Change on the Horizon: It’s Official!  

Friends, we’ve reached another milestone in the life of Leibman Financial Services. Since I founded the company back in 1996, I’ve been fortunate enough to see LFS through many chapters and changes already. 

I wrote recently about how I spend my working hours, and my teammates are helping me get more time for my favorite work activities: talking with you and researching the opportunities and challenges that might impact your portfolios. To do more of what I want, I need to be doing less of everything else.  

To that end, we are pleased to announce that Caitie Leibman will succeed me as the next CEO of Leibman Financial Services, effective January 1, 2026. 

I’ve long believed that we are all better off working from our passions and values, and we’ve got a chance to reshuffle what goes on each of our plates.  

We believe Caitie’s strengths are well-suited to this role. There are tasks that stayed on my plate for years only because once upon a time, mine was the only plate! Many of these tasks require the type of logistical thinking and eye for detail that Caitie has brought to all her work. 

Since 2020, Caitie has served LFS full-time as the Director of Communications. She added client work and investment research to her plate after becoming licensed in 2023. 

 It was that year we split ownership of the business: many of you are already aware, but I co-own this business with Caitie, Greg, and Billy. We work as a four-person management team. Decisions will still be made in this collaborative way moving forward, no matter who has what title. 

Instead, the hope is that I get to spend more time doing the parts of the work that are most gratifying to me, and Caitie has a chance to shine in a new way. 

We’ll talk more about what this news means in the coming weeks. For now, know that I’m excited. I’m still aimed at working until age 92, and this change may be part of what gets me there. 

Thank you all, for everything, always. 

Want content like this in your inbox each week? Leave your email here.

Play the audio version of this post below:

Don’t Be DAFfy: Planning Your Impact 

“I have enough, and enough is as good as a feast.” — Granny, as told to us by one of you

For many folks, giving and community are important pillars of their financial plans and planning. After all, once we discover that we have enough to get by on, we’ve got some important decisions to make about our resources.

What will our excesses and gains mean for the community around us? Or the next generation? Or causes and organizations we care about?

In 2025, Leibman Financial Services added a new type of account, a tool that may be an option for those with charitable intentions and a desire for a little organization.

Here is what we are talking about: a Donor Advised Fund, or DAF. A DAF is an account that we can open and manage for you here in-house. Money or securities that you send to the DAF are considered tax-deductible charitable contributions, even if they came from existing accounts here. (Consult your tax advisor about what this means for you in particular.)

The funds can be invested for long-term growth or disbursed more quickly; you may donate as much or as little as you choose, on your schedule. You request distributions, or “grants,” from your DAF to be sent to the nonprofits of your choosing.

A DAF would become part of our regular conversations about your portfolio, your goals, and your financial plans and planning.

Why consider a DAF? A DAF could be used…

  • As an alternative to creating a family foundation or other organizational structure on your own
  • As a way to simplify philanthropic activities, having a single destination for gift dollars and a single vehicle for sending out donations
  • As a way to organize tax deductions and tax planning
  • As a way to direct high-flying holdings toward charitable intentions (by gifting appreciated assets to a DAF, you pay no tax on the gains, and the DAF pays no tax on the gains)

We work with iGift, a registered 501(c)(3), to administer these accounts. iGift requires a minimum of $25,000 to open a DAF, though only a $1,000 minimum balance needs to maintained thereafter. You may send out gifts as small as $100 to approved nonprofits year-round.

Fees and rationales can be found in our disclosure documents where we discuss more about the terms of our services.

If the DAF still has funds at your passing, your designated successor—an heir or heirs—may direct future donations until the fund is exhausted, or you can elect to provide instructions for how to distribute the remainder among nonprofits.

Our money has a chance not only to outlast us—but to continue making ripples in the world.

The Donor Advised Fund concept has been used by people here at Leibman Financial as part of their tax planning and to organize charitable intentions. Not all account types are appropriate for everyone, though there’s a lot to like here.

Could it be a good time to learn more?

Reach out, anytime.

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate qualified professional prior to making a decision.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.

Want content like this in your inbox each week? Leave your email here.

Play the audio version of this post below:

Don’t Be DAFfy: Planning Your Impact – 228Main.com Presents: The Best of Leibman Financial Services

This text is available at https://www.228Main.com/.

