The Gatewood Blog: Insights for Life’s Key Moments

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Our blog provides expert insights to help you build enduring wealth with purpose. Whether you’re accumulating, activating, enjoying, or giving wealth, Gatewood Wealth Solutions is here to guide you through life’s financial complexities. Explore our latest articles to gain the confidence you need to navigate life’s key moments with clarity and purpose.
How To Talk To Your Family About Money & Legacy This Holiday Season

John Gatewood CFP® CLU® | Founder | Director of Advisor Development

How To Talk To Your Family About Money & Legacy This Holiday Season

11.10.25

Most families avoid talking about money and legacy—until it’s too late. When a loved one passes, the last thing anyone wants is to look around the room and ask, “Did you know what they wanted?” This guide helps you start the conversation now, align your values, and ensure your wealth is passed on with purpose, not confusion.

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 Finish Strong: Financial Rituals to Lock In Your Year-End Success

John Gatewood CFP® CLU® | Founder | Director of Advisor Development

Finish Strong: Financial Rituals to Lock In Your Year-End Success

11.03.25

What if finishing this year strong matters more than how you start the next? Discover six financial rituals that help families create clarity and confidence before the year closes.

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 The 19 Questions That Reveal Whether Your Financial Advisor Is Worth Your Trust (And Your Money)

John Gatewood CFP® CLU® | Founder | Director of Advisor Development

The 19 Questions That Reveal Whether Your Financial Advisor Is Worth Your Trust (And Your Money)

10.27.25

The right financial advisor should guide more than your investments—they should guide your life decisions. These 19 questions reveal who’s worth trusting.

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 Estate Tax Exemption in 2026: What the New Rules Mean for Families and Legacy Planning

Nina Breen CFP® RICP® CPWA® | Wealth Planner

Estate Tax Exemption in 2026: What the New Rules Mean for Families and Legacy Planning

10.20.25

The estate tax exemption is changing in 2026. Here’s what you need to know about the higher thresholds, what it means for your legacy, and steps to consider.

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 6 Smart Tax Planning Moves to Consider Before Year-End

Nina Breen CFP® RICP® CPWA® | Wealth Planner

6 Smart Tax Planning Moves to Consider Before Year-End

10.16.25

As the year winds down, now is the time to assess where your financial plan and your tax strategy intersect. These six questions can help you close 2025 on purpose—and start 2026 with clarity.

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 Choosing the Right Financial Advisor: A Guide to Building Wealth with Purpose

Nina Breen CFP® RICP® CPWA® | Wealth Planner

Choosing the Right Financial Advisor: A Guide to Building Wealth with Purpose

10.09.25

Finding the right financial advisor can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to evaluate your options and choose a partner who will guide you with clarity and purpose.

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Testimonials

"Our relationship with Gatewood Wealth Solutions has evolved over the years right along with our family.  From building and protecting our wealth to retirement and estate planning, Gatewood has guided us and enabled our objectives. It’s assuring to know skilled professionals we trust are working with us to optimize what we have worked for all our lives. "

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Dr. Boyd C.
Retired Corporate Executive 11.13.23

"My wife and I have had the benefit of working with John Gatewood for over thirty-five years. Initially, John worked with us planning our personal and business life insurance needs. As his service offerings expanded, we took advantage of his expertise to help us with our family's financial planning. We could not be more pleased than what we are with the plan the Gatewood Wealth Solutions team developed for us. The team members are well-trained, intelligent, friendly, enthusiastic, and very good listeners. We have two scheduled reviews of the plan every year with one of the principals and at least…"

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Steve W.
Retired Business Owner 10.16.23

"My wife and I have known and worked with John Gatewood and his team for nearly a decade.  The values-driven team of Gatewood Wealth Solutions is motivated, caring, highly competent and personally fueled by character and integrity.  I recommended Gatewood to friends and family - including my children - because their deep desire to help clients 'give purpose to their wealth' gives us all the opportunity to better serve our families and communities."

