The Guided
Ascent Journal
Financial planning insights on retirement, tax strategy, investment management, and estate planning — written for individuals, families, and business owners across northern Arizona and throughout the country.
Recent Insights
Should You Sell a Concentrated Stock? Why Holding It Could Cost You More Than Taxes
A highly concentrated stock position often represents success. It may come from building a business, working at the right company, or holding a long‑term winner. Over time, however, that success can quietly introduce a new form of risk: having too much of your financial future tied to a single company.
Social Security Claiming for Married Couples: The Case for Delaying the Largest Benefit
For married couples, the Social Security claiming decision is not two separate choices. It is one coordinated strategy that affects household income for both spouses, including the one who outlives the other. The core question is not simply when to turn it on. It is how to sequence both claims to protect income today and create the strongest possible foundation for whichever spouse lives longer. This article explains how spousal and survivor benefits work, why delaying the larger benefit often makes sense, and how taxes fit into the picture.
Iran War and the Uncertainty Premium in Markets
On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, markets briefly reminded investors how quickly sentiment can change when geopolitical risk enters the picture. The S&P 500 closed with approximately a 1% decline on the day. Intraday, the index had fallen [...]
Understanding the Tax Impact of Gifting in 2026
Tax Planning • Estate Planning • 2026 Understanding the Tax Impact of Gifting in 2026 Gifting money or property to children, family members, or others can be a meaningful part of your financial and estate planning [...]
9 Tax Questions High-Income Earners & Business Owners Often Ask — and Why They Matter
Click Here to Read the Kiplinger Article Travis Babb, CFP® and Enrolled Agent at Babb Financial Group, contributed an article to Kiplinger covering nine tax planning questions that high-income earners and [...]
Arizona Tax Credits for Charitable Giving: What Smart Donors (and Taxpayers) Need to Know
Arizona Tax Planning • Charitable Giving • 2025–2026 Arizona Charitable Tax Credits: Redirect Your State Tax Dollars (QCO, QFCO, Public School, STO) If you live in Arizona and give to charity (or support a local public school), [...]
The Dow Jones Index Explained: What Dow 50,000 Really Means for Investors
The Dow Jones Industrial Average—usually just called “the Dow”—has crossed the 50,000 mark. It’s a big, headline‑worthy milestone. But what does “Dow 50,000” actually mean for your money? Here’s the key: the Dow doesn’t work the way [...]
Discover Your Investment Risk Number
When we meet with new families, one of the first things we focus on isn’t performance or products — it’s risk. Most people are told they’re “conservative,” “moderate,” or “aggressive,” but those labels don’t mean much without [...]
Key Retirement Tax Mistakes to Avoid: Insights from Our Kiplinger Article
Click Here to Read the Kiplinger Article We are pleased to share an article written by Travis Babb, CFP®, EA for Kiplinger, a publication known for research‑driven financial guidance for retirees [...]
Savings Alternatives: How to Make Idle Cash Work for Your Goals
Is Your Savings Working for You—or Sitting Idle? One of the most common financial issues we see isn’t extreme risk or bad investments—it’s lazy money. Cash that’s sitting idle without a specific purpose. While cash absolutely plays [...]
A Practical Guide to Help Identify Gaps in Your Investment Strategy
When most people think about investing, they picture picking stocks or funds and hoping for growth. But in reality, investment decisions quietly influence many of life’s biggest financial moments—often long before a trade is ever made. [...]
Why Tax Planning Matters More Than You Think
When most people think about taxes, they picture filing a return once a year. But in reality, tax decisions quietly influence many of life’s biggest financial moments—often long before a return is ever filed. Taxes affect how retirement income [...]
2025 Market Predictions vs. Reality: Lessons for 2026 Stock Market Forecasts
Every year, major financial institutions publish market outlooks because investors crave predictability — even though markets are inherently unpredictable. Forecasts aim to provide clarity, but as Morgan Housel writes in his best-selling book The Psychology of [...]
The Alphabet Soup of Our Credentials
At Babb Financial Group, the letters after our names aren’t decoration — they’re proof of years of study, challenging exams, real-world experience, and ongoing education. Each set of initials shows we’ve been tested in specific areas of [...]
2025 Market Insights: Navigating Change, Maintaining Perspective, and the Value of Professional Support
The markets gave us plenty to talk about in 2025. Between shifting sentiment, quick swings, and a constant rotation of dramatic headlines—gold reaching record highs, shifting trade policies, Argentina’s currency challenges, the farming crisis, and nonstop debate [...]