From the Desk of Dale Crossley and Evan Shear | 2026

We hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones well. It’s been quite a summer. Between unsettling headlines, geopolitical tensions, and even questions about whether it’s safe to eat lettuce, uncertainty seems to be everywhere.

While the markets can feel as though they’re changing by the day, or even by the hour, our commitment remains constant: to be a steady, trusted partner in your financial planning. Part of that commitment is keeping you informed, so we’d like to share a few timely financial planning updates, along with the latest news from our team.

Back-To-School and Trump Accounts

Back-to-school season has a way of getting families thinking about the future. College may be years away for some, while others are already watching the first day of kindergarten or even welcoming a new baby. Whatever stage your family is in, starting early can make a meaningful difference when it comes to saving and investing for the years ahead.

One newer option families may be hearing about are Trump Accounts, tax-advantaged investment accounts designed for children under age 18. Families can contribute up to $5,000 per year, and eligible U.S. citizen children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, can receive a one-time $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Treasury. The money is invested for long-term growth, giving families another way to begin building a financial foundation for their children.

Beyond the dollars themselves, we like the idea of getting children involved in conversations about saving and investing from an early age. Watching an account grow over time can provide an opportunity to introduce important financial concepts and help children begin developing good financial habits.

Once the child turns 18, the account becomes theirs. They can continue investing for the future or access the funds, subject to the rules and tax treatment that apply to traditional IRAs.

For families with young children, or even a new addition on the way, Trump Accounts may be worth learning more about as part of a broader financial strategy. They aren’t intended to replace other planning tools, but they can provide another opportunity to start early and give the next generation a head start.

It’s important to note that Trump Accounts are established and managed through the federal government’s official Trump Accounts platform, not through CrossleyShear or your financial advisor. While we cannot open or manage a Trump Account on your behalf, we can help you consider how this new savings option may fit within your family’s broader financial plan.

Team Spotlight

Please join us in congratulating Shaun Jones on earning his CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER PROFESSIONAL™) designation!

Widely recognized as the gold standard in financial planning, the CFP® designation reflects a rigorous commitment to education, professional excellence, and ethical conduct. As a CFP® professional, Shaun is committed to upholding the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, including disclosing conflicts of interest, maintaining confidentiality, and, above all, acting as a fiduciary in our clients’ best interests.

Earning this designation is a significant milestone in Shaun’s career and a testament to the hard work and dedication he has invested in serving our clients. It also strengthens the CrossleyShear team with additional bench strength, providing the thoughtful, knowledgeable advice our clients have come to expect. We’re incredibly proud of Shaun and congratulate him on this exciting achievement!

WorthWhile Magazine

Have you been reading WorthWhile Magazine? We’ve found that it lives up to its name.

The summer issue celebrates the magazine’s 20th anniversary with a wide variety of timely and thought-provoking articles. Among the highlights is a celebration of America 250, featuring inventions and ideas that originated right here in the United States. You’ll also find articles exploring sibling dynamics, the evolution of Roth IRAs, and the ways AI is reshaping the workplace.

The issue also takes a look at wellness retreats and the changing landscape of destination weddings, offering something for just about every interest.

We think it’s definitely worth your while to check out.

And as always, if something you read sparks a question about your own financial plans, we’re here to help. Whether you’re planning for the future, navigating a life change, or simply looking for a second opinion, contact CrossleyShear today. Our team is here to provide thoughtful guidance at every stage of life.

Any opinions are those of CrossleyShear Wealth Management and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members.

There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

It seems that there is a word of a data breach every day, most recently, Carnival Cruise Lines and Charter Communications. And while many of these breaches affect large numbers of people, two groups of people tend to be targeted. These are the elderly, who are often more vulnerable, and the financially successful, who present a larger prize. So, what if your digital life is not as secure as you think?

After all, you may be using a handful of apps or programs online. These can be banking and investment accounts, tax software, email accounts, cloud storage, social media, medical portals, shopping apps, and possibly payroll and employee data. All of these are very valuable to both you and a prospective online thief.

So, here are some things to think about to ensure your digital security:

Why Financially Successful Individuals Are Often Targeted

These days, cybercriminals are looking for a payout in two ways: a large number of small amounts or a larger prize. One way to do that is to go after successful individuals and their families and exploit digital security lapses. They figure that somebody who can spare the money is more likely to pay to avoid the hassle. They are also interested in intellectual property, corporate data, and other trade secrets. Attacks like these are often sophisticated, and individuals are seen as more vulnerable than corporations.

They may go after people with phishing, ransomware, identity theft, and extortion, and they are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools to launch attacks. They may even exploit smart home devices as part of a physical burglary.

Common Signs Your Digital Security May Be Weaker Than You Think

You may not have experienced a major breach, but there are some things to look out for that may show you have some holes in your security.

• Reused password alerts. Modern systems often let you know when you are using a password on multiple sites.
• Password breach alerts. On the same lines, you may also get alerts saying your password was involved in a data breach. You can also use Have I Been Pwned to find out if your email address was in a breach.
• New login alerts from unfamiliar locations. The more of these you get, the worse the problem.
• Unexpected password reset emails. You may get these on request, or if a site has been breached, but if you get a series of them, it might be a problem. The same with account recovery emails you didn’t request.
• Unauthorized charges on your credit card.
• Devices are acting strangely.
• Being informed that phishing attempts are being sent from your email. Most of the time, this is email spoofing, but if it happens a lot, you may have been compromised.

Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference

You don’t necessarily have to hire a personal cybersecurity consultant. But even some small changes can really help your digital security. Here are our top suggestions:

1. Use a password manager. A password manager means you don’t have to remember a hundred different passwords (making it easier to use better passwords or passphrases and reducing reused passwords).
2. Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA can be annoying, but it greatly increases the safety of your accounts.
3. Keep software and operating systems updated. Replace any device that no longer gets security updates promptly.
4. Monitor financial accounts regularly. Watch for unexpected transactions.
5. Be skeptical of urgent requests. Cybercriminals often play on emotion by asking for a quick response. With modern AI tools, it’s easier than ever to impersonate somebody, so contact the person through other channels to verify the request.
6. Protect important documents. Back everything up (this allows you to deal with ransomware by wiping the infected device and restoring).

Take Control of Your Digital Security

It doesn’t take a lot to slay the “what-if” beast of your digital life. The most important thing is to use good passwords and not reuse them across sites. If you have more questions about how your digital and financial lives intersect, contact CrossleyShear today!