As the CEO for your family, you are responsible for managing many things: From soccer practice, to virtual learning, you need to lead your family toward a bright future. At Buttonwood, we serve as the CFO for many families, and often encourage the inclusion of younger generations in the family financial planning conversation. By sharing good financial habits with your children and grandchildren, you are providing them yet one more tool they will have as they become CEO’s of their families!

The importance of money management isn’t high on the curriculum in elementary and secondary school, so it’s up to you. If you think it’s too early to start, studies have shown it’s probably not! Once children can add and subtract (usually at 6-7 years old), they are often ready to learn more about finances.

If you have children, you have likely thought about college and what the future holds for them. Your Family CFO may recommend a 529 plan account to save for future education because of tax benefits. As you contribute to the 529 plan, explain to kids what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Inclusion in this significant piece of your family financial planning may also help to get them excited about going to college!

For children under age 10, we recommend starting with the basics. If you don’t already, consider providing your kids a weekly or monthly allowance. When positioned properly, an allowance can be much more than just giving kids some spending money. There are many ways to weave in education along the way. You can show firsthand how the successful accomplishment of tasks beneficial to others results in financial rewards that can turn into benefits important to your kids.

As kids mature, another successful idea we have seen is the incorporation of a ‘family tax.’ As kids’ allowances increase over time, it can be a good opportunity to learn about the tax system. Higher income means it’s time to contribute to the well being of all by reserving some percentage (10%+/-) as a family tax. Save up your family taxes and let the kids help plan your next vacation. They are likely influencing the the outcome anyway, so if they can engage in real world experiences; all the better. As part of their contribution they have a vote to determine where to go, what to do and more. Bonus: Give your kids a sense of accomplishment from their contribution!

Thinking back to the 529 plan… This account likely holds traditional stock / bond investments and thus an opportunity to begin talking with older kids about investments and asset allocation. If this is something you would rather outsource to your Family CFO, we would be happy to assist.

Kids who are older and becoming more independent may be ready to become more involved in family financial planning. Share a high-level family budget with them to provide a better understanding of how much money comes in and goes out each month for expenses, taxes, savings, etc.

As your younger generation enters high school, it can also be beneficial to bring them to your strategy update meetings. As a Family CFO, our multigenerational approach includes educational opportunities for younger generations. At this age, many kids are also entering the workforce with their first jobs.

You now have an opportunity to include them in the knowledge gained by having their own checking and/or savings accounts to learn the difference between longer term investments in their 529 plan that can go up and down in value but have the likelihood for higher returns, and short term, no risk, but low return interest from banks. We recommend online banks, brokerage firms or banks with a national presence. This will prevent your student from having to switch banks depending on where they decide to go to college. Many of the brokerage options have no account fees, free checking and no currency exchange fees, if kids happen to be traveling overseas for study and/or vacation. Several will even rebate fees from any ATM on the planet!

Now that your child has their own bank account, a better understanding of taxes and investments, it’s time to get them used to saving for their future! As soon as kids have earned income they can take advantage of the tax benefits of a Roth IRA. Many kids may not be incredibly excited at the idea of putting money into an account for something like retirement that can be decades down the road. If this is the case, you can offer a ‘match’ – You contribute $1 and we will match it (up to the contribution limit allowed by the IRS ). There are many “future value” calculators on the internet and by taking the time to show kids the incredible power of compounding they can easily see how they can become ‘a millionaire’ if they just contribute a few thousand dollars a year to their Roth IRA and let it grow. If all else fails, assuming kids have earned income, parents can make contributions to a Roth IRA each year for them up to the maximum amount allowed by the IRS. An amazing opportunity for a head start in life!

Assuming you have included kids in family budget and 529 plan funding discussions, when it’s time for kids to explore which schools they may want to attend for higher education, the stage is already set for a real conversation. Add up the 529 plan balances and what ‘extra income’ is available to pay for the cost of college. If there is a shortfall between what school costs and what is available, the opportunity now exists to talk about the costs of a ‘3 or 4 year plan’ vs 5 years or more, in-state vs out-of-state tuition, summer jobs and student loans. College costs are one of the largest expenses a family can have, and while the long-term benefits are certainly proven, making kids aware of what it costs can greatly improve their motivation to excel.

After years of being involved in the financial side of life, once they are in college, and the tuition bill is due, have the kids write the check from their own checking account to pay the bill. All those zero’s look quite large when compared to the average kids’ “pizza” budget. Of course, you will want to transfer money from the 529 plan and/or your account into their checking account so the check doesn’t bounce and they learn another financial lesson the hard way.