The Difference between a Superhero and Superhero Movie

Each of us may be the star of our own show, but think about how long the credits would be! You don’t have to be Wonder Woman. Be in a Wonder Woman movie: rally your crew, pick your favorite director, and gather your favorite cast members around you. That’s how things get done. Together.

Want content like this in your inbox each week? Leave your email here.

What’s on the Horizon for 228 Main? 

We live our lives minute by minute, day by day, and only in hindsight do the broad patterns emerge. 

And sometimes, it helps to think through those patterns out loud. 

As it has been for decades now, working to age 92 is a cherished goal of mine. With a goal like that, sustainability is key. To that end, I work four days a week, and I spend some weeks at a time working from afar, enjoying other scenery while I stay connected with you and with my teammates via the wonders of the internet and mobile telephones. 

My partners and I have been putting some energy into thinking about how I spend those working hours. 

A few months ago, Billy, Greg, and Caitie asked me what I wanted more of, so I told them about what I enjoy most. I love our business objective: striving to grow your buckets. My favorite activities are talking to you as well as researching the opportunities and challenges that might impact your portfolios.  

So then, we realized: to do more of what I want at work, don’t I need to be doing less of everything else? 

Clients, that was a moment when I realized how blessed I am to have the partners I do. They asked me that question, and I could almost feel a load lifting from my shoulders as I shouted, “Heck yes!” 

You see, there are tasks that have long been on my plate because once upon a time, mine was the only plate. Parts of my role have included a lot of logistical overhead, the type of detail work that I don’t always enjoy having to do—especially if I could be talking with our clients or researching investments instead! 

All this is to say, there are some exciting organizational changes on the horizon. I’ve long believed that we are all better off working from our strengths and passions, and we’ve got a chance to reshuffle what goes on each of our plates. 

What will not change is the four-person collaborative ownership and management team that shapes the enterprise that works to take care of your business. I simply will get to spend more time doing the parts of the work that are most gratifying to me. 

We’re looking forward to less stress, and more joy, all around. And I’m excited. Stay tuned in the coming weeks: details are on the way! 

Want content like this in your inbox each week? Leave your email here.

Play the audio version of this post below:

What’s on the Horizon for 228 Main? – 228Main.com Presents: The Best of Leibman Financial Services

This text is available at https://228Main.com/.

Bulls, Bears, and… Red Pandas?

Animal metaphors are all over the business world. There are cash cows and fat cats and top dogs—oh my! 

And maybe you’ve heard of bull markets and bear markets? Bulls swipe their horns up to attack; bears swipe their paws down to attack. Bullish investors are preparing for prices to rise; bearish investors are preparing for prices to fall. These terms are common in investment and market news, but as you’ve learned with us, we don’t like to follow the herd. (See what we did there?) 

We don’t need an animal mascot that’s ready to “attack.” Business isn’t war. We’re trying to grow something here. 

But we could use an animal that’s flexible, light on its feet, and can think for itself. It should be a strong climber, too—ready for all the ups and downs of investing! 

And if we’re picking our own mascot, would it really be so bad if it also happened to be adorable? 

Enter, the red panda.  

Maybe you’ve already heard of these little cuties, but did you know how unique red pandas are? Red pandas are sometimes confused with foxes, traditional panda bears, and even racoons, but they are none of those things! In fact, they are the only species within their genus. They’re one of a kind.  

At first glance, you might also think most financial advisors would all be alike. But once you get to know us, you might find out we’re more like the red panda. It’s hard to put us in anybody else’s category. We’re unique, and we can’t help but be ourselves. 

As for the other qualities? Red pandas hit the mark.  

They’re fabulous climbers, easily scaling mountains and getting up and down trees and bamboo forests. They aren’t afraid to climb down headfirst, nearly vertical (it’s like they know that even the steepest drops won’t go down and down and down forever!). Red pandas have adapted over time and have a “false thumb,” an extra little feature that helps them grip as they climb all over. Flexible? Check.  

On their feet, red pandas have special hairs on the soles so that they don’t sink in the snow, even when they’re running and have to change directions. Their bushy tails also help them stabilize, keeping their balance as they walk along tree branches. Light on their feet? Check. 

Red pandas prefer solitary thought to group-think, so we know they won’t be getting caught up in any herd mentality or stampedes. 

