Jul 30, 2025
Experts Planning Family
I want to share a personal experience. This story isn’t unique to my family, though it is about my family.
Experts Planning Family
I want to share a personal experience. This story isn’t unique to my family, though it is about my family.
The future is unknown. While we plan for it, we do so knowing that changes are inevitable. Things will not stay the same. However, by regularly checking in, we can catch issues and adapt sooner. We can head in the generally right direction and fine-tune our adjustments from there.
My wife and I always knew we wanted to start a family. A simple goal shared by most. After some time, when it wasn't happening naturally, we began asking our doctors for guidance. Everyone around us kept saying, "It'll happen, it'll happen," but my wife felt something was off. Instead of just waiting, she took the initiative to seek out fertility experts.
What we discovered was crucial: we wouldn't be able to get pregnant on our own; we needed help. The good news was that once we understood the problem, we could create a plan to fix it. This whole process was emotional, as our expectations changed, and we realized it wouldn't be an easy road with no guarantees. After countless rounds of shots, tests, and procedures, borne by my amazing wife, we finally got pregnant.
But the job wasn't done. With IVF, there are heightened risks, so we were under close monitoring. This proved absolutely vital. While the baby was healthy and my wife was doing well, we discovered she had placenta previa through additional ultrasounds. This was a serious issue, as anyone in healthcare would know that a natural delivery with placenta previa could put both the baby's and momma’s lives at risk. Because of careful monitoring, we were able to change our plans and schedule a C-section.
Even then, the planning continued. For a C-section, there's a consultation, a Plan A, and a Plan B. If an epidural isn't possible, there's a plan for general anesthesia. The surgeons and anesthesiologists work together, ask questions, and adapt on the fly because they've done the preparatory work. This meticulous planning is something I believe is incredibly important. And thankfully, we welcomed our healthy baby girl.
It was our first time, but thankfully it wasn’t the clinic's first time, the ultrasound tech’s first time, the OBGYN’s first time, the surgeons first time, the anesthesiologists first time, the nurses first time. They all had their role and worked well together. When needed they called in specialists because health is complex. In the truest sense, we could not have done this without them and we are so grateful to live in this generation where all of this is possible.
But the work still wasn't over. My wife needed many check-ups after major surgery. The work is ongoing; it never truly ends.
I share this story as a financial advisor because it can be related to your financial journey. You can do it alone, but what is the cost? It's wise to seek help and understand your financial situation before others tell you to. You might be in a good place today, but things will change. You'll need to make adjustments, whether due to shifting priorities or circumstances beyond your control.
Regularly checking up on your finances can prevent disaster. If we didn't have the tools to monitor my wife's pregnancy with our daughter, this conversation today could be completely different.
The future is unknown. While we plan for it, we do so knowing that changes are inevitable. Things will not stay the same. However, by regularly checking in, we can catch issues and adapt sooner. We can head in the generally right direction and fine-tune our adjustments from there.
This is what financial planning is all about. Our desired outcome as a family was to have a baby which is a simple goal, but it took significant work and complexity to get where we are today. Whether your financial outcome is to avoid stressing about money, to be "work optional," or to retire in five years without financial worries and be prepared for whatever comes up, it takes work. It takes consistent check-ins.
Being in a good financial position today doesn't mean it will last forever, and being in a bad position today doesn't mean it will last forever either. By checking in and working with experts, you have the best chance of staying on a course that makes sense for you. And that course will change. There will be obstacles, and you'll need to make changes. This is no different than our journey to bringing our daughter into the world.
Taking care of your family financially is simple in its goal, but how you get there becomes complex. There are so many interdependent decisions, and it can be daunting, especially when you're busy.
Just like the incredible medical advancements we've seen, we also have great tools for financial planning. These can help us think about different scenarios, run projections, and get an idea of what might happen. But remember, things will change. New tax laws, changes to Social Security rules, Medicare costs, health insurance premiums, college costs, retirement account distribution rules – these things are largely out of your control, and they will evolve. Beyond that, your personal circumstances will change: new jobs, moving, children's changing needs or college aspirations and transitioning to life after work.