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Dave M.
Corporate Executive 09.19.23

"Navigating the complexities of my corporate life was already a challenge, but when my husband passed away, it felt like an insurmountable mountain of emotions and paperwork. The team at Gatewood Wealth Solutions stepped in with compassion, efficiency, and expertise, guiding me through the entire estate settlement process. Their unwavering support made a world of difference during such a challenging time. I am profoundly grateful for all they've done and continue to do for me. Their services are truly unparalleled, and I wholeheartedly trust and recommend them."

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Carol S.
Corporate Executive 09.20.23

"My wife and I became a client of Gatewood Wealth Solutions twelve years ago on the recommendation of a friend who was also a Gatewood client, and I am very glad that we did. Until that time, I had managed our 401(k) and investments, but with retirement on the horizon, we felt it important to get professional help for retirement planning and investment management. The Gatewood team developed an integrated financial and retirement plan that we refined together. It was based on information such as our current financial position, desired retirement date and lifestyle, anticipated job and retirement income, expenses,…"

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Phil P.
Retired Corporate Executive 09.20.23

"I have worked with Gatewood Wealth Solutions since its inception and could not speak more highly of my experience. Gatewood Wealth Solutions provides comprehensive wealth management services for my family in a very sophisticated way. Their planning services are comprehensive and consider all assets of our family, not just what they manage. This is important for our family since we have a real estate business which must be considered in our planning. They also help us with our estate and tax planning each year. Their service is exceptional and is proactive and not reactive. I have referred members of my…"

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Tim M.
Partner/Attorney 09.22.23

"I’ve been with Gatewood Wealth Solutions and its predecessor for 21 years as our financial advisors. I first met John Gatewood in 2002 when I purchased a life insurance policy from him when he was with Northwestern Mutual. Shortly after having additional discussions with John, we started using them as our only financial advisors. They continued over the years to more than perform above my expectations and also started to bring in additional talent within their organization in order expand and meet client’s expectations. Since they’ve organized as Gatewood Wealth Solution and separated from Northwestern Mutual, they’ve continued to add…"

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Joe H.
Retired Corporate Executive 09.25.23

"I have been with Gatewood Wealth Solution for seven years, and I would highly recommend them for wealth management services.  They are a very efficient, effective, knowledgeable team that provides highly personalized, client-centered services.  If I didn't know better, I would think that I am their only client!  They have an excellent working relationship with a highly respected law firm that provides assistance with trusts and estate planning.  They also have an excellent working relationship with a tax accounting firm.  All of this so that all aspects of my financial planning needs are seamlessly coordinated. Their quarterly meetings are well…"

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Susan H.
Corporate Executive 09.26.23

"Partnering with Gatewood Wealth Solutions has been one of the best decisions we have made in the last five years. I have met with numerous financial planners who’ve all come to me with similar ideas and recommendations that don’t seem to prove that they are thinking outside the box for me individually. But when Gatewood came to me with their plan it was strategically designed with so many aspects taken into consideration that I was surprised at how uniquely competent and professional they were. They brought me many ideas and recommendations that would not bring them profit. They brought me…"

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Scott & Johanna S.
Business Owners 09.28.23

"Gatewood Wealth Solutions gives me confidence that my retirement savings are being monitored and managed with MY best interest in mind. All of the staff is welcoming, friendly and respectful. They have comprehensive knowledge of long-term financial planning, estate planning and tax planning. I have been with Gatewood for many years and hope to be with them for many more years to come."

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Gary B.
Corporate Executive 09.27.23

"I have known John Gatewood, the founder of Gatewood Wealth Solutions, for many years. We became friends well before we talked about business, and it was a natural decision to turn to John for help with our affairs when I needed it because I had grown to know and trust him. It really is true that John and his team at Gatewood Wealth Solutions are completely focused on helping ordinary families like ours to become financially independent. The family part especially means something: One day my 20-something son called to ask if I thought our group would be willing to…"

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Steve K.
Retired Corporate Executive 09.27.23

Testimonials Disclosure

The statements provided are testimonials by clients of the financial professional. The clients listed have not been paid or received any other compensation for making these statements. As a result, the client does not receive any material incentives or benefits for providing the testimonial. These views may not be representative of the views of other clients and are not indicative of future performance or success.

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