, overwhelming, and unforgettable.

But nothing quite compares to the firsts that come with motherhood.

The first time a mother holds her child and realizes life will never be the same. The first late night when sleep feels like a luxury, but mothers stay awake anyway just to listen to the sound of their baby’s tiny breaths.

Hearing a child’s first laugh. Watching their first steps. Celebrating their first birthday. Watching them walk through the doors on their first day of school. Gripping the passenger seat handle during their first driving lesson. And coping with the first time their bedroom stands empty because they’ve left the nest for good.

Mothers go through so many firsts — funny firsts and happy firsts; scary firsts and sad. And by doing so, they ensure that we get to experience all the firsts in our lives. Every first smile, every first word, every first brave step forward… they all happen because of someone quietly cheering in the background, holding out their hand, and offering unconditional love and encouragement.

Because of them, these moments are possible.

This Mother’s Day, we honor all mothers, grandmothers, and those who play nurturing and supportive roles in the lives of others. We also recognize that this day may hold different meanings for different people, and we extend our appreciation to everyone who contributes care, guidance, and encouragement in their own way.

Thank you for the many ways you help shape lives, one first at a time.

Wishing you a meaningful and appreciated day.

Building a Digital Moat: Protecting Your Privacy & Financial Security

Written by Minich MacGregor Wealth Management on April 30, 2026. Posted in Posts.

During the 1920s, a bank robber named Willie Sutton stole more than $2 million. As the story goes, after being arrested, Sutton was asked by a reporter why he robbed banks. His answer was probably apocryphal, but it’s gone down in legend anyway: “Because that’s where the money is.”

These days, thieves still go where the money is…usually by targeting private individuals who have a lot of it. But modern theft isn’t about lock-picking a safe or blowing a bank vault with dynamite. More often, it’s in the form of cyberattacks. One study in the UK found that 28% of high-net-worth individuals have experienced a cyberattack.¹ But any investor is potentially vulnerable, because nearly every investor has digital vulnerabilities that get targeted by thieves.

As your financial advisors, our job is to help you plan for the future you want to achieve. We’ve found that, with each passing year, protecting your privacy becomes increasingly important for securing that future. The good news is that while cybercrime, identity theft, and other forms of fraud are very real problems, you can protect yourself and your privacy with a little advanced planning. We like to think of it as building a castle. First, you must understand your vulnerabilities. Second, you must build the necessary walls, gates, and drawbridges to protect those vulnerabilities…with a wide, digital “moat” around it all.

Understanding Your Digital Vulnerabilities. In the old days, a robber like Willie Sutton would “case” a bank he wanted to rob, looking for entrances, exits, and blind spots. Cybercriminals do the same thing using your data. So, to protect your privacy and finances, you must understand exactly what modern-day thieves are targeting.

The first thing is evidence of wealth. Whenever money moves, it leaves a trail online. Real estate transactions are visible in public records. Major luxury purchases, investments, philanthropic efforts, inheritances, and awards are often easy to spot, too. Cybercriminals will also scrutinize social media posts, geotags, membership lists, and business and legal documents stored online, among other sources.

By doing this, cybercriminals can build profiles of the individuals they want to target… and the best way to do so. Here are a few of the ways they do this:

Data-Hacking. Cybercriminals often try to hack crypto wallets, financial institutions, online retailers, and public wi-fi networks to gain access to email accounts, passwords, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information. With this data, thieves are essentially stealing your digital identity so they can spend, transfer money, or apply for loans in your name.

Scamming. Using the profiles they’ve built, many cybercriminals will attempt to scam investors by targeting some aspect of their digital identity. This could be a phishing email that appears to be from your bank or an online store you use. It could be a text message that appears to come from the government or a local business you frequent. In these days of AI, it could even be a phone call or a voicemail that sounds like it’s from a friend or loved one. In every case, these messages are designed to trick you into revealing private information, transferring money, or downloading malware onto your device.

Hijacking Your Reputation. Most insidious of all is when cybercriminals use the data they’ve collected to threaten your privacy or reputation, usually in the form of blackmail or extortion. High-net-worth individuals, especially those who are business owners, public figures, or are otherwise visible within the community, are especially vulnerable to this.

How to Protect Your Privacy & Financial Security. So, now that we know where some of the vulnerabilities are, how do we shore them up? How do we build a “digital moat” that protects both our privacy and our money?

The most important thing you can do is take steps that reduce your digital footprint and make yourself less of an easy target. Using strong, unique passwords for every device, account, app, and login is absolutely critical — and having a password manager to generate and store these complex passwords is far safer than writing them down, storing them somewhere on your computer, or trying to memorize them.

Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) is nearly as important. If passwords are like adding steel gates to your personal castle, MFA is adding a drawbridge. MFA requires entering a second PIN, password, fingerprint, facial recognition, or a random code with a short expiration time to log in to any device or account. It can be a pain, but it makes it substantially more difficult for thieves to access your data. Keeping your devices updated and using firewalls and anti-malware software is important, too. So is backing up your data on a regular basis, and turning off features like Bluetooth, location sharing, and geo-fencing. Finally, reduce your vulnerability by never shopping or conducting transactions over unsecure networks, and by resisting the urge to “overshare” details about your personal life online. All this is the equivalent of reinforcing the walls around your castle, as criminals often target these areas, looking for gaps in your defenses.

Remember: Achieving the financial future of your dreams means protecting your financial present. Your privacy is a castle…and castles must be defended.

¹ “High-Net-Worth Individuals Are Cyber Targets,” Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardlevick/2020/03/24/high-net-worth-individuals-are-cyber-targets–even-more-so-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

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