You can have a great team around your finances just as we did for our family journey. A Financial advisor/planner in our story would be like the IVF clinic, gathering info, running tests, creating the plan the architect and implementer, but also calling in additional experts like the OBGYN, and if needed a team of surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists. For your money that might mean your advisor coordinating with your tax professional such as a CPA or EA and Estate/Elder Law attorneys to bring their expertise where needed.
What we want financially is simple: to take care of our family. But how to get there is not. Some of this complexity comes from our own successes, like advancing in your career and having more money, but then needing to figure out what to do with it. Other complexities arise from rules changing around us, like tax laws and health changes that are beyond our control.
This is precisely where financial planning is helpful. How else are we supposed to stay on top of all these constantly changing variables? It's the nature of life – change is the only constant. Being prepared means looking at things, making adjustments, understanding that change is the norm, and acting accordingly. Locking yourself into one plan because it makes perfect sense with today's information is unlikely to be the perfect solution 5, 10, 15, or 20 years from now. You might get lucky and predict the future, but it's improbable.
We want to create flexibility and the ability to adapt. We want to be okay in different scenarios and adjust from there.
The IVF clinics specialty is getting people pregnant, TWM’s specialty is helping professionals prepare for and transition to retirement. Going from regular paychecks to no paycheck might feel overwhelming but it doesn't have too.
The information in this blog is the opinion of Nathan Tomkiewicz and does not reflect the views of any other person or entity unless specified. The information provided is believed to be reliable and obtained from reliable sources, but no liability is accepted for inaccuracies. The information provided is for informational purposes and should not be construed as advice. Advisory services offered through Tomkiewicz Wealth Management, LLC, an investment adviser registered with the State of New York.
Read more
Could Physicians in High-Tax States See Relief with a Revived SALT Deduction?
For physicians living in high-tax states like New York, Massachusetts, California, Illinois, and New Jersey, the $10,000 SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction cap introduced by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has limited the benefit of itemizing deductions for years.
When is the best time to take Social Security and how is it taxed?
Much anticipation has surrounded Social Security and whether or not it is taxable under the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Contrary to what you may have heard, the “BBB” did not address the taxation of Social Security on the Federal level.
How the "Big Beautiful Bill" Might Affect Nurse Overtime Pay
How the "Big Beautiful Bill" Might Affect Nurse Overtime Pay The "Big Beautiful Bill" (BBB) is set to become law soon, bringing changes to how overtime for nurses is taxed, specifically for 2025 through the end of 2028.
Jul 30, 2025
Experts Planning Family
I want to share a personal experience. This story isn’t unique to my family, though it is about my family.
Experts Planning Family
I want to share a personal experience. This story isn’t unique to my family, though it is about my family.
The future is unknown. While we plan for it, we do so knowing that changes are inevitable. Things will not stay the same. However, by regularly checking in, we can catch issues and adapt sooner. We can head in the generally right direction and fine-tune our adjustments from there.
My wife and I always knew we wanted to start a family. A simple goal shared by most. After some time, when it wasn't happening naturally, we began asking our doctors for guidance. Everyone around us kept saying, "It'll happen, it'll happen," but my wife felt something was off. Instead of just waiting, she took the initiative to seek out fertility experts.
What we discovered was crucial: we wouldn't be able to get pregnant on our own; we needed help. The good news was that once we understood the problem, we could create a plan to fix it. This whole process was emotional, as our expectations changed, and we realized it wouldn't be an easy road with no guarantees. After countless rounds of shots, tests, and procedures, borne by my amazing wife, we finally got pregnant.
But the job wasn't done. With IVF, there are heightened risks, so we were under close monitoring. This proved absolutely vital. While the baby was healthy and my wife was doing well, we discovered she had placenta previa through additional ultrasounds. This was a serious issue, as anyone in healthcare would know that a natural delivery with placenta previa could put both the baby's and momma’s lives at risk. Because of careful monitoring, we were able to change our plans and schedule a C-section.
