February 2026: Diary of a CFP® Pro — Usher in the Year of the Fire Horse on Feb. 17

A Note from Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro, CEO Blue Ocean Global Wealth — Hello, my friends! I am so excited to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse (2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942 …).

Given my Asian heritage: I am always intrigued to understand the zodiac traditions behind the Chinese horoscopes and the animal of your birth year. This month, the Year of the Snake is coming to an end, and February 17, 2026, marks the first day of the Year of the Horse — the seventh animal in the Chinese horoscope. With it, expect fiery, vibrant energy symbolizing vitality, momentum, and adventure. Experts tell us this year is viewed as a year of optimism and opportunity, with strong public and investor confidence pointing towards economic growth.

In Chinese culture: The Horse is known for its energetic and dynamic nature. It symbolizes vitality, speed, and perseverance. People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to possess similar traits, such as being hardworking, warm-hearted, and independent.

Rita says: I am so honored to participate in the December 23 Nasdaq Closing Bell ceremony with @graniteshares

The Horse is also associated with success and good fortune. There is a phrase “马到成功” in Chinese, which represents achieving success swiftly and smoothly, just like when a victorious horse arrives at the battlefield. It implies that success can be achieved rapidly and effortlessly. Some people may wear clothing or accessories depicting horses or incorporate horse imagery in their homes for positive energy and fortune. During ancient times, horses were used to transport goods, kings, soldiers, and messages—the legend of the White Horse Temple tells the story of the origins of faith and China’s first Buddhist temple.

People born in the Year of the Horse are independent, enthusiastic, popular, cheerful, and quick to compliment others. said to be outgoing and cheerful and enjoy being part of a crowd, but only when they can take centre stage. Some famous folks with this birth year include Barbara Streisand, Clint Eastwood, Sandra Day O’Connor, George Soros, Vladimir Lenin, Paul McCartney, and Emma Watson.

Here’s to embracing your fire and expanding your financial success!

MARGARITAS WITH MARGUERITA: PODCAST & VIDEO SHOW

MargueritaCheng.tv — Above, find the “Professional Perspective” video by the American College of Financial Services that I was honored to record. In it, you’ll discover why I am certain that building client trust is essential for wealth planners and their clients. Check out more thoughts and ideas on our YouTube channel.

MargueritaChengRadio.com — Listen to this month’s featured podcast “The importance of financial wellness,” with Bonnie Yam, whose professional accreditations include CFA, CFP, CLU, ChFC, RICP, EA, CVA, CEPA. She has extensive experience in investment management, investment fiduciary, and investment education. Bonnie is also a member of ASPPA, NATP, CFA Institute, and NYSSA, and she is also a Chartered Financial Analyst and Enrolled Agent. Before starting her Qualified Plan business , she was a Financial Manager for Time magazine, New York, and a Hedge Fund Research Analyst for Cheetah Investments, Hong Kong. A graduate of Smith College with a BA in Mathematics and Economics, Bonnie received her MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago. Don’t miss our interview on Margaritas with Marguerita!

MARGUERITA IN THE NEWS: 2026

Check out the media interviews and articles that I am quoted in or have penned for publications including Kiplinger, USNews, and CNBC: Marguerita In the News.

Investopedia

February 4, 2026 — Investopedia: “Do You Know how to Protect Yourself From Scams? Insights from a Financial Advisor”

In today’s issue of Investopedia, Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro and CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth, explains AI-powered tools like voice cloning have made impersonation scams far more believable, increasing the likelihood of real financial losses, clear, pre-established rules—such as never sharing authentication codes or moving money in response to unsolicited requests—help protect clients when pressure is high, and an emergency fund can provide temporary financial stability after a scam, but early reporting and prevention remain the most effective defenses.

Rita explains: What makes today’s scam environment different is not just volume, but design. Many scams have always relied on impersonation, but AI has changed how believable those impersonations are. Voice cloning can recreate a family member in distress or a colleague requesting an urgent wire transfer using just a short audio clip. That believability is translating into losses.

According to the Federal Reserve’s Report on the Economic Well-Being of  U.S. Households, 21% of adults reported experiencing financial fraud or scamsinvolving their money, with 17% reporting credit card fraud and 8% reporting another type of financial fraud.1

And for many, the damage isn’t temporary. With reported fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion, and more victims reporting actual losses, my conversations with clients are no longer reactive or limited to “at-risk” situations.

