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Saturday, May 2, 2026

Mother’s Day tends to sneak up in the middle of a very full season. School events, end-of-year activities, and never-ending to do lists don’t exactly allow us to slow down and make space for reflection. But it’s still a good...

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

At some point, without much warning, this just… became life:Groceries cost somewhere between $180 and “we blacked out and tapped our card.”Daycare rivals a second mortgage.A casual dinner out requires a quick mental calculation and a...

Monday, March 2, 2026

Every March, we lean into the fun of St. Patrick’s Day. Shamrocks show up everywhere, classrooms build leprechaun traps, and everyone is talking about finding a pot of gold.It’s charming. But when it comes to financial planning and tax...

Friday, February 6, 2026

February has a sneaky way of pressuring us into spending. Gifts, dinners, flowers, experiences, it adds up fast. According to recent consumer surveys, Valentine’s Day spending regularly tops $25 billion nationwide...

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Luxury spending gets a bad reputation, especially for women. But in reality, luxury is often about quality, time, and sanity.

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Monday, December 15, 2025

At Cochran Bell Wealth & Tax Strategy, we believe preparation is about more than numbers. It’s about clarity, confidence, and alignment between your financial plan and the life you’re building.

Friday, November 7, 2025

Every household’s finances have their own personality. Before the calendar flips, it’s worth pausing to make sure your financial picture is still in tune.

Friday, October 3, 2025

Scrolling through social media can be a fun way to discover new recipes, travel tips, or even money-saving hacks—but it’s the wrong place to look for tax advice.

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

At the end of the day, the “winner” depends on your family’s goals, budget, and timeline. The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. A financial advisor can help you design a strategy that aligns with your goals.

Monday, August 11, 2025

Now is the perfect time for a Fall Financial Refresh—a quick tune-up to make sure your money is in order before the hustle and bustle of the season kicks in.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Social Security is kind of like that mysterious drawer in your kitchen—everyone knows it’s there, but who really understands what’s inside? And just like that drawer, it’s full of surprises.

Monday, June 2, 2025

Why long-term care planning matters for your financial future.

Monday, May 5, 2025

Even though this year’s tax deadline has passed, tax planning is important for many reasons.

Monday, March 24, 2025

While we love following the road to the Final Four, we’ve noticed something interesting: retirement planning has a lot in common with the tournament.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

For many, tax season comes with a welcome financial boost—a refund check that can feel like “extra” money. While it’s tempting to splurge, pausing to think through how you use your refund can set you up for greater financial success.

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Conversations about finances aren't exactly romantic. This holiday is all about love and togetherness, but what can bring you closer than having conversations about your future and goals?

Monday, November 11, 2024

As the year draws to a close, it’s a perfect time to think about tax-saving strategies tailored to where you are in life.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Over the long term, markets are driven by fundamentals, not politics. Investors’ long-term success is more closely tied to their comprehensive financial plan and wise decision making than to anything that might happen come November.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Interest rates are like the heartbeat of the economy. They influence everything from your mortgage payment to how much you earn on your savings.

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of lifestyle creep. As your income increases, so does your standard of living. Suddenly, luxuries become necessities, and your spending habits shift subtly yet significantly.

Thursday, March 16, 2023

The Spring Forward of Daylight Savings Time has always served as a reminder that Spring is on the way. The days are getting longer, the birds and the bees are doing their thing, and people everywhere are thinking about future travel...

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

One of my favorite Warren Buffett quotes is, “Remember that the stock market is a manic depressive.”What he’s suggesting is that stock prices can sometimes swing wildly from day to day in response to even minor news....

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

January 30 to February 3, 2023, is Identity Theft Awareness Week. Anytime is a good time to tighten up your identity security, but if you haven’t been as careful as you intended, consider this your annual reminder. Here are a few...

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Be Aware of These Tax Dates & Deadlines in 2023January 17- 4th quarter estimated taxes are due for self-employedLate January- Tax Season filing opensFebruary 15- Reclaim exemption from withholdingApril 3- Take first required minimum...

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

The unforeseen and indeed unforeseeable economic, market, political and geopolitical chaos of the three years since the onset of the pandemic demonstrates conclusively that the economy can never be consistently forecast nor the market...

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Did you know September is National Preparedness Month? FEMA guides Americans in ensuring their families and communities are ready in case of natural disasters or other emergencies.But did you also know that the Financial Industry...