Even then, the planning continued. For a C-section, there's a consultation, a Plan A, and a Plan B. If an epidural isn't possible, there's a plan for general anesthesia. The surgeons and anesthesiologists work together, ask questions, and adapt on the fly because they've done the preparatory work. This meticulous planning is something I believe is incredibly important. And thankfully, we welcomed our healthy baby girl.
It was our first time, but thankfully it wasn’t the clinic's first time, the ultrasound tech’s first time, the OBGYN’s first time, the surgeons first time, the anesthesiologists first time, the nurses first time. They all had their role and worked well together. When needed they called in specialists because health is complex. In the truest sense, we could not have done this without them and we are so grateful to live in this generation where all of this is possible.
But the work still wasn't over. My wife needed many check-ups after major surgery. The work is ongoing; it never truly ends.
I share this story as a financial advisor because it can be related to your financial journey. You can do it alone, but what is the cost? It's wise to seek help and understand your financial situation before others tell you to. You might be in a good place today, but things will change. You'll need to make adjustments, whether due to shifting priorities or circumstances beyond your control.
Regularly checking up on your finances can prevent disaster. If we didn't have the tools to monitor my wife's pregnancy with our daughter, this conversation today could be completely different.
The future is unknown. While we plan for it, we do so knowing that changes are inevitable. Things will not stay the same. However, by regularly checking in, we can catch issues and adapt sooner. We can head in the generally right direction and fine-tune our adjustments from there.
This is what financial planning is all about. Our desired outcome as a family was to have a baby which is a simple goal, but it took significant work and complexity to get where we are today. Whether your financial outcome is to avoid stressing about money, to be "work optional," or to retire in five years without financial worries and be prepared for whatever comes up, it takes work. It takes consistent check-ins.
Being in a good financial position today doesn't mean it will last forever, and being in a bad position today doesn't mean it will last forever either. By checking in and working with experts, you have the best chance of staying on a course that makes sense for you. And that course will change. There will be obstacles, and you'll need to make changes. This is no different than our journey to bringing our daughter into the world.
Taking care of your family financially is simple in its goal, but how you get there becomes complex. There are so many interdependent decisions, and it can be daunting, especially when you're busy.
Just like the incredible medical advancements we've seen, we also have great tools for financial planning. These can help us think about different scenarios, run projections, and get an idea of what might happen. But remember, things will change. New tax laws, changes to Social Security rules, Medicare costs, health insurance premiums, college costs, retirement account distribution rules – these things are largely out of your control, and they will evolve. Beyond that, your personal circumstances will change: new jobs, moving, children's changing needs or college aspirations and transitioning to life after work.
You can have a great team around your finances just as we did for our family journey. A Financial advisor/planner in our story would be like the IVF clinic, gathering info, running tests, creating the plan the architect and implementer, but also calling in additional experts like the OBGYN, and if needed a team of surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists. For your money that might mean your advisor coordinating with your tax professional such as a CPA or EA and Estate/Elder Law attorneys to bring their expertise where needed.
What we want financially is simple: to take care of our family. But how to get there is not. Some of this complexity comes from our own successes, like advancing in your career and having more money, but then needing to figure out what to do with it. Other complexities arise from rules changing around us, like tax laws and health changes that are beyond our control.
This is precisely where financial planning is helpful. How else are we supposed to stay on top of all these constantly changing variables? It's the nature of life – change is the only constant. Being prepared means looking at things, making adjustments, understanding that change is the norm, and acting accordingly. Locking yourself into one plan because it makes perfect sense with today's information is unlikely to be the perfect solution 5, 10, 15, or 20 years from now. You might get lucky and predict the future, but it's improbable.
We want to create flexibility and the ability to adapt. We want to be okay in different scenarios and adjust from there.
The IVF clinics specialty is getting people pregnant, TWM’s specialty is helping professionals prepare for and transition to retirement. Going from regular paychecks to no paycheck might feel overwhelming but it doesn't have too.