In summary, it truly is never too early to include younger generations in family finances. When kids understand finances on a deeper level, they are more likely to make the right intuitive financial decisions in the future. 

Buttonwood Financial Group serves as multigenerational Family CFO, working with you, as the CEO of your family through all stages of life. From birth, to college, to families of their own, your kids are family to us, and we are here with them (and you) every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about our multigenerational financial planning approach.

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By Kristy Wieland • June 10, 2026
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What's in Our Name?

By Kristy Wieland • May 16, 2026
The Buttonwood Agreement: Where American Finance Took Root — and Why Our Name Exists The Buttonwood Agreement was a compact signed on May 17, 1792, by 24 stockbrokers and merchants beneath a buttonwood tree at 68 Wall Street in New York City. It established the rules of organized securities trading in America and laid the foundation for what would become the New York Stock Exchange. Buttonwood Financial Group takes its name directly from this founding moment; as a daily commitment to the integrity, transparency, and long-term thinking those original brokers put on paper. What was the Buttonwood Agreement, and why it still matters The Buttonwood Agreement came at a moment of crisis. The Panic of 1792, America's first speculative bubble and market collapse, had shattered public confidence in capital markets. Prominent financiers defaulted. Prices fell. Investors panicked. Alexander Hamilton worked to stabilize the system, but the lasting fix came from the professionals themselves. On May 17, 1792, 24 brokers gathered under a buttonwood (sycamore) tree outside 68 Wall Street and signed a two-sentence agreement: they would deal only with each other, charge a standard commission of one-quarter percent, and give preference to fellow signers in all negotiations. Simple. But the effect was transformative. By agreeing to hold a higher standard collectively, they rebuilt confidence in the market itself. The Buttonwood Agreement is widely regarded as the founding document of the New York Stock Exchange and of organized American finance. Why Buttonwood Financial Group carries this name Boutique wealth management firms are built on process and trust. When we named our firm Buttonwood Financial Group, the choice wasn't aesthetic; it was philosophical. Our name is a daily accountability measure; a reminder that the values those brokers signed onto in 1792 — integrity, structure, and responsibility — are exactly the values our clients deserve today. The families and individuals we serve aren't looking for surface answers and financial products. They're looking for an experienced team that has been tested across market conditions, that communicates honestly, and that approaches every client relationship from a fiduciary capacity in a long-term commitment. That's what an established boutique wealth management firm looks like in practice. What experience really means Experience in this industry isn't about credentials alone. It means you have been present with clients through market downturns and periods of uncertainty. You have worked alongside families through estate complexity, business transitions, and inheritance conversations. You have coordinated tax strategy, cash flows, and generational goals at the same time; because for most families, those things can't be separated. Our Team brings that depth to every engagement. Not because we're proud of our tenure, but because the people we serve deserve to work with real people whose judgment has been informed by real world complexity and a wide range of client circumstances. The values that haven't changed in 234 years The Buttonwood Agreement was forged in a crisis to restore confidence. That context mirrors what many clients feel when they first reach out to a firm like Buttonwood. The financial world is complex, opaque, and hard to navigate. Our commitment is to bring transparency, fiduciary responsibility, and honest communication to every relationship, the same values those brokers enshrined in 1792. Roots matter. They tell you where a firm stands when things get hard. On Buttonwood Agreement Day, we honor that founding moment, and recommit to carrying it forward. Connect with Buttonwood Financial Group If you're evaluating whether your current wealth management relationship reflects these values, we'd welcome the conversation. Our advisors work with individuals, families, and business owners on comprehensive, fiduciary-driven financial plans built around your long-term goals. Frequently Asked Questions What is the Buttonwood Agreement? The Buttonwood Agreement was a compact signed on May 17, 1792, by 24 stockbrokers and merchants in New York City. It established standardized rules for securities trading, dealing only among members, and charging a fixed commission. It is considered the founding document of the New York Stock Exchange. When is Buttonwood Agreement Day? Buttonwood Agreement Day is observed annually on May 17, marking the date the original agreement was signed in 1792 outside 68 Wall Street in New York City. Why is the Buttonwood Agreement significant in finance? The Buttonwood Agreement replaced chaotic, unregulated securities auctions with a system of structured, trust-based trading. It restored public confidence after the Panic of 1792 and established the foundational principles, integrity, accountability, and standardized commissions, that governed Wall Street for nearly two centuries. What does Buttonwood Financial Group do? Buttonwood Financial Group is an independent SEC Registered Investment Adviser. A boutique wealth management firm. The firm works with individuals, families, and business owners to provide both financial planning and investment management services. By serving as the primary financial advisor and administrator, Buttonwood is essentially acting as the family's "CFO" while the client remains as the family "CEO." Buttonwood strives to organize, formalize, implement, and monitor financial strategies consistent with clients' multi-generational goals and objectives. What makes a boutique wealth management firm different? Boutique wealth management firms typically offer more personalized service, deeper advisor relationships, and a fiduciary-first approach. Advisors and their support teams generally work with fewer clients and provide more integrated guidance and may reach a deeper level of strategy across investments, tax, business and estate planning, and financial planning. How do I choose an experienced financial advisor? We often see the following criteria: Look for advisors with a fiduciary obligation, verifiable credentials (CFP, CFA, or similar), a transparent fee structure, and experience working with clients whose situations are similar to your own. Confirm the advisor's registration status at adviserinfo.sec.gov. B uttonwood Financial Group is a registered investment adviser. The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. Past results are not indicative of future performance. All investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Please consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
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What Should I Do With My Investments During Market Volatility?

