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Author: Zachary Morris, CFP®

Having traveled to over 35 countries, Zach is a believer in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s statement that Life is about the journey, not the destination. Being a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ provides Zach the opportunity to help clients define and realize their journey, and co-founding Paces Ferry Wealth Advisors, an independent firm, allows the freedom to define the client experience along the way.

Recognizing Solomon Dodson – Fall 2023 Alumni Panel

Recognizing Solomon Dodson for his recent participation in a Fall 2023 Alumni Panel discussion. 🌟 During this insightful session, Solomon shared his impressive industry journey since graduating from KSU SMIF.
His insights and valuable knowledge continue to be a significant asset to our organization, and we commend his unwavering commitment to sharing essential industry information.

Small Business Tips: Exit Planning vs. Succession Planning

How Does a Small Business Owner Prepare for Life Beyond Work?

Succession planning and exit planning are two terms that many people use interchangeably. This is understandable, since both phrases are associated with business owners planning for retirement. However, the two concepts have slight differences, and the crux of those differences is what those planning strategies target. Succession planning centers on the continued financial health of a business after its owner or chief officer retires or dies. Alternatively, exit planning focuses on the wealth of a business owner who’s retiring and wants to transfer ownership or close a business down.

With all the complexities, finances, and emotions connected with retiring from a small business, it’s important for small business owners to understand how succession and exit planning differ. While some elements of the two concepts may be similar, the endgames are not. In this article, we take a closer look.

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Planning for Retirement as a Couple: Tips for Success

How to Build a Harmonious Future Together

It’s exciting to consider all the possibilities retirement presents, isn’t it? You can go on new adventures, enjoy leisure time, and spend cherished moments with loved ones, too. For couples, it offers a chance to strengthen their bond, pursue shared interests, and embark on a fulfilling journey together. Like any new phase of life, however, meticulous planning will help you create more joy and meaning. In this article, we discuss considerations for planning for retirement as a couple and share strategies you can use to build a harmonious and more financially secure retirement lifestyle.

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Navigating Parent PLUS Loans: Strategies for Repayment and Retirement Planning

Tips to Balance Multiple Priorities and Help Maintain Your Future Financial Security

As college students head back to campus, college financing options are an important topic of conversation for many families, and that includes Parent PLUS loans. These loans are designed to allow parents to support their children in their pursuit of higher education, and they have become a significant financial consideration for many families. As the cost of education continues to rise, parents often shoulder a substantial portion of the financial burden. In this article, we’ll explore the intricacies of Parent PLUS loans, discuss the challenges they pose, and share strategies for repayment and long-term financial planning, including retirement considerations.

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Savvy Strategies to Help Maximize Your Social Security Benefits

Tips to Help Make the Most of Your Benefits and Boost Your Retirement Income

Did you know that, when Social Security was introduced in 1935, it was never meant to serve as a primary source of income in retirement? Rather, it was meant as a safety net for retirees who were lacking sufficient savings. However, in today’s economic landscape, attitudes around Social Security have dramatically changed and too many retirees are overly reliant on these benefits. In fact, Social Security benefits this year represented around 30% of retirees’ income. As you consider your own retirement income plan, remember that you’ll likely need more than one source of income. However, we believe it’s also critical to have a strategy for maximizing your Social Security benefits, and that’s what we’re discussing in this article.

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Welcome Abbi Rutledge, Client Service Associate

Join us in welcoming the newest member to the Paces Ferry Wealth Team, Abbi Rutledge!

Paces Ferry Wealth Advisors is excited to announce the newest addition to our team, Abbi Rutledge, who has recently joined us as a Client Service Associate.

Abbi joined the Paces Ferry team in May of 2023, and she serves as Client Service Associate. Abbi received her B.A. in History with a minor in Leadership Development from the University of Florida. During her college years, she became certified to teach English as a Foreign Language while living in Italy and spent a semester studying History and Linguistics at the University of Glasgow. Abbi spent her senior year as a member of the University Scholars Program. In this program, she conducted granted research with the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences on the history of Irish Whiskey, with an emphasis on the political and economic impacts it had on the Irish War of Independence.

After graduating in 2020, Abbi went on to become a Lead Stylist and Social Media Manager for a luxury bridal boutique in Minneapolis, MN. Upon her relocation to Atlanta, Abbi found a passion for financial education and became a relationship banker with Truist Bank. During this time, she found a particular interest in financial planning and wealth management.

In her spare time, Abbi enjoys designing and constructing clothing, going to concerts with her husband Josh, and learning new languages.


Paces Ferry Wealth Advisors, LLC is a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  This material is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal or tax advice and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney or tax advisor.

5 Ways Charitable Giving Could Be Good for You

Discover the Power of Philanthropy

In a world that often seems consumed by self-interest, charitable giving is a beacon of hope that shines bright. While it may appear that the primary beneficiaries of charitable acts are those in need, the truth is that the act of giving itself can bring profound benefits to the giver – and we’re not just talking about tax advantages. Engaging in acts of charity goes beyond the simple act of writing a check or making a donation; it has the power to transform our lives. Here are five ways charitable giving could be good for you, reminding us that compassion has the ability to enrich our own well-being.

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Zach Morris on the 51st Episode of The COO Roundtable

Paces Ferry’s Zach Morris joins The COO Roundtable

The COO Roundtable podcast features COOs and operations leaders from large RIAs around the country. Each episode is a discussion about operational and technology best practices, as well as general business strategy for the RIA industry.

Vince Crane, COO, CCO, and Partner of Flower City Capital, and Zach Morris, Managing Partner and Founder of Paces Ferry Wealth Advisors joined Matt Sonnen, Founder and CEO of PFI Advisors for an exciting 51st episode of The COO Roundtable.

Matt, Vince, and Zach chat about how, from Day 1, our guests have set in place systems and processes with future scalability in mind and much more including:

  • Each guest’s career path and how they became operations professionals
  • The pros and cons of a centralized back office vs a pod structure
  • Each firm’s ideal client and how that persona drives the services they offer
  • How each guest approaches their firm’s “next hire”
  • How each guest shapes their firm’s culture

Listen to the full episode here or read the full transcript: