<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Westlight Wealth]]></title><description><![CDATA[Westlight Wealth]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 14:45:49 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.westlightwealth.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Lower Fees, Cleaner Incentives: The Westlight Comparison]]></title><description><![CDATA[Westlight's fee schedule, side-by-side with Fisher, Mercer, Schwab, Fidelity, and Edward Jones at $500K, $1M, and $5M — and the affiliate and cash-sweep economics most fee comparisons leave out]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/lower-fees-cleaner-incentives-the-westlight-comparison</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba49</guid><pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 18:02:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_96b6cf7980de40efb15f1c890e4693ae~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What to Do With a Maxed-Out 401(k): A Guide for High Earners in Their 40s and 50s]]></title><description><![CDATA[You maxed your 401(k) — now what? A plain-English guide to HSAs, the backdoor Roth, the mega backdoor Roth, and the California-specific moves high earners should know in 2026.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/what-to-do-with-a-maxed-out-401-k-a-guide-for-high-earners-in-their-40s-and-50s</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0613d25c9a06229cab2de4</guid><category><![CDATA[Tax-Smart Strategies]]></category><category><![CDATA[Retirement Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Retirement Accounts]]></category><category><![CDATA[Financial Advisor]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 19:00:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_57d01ce29c3f46e5954081a3d627cfdc~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_916,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFPⓇ</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Is a Recession Coming in 2026? How to Prepare Your Finances No Matter What Happens]]></title><description><![CDATA[No one knows for certain whether a recession is coming in 2026. But the steps that protect your finances work in any economy. Here's what the signals actually say — and a practical checklist to prepare.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/is-a-recession-coming-in-2026-how-to-prepare-your-finances-no-matter-what-happens</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a060c295c9a06229cab1e56</guid><category><![CDATA[Investment Strategies]]></category><category><![CDATA[Retirement Planning]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d6c86b_59f816fc9f42441689230c22a76fc54f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hit Sixty, Plan Seventy: Your Decade-Out Financial Tune-Up]]></title><description><![CDATA[Seeing the Next Ten Years Hitting your sixties often feels like arriving at cruising altitude—but the real flight plan still needs updating. A short list of tune-ups today can make your glide path to age 70 (and beyond) far smoother. Think of this as an annual physical for your money, with each section zeroing in on a vital sign. Treat this decade like the stretch between the Venice pier and Santa Monica’s—close enough to visualize, far enough to demand steady pacing. Map how your cash...]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/hit-sixty-plan-seventy-your-decade-out-financial-tune-up</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a060b5d5c9a06229cab1cb7</guid><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Estate Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Retirement Planning]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_814ae39a52e6412da9e9ca9de9235d95~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Pinnacle of Senior Living: Southern California’s Ultra-Luxury Assisted Living Communities]]></title><description><![CDATA[Looking for truly high-end assisted living? From coastal La Jolla to the desert oasis of Palm Desert, we profile Southern California’s most exclusive communities—what they cost, who they accept, and the resort-style perks that set them apart.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/the-pinnacle-of-senior-living-southern-california-s-ultra-luxury-assisted-living-communities</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba33</guid><category><![CDATA[Retirement Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 06:05:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_35bed3ad88c344e5b9731a64f043e5fb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[30-Something Money Health Check: Fix These Now to Cruise Into 40]]></title><description><![CDATA[Your 30s fly by, but a quick financial tune-up now can mean the difference between scrambling and cruising when 40 arrives. From maxing your 401(k) and HSA to wiping out high-interest debt, we break down the must-fix items—through a Southern California lens—so you stay ahead of soaring costs and live the life you’ve planned.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/30-something-money-health-check-fix-these-now-to-cruise-into-40</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba32</guid><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:51:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_7d40c2db5fee4f3b987fa5588a6c3d06~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Your 40s Financial Checkup: What to Fix Now So You’re Ready for 50]]></title><description><![CDATA[Your 40s are halftime for money goals. This guide shows how to reset retirement targets, curb lifestyle creep, erase high-interest debt, fortify insurance, and fine-tune tax and investment strategies—so you arrive at 50 with confidence and momentum.