By Jon McGraw • April 29, 2026
What Should I Do With My Investments During Market Volatility? During periods of market volatility, the most important step you can take is to stay grounded in your long-term strategy. Ironically, reacting emotionally to short-term developments; whether they be tariff rulings, geopolitical escalation, or interest rate speculation, have historically introduced more risk than the volatility itself. A relationship with a fiduciary financial firm can help you maintain discipline and perspective when headlines make that difficult. Why Are Markets So Volatile in 2026? If the first few months of 2026 have felt turbulent, you are not imagining it. After a historically strong 2025 that included dozens of record closing highs in major U.S. indices, investors entered this year with elevated expectations. Several developments have since introduced meaningful uncertainty, and the markets don’t like uncertainty! In February, the Supreme Court ruled that broad tariffs enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act exceeded executive authority. The ruling reduced some trade policy ambiguity, but a new set of tariffs was promptly announced under a separate legal framework, leaving businesses and investors still navigating an evolving landscape. Separately, geopolitical conflict and rising energy prices have added pressure to an already cautious global outlook. Meanwhile, expectations around Federal Reserve policy continue to shift as new leadership takes the helm. Markets are currently pricing in potential rate adjustments later this year, but the path forward depends on a wide range of economic data that remains unsettled. Perspective matters: Market pullbacks are a normal and recurring feature of investing. Looking back over the last 50 years, the S&P 500 has experienced an average intra-year decline of about 14%. However, in 35 of 46 calendar years, the index ended in positive territory . Past performance is not indicative of future results, but the historical pattern is worth understanding. What Should You Consider Doing With Your Investments? Should I sell my investments during a downturn? Selling during periods of elevated volatility can feel like the safest decision, but it often locks in temporary losses and creates a new problem: deciding when to reinvest. Markets, forecasting the trajectory of the companies that make them up, have historically recovered from pullbacks, sometimes quickly and unexpectedly, and investors who moved to the sidelines have at times missed meaningful rebounds. That said, every situation is different, and decisions should be grounded in your unique circumstances. How do I know if my current plan will still work? Well-constructed financial strategy is built to account for periods of uncertainty. If your plan was designed around your specific objectives, your time horizon (your generation or multigenerational), and a realistic range of market scenarios, short-term volatility does not necessarily mean your plan needs to change. That said, life circumstances evolve, and market environments like we are experiencing in 2026 can be a useful prompt to review whether your financial strategy still aligns with where you are today. This is a conversation your team should be proactive about initiating. What does rebalancing look like in a volatile market? Volatility can cause your portfolio to drift away from its intended allocation. Rebalancing is the process of bringing it back into alignment. With the general assumption the economy grows ¾ of the time, market dislocations often create opportunities to rebalance at favorable levels. A rebalance might involve adjusting between asset classes, revisiting diversification across geographies and sectors, or reviewing fixed income positioning in light of changing interest rate expectations. Rebalancing is a disciplined process, not a reactive one, and it should be guided by your overall financial strategy rather than by today's headlines. Why Does an Independent Fiduciary Advisor Matter? A financial advisor electing to serve as a fiduciary is legally required to act in your best interest at all times; not their own (for compensation) or their employer’s. This is a higher standard than the suitability standard that governs many broker-dealer or hybrid relationships. Independence matters alongside the fiduciary standard. An independent firm can be broadly defined as not being owned by a bank, insurance company, or wirehouse. When a firm is independent, there is a lower probability you will receive biased recommendations