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(502) 426-0000 ∙ Roberts.cpa 201 Townepark Circle, Ste B-1 Louisville, KY 40243 163 Dennis Drive Lexington, KY 40503 Friendships Over Finances Smart Money Monthly How do you measure your success? February 2026 THOUGHTS ON LIFE’S RICHEST REWARDS
Throughout my life, I’ve maintained a close connection with a member of my extended family who’s more like a brother to me. We spent a lot of time together when we were growing up, and we still talk on the phone once or twice a week, despite living a couple of hours apart. In addition to being friends since we were kids, we’ve shared many similar experiences raising daughters who are the same age and at the same stage of life. We know each other very well, and we’ve always been there to support each other through years of ups, downs, and milestones. He was there with me at the beginning, and I hope we have many more years of conversations, laughs, and good times to come. Closer to home, I’ve enjoyed a great friendship with a particular member of my church group. He’s around my age as well, and we try to get together for lunch every few months. Life has many demands, so it’s always great when we can find the time to catch up and chat about life. I also get along very well with the other members of the group, which meets around 10 times a year. It’s comprised of folks of all ages, and I really enjoy spending time with and getting to know so many different people. Church has been one of the best ways I’ve built lasting relationships over the years, and I’m always looking forward to our next get-together and activity. Perhaps most importantly, everyone in the church group does all they can to be good friends to others in our greater community. Whether it’s a couple in the area who has fallen on hard times, someone who needs assistance following an accident, or a neighbor struggling to pay their utilities, we try to pool our resources together to help. As tax time approaches, remember that our greatest riches are found in the moments we share with friends and loved ones, not in the money we
As someone who’s writing this article for a newsletter from an accounting firm, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if many of my readers view their financial status as the best barometer of their achievements. That’s fair enough; after all, we all need money to survive. However, I believe our most significant value has nothing to do with the size of our bank accounts. When all is said and done, the friendships and relationships we’ve been fortunate enough to experience along the way will define how well we've done in this life. February is always a great time to consider those closest to you, especially with Valentine’s Day right around the corner. It may surprise you to learn that this is also International Friendship Month, a perfect opportunity to celebrate the people whose presence gives you peace and joy. If we’re lucky, we’ll all make a great friend or two who stand by us through all of life’s challenges and brighten our days through their company. I won’t single out anyone by name, as I’ve been blessed with many friends over the years, but two people in particular immediately come to mind as among the best I’ve ever known.
get in our returns. Focus on your true success during International Friendship Month and every day this year. You may discover that you have many more victories to celebrate than you realized. —Kevin Roberts
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THE PRICE OF PLANNING AHEAD INFLATION’S HIDDEN IMPACT ON YOUR ESTATE
Most of us notice inflation when we check out at the grocery store, not when we think about our estate plan. Prices for everyday items are creeping up, but those same price changes can also impact the value of what we own. When that happens, our estate plan may need a second look. Inflation means that money doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. A dollar today buys less than it did a few years ago. Homes, cars, and investments all fluctuate in value due to inflation. In the 1950s, the average home sold for about $7,400. Today, it’s well over $370,000. Wages have also increased, albeit at a slower pace. That gap explains why inflation matters when estate planning.
create new tax questions. Families sometimes find themselves paying more in taxes, only to watch those assets drop in value soon after.
The best way to handle this issue is to plan early and keep plans updated. We can start by reviewing our estate annually and comparing it to current tax limits. Adding beneficiary designations to accounts, such as life insurance or retirement funds, keeps those assets outside the taxable estate. Giving modest gifts to family or charities can reduce overall value while allowing us to see the results in our lifetimes. Inflation is constantly changing, and our plans should adapt to it accordingly. Reviewing what we’ve built every year helps ensure our loved ones receive what we intend, without unwelcome surprises when the time comes.
When the cost of goods and property rises, the total value of our estate rises with it. That sounds positive, but it can also push an estate closer to federal or state tax thresholds. A house valued at $1 million today might be worth $1.5 million in a few years, and that extra half-million could
Godfathers and Lost Gambles
Lessons From Movie Mobster Missteps Hollywood is home to some of the most jaw- dropping financial disasters imaginable … even for those in a fictitious mafia. Here are the unbelievable stories of how two people involved in the production of “The Godfather” Suddenly facing money woes at an age when most people are happily retired, he immediately took any film role he could get and even broke his longstanding refusal to do commercials.
