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We believe in facts. We also know they don’t work alone. Experience informs them. And they must be acted upon to achieve results. In this blog, we narrate the facts, sprinkled with our team’s wisdom, to inform your action.

We often share our insights with the media and the community too. To read more, visit our News page.

For updates on new content, follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn, or email "subscribe" to hello@bfsadvisorygroup.com.

Monday, May 15, 2023

Enclosed is our latest edition of Risks and Opportunities, our quarterly market report. This edition is chock full of the issues that seem to be on everyone’s minds these days – inflation, interest rates, the economy, the...

Thursday, April 20, 2023

This is what the personal touch looks like when it comes to taxes and your financial plan.

Friday, March 31, 2023

Over the last year, the Federal Reserve has raised the Fed Funds rate from 0% to the current target of 4.75-5.00%. The big headline that seems to have been missed is how individuals can benefit from higher rates on their cash.

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Are you confident you know what to look for in a financial advisor? Discover five crucial questions to answer as you search for a financial advisor in Dallas.

Friday, March 17, 2023

What happened, what to look out for, and what you can do now

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Wednesday, February 22, 2023

The team at BFS Advisory Group is thrilled to announce that Erin Neece, who led our Client Service team in 2017-2018, is returning to the BFS family as a specialist focused on unique financial planning opportunities and investment portfolio

Friday, February 10, 2023

Since mid-2022, we’ve been predicting that 2024 will be the year the financial markets are healthy again – and we seem to be on course for that to happen. So what does that mean for 2023? This is our transition year...

Thursday, February 9, 2023

What do taxes and Taylor Swift have in common? They’re bringing together politicians in unique and unusual ways!

Friday, February 3, 2023

Managing your family’s money is crucial for ensuring a healthy financial future. Find out how to create a family budget that works in our latest post.

Friday, January 13, 2023

Mixing open communication, tax and estate planning and the right protective programs will preserve your wealth for generations.

Friday, January 6, 2023

Many economists and financial pundits are predicting that 2023 will bring with it higher inflation and interest rates, as well as a potential recession. What does that mean for your financial plan?

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Seeking the advice of a qualified financial professional, such as a Certified Financial Planner® Professional (CFP®), can improve your ability to meet your financial goals.

Thursday, December 29, 2022

One of the most significant benefits of being a financial adviser is the experience of getting to know so many families, watching how people make decisions, and learning what they have learned about the choices they made.

Monday, December 12, 2022

The tax year is almost over, but the big swings in the financial markets over the past two years have created some interesting opportunities. Get our top three tax strategies that we have used with our clients in 2022.

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Establishing a strong foundation of financial literacy and multiple income sources will help provide for future generations.

Friday, December 2, 2022

The paradigm shift that every investor should understand and most are missing.

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Our world abounds with change. The past three years have given families a new perspective on life and all that we hold dear. For many of us, this has resulted in closer connections with those we love and care for, as well as possible...

Friday, October 28, 2022

An Update on the Economy and Financial Markets: How We Got Here, Where We Are Now, and Five Steps You Can Take for the Future

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

NTX Giving Day Season is Officially Open, and We Want You to Join Us For the Largest One Day Giving Event in the World

Friday, September 2, 2022

Thanks to fashion stylists Reed Robertson and Liz Thrash, we learned about fall fashion trends and the role money plays in our lives – especially when you’re building your wardrobe.

Friday, August 12, 2022

The global economy had many obstacles, which became the theme for our second quarter market report. The good news is that some Q3 numbers are already showing improvement.

Friday, July 22, 2022

In D CEO’s Ask the Expert, we give our ideas on risks and opportunities for business owners in today’s economy.

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

BFS Advisory Group’s Sergio Garcia Receives Prestigious InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 Award

Friday, May 27, 2022

The last two years have encouraged many of us to be self-reflective and to consider what the next phase of our lives will be. For us, that means wishing two very capable women the best as they take new directions in their careers.

Friday, May 20, 2022

A few fascinating charts from your friendly financial nerds. (You really should pay attention to this.)

Thursday, May 12, 2022

An internship can be the bridge between building strong knowledge in the classroom and developing professional skills for long-term success. We are investing in our internship program to provide opportunities for our profession’s future.

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Understanding what is in the new proposed legislation is essential for maximizing retirement savings and can also play a significant role in tax planning.

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

We have five key takeaways from the 2021 tax season that can help you in 2022.