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/your-40s-financial-checkup-what-to-fix-now-so-you-re-ready-for-50</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba48</guid><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Retirement Accounts]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:59:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_e41366572b464a309104b29b419e6657~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[12 Smart Ways to Finish the Financial Year Strong]]></title><description><![CDATA[A simple year end tune up for real households. In a few clear steps, confirm your tax payments, capture every workplace match, decide on IRA and Roth options, make the most of HSA or FSA benefits, enroll for health coverage on time, and check whether the Saver’s Credit applies. We also touch on smart giving, using the 0% gains bracket, boosting 529 savings, and energy credits, so you start the new year organized and confident.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/12-smart-ways-to-finish-the-financial-year-strong</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba35</guid><category><![CDATA[Tax-Smart Strategies]]></category><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Retirement Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Retirement Accounts]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 19:34:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_4ab397e61c7846af8155013cb509efe1~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Taxes, Trusts, and Giving: The Year End Strategy]]></title><description><![CDATA[A focused December roadmap for complex wealth. We cover the moves that matter before December 31—dialing in safe harbor payments, sequencing deductions, evaluating PTET, tightening trust administration, using the 65 day rule, optimizing charitable strategy, and selecting assets for lifetime exclusion gifts. Treat it as a menu, then coordinate with your CPA and attorney so cash flow, taxes, and giving all point the same direction for 2026.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/taxes-trusts-and-giving-the-year-end-strategy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba34</guid><category><![CDATA[Trusts]]></category><category><![CDATA[Estate Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Tax-Smart Strategies]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 19:31:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_a51e9bcc6d494569b6bb6166e89878f3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Unlocking the 20 Percent Pass-Through Deduction: Your Comprehensive Guide to Section 199A]]></title><description><![CDATA[Section 199A lets eligible pass-through owners deduct up to 20 percent of their qualified business income. This guide explains who qualifies, how the calculation works, and what the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for future planning—complete with a real-world example and actionable tax-saving tips.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/unlocking-the-20-percent-pass-through-deduction-your-comprehensive-guide-to-section-199a</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba30</guid><category><![CDATA[Tax-Smart Strategies]]></category><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2025 17:14:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_9c88ac4713c147568d1607a97da1ee29~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Founders Can Defer Seven-Figure Gains with a QSBS §1045 Rollover]]></title><description><![CDATA[Startup founders holding QSBS for more than six months but less than five years can defer taxation on gains above the Section 1202 exclusion by reinvesting sale proceeds into new QSBS within 60 days. This Section 1045 rollover resets holding periods and basis, allowing eventual use of the full gain exclusion and indefinite deferral until the replacement stock is sold.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/how-founders-can-defer-seven-figure-gains-with-a-qsbs-1045-rollover</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba41</guid><category><![CDATA[Tax-Smart Strategies]]></category><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 17:15:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_48863ab2f9cc428797df08f652141f82~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When the Tail Wags the Dog: How Options Trading Is Steering U.S. Stock Prices]]></title><description><![CDATA[Explore how surging 0DTE and other options trades increasingly move U.S. stock prices, creating gamma squeezes, volatility, and new regulatory questions.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/when-the-tail-wags-the-dog-how-options-trading-is-steering-u-s-stock-prices</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba31</guid><category><![CDATA[Investment Strategies]]></category><category><![CDATA[Equity Research]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 27 Aug 2025 17:04:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_8d91214314484a338d86e86da183d2eb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Concentrated Stock Positions: Five Ways to Hedge Without Triggering Capital Gains]]></title><description><![CDATA[Holding too much of one company’s stock can jeopardize your wealth—and selling may spark a hefty tax bill. Explore five advanced techniques to hedge risk, diversify exposure, and defer capital gains while keeping your goals on track.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/concentrated-stock-positions-five-ways-to-hedge-without-triggering-capital-gains</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba47</guid><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Tax-Smart Strategies]]></category><category><![CDATA[Estate Planning]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 24 Aug 2025 00:18:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_58c1424d09bc40a4be433f7816c2595b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Roth vs. Traditional: Choosing the Right Retirement Account for Your Situation]]></title><description><![CDATA[Should you pay the IRS now or later? This guide breaks down Roth and Traditional retirement accounts, contribution limits, phase-outs, RMD rules, and simple decision cues so you can pick the option that saves you the most over time.