As 2026 arrives, “financial fitness” has become less about market predictions and more about disciplined structure, adaptability, and long-term clarity.
To explore what true financial agility looks like for the year ahead, The Woodlands City Lifestyle spoke with a veteran advisor with more than 25 years’ experience guiding executives, families, retirees, and business owners through shifting economic landscapes. With credentials spanning retirement planning, estate strategy, and long-term care, the insights of this seasoned expert reveal a simple truth: in 2026, the strongest households won’t just be financially secure; they’ll be financially fit.
TWCL: You bring more than two and a half decades of experience in wealth management. When you consider “financial fitness” for 2026, what foundational discipline do individuals tend to overlook—despite having the means?
Even among individuals with significant means, the most overlooked discipline is intentional cash-flow design. High-income households often assume liquidity takes care of itself, but in practice, unmanaged spending, irregular distributions, and unexamined recurring obligations quietly erode optionality. In 2026, true financial fitness begins with a structured cash-flow framework—one that aligns lifestyle, taxes, and long-term ambitions.
TWCL: With your credentials in retirement planning, estate planning and long-term care (CRPC®, CLTC®, CMFA® among them), how should someone approaching or in retirement recalibrate in 2026 to remain financially agile—rather than simply financially secure?
Security is no longer the benchmark; adaptability is. For clients entering or already in retirement, 2026 calls for a dynamic withdrawal strategy, stress-testing income streams against several market environments and ensuring discretionary spending can expand or contract without compromising essentials. My guidance is simple: build flexibility into every assumption—taxes, longevity, and care needs included. The retirees who thrive are the ones who maintain strategic slack in their plan.
TWCL: For households with complex portfolios, what three metrics or “health indicators” do you monitor to assess their financial fitness—beyond simple returns on investments?
For complex portfolios, I monitor:
- Tax efficiency of investment activity: capital-gain realization patterns, loss-harvesting discipline, and qualified versus non-qualified income.
- Liquidity architecture: how quickly funds can be accessed without disrupting long-term strategy.
- Concentration risk: not only in asset classes but across sectors, correlated strategies, and even geography.
These reveal more about a portfolio’s resilience than performance alone.
TWCL: Estate planning and legacy governance are clearly part of your focus. How does “financial fitness” connect to preserving heritage for future generations in 2026—and what common mistake do you see in legacy planning?
Financial fitness is the discipline that ensures a legacy doesn’t merely transfer—it endures. When families maintain strong liquidity, tax-aware investing, and updated estate structures, they pass on clarity instead of complexity. The most common mistake I see in 2026 planning is assuming documents written years ago still reflect current family dynamics, tax law, or asset levels. Legacy planning must be living work, not a one-time project.
TWCL: In a world where high-net-worth individuals often have access to bespoke investment opportunities, how do you counsel clients to balance the allure of alternative investments with the principle of durability and discipline in their core wealth strategy?
Alternative investments can be powerful, but they must complement—not replace—the core plan. My advice in 2026 is to treat alternatives as a satellite allocation that enhances return potential while the core portfolio remains allocated to durable, transparent, and liquid strategies. The allure of exclusivity should never overshadow the need for simplicity and reliability at the foundation.
TWCL: You emphasize personalized advice and digital tools. In your view, what role should technology play in a client’s financial fitness regimen in 2026—and how does it support (or perhaps undermine) long-term focus?
Digital tools should enhance awareness, not create reactionary behavior. In 2026, technology is most valuable when it helps clients track spending, model scenarios, and visualize progress toward goals. Where it undermines fitness is in promoting day-to-day performance watching. Used properly, technology supports long-term discipline while enabling us to make more informed adjustments during our ongoing reviews.
TWCL: When you speak of being “prepared for the expected and unexpected,” what three things would you suggest households do in Q1 to transition from being passive wealth holders to active, financially fit stewards of their capital?
To shift from passive wealth holders to active stewards:
- Conduct a full net-worth diagnostic—assets, liabilities, liquidity, and tax posture.
- Revisit goals with time-bound clarity, adjusting for life changes, family needs, and evolving ambitions.
- Update risk frameworks, including insurance, estate documents, and investment allocations.
Active management begins with knowing exactly where you stand.
TWCL: Lastly, from your vantage point in The Woodlands and the wider State of Texas, what unique regional or Texas-centric considerations should affluent residents keep in mind when planning their 2026 financial fitness strategy (tax, real estate, business climate, philanthropy, etc.)?
Texans enjoy advantages. No state income tax, a thriving business ecosystem, and strong real estate markets—but these come with nuances. Property taxes remain an important planning factor, as do liquidity considerations in energy-exposed portfolios. Philanthropy continues to be a powerful strategy in Texas, not just for community impact but for tax efficiency. With the state’s continued population growth, real estate and business valuations should be reviewed regularly to ensure they reflect true market conditions.