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Announcing Jack Barker, the latest addition to the BFS Advisory Group team! Check out our blog about Jack and the many capabilities he brings to our clients as a Financial Planning Analyst.

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Challenging years like 2022 are what our clients truly hire us for – so we can use our process, experience, and resources to navigate an unprecedented and evolving environment.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Risk assessment is a pesky challenge, and present-day humans are simply not that skilled at it. 

Monday, January 10, 2022

The beginning of each new year beckons us to keep the good from last year and shed the bad. “New year, new you!” they say. What if you just want to remember how to make smart decisions? We’ve got answers for you.

Friday, December 10, 2021

Wondering what you need to do before December 31? We’ve got your list right here. 

Monday, November 29, 2021

Thinking of joining the Great Resignation? Ready to live the life you want? In this article for Entrepreneur, we cover important ways to get your financial portfolio ready too. Read on for tips to start your new life right.

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

I have many reasons to be thankful this year: our clients being one of them. When I was asked to chair a new national board, I agreed with one stipulation: my work had to improve the experience that investors have with our industry.

Friday, November 19, 2021

How much would you pay today for lower taxes tomorrow? We’re frequently asking that question these days, as conditions are ripe to consider a Roth conversion.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Even the most successful leaders struggle to build the people and processes that support their growth goals and maximize the company’s value. Smart people can help.

Monday, October 11, 2021

Hearing about taxes a lot lately? Everyone with income has questions. We’ve got ideas for business owners, IRA owners, and philanthropic taxpayers.

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Recent studies challenge the common misconception that women are more risk-averse than men and are therefore not as successful with investing. So do we.

Thursday, September 16, 2021

Minimizing taxes is one of the best ways to maximize your bottom line, but taxes can also be pretty confusing and complex. Sergio Garcia and Debra Brennan Tagg break it down and outline the five tax changes you should know about.

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

BFS Advisory Group is teaching women about “Investment Strategies in Our New Normal” as part of The Aspen Society.

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

The Great Resignation is gaining steam and employers are scrambling for better ways to boost employee retention. Here's our take on what you can do to be proactive.

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

A recent article reinforces why professional credentials matter.

Sunday, July 4, 2021

Start. Stop. Continue. A simple exercise for your July 4 weekend.

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Entrepreneur Magazine shares our advice to business owners on the four variables that led to success during the pandemic.

Friday, June 25, 2021

Can you believe it’s the end of June? We can’t either. We have been so busy launching our new brand, starting The Aspen Society for female investors, and adding team members, that we almost missed the latest issue of D CEO.

Thursday, April 22, 2021

BFS Advisory Group is launching The Aspen Society on May 13. Part webinar, part power lunch, 100% frank discussions about money.

Friday, April 16, 2021

2021 is the perfect time and place for Big Hairy Audacious Goals.

Friday, February 5, 2021

At the end of last year, we mentioned big news on the horizon. Today, we get to announce it! Our financial planning and wealth management practice has a new name: BFS Advisory Group.

Friday, January 15, 2021

Our mission is to help our clients invest for the lives they want. In fact, a big part of our DBT360 financial planning process is helping clients figure out what it is they want, then finding ways to go pursue it. Investing is one way...

Monday, December 28, 2020

“Good, all things considered.” I said that a lot this year. How’s your family? Good, all things considered. How is the team? Good, all things considered. How is my portfolio doing? Really good, all things considered....

Monday, December 14, 2020

This has been a year of uncertainties, but we can say with confidence that the 2020 election and promising news on the COVID-19 front will have implications on the equity and fixed income markets. We also know that political...

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

December is one of our busiest times, as all of the year's details come together for us to implement tax strategies for our clients. Here's what we're thinking this year.

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Being grateful is a habit, just like tacos. Happy Thanksgiving.

Thursday, November 12, 2020

Recent events cast much uncertainty on both the look and the cost of education. So how do parents best prepare to fund their children's education?

Friday, October 30, 2020

Emotions are running high during the election season. Here's Three Key Post-Election Ideas for Your Portfolio, and How we Plan to Help.

Monday, October 26, 2020

This week we celebrate the five year anniversary of Portfolio Analyst Lindsay Zentner joining our firm. I met Lindsay serendipitously – a fellow Villanova alum asked me via LinkedIn to meet with a recent college graduate he knew...

Thursday, October 15, 2020

It's time to do more. Be In Good Company.