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/roth-vs-traditional-choosing-the-right-retirement-account-for-your-situation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba45</guid><category><![CDATA[Retirement Accounts]]></category><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Tax-Smart Strategies]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2025 21:34:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_049416018b9949d59d4f3d6d73bd8f1c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Solo 401(k) Compliance Calendar: Every Deadline &#38; Form You Can’t Miss]]></title><description><![CDATA[Building your own business and retirement plan means juggling deadlines and forms. This Solo 401(k) Compliance Calendar outlines each critical IRS due date, from plan adoption to annual filings, so you can stay compliant and focused on growth.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/solo-401-k-compliance-calendar-every-deadline-form-you-can-t-miss</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba40</guid><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Tax-Smart Strategies]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2025 20:44:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_fb6d92526942435bbc229dabd6e13da7~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ESG Integration Framework for California Portfolios: A Step-by-Step Guide]]></title><description><![CDATA[California investors face new climate-disclosure rules and market pressure to consider environmental, social, and governance risks. This guide walks step by step through building an ESG integration framework that meets the state’s regulations while staying focused on long-term returns]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/esg-integration-framework-for-california-portfolios-a-step-by-step-guide</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba43</guid><category><![CDATA[ESG Integration]]></category><category><![CDATA[Investment Strategies]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:55:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_e5239d2ef238400da809751081d7eeaf~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Guarding Generational Wealth: Trust Strategies to Keep Family Fortunes Intact]]></title><description><![CDATA[This in-depth guide explains why most fortunes fade after three generations and shows how tax-efficient trusts—from credit-shelter and QTIP to dynasty and SLAT—can preserve, protect, and grow family assets for decades. Learn how to pair the new $15 million federal estate-tax exclusion with proven trust structures to reduce taxes, safeguard control, and ensure your legacy endures.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/guarding-generational-wealth-trust-strategies-to-keep-family-fortunes-intact</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba46</guid><category><![CDATA[Tax-Smart Strategies]]></category><category><![CDATA[Trusts]]></category><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 01 Aug 2025 18:45:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_224a6b4126114fb9be84c01d89611ac1~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mega-Backdoor Roth in a Solo 401(k): Step-by-Step Playbook]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’ve already maxed out your $23,500 elective deferral (plus any catch-up) in your Solo 401(k) and still feel the itch to save more, you’re in the right place. The Mega-Backdoor Roth strategy lets you funnel up to the IRS’s $70,000 annual addition limit into after-tax contributions—and then convert them into Roth dollars for decades of tax-free growth. This step-by-step playbook walks you through plan setup, payroll withholding, conversions, and year-end filings.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/mega-backdoor-roth-in-a-solo-401-k-step-by-step-playbook</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba42</guid><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Retirement Accounts]]></category><category><![CDATA[Tax-Smart Strategies]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:12:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_0dbea77c8ac24318955160c3d22d9b14~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tax-Loss Harvesting 2025: Turn Market Dips Into Long-Term Tax Savings]]></title><description><![CDATA[Market pullbacks don’t have to hurt. Discover how tax-loss harvesting converts temporary losses into real tax relief, protects future gains, and fits smoothly into a disciplined investment plan—complete with wash-sale guidance, crypto nuances, state quirks, and charitable giving hacks.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/tax-loss-harvesting-navigating-dips-with-strategy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba39</guid><category><![CDATA[Tax-Smart Strategies]]></category><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Investment Strategies]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:43:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_1693ea81e4bb4b1497fa88b7bcb082c3~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_700,h_467,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Investor Emotional Intelligence: The Secret Weapon Behind Market Success]]></title><description><![CDATA[Great portfolios start with a great mindset. This article breaks down the hidden force behind market success—emotional intelligence—using case studies from Buffett, Templeton, Munger, Tudor Jones, and Dalio. Learn the biases to avoid, the checklists to use, and the risk rules that keep winners in the game.]]></description><link>https://www.westlightwealth.com/post/the-investor-s-secret-weapon-emotional-intelligence</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69812676a269a5b39e09ba3a</guid><category><![CDATA[Investment Strategies]]></category><category><![CDATA[LA Financial Planning]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2025 23:52:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/758058_9d9bebbde94b455fb7b6e029bf8fb7dd~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>