Monday, October 3, 2022

If you haven’t reviewed your insurance profile in a while, you may be surprised that what made sense in the past no longer fits your life.Here are some ways to quickly evaluate your needs.Stop on a DIME - To use the DIME method,...

Friday, September 30, 2022

The White House recently forgave up to $10,000 to student loan borrowers as part of a larger debt forgiveness program. There are still quite a few questions to be answered, but here are some key points to know.Pell vs. non-Pell: Loan...

Monday, August 1, 2022

In the financial world, some weeks are more important than others, and we just lived through a big one. Let's unpack each of the four key stats:The Fed. As expected, the Fed bumped up short-term rates again at its July meeting. But the...

Friday, January 7, 2022

YOUR 4% WITHDRAWAL STRATEGY MAY NOT BE ENOUGH Get the Tax Guidance You Need to Help Live the Retirement You Desire There’s a lot of concern among industry experts about whether the popular 4% withdrawal rule can provide enough income...

Monday, December 13, 2021

A Look Back at Our Company Transition

Monday, December 6, 2021

25 Years Ago Today: A Teachable Moment December 2021 Today marks a most significant anniversary in the economic and financial history of the United States. When properly appreciated, it can serve as an importantly teachable moment.

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Debates over government debt, taxes, and infrastructure have captured the attention of the nation for weeks. All eyes are on Washington and Wall Street as these events play out, with potentially far-reaching consequences that seem to...

Monday, October 18, 2021

Healthcare can be one of the priciest yet essential parts of life’s journey. And yet, many struggle to utilize the financial tools that may help. Take Health Saving Accounts (HSAs), for example.In 2019, 55% of those with HSAs...

Friday, October 15, 2021

How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment fast approaching, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage. Have you switched...

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. Any changes to your plan will go into...

Thursday, September 2, 2021

If you have a secret, don’t tell anyone at the Federal Reserve Bank. They may leak the story before you’d like.In early August, multiple regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents hit the speaking tour. They made headlines...

Friday, June 18, 2021

Here’s a little-known fact that may help you save money on life insurance: when it comes to underwriting, insurance carriers typically rate clients to their closest birthday. What does that mean? It means that if you are 39...

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Stock futures were once again lower this morning as investors continue to worry about increased inflation. There is no doubt we have signs of inflation ramping up; the real issue is whether the price pressures will be temporary. That...

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Stocks were mixed last week as worries that stretched from Washington D.C., where prospects of a new fiscal stimulus bill dimmed, to Europe, which saw an increase of new COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.75%,...

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

When your spouse passes away, are you prepared for the financial impact? Losing a spouse creates an emotional crisis for you and your family. What’s worse, it leaves many partners with financial uncertainty and questions like,...

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Patience: that is the key word regarding the PPP loans. While everyone is anxious to file paperwork for the forgiveness of PPP loans, I don't believe it is the time to do so. The SBA has not completed the final version of form 3508....

Monday, June 29, 2020

New Business Relief Program program through Oklahoma State Commerce. Developed to help local businesses across the state overcome the economic challenges of COVID-19, the Oklahoma Business Relief Program (OBRP) offers vital funding for...

Thursday, June 4, 2020

Last night the US Senate, passed the US House version of PPP legislation to address several items. Know as the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, this legislation makes two major changes to give business owners more flexibility to...

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Hindsight is 20/20. It’s only human to imagine what it might have been like to turn left instead of right on some fateful day. However, that sort of daydreaming is unhelpful when investing, especially when it leads you to try...

Thursday, May 14, 2020

We're still preparing tax returns, and as always, we're available for any wealth management services you need. We continue to encourage the use of phone, face time, and zoom appointments. If a face to face appointment is preferred, we...

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Update on SBA Paycheck Protection Program Guidance (As of May 11, 2020- SBA IRA revisions occur often) The Small Business Administration and Treasury Department continue to release new interpretations or further revelations on the...

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Undeniably, spring 2020 has tried the patience of investors. An 11-year bull market ended. Key economic indicators went haywire. Household confidence was shaken. The Standard & Poor’s 500, the benchmark for the broad stock...

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Are you eligible for a stimulus check from the Treasury Department? As of Friday, April 24, the Internal Revenue Service said it had issued 88 million payments to individuals across the country. It plans to send out more than 150...