influenced by proprietary product limitations, corporate sales quotas, and pressures to recommend one strategy over another for reasons that don’t serve you. In periods of volatility, this distinction becomes especially relevant. At a large firm, your guidance may come from a group of disconnected employees shaped by corporate priorities. At a smaller firm like Buttonwood Financial Group, our Advisors develop and implement strategies in conjunction with our Operations Team. Our output is a financial strategy that is not only customized; the execution of the plan is simplified as well. This happens at Buttonwood because our Team knows you and your family; and our relationship is the foundation of the advice. Buttonwood Financial Group has served Kansas City families, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals for over two decades as an independent fiduciary. Our service models: Financial Advisory, Family CFO, and Family Office, are structured around the complexity of each client’s situation, not around product tiers or asset minimums. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs and More) What is a fiduciary financial advisor? A fiduciary financial advisor is legally obligated to act in your best interest at all times. This differs from the suitability standard, which only requires that recommendations be appropriate, not necessarily optimal, for a client. How do I find a financial advisor? When evaluating a financial advisor, consider whether the advisor operates as an independent fiduciary, how long they have served the community, whether they offer comprehensive strategy that fits your needs, and whether their team is integrated and has experience with your level of financial complexity. You can verify an advisor’s registration and disclosures through the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database. Should I change my financial strategy because of tariffs? In most cases, a well-constructed financial strategy should not require significant changes in response to any single policy shift, including tariff adjustments. Trade policy is one of many variables that affect markets, and reacting to individual policy headlines can introduce more risk than it mitigates. A fiduciary advisor can help you stress-test your strategy against multiple economic scenarios rather than reacting to any single event. What is unique about an independent fiduciary financial advisor? Independent financial advisors are not owned by or affiliated with large banks, insurance companies, or wirehouses. This independence, in conjunction with a fiduciary standard, helps ensure your advisor recommends products and strategies that serve your best interest. Independent firms also tend to provide more personalized services. What are Family CFO services? Family CFO services provide comprehensive financial strategy and oversight for households and families who need more than Investment management but do not need or want to pay for the staff of their own Family Office. Core Family CFO services include cash flow management, tax coordination, insurance and estate planning coordination and oversight, and support around life's ongoing financial decisions. Our Family CFO Team functions in a similar capacity to a dedicated Chief Financial Officer for your personal financial life. What does a Family Office do? A Family Office provides holistic wealth management for individuals and families with financial complexity beyond our Core Family CFO services. This may include developing and managing advanced investment allocation, tax, legacy planning, philanthropic advisory services, risk management, multigenerational financial literacy, and concierge services. Boutique firms, like Buttonwood Financial Group, offer Family Office services with a dedicated Our Team: Your Family relationship. Let’s Have a Real Conversation If the world seems to be whirling by or you are questioning whether your financial plan is built for what’s ahead, we welcome a conversation: A straightforward discussion about where you are and where you want to go. Important Disclosure This commentary is provided for informational purposes only and reflects general market views as of the date published. It is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee profit or protect against loss. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Market conditions and investment strategies are subject to change. Please consult with your Buttonwood Financial Group advisor regarding your individual circumstances before making any investment decisions.