Friday, October 2, 2020

Navigating the 2020 Election: What Investors Need to Know

Friday, September 25, 2020

What happens when a pandemic changes "Fear of Missing Out" into plain-old Missing Out? There are some economic constructs that may help answer that.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

The SEC has issued new regulations for our industry to raise transparency between investors and professionals- basically, what we've called "business as usual" for more than thirty years.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Time to make lemonade from lemons- some tax strategies to consider during this coronavirus era.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

My latest article in Forbes concentrates on how we can use the COVID backdrop to focus us on creating the future we want to live. Click through to find six questions to help you establish your new (and improved) normal.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

It's human nature to look to the past for guidance, but the 2020 economic turmoil is not a repeat of 2008. And not just because we have Netflix.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

We appreciate the opportunity to write for Forbes, especially on a topic that is near and dear to my heart: negotiation. During this time where the only thing that seems to be certain is that the future will be different from today, we...

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Shelter-in-place has definitely changed the course of this spring. Time to reassess the idea of "work-life balance" and grow during this pandemic.

Friday, April 17, 2020

We do get to decide what the history books will say about this time.

Friday, April 3, 2020

While most of my blogs are written about the philosophy or strategy behind the role that money plays in your life, this is strictly informational and will provide the details of most of the major changes that the government has ordered.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Today is National Employee Appreciation Day, and it's time to realize that workplace culture and employee engagement are far more important than you once thought.

Friday, February 21, 2020

Wishing won't do it: The next step in your 20/20 Vision for 2020 is to select and then prioritize the one goal that will impact your life the most.

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Our Congress and President worked together last year to pass into law the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, providing sweeping (and mostly beneficial) changes to retirement plans...

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Congratulations to teammate Joseph Meylor, who became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional in December!

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Focus on this: 2020 brings a new decade and a fresh opportunity to put your 20/20 vision to work on your most important financial goal.

Monday, December 30, 2019

To open our new office in Preston Center, we wanted to bring the foundation that my dad built with us, even as we struck out in a new direction for our firm. We engaged with a local artist to create an image that would tell our story.

Monday, December 9, 2019

While the holiday season may mean different things to different people, it also shines a bright light and magnifying glass on your "Money Personality." Intentional actions will help you avoid unintended consequences.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Aging is a part of life. Our recent client event spoke to both caregiver and cared-for, helping entire families to better cope with the challenges and make thoughtful decisions for their futures.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Congratulations to teammate Lindsay Zentner, who became a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder last month.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Halloween may have better costumes, but October is also National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and this message should help you with your more rational fears.

Thursday, October 3, 2019

The financial and personal lessons that teenagers learn through a part-time job go way beyond the dollars in pocket.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Choosing your favorite thing about Dallas may not be easy, but the generosity of its citizens has to be high up on any list. Our recent Family Service Day has us inspired for the upcoming North Texas Giving Day with CFT.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Big News just got Bigger. It's not David v Goliath 2, but we're very proud all the same.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Being a finalist for D CEO's 2019 Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Award is an incredible honor, but it also reminds me that to whom much is given, much is expected.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

My negotiation speech from the national W Forum is now available as a podcast. Follow the links to have a listen.

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Celebrating Independence Day means a great deal to me.

Friday, June 14, 2019

The Dads that I meet when planning for families don't look much like Ward Cleaver or the Saturday Evening Post. And that's a good thing.

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Invest in Others wanted to discuss tips for raising financially sound (and charitably minded) children. Here's the product of our recent chat.

Thursday, May 23, 2019

I tell everyone that asks to be cautious and educated when using online tools to review their investments and finances. Somebody from US News and World Report asked, and I told him as well...

Friday, May 17, 2019

What began as a Money + Mindset seminar from last year is gaining steam: Debra's recent speech encouraging and teaching women to negotiate for better opportunities is garnering more national attention.

Friday, May 10, 2019

Moms are plenty busy, but take a minute to read this blog, and another few to take care of your financial future.

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Even outside the Marvel Universe, superheroes come in all different shapes and sizes. Ultimately, it's their impact on others that is their legacy. What's yours?

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Tax time is nearly upon us, and while the advances in the market are usually good news, they are also resulting in capital gains (and taxes) being passed on to investors. Here are some tips to avoid unnecessary surprises.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Here is our 2019 Key Financial Data, full of information to help you to make well-informed decisions about your money this year. Download the Report, and review this summary to answer critical questions for your finances.

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

We're already a month into your New Year's Resolutions. Time to check in on your budgeting goals and jump start your financial plan.