The information in this blog is the opinion of Nathan Tomkiewicz and does not reflect the views of any other person or entity unless specified. The information provided is believed to be reliable and obtained from reliable sources, but no liability is accepted for inaccuracies. The information provided is for informational purposes and should not be construed as advice. Advisory services offered through Tomkiewicz Wealth Management, LLC, an investment adviser registered with the State of New York.
Read more
Could Physicians in High-Tax States See Relief with a Revived SALT Deduction?
For physicians living in high-tax states like New York, Massachusetts, California, Illinois, and New Jersey, the $10,000 SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction cap introduced by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has limited the benefit of itemizing deductions for years.
When is the best time to take Social Security and how is it taxed?
Much anticipation has surrounded Social Security and whether or not it is taxable under the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Contrary to what you may have heard, the “BBB” did not address the taxation of Social Security on the Federal level.
How the "Big Beautiful Bill" Might Affect Nurse Overtime Pay
How the "Big Beautiful Bill" Might Affect Nurse Overtime Pay The "Big Beautiful Bill" (BBB) is set to become law soon, bringing changes to how overtime for nurses is taxed, specifically for 2025 through the end of 2028.
Jul 30, 2025
Experts Planning Family
I want to share a personal experience. This story isn’t unique to my family, though it is about my family.
Experts Planning Family
I want to share a personal experience. This story isn’t unique to my family, though it is about my family.
The future is unknown. While we plan for it, we do so knowing that changes are inevitable. Things will not stay the same. However, by regularly checking in, we can catch issues and adapt sooner. We can head in the generally right direction and fine-tune our adjustments from there.
My wife and I always knew we wanted to start a family. A simple goal shared by most. After some time, when it wasn't happening naturally, we began asking our doctors for guidance. Everyone around us kept saying, "It'll happen, it'll happen," but my wife felt something was off. Instead of just waiting, she took the initiative to seek out fertility experts.
What we discovered was crucial: we wouldn't be able to get pregnant on our own; we needed help. The good news was that once we understood the problem, we could create a plan to fix it. This whole process was emotional, as our expectations changed, and we realized it wouldn't be an easy road with no guarantees. After countless rounds of shots, tests, and procedures, borne by my amazing wife, we finally got pregnant.
But the job wasn't done. With IVF, there are heightened risks, so we were under close monitoring. This proved absolutely vital. While the baby was healthy and my wife was doing well, we discovered she had placenta previa through additional ultrasounds. This was a serious issue, as anyone in healthcare would know that a natural delivery with placenta previa could put both the baby's and momma’s lives at risk. Because of careful monitoring, we were able to change our plans and schedule a C-section.
Even then, the planning continued. For a C-section, there's a consultation, a Plan A, and a Plan B. If an epidural isn't possible, there's a plan for general anesthesia. The surgeons and anesthesiologists work together, ask questions, and adapt on the fly because they've done the preparatory work. This meticulous planning is something I believe is incredibly important. And thankfully, we welcomed our healthy baby girl.
It was our first time, but thankfully it wasn’t the clinic's first time, the ultrasound tech’s first time, the OBGYN’s first time, the surgeons first time, the anesthesiologists first time, the nurses first time. They all had their role and worked well together. When needed they called in specialists because health is complex. In the truest sense, we could not have done this without them and we are so grateful to live in this generation where all of this is possible.
But the work still wasn't over. My wife needed many check-ups after major surgery. The work is ongoing; it never truly ends.
I share this story as a financial advisor because it can be related to your financial journey. You can do it alone, but what is the cost? It's wise to seek help and understand your financial situation before others tell you to. You might be in a good place today, but things will change. You'll need to make adjustments, whether due to shifting priorities or circumstances beyond your control.
Regularly checking up on your finances can prevent disaster. If we didn't have the tools to monitor my wife's pregnancy with our daughter, this conversation today could be completely different.
The future is unknown. While we plan for it, we do so knowing that changes are inevitable. Things will not stay the same. However, by regularly checking in, we can catch issues and adapt sooner. We can head in the generally right direction and fine-tune our adjustments from there.