Here’s what she’s telling her clients.

Jan. 20, 2026 — Check out today’s Heart of Advice Spotlight with Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro, which features industry professionals who are helping redefine success in financial planning and advisory.

Question: What initially inspired you to pursue your career, and what do you find most rewarding about being a woman in your profession?

Marguerita: I believe I was always destined to become a CFP^®professional. I graduated with degrees in East Asian Language and Literature and Finance. My first job in financial services was at Towa Securities in Tokyo, Japan where I worked with the analyst team and created the newsletter for English speaking investors. While this role was fast-paced and allowed me to use many skills, I felt disconnected. I wanted to use concepts from corporate finance and apply them to personal finance. For example, a balance sheet for a corporation is a net worth statement and an income statement is a budget, aka, a spending plan. I believe everyone deserves access to competent ethical financial advice. Quite simply, financial planning transforms lives. I love helping people gain clarity, confidence and control over their financial lives. 

Question: What do you see as instrumental in terms of your success as a woman in your field, and how do you see it (or something else) shaping your future? Read more here.

Jan. 28, 2026 — Investopedia: “5 Expert-Backed Investment Tips for Your Newborn’s Future Beyond the 529 Plan”

In today’s article by Dara Abasi Ita, he explains that if your newborn’s college is already covered, you can improve their financial future by investing in accounts that serve other life goals. For custodial accounts, 20% of the funds are counted for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Index formula. Only 5.64% of the funds in parent-owned brokerage accounts and 529 plans are counted for the Student Aid Index (FAFSA). And, you could take a hybrid approach by splitting funds between a state 529 for tax benefits and a taxable account for flexibility.

For insights, Dara turns to Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro and CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth. 

Question: When education costs are handled through benefits like the GI Bill, which covers full in-state public tuition plus up to $29,920.95 annually at private schools, the usual 529-first advice stops making sense.

Rita says: Flexibility is key. The real question becomes: how do you build wealth that’s there when your kid needs it—whether that’s at 25 for a first home or at 40 to launch a business—without locking everything behind education-only walls?”

Question: If your child has earned income—even from babysitting, lawn mowing, or modeling gigs—you can open a custodial Roth IRA. Read more here.

Jan. 13, 2026 — US News & World Report: “7 Best Income ETFs to Buy in 2026”

By Marguerita Cheng

Why does Warren Buffett prefer stocks over an asset like gold? The simple answer: cash flow. With gold, you only earn capital gains when you sell it for a profit. However, you don’t need to sell your stocks to earn an income. You can hold on to your stocks while earning a steady income in the form of dividends for as long as you want. The same thing applies to bonds (and other fixed-income securities) and real estate investment trusts (REITs). If you are one of those prioritizing high and stable cash flows, then you need to add the right income exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, to your portfolio. Income ETFs are funds that invest in income-yielding or cash-flow-generating securities, whether they’re dividends or interest payments.

AWARDS & HONORS

The “Top 100 Money Expert List is live!” Congratulations to Marguerita Cheng!

Investment News named Marguerita Cheng one of its 2025 “Best Certified Financial Planners in the USA | 5-Star Financial Planners,”The news outlet reports “Americans are facing a growing need for guidance and support in their financial affairs and that trend doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon. Not only are people wealthier, but their financial situations are more complex relative to previous generations due to more retirees relying on savings, an increase in the range of products available, and the explosion in alternative investments.

“Consulting giant McKinsey & Company estimates that “by 2034, at current advisor productivity levels, the advisor workforce will decline to the point where the industry faces a shortage of roughly 100,000 advisors.” The sharp demand for CFP services has pushed InvestmentNews’ 5-Star Financial Planners to stand out in a dynamic market by exemplifying excellence, integrity, and dedication in helping their clients. Marguerita was nominated and then benchmarked against others to determine the country’s best.

“While the winners have varying skill sets, a commonality is that the most successful financial planners specialize. They are serving a particular niche and have leveraged it to obtain a competitive edge,” the editors explain.

Click here to see who else is a top CFP in 2025.