Thursday, January 10, 2019

With January upon us, It's time for this year's resolutions. Here are 19 ways to help you reach your financial goals in 2019.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Hopefully your thoughts turn to helping your fellow man around the holidays. Learn how you can "bunch" your charitable efforts to maximize your personal tax deductions while helping others.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

A bit of good news for 2019- there's a cost of living increase coming for the amount that you can invest for retirement. It may not be a shiny new toy with pretty wrapping, but it is a long term gift of great value.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Medicare is an important part of anybody's retirement planning. Here's a quick reference guide and some notes about changes to be aware of for the upcoming year.

Monday, October 15, 2018

My very first podcast was released last week! Click through to hear my guest appearance on Plaid for Women, covering the roles money plays in our lives.

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Getting more of what you deserve begins with asking for it, but it doesn't end there. The next Money + Mindset event focuses on the art and science of successful negotiation.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Thank you to everyone that joined us in preparing meals for our neighbors in need at Brennan Financial Services Family Service Day. And Thank You in advance to each of you considering a donation to the North Texas Food Bank.

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Changes to the Rules of 529 Plans Shouldn’t Change How Smart Investors Use Them. Take advantage of the benefits of long-term compounding growth rather than dipping in early for the expenses of today.

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Join us for this year’s Brennan Financial Services Family Service Day, to be held on September 15, working with family, friends and clients to prepare food packages for North Texas families in need through the North Texas Food Bank.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

The dog days of Summer are a good time to check in on your finances (and hide in some air conditioning). Here are a few tips to check performance.

Friday, June 29, 2018

Independence Day each year offers a chance for gratitude, as well as the fireworks and BBQ...

Thursday, June 14, 2018

This Fathers' Day, I will be reflecting upon the concept of what makes a person's legacy.

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will tie the knot this Saturday in one of the most watched wedding ceremonies of all time. And then what? Couples new and old face similar financial hurdles without planning.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

I don’t know about your house, but we are counting down the days until summer. Ah, summer. The time of year that school and its trappings fall off the calendar, along with structure, discipline, a schedule… Hmmm. Maybe...

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

I am a small business owner, so I understand that this is a week to celebrate with many of my clients who are also entrepreneurs. My clients and I know the joy and challenges of making sure employees are happy. We know the big picture...

Monday, April 23, 2018

Here's our latest stab at deciphering the new Tax Law: “Back Door” Roth IRA: The “back door” Roth IRA is a strategy that has been used with fingers crossed because there has never been clear acceptance of it by...

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Here it is for 2018: Our Key Financial Data - information you need at your fingertips so you can make well-informed decisions about your money.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Both Olympians and investors need their motivations, priorities and behaviors aligned in order to achieve best results.

Monday, February 12, 2018

Success isn't the same for everyone. An honest inventory of your skills and goals is essential for making sure you're running a race you can win.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Last year brought a lot of loss, and finding a good story or lesson from all of it isn't easy, but I think I'm on my way.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Not enough time to finish holiday preparation AND digest the new tax bill? We’ve got you covered.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

We see a lot of ‘ballpark’ life insurance coverage when we work with clients on their financial plans. They might say, “I have two times my salary at work.” Is ‘two times’ enough? Too much? Is a...

Friday, September 22, 2017

There is a line in one of my favorite movies, Office Space, where a consultant named Bob is grilling an employee about his role at the company. The employee keeps evading the questions and finally at his wit’s end, Bob asks the...

Monday, September 11, 2017

The recent breach of data by hackers who stole 143 million sets of personal information from Equifax is a reminder to us all that our personal information simply is not safe in the digital age.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Thanks to our friends and family, colleagues and clients, who joined us August 19 for the 2017 Brennan Financial Services Family Service Day.

Friday, August 11, 2017

Here's Debra's latest Market Report, providing her insight and commentary on the financial markets for the Second Quarter of 2017, as well as thoughts on the rest of the year.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Each year, Brennan Financial Services spends a day with the North Texas Food Bank, helping serve those most in need in our neighborhoods. Please consider joining us this year.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Gord Downie is the leader of the Tragically Hip, one of Canada's greatest treasures. And in his final days, he's revealing what leadership can and should be.

Thursday, June 8, 2017

You might be right that Powers of Attorney don't make for exciting conversation. But you'd be wrong if you think that you don't need one.

Monday, May 29, 2017

Review Debra's Top 6 Best Practices for 529 College Savings Plans in honor of National 529 College Savings Plan Day. It's already on your calendar (5/29)!

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

It's time to reevaluate your measures of success. There's always another Jones to chase, so focus on your own goals.

Friday, May 5, 2017

We've added our Quarterly Market Report to the front page of www.debrabrennantagg.com, replacing the webinar series that we've held for the past several years.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Your workplace and potential employee pool are increasingly populated with millennials. Getting beyond the generational gap to fully benefit from this opportunity requires a fresh perspective on employee relations.

Friday, March 17, 2017

Budgeting is more than cutting expenses. The MONEY Budgeting system challenges users to view money as a tool, rather than a goal, to enable better saving and spending decisions.

Monday, February 20, 2017

As you review your income and taxes for last year and plan ahead for 2017, attached is our Key Financial Data update for this year. We include information for all ages and stages of life, including tax rates, deductions and exemptions,...

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

2016 started off as the worst year in US stock market history, and ended with a surprising post-election gain in the US stock market. During this webcast we’ll tell you what happened in between, as well as how the other financial...

Thursday, January 12, 2017

When people imagine retirement, they tend to conjure images of themselves as being healthy, happy, and fully capable of doing what they want to do. However, as people live longer and longer, we know that sometimes our bodies start to...

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

My clients are like an extension of my family, and I focus my energy on helping them get to a place where they are confident in their plan. So when I see study after study that says that Americans aren’t saving enough to reach...

Monday, December 12, 2016

As we begin to wind down the year, many Americans are looking for ways to donate to charities, and their tax and financial advisors are looking for ways to lower their tax burden. IRA owners over the age of 70 ½ need to fulfill...

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

With the holidays on the horizon, you might be considering shopping online and traveling. We all know that hackers are on the prowl day and night these days, especially as more and more of our information is uploaded to the cloud and...

Friday, October 28, 2016

Does anyone remember how this year started in the financial markets? We began 2016 with a sharp downturn in oil and stocks – indeed it was the worst start to a calendar year that the S&P 500 has ever had. Not only have we...

Friday, October 14, 2016

Feeling hopeless about our country? Dallas Police Chief David Brown says, “Put in an application.” I am lucky to live in Dallas, a city that doesn’t sit idly by for very long when it sees an opportunity to really get...

Monday, September 19, 2016

Every now and then, the IRS does investors a favor. And every now and then, investors think about their estate. While IRS rulings and estates may seem like boring reading, anyone who is married to a spouse with a retirement account...

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Our industry is strange and unnecessarily complex for most “consumers” (i.e. people who need help with their money) to understand what to look for when they hire a financial planner. In our industry, someone can have zero...

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The National Park Service turns 100 on August 25, and that is but one of the many reasons that I am talking about national parks to everyone I know these days. I wish I could say that I mandated national park visits in our annual...

Friday, July 8, 2016

An open letter from a heartsick but hopeful Dallas citizen Gratitude: The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Leadership: A practical skill encompassing the ability of an individual or...

Friday, June 24, 2016

Britain voted 52% to 48% to leave the European Union, which has sent global markets into temporary turmoil, and has caused the British pound to plummet. Here is what you need to know from a financial perspective: While the polling...

Monday, May 2, 2016

As a supplement to my Webinar last week, here's an abridged version of my analysis and reaction to the first quarter of 2016. Earnings season is upon us We are knee-deep in earnings season, and all I can think about is what a...

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

What we can learn from the Villanova Men’s Basketball Team (Or, how to get ready for your “One Shining Moment”) As a not-so-recent graduate from Villanova, I always get vaguely interested in sports when the NCAA...

Friday, March 11, 2016

It may be Spring Break for many, but it’s also Consumer Protection Week, which is a great opportunity to highlight how you can protect your personal information. Our firm and our industry take information security very seriously,...

Friday, March 4, 2016

Tax season has begun, and while you look back over your financials for 2015, we would like to help you plan moving forward. Here are some highlights from our 2016 Key Financial Data, which should help as you make financial decisions...

Friday, February 26, 2016

The changes that are coming for this year, and how they may affect you. Social Security has two changes on the horizon, and it is important to understand them, especially if you or your spouse is between the ages of 62 and 66 and have...

Friday, February 5, 2016

10 pallets, 300 boxes, 4,650 pounds, 3,875 meals packaged in only two hours! Thanks to all who joined us January 30th for the 2016 TeamDBT Brennan Financial Services Family Service Day. We put our hands to work with clients, colleagues...

Friday, January 8, 2016

Seriously? You Don’t Have a Will? And Other Must-Haves for Executive Families I work with clients on financial planning and investment management. Unfortunately, most people think they are the same thing. Financial planning is...