This is what financial planning is all about. Our desired outcome as a family was to have a baby which is a simple goal, but it took significant work and complexity to get where we are today. Whether your financial outcome is to avoid stressing about money, to be "work optional," or to retire in five years without financial worries and be prepared for whatever comes up, it takes work. It takes consistent check-ins.
Being in a good financial position today doesn't mean it will last forever, and being in a bad position today doesn't mean it will last forever either. By checking in and working with experts, you have the best chance of staying on a course that makes sense for you. And that course will change. There will be obstacles, and you'll need to make changes. This is no different than our journey to bringing our daughter into the world.
Taking care of your family financially is simple in its goal, but how you get there becomes complex. There are so many interdependent decisions, and it can be daunting, especially when you're busy.
Just like the incredible medical advancements we've seen, we also have great tools for financial planning. These can help us think about different scenarios, run projections, and get an idea of what might happen. But remember, things will change. New tax laws, changes to Social Security rules, Medicare costs, health insurance premiums, college costs, retirement account distribution rules – these things are largely out of your control, and they will evolve. Beyond that, your personal circumstances will change: new jobs, moving, children's changing needs or college aspirations and transitioning to life after work.
You can have a great team around your finances just as we did for our family journey. A Financial advisor/planner in our story would be like the IVF clinic, gathering info, running tests, creating the plan the architect and implementer, but also calling in additional experts like the OBGYN, and if needed a team of surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists. For your money that might mean your advisor coordinating with your tax professional such as a CPA or EA and Estate/Elder Law attorneys to bring their expertise where needed.
What we want financially is simple: to take care of our family. But how to get there is not. Some of this complexity comes from our own successes, like advancing in your career and having more money, but then needing to figure out what to do with it. Other complexities arise from rules changing around us, like tax laws and health changes that are beyond our control.
This is precisely where financial planning is helpful. How else are we supposed to stay on top of all these constantly changing variables? It's the nature of life – change is the only constant. Being prepared means looking at things, making adjustments, understanding that change is the norm, and acting accordingly. Locking yourself into one plan because it makes perfect sense with today's information is unlikely to be the perfect solution 5, 10, 15, or 20 years from now. You might get lucky and predict the future, but it's improbable.
We want to create flexibility and the ability to adapt. We want to be okay in different scenarios and adjust from there.
The IVF clinics specialty is getting people pregnant, TWM’s specialty is helping professionals prepare for and transition to retirement. Going from regular paychecks to no paycheck might feel overwhelming but it doesn't have too.
The information in this blog is the opinion of Nathan Tomkiewicz and does not reflect the views of any other person or entity unless specified. The information provided is believed to be reliable and obtained from reliable sources, but no liability is accepted for inaccuracies. The information provided is for informational purposes and should not be construed as advice. Advisory services offered through Tomkiewicz Wealth Management, LLC, an investment adviser registered with the State of New York.
Read more
Could Physicians in High-Tax States See Relief with a Revived SALT Deduction?
For physicians living in high-tax states like New York, Massachusetts, California, Illinois, and New Jersey, the $10,000 SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction cap introduced by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has limited the benefit of itemizing deductions for years.
When is the best time to take Social Security and how is it taxed?
Much anticipation has surrounded Social Security and whether or not it is taxable under the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Contrary to what you may have heard, the “BBB” did not address the taxation of Social Security on the Federal level.
How the "Big Beautiful Bill" Might Affect Nurse Overtime Pay
How the "Big Beautiful Bill" Might Affect Nurse Overtime Pay The "Big Beautiful Bill" (BBB) is set to become law soon, bringing changes to how overtime for nurses is taxed, specifically for 2025 through the end of 2028.
Confidently Retire: Addressing 11 Key Questions Before the Big Day
Retirement is a significant life change, and with it comes a host of questions and concerns. As you approach this exciting new chapter, it's natural to wonder about everything from finances and taxes to healthcare and how your daily life will shift.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you're building wealth or planning retirement, every financial decision deserves expert guidance.
Take the first step by scheduling a conversation with us today.