As hurricane season ramps up and national markets cool slightly, now’s a great time to look at your financial storm shelter.

From IRAs to ISAs (yes, for our expats), we’re diving into ways to protect and grow your wealth without losing your mind.

We’ve got stories from savvy savers, practical advice on cash flow tweaks, and even a breakdown of what Florida’s insurance woes might mean for property investors.

Let’s make your next financial step your smartest one yet.

The S&P 500 posted a 0.9% gain last week as inflation data came in cooler than expected.

Bond yields dipped slightly, with the 10-year Treasury settling around 4.15%.

This move has sparked renewed interest in balanced portfolios and dividend-paying equities.

Meanwhile, the Tampa property market shows signs of cooling, with inventory levels rising and average time-on-market stretching from 26 to 32 days.

Tip: 2025’s gifting allowance has increased to $18,000 per recipient.

 If you’re helping adult children with tuition or housing, this could be a way to pass on wealth tax-efficiently.

Estate note: Florida still has no state inheritance tax, but federal thresholds remain under review for 2026. Now’s the time to review wills, trusts

Smart Moves Case Study: “When Janelle Sold Her Condo and Dodged $9,200 in Taxes”

Janelle, 42, a radiographer in Brandon, had owned a two-bed condo since 2012.

When prices jumped in 2024, she decided to sell but nearly forgot about the primary residence capital gains exclusion.

Her accountant reminded her:

✅ If you’ve lived in the property 2 of the last 5 years, you can exclude up to $250K of profit from capital gains tax (or $500K if married).

Janelle’s gain? $68,000.

Tax owed? $0.

Smart move? Absolutely.

Takeaway: Always double-check with a professional before signing away a sale.

Term of the Week: Asset Location

Nope, not where your yacht is moored.

"Asset location" refers to putting the right types of investments into the right types of accounts for maximum tax efficiency.

Example:

• Put bonds (taxed heavily) in a 401(k) or IRA

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• Keep stocks (capital gains) in taxable brokerage accounts

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This small shift can save you thousands over time—talk to your advisor about a tax-aware investment strategy.

Bonus Term 

What’s “Tax-Loss Harvesting”?

Imagine Chris, a Tampa-based tech consultant, invested $5,000 in a fund that underperformed this year.

Instead of just holding on, Chris sells at a loss — not to give up, but to reduce this year’s capital gains tax.

This strategy, known as tax-loss harvesting, lets investors offset gains with losses, reducing their tax liability.

Chris then reinvests in a similar (but not identical) fund to stay in the market.

Why it matters: With volatility rising, harvesting losses can be a stealthy way to save money especially as year-end approaches.

Speak to a financial advisor to ensure you’re not triggering wash-sale rules.

Local Wealth Watch

• Florida Home Insurance Premiums have risen nearly 40% year-over-year.

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• This has knock-on effects on cash flow and property yields.

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• Be sure to reassess rental pricing models if you’re a property investor.

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• Tampa median home price as of May 2025: $417,000 (down 3.2% YoY)

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• ⚠️ New bills aim to reduce property tax caps for new landlords. Follow HB1184 for updates.

Sally’s Savers – Real Money Wins

💬 “I’ve helped clients save £42,000+ by fixing the boring stuff.”

 

• Bank Loyalty Fatigue?

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• Sally says:

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• “Switch banks. Seriously.” Many are offering $300–$500 bonuses just for direct deposit + a couple of months’ use.

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• Auto Insurance Audit: One Tampa family saved $1,120 a year simply by dropping optional extras and raising deductibles.

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• Pet Budget Hack: Use GoodRx Pet and vet-prescribed meds drop 30–50%. A client saved $62/month on their Labrador’s arthritis pills.

Sam Fruggelman’s Money Mindset

This Week: “Stop Thinking in Bills—Start Thinking in Buckets”

Sam breaks down the 3-bucket approach:

1. Daily Living: Bills, groceries, petrol.

2.  

3. Stability: Emergency savings, insurance, short-term goals.

4.  

5. Freedom: Investments, retirement, side hustle growth.

6.  

“Every $ you spend should fit a bucket,” says Sam. “If it doesn’t, it’s just leaking.”

Events for the Financially Curious

• July 18: Tampa Bay Real Wealth Meetup – A networking event for young professionals, investors & side hustlers. Free drinks. Armature Works.

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• July 20: How to Talk Money With Your Kids – Interactive workshop hosted by Hillsborough Literacy Foundation.

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• July 21: Women & Wealth Brunch – Panel on financial independence & mindset shifts. Hyde House.

ClearView Financial Advisors – Tampa’s Honest Money Partners

Retirement planning, wealth preservation, and tax-smart strategies.
📞 813‑555‑4401 • 📍 Ybor City • 💻 ClearViewAdvisors.com

Final Word

Thanks for reading! We’re not just here to track the numbers—we’re here to humanise finance for real people like you.

Got a topic you want covered? Send us a note, and we might include it next week.