August 2023: According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the oldest harvest holiday, Llamas Day, is celebrated this month. Another fun fact: August was named after a major figure of the ancient Roman World, Augustus Caesar (63 B.C.–A.D.14). He was the first Roman emperor, although he never claimed the title. He was also the grandnephew of the previous ruler Julius Caesar, who named July after himself. As you likely know, August is also the 8th month of the year in today’s Gregorian calendar, but it was the sixth month (Sextilus) of the year in Roman times. Augustus had the month of Sextilius renamed after himself in 8 B.C. This was the month of some of his greatest military victories. And there are a slew of important holidays and causes to honor this month (see the chart, right).
Above, you’ll find the most recent interview in my podcast and video series that shines a light on experts from around the world who are helping us flex our financial muscles.
In this week’s Fabulous Friday podcast and video show: August 11 — Join us for Episode 105 this week on Margaritas with Marguerita — Meet Corey Beal, CEO and Director of Joy, at Empowering Finance. We invite you to check out our podcast and video interview above!
If you missed it: Meet our fabulous 2023 guests!
- August 4 — On episode 104 of Margaritas with Marguerita: Meet Cary Carbonaro, author of “The Money Queen’s Guide: For Women Who Want to Build Wealth and Banish Fear.”
- July 28 — Meet Ashley Quamme, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Financial Behavioral Specialist®, and Certified Financial Therapist-Practitioner™
- July 21 — Meet Christine Simone, co-founder of Caribou who teaches us about Wealth Management with a Healthcare Twist.”
- July 14 — Meet Risk Management specialist Terrell Joyner, Financial Advisor, Charter Oak Financial on Episode 101 ofMargaritas with Marguerita, who will talk about risk management for clients new to being in the high-net-worth category.
- Don’t miss Episode 100 of Margaritas with Marguerita, starring Sheena Yap Chen, author of “The Tao of Self Confidence: A Guide to Moving Beyond Trauma and Awakening the Leader Within.”
- June 30 — You’ll fall in love withJulia Taylor Brandus, 11, author of “Girl to Boss!: Advice for Girls from 50 of America’s Most Successful Women”, and you’ll meet her award-winning father, journalist and author Paul Brandus.
- June 23 — Meet Robert Pagliarini, author of Badass Retirement
- June 2 — Learn more about ESG with Liz Simmie, Co-Founder of Honeytree Investment Management
- May 26 — Meet Jeff Weiss explains “Relationship Investing — Stock Market Therapy for your Money.”
- May 19 — Credit Score expert Paul Ryan helps us take the mystery out of credit scores and credit histories.
- May 12 — Ben Miller, founder of ChroniFI, teaches us that money is time.
- May 5 — Liz Davidson, founder and CEO of Financial Finesse talks about becoming Money Strong
- April 28 — Meet Dorrit Lowsen, Co-CEO of Change Finance, who helps us understand the impact investing equation.
- April 21 — Kanchan Bhaskar, author of Leaving, explains how she set herself free from an abusive marriage and how you can, too!
- April 14 — We are thrilled to introduce you to Rose Bakewell, “The Great American Baking Show” contestant, entrepreneur, and master baker
- April 7 — Meet Michael Hakerem, founder of Empowered Portfolios® and Glenwood Financial Partners.
- March 31 — HR expert Michelle Aronson teaches us to be a better leader and build a better workplace!
- March 24: Dr. Megan McCoy is a researcher who focuses on financial therapy, financial well-being, financial communication, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- March 17: Financial Coach Linda Lingo CPA teaches us to increase our money EQ.
- March 10: Journalist Eugenie George is the author of “Our Money Stories.” We know you are going to love this interview about her path to becoming a teacher of financial fitness.
- March 3: Meet Thao Truong, CFP®, client manager at Morton Wealth who tells us about “Herself by Morton,” an initiative that provides women with free networking opportunities and financial education resources
- March 1: Celebrate the start of International Women’s Month with Fiona Simon, entrepreneur and author of “Gambling on Granola”
- Feb. 24: Tony Steuer, insurance expert and author who is a champion for financial wellness and financial inclusion
- Feb. 17: Claudia Porter, CFP®, Personal Economic Advisor Financial Reserve
- Feb. 10: Tandy Pryor, Personal Empowerment Coach
- Feb. 3: Shannon Baker, podcaster and business strategist
- Jan. 27: Jeannie Dougherty, money expert, and mental fitness strategist
- Jan. 20: Pamela Jackson Sams, a strong voice in personal finance for women
- Jan. 13: Carol Cho, CLU®, ChFC®, who is obsessed with helping her clients unravel and demystify financial planning through education
- Jan. 6: John O’Connell, author of “Rise of the Activist Investor.”
Click here to check out all of the podcasts from 2022.
Scroll down to read some of the articles I’ve been quoted in this month. I think there’s some great information in these stories that you can apply to your financial plan.

July 27, 2023: Strategies like tax-smart allocation and tax-loss harvesting save big bucks in taxable investment accounts, by Marguerita Cheng — Although taxable investment accounts do not offer additional tax benefits, investors can still minimize taxes by carefully selecting the assets they buy and using a tax-smart investment strategy.
Investing involves assuming some risk and buying assets that will appreciate in value at a rate greater than inflation over the long term. Investments can decline in value, and it is important for investors to understand the impact of taxes on their returns. It’s not just about the tax bill, but the opportunity cost of the compounding benefit that could not be derived from that amount.
While there are tax-advantaged accounts (whether tax-deferred or tax-exempt retirement accounts) that provide tax benefits to investors, these accounts are not usually flexible, with multiple rules regarding withdrawals and limits on contributions.
On the other hand, taxable investment accounts provide flexibility and freedom in terms of withdrawals and contributions but no tax benefit. Click here to read more!
Marguerita Cheng is named #2 of 100 in The Investopedia 100
Juluy 15, 2023: A Note from Caleb Silver, Editor in Chief, Investopedia.com: Dear Marguerita — On behalf of Investopedia, we’d like to congratulate you, once again, on being named among the top financial advisors on The Investopedia 100, our list of the most influential independent financial advisors in the country.
There’s a reason you continue to top this list, year after year, for the past seven years. You use your platform and your influence in the financial planning industry to make your clients and your fellow advisors smarter and better equipped to handle today’s challenges. Your work in your community also exemplifies what we mean by “influence”.
As you know, our ranking heavily weighs peer nominations as part of our methodology. It should come as no surprise to you that you were nominated by dozens of your fellow advisors who are grateful to you for the guidance you provide and the education that you so generously share. That, in and of itself, is an honor you should be proud of. We congratulate you, and we salute you for all of your efforts.
Click here to read all about it: investopedia.com
July 1, 2023 — Kiplinger: “Why You Need Medical, Financial Powers of Attorney for Your High School Grad” — Did you know that if you have adult children away in college or just living out of state or on vacation and they become incapacitated in a severe car or diving accident or a nasty fall while hiking, the hospital cannot legally offer you any information about their condition? In addition, the medical staff cannot allow you to make important financial and medical decisions for your adult children.
These concerns have been top of mind for me recently as my daughter graduated from high school and will be attending school out of state. If you’re like me and want to be proactive, below I discuss what you can do to make sure you stay informed if your adult child has a medical emergency. What information is protected?
Click here to read all about it!