And to top it off, did we mention that red pandas are a symbol of good fortune in some cultures? 

No guarantees, of course, but beyond the bulls and the bears… red pandas might be the animal mascot we’ve been waiting for. 

Clients, what do you think: is it time for 228 Main to adopt an animal friend for a mascot? Call or write in, any time. 

Want content like this in your inbox each week? Leave your email here.

Play the audio version of this post below:

Bulls, Bears, and Pandas—Oh My! – 228Main.com Presents: The Best of Leibman Financial Services

This text can be found at https://www.228Main.com/.

What It Means to Be “Client-Centered”

What does it mean for our business to be “client-centered”? (Wait, shouldn’t all business be “client-centered”?…) In this week’s video, Mark and Caitie talk about the role the firm plays in our relationships with you, what the client’s job is, and more.

Want content like this in your inbox each week? Leave your email here.

One of Our Favorite Research Themes: The Future

When The Jetsons first aired, the idea of a robot maid or a flying car seemed too good to be true. Now, we have moving walkways, Roombas, and flying car prototypes. With the growth of green energy, could we live in Orbit City by 2062? Get more here.

Want content like this in your inbox each week? Leave your email here.

Up a Creek? Grab Your Paddle!

Our daily struggles might have more going for them than we first think. Imagine tripping on the coffee table and thinking, “Gee, it sure is nice to have toes to stub!” A little perspective goes a long way. So “rock bottom” may sound like a terrible place to find oneself, but it also could make a solid place to push off from. This week’s video: a serious lesson from a funny show.

Want content like this in your inbox each week? Leave your email here.

Public Policies and Personal Choices 

Clients, there’s been plenty of buzz in the public sphere. Policy changes are on their way in many arenas, including potential tax breaks, increases in the national debt, and cutbacks in benefits.

Some of you have been wondering what it will all mean for you. It makes sense to have questions, especially when so many issues are in play right now. Here are a few of the policies that could impact you or someone you know:

We know the pendulum swings back and forth, and mandates to change law are sometimes modified before they can even go into effect. But it still can pay to do some planning when changes could be headed our way.

You may have questions about where to start, and the answers will depend on the particulars of your own situation. Instead, we’ll try to speak generally to some of the personal choices you might consider.

  • For those who are years or decades away from retirement, you might commit to higher monthly deposits to your long-term investments. If Social Security benefits could be lower when you reach retirement, you might offset the difference by socking away more now toward a 401(k), Roth IRA, or other long-term investment balance.
  • For those who depend on ACA or exchange health insurance and receive income-based subsidies, you could keep some extra flexibility in your short-term budget until you know how the subsidy cuts will affect you. Premiums may rise significantly for some people.
  • For those who are retired and have resources to spare, you might consider some targeted philanthropy. Individuals and families are facing cuts to health and nutrition programs, cuts that helped fund the tax breaks. For example, our local and regional food banks are under greater stress as some programs and grants have already been eliminated, and reductions in food benefits will only increase the number of people seeking help.

No matter what stage of life you find yourself in, it may be more important than ever to make sure that your long-term money is invested for the long term, meaning that long-term money is invested for growth—rather than stability.

Think of it this way. Higher government deficits may mean higher inflation, which typically makes the value of things go up while hurting the purchasing power of dollars. Rather than burying those dollars in the backyard—where the erosion will be worse!—we put them to work, buying stock.

Stock represents indirect ownership of the real assets of companies—it’s in mining operations and railways, factories and foundries, offices and stores, and on and on. Investing for the long term means we have a chance to capture the growth of dollars out there in the world, at work.

A lot of it comes back to this: so much seems beyond our control, yet it always pays to think creatively. How do we make the most of it?

Call or email us when you’re ready to talk.

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Want content like this in your inbox each week? Leave your email here.

Play the audio version of this post below:

Public Policies and Personal Choices – 228Main.com Presents: The Best of Leibman Financial Services

This text is available at https://www.228Main.com/.

Sitting on a Pile? The Meaning of the Treasure

One of the most striking images from Tolkien’s stories is of the dragon Smaug curled up on top of his massive treasure hoard. How far did his riches get him? Some real lessons from fantastic fiction.

Want content like this in your inbox each week? Leave your email here.