Pacino eventually rebuilt his fortune to an estimated $40 million, while his accountant later served nearly 10 years in prison for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme. The lesson? Keep a close eye on the people who manage your affairs, as they have the power to ruin you. Or, in the words of Michael Corleone, “Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.” A Director’s Downward Spiral Pacino isn’t the only person involved in “The Godfather” series to get into serious financial trouble. The trilogy’s visionary director, Francis Ford Coppola, has filed for bankruptcy three times in his career. Many of his financial setbacks stem from his infamous insistence on self-financing his 1982 box-office bomb, “One From the Heart,” a romantically charged
saw their fortunes go completely awry. A Movie Mobster’s Money Meltdown The great Al Pacino has earned acclaim for his many film roles. Still, none has secured his fame more than his portrayal of second- generation mob boss Michael Corleone in “The Godfather” trilogy. You would assume playing an underworld mastermind would have taught the actor the value of steering clear of corrupt criminals, but he wasn’t so lucky with his choice of accountant. In 2011, he discovered that his trusted financial advisor had severely mismanaged his funds. This betrayal, along with Pacino’s admitted tendency to overspend (including on extravagant vacations and rent for a fancy Beverly Hills mansion), saw the 70-year-old actor’s fortune go from $50 million to virtually nothing.
musical that earned just over $500,000 on a $26 million budget. How did the creative mind behind “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now” fail so spectacularly? Well, if reviews at the time of the film’s release are any indication, the production was far from being embraced as readily as Coppola’s past masterpieces. The New York Times panned it as “unfunny, unjoyous, unsexy, and unromantic,” while famed critic Roger Ebert called it “an interesting production but not a good movie.” At a loss of more than $25 million, “One From the Heart” proves that even the most talented among us are capable of making colossal financial blunders now and then.
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Hot Honey-Infused Feta Chicken
• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 1 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 tbsp olive oil • 3 tbsp hot honey INGREDIENTS
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 3 tbsp crumbled feta cheese • 2 tsp fresh rosemary chopped (or thyme) • 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
Your Cash Check-In Clarity for Your Current Course Welcome to February, otherwise known as “Roughly Eight Weeks Till Tax Day” Month! If that thought just made you look at your calendar in amazement at how quickly the days fly by, it might be best to take a closer look at how you manage your time. This isn’t a lecture, just a friendly reminder that time gets away from all of us. The sooner you get on top of your taxes, the sooner you can receive a clear picture of your current finances, what you’ll receive as a refund, or what you may owe. Instead of greeting April in a panic, gain greater peace of mind by focusing on your taxes today . As you think about your taxes, also take time to consider life beyond April 15. What does your financial future, including your retirement, look like? What is your current savings rate, and what should it be moving forward? Are your current investments sound, or are you considering investment options for the first time? If you need answers to these questions, you’re reading the right newsletter. In addition to assisting our clients with their tax needs, Roberts CPA Group offers comprehensive financial planning and investment management services. We’re here to help you strategize your best course of action in the years to come. As you work with us to finalize your 2025 taxes, take a moment to also talk with us about where you want the months, years, and decades ahead to take you. To get started, scan the QR code to complete a quick questionnaire that will help Roberts CPA Group get a solid picture of your current money moves and how we can refine your approach for greater long-term success. Don’t let time push away your financial plans. Complete the questionnaire today … and give us a call for a free consultation!
DIRECTIONS
1. Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. 2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, then sear chicken for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden. 3. In a small bowl, mix hot honey and minced garlic to create a glaze. 4. Place the seared chicken in a baking dish. Pour the hot honey mixture over top. 5. Sprinkle chicken with crumbled feta, then rosemary or thyme. 6. Bake at 400 F for 20–25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F. 7. Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra caramelization. 8. Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon juice and extra herbs before serving.
Inspired by LadySavor.com
SUDOKU
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 Bonds Beyond the Balance Sheet 2 Inflation-Proofing Your Estate for the Future From Empires to Empty Wallets 3 Smart Steps for Future Stability Hot Honey-Infused Feta Chicken 4 Break the Buy Cycle
STOP THE SWIPE TIPS FOR A MONEY MINDSET MAKEOVER
If you’re still feeling the financial sting of the recent holiday shopping season or struggle to pay off your credit card throughout the year, it may be time to rethink your spending routine. Most of us are guilty of impulsive shopping from time to time, but an occasional indulgence can become a dangerous habit if we’re not careful, especially with technology making it easier than ever to overspend. Here are three ways to curb the urge to splurge. Wipe your card info clean. There’s a reason why many apps and websites enable you to save your credit card information; it makes it easier for you to spend money! If you’re looking to reduce how often you experience the rush of an instant purchase, enter your payment manually every time you go to check out. The extra time it takes to do so may be enough to help you realize whatever you wanted a moment ago isn’t as necessary as you thought. Choose paper over plastic. In addition to detaching your credit card information from your phone or computer, consider separating your card from yourself when you leave to go shopping. Carrying cash instead of card is a helpful way to slow spending. For one thing, it helps you maintain a set amount to shell out,
which you’re reminded of as the dollars disappear. Second, cash doesn’t carry an interest rate. When you spend $4 on that cup of coffee you can’t resist, you’ll be out $4, not $4.80 when using a card that charges an additional 20%. Delay, don’t dive. There will always be purchases, such as tickets for a concert that sell out within minutes or a future flight that becomes pricier as your departure date approaches, that will require you to reach for your credit card as soon as possible. That said, there are
infinitely more things that you simply don’t need … at least not right away. When you encounter something online or in a store that you must have now despite it not being a scarce item, give it at least a day (or, even better, a week) before making your final decision.
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