Oil vs. Gold: What Today’s Market Signals May Mean for Investors

By Jon McGraw • April 9, 2026
Oil vs. Gold: What Today’s Market Signals May Mean for Investors

Female Representation at Buttonwood Financial Group

By Vince Pastorino • March 31, 2026
Today is the last day of Women's History Month. And while one month is never enough to capture what women contribute — to finance, to business, to the communities they shape — it is a moment worth honoring before we let it go. At Buttonwood Financial Group, this March has felt particularly meaningful. Not because we needed a designated month to recognize the women on our team, but because it gave us the chance to say out loud what we already know to be true every day: our women make us who we are. Buttonwood is a 15-person boutique wealth management firm based in Midtown Kansas City. Six of those 15 people are women — and they aren't clustered in one place. They lead across every corner of this firm. Our COO manages the operational engine of the business. Our VP of Marketing shapes how Buttonwood communicates with the world. Our Director of Operations keeps everything running with precision. Female representation on our Advisor team brings deep expertise directly to clients' financial futures and support from our accounting team. And our Client Services Specialist is often the first voice clients hear — and one of the most important. In an industry where women have historically been underrepresented, that kind of presence — spanning C-suite, operations, marketing, wealth management, accounting, and client services — doesn't happen by accident. This Is What Intentional Looks Like Wealth management has long been a male-dominated field. Women make up a fraction of financial advisors and senior leaders across the industry. We knew from the beginning that building the team we wanted meant being thoughtful — not waiting for diversity to happen organically, but actively creating an environment where talented women want to stay and grow. We're not perfect, and we're not done. But we're proud of where we are. Beyond Wealth: Women, Wealth & Influence Last year, we launched something we'd been excited about for a long time: Beyond Wealth: Women, Wealth & Influence— a community where women can explore the real intersections of life and money. The response has been remarkable. Women are hungry for this kind of space. One that doesn't talk down to them or assume they need a simplified version of finance — but instead treats them as the intelligent, capable decision-makers they are. We meet, we talk, we learn from each other, and we build the kind of financial confidence that changes lives. Why It Matters in Wealth Management Specifically Women control a growing share of wealth in this country. They often outlive their spouses. They navigate career interruptions. They make major financial decisions every day — and they deserve advisors and firms that truly reflect their experience and understand their full picture. When clients walk through our doors in Midtown Kansas City, they don't just get personalized financial planning. They get a team built to see the whole picture — and that includes the perspective that women bring. Rooted in Kansas City Our commitment to this community runs deep. Through Buttonwood Art Space, our nonprofit arm, we've returned over $1 million to local artists and nonprofits — investing in the creative and cultural fabric of the city we're proud to call home. For us, being a good firm and being a good neighbor have always gone hand in hand. A Word of Gratitude To the women of Buttonwood Financial Group: thank you. The leadership, the care, the rigor, the relationship-building you bring every single day — that's why this firm is as good as it is. And to our clients, partners, and Kansas City community: we're more than 20 years into building something worth celebrating. We're just getting started. Interested in joining Beyond Wealth: Women, Wealth & Influence? Email: info@ButtonwoodFG.com Buttonwood Financial Group is a boutique wealth management firm in Midtown Kansas City with over 20 years of experience in personalized financial planning. Through its nonprofit arm, Buttonwood Art Space, the firm has contributed over $1 million to local artists and nonprofits.

Investment Policy Committee Updates - March Rebalance

By Jon McGraw • March 30, 2026
Geopolitics and economic impacts evolve; and thus, we evolve our investment allocations. Our March rebalance consisted of a series of targeted adjustments designed to keep portfolios aligned with our long-term objectives of producing a more consistent rate of return, while adapting to a changing investment environment. The takeaway is straightforward: we remain firmly invested in growth, but we’re being more intentional about how we are taking risk. The change during this rebalance is a refinement of positioning, not a retreat from our conviction. Staying Invested, With Better Balance We continue to maintain a modest equity overweight, as we believe stocks will still outperform bonds. Our logic reflects an economic macro backdrop that remains supportive. Economic growth has been resilient; earnings have held up, and inflation pressures continue to trend in the right direction. These conditions favor stocks and growth rather than stepping aside. At the same time, the market has begun to reward selectivity over concentration. In response, we trimmed positions that had grown disproportionately large, took profits on recent winners, and reduced some of our most concentrated factor tilts. The goal is not to reduce upside participation, but to pursue it with better diversification and durability. Tempering Regional Bets We made modest regional adjustments to improve balance without changing our core views: U.S. equities: We remain constructive on U.S. earnings power, but trimmed our overweight to the US, after a strong run to reduce concentration risk. Emerging markets: After meaningful gains, particularly tied to AI and semiconductor supply chain, we again took some profits while maintaining meaningful exposure. International developed markets: We reduced, but did not eliminate, our underweight, acknowledging that in a broadening market, extreme regional bets can become less efficient. The result is a more balanced global equity mix, designed to be resilient across a wider range of outcomes. Broadening Our AI Exposure The AI trade has been and continues to remain one of the most powerful long-term themes shaping the global economy. However, the opportunity is not evenly distributed. While many companies are experimenting with AI, only a small subset are successfully deploying it at scale in ways that meaningfully improve productivity and competitiveness. We believe we have strengthened our AI positioning through active investment strategies that seek to identify not only core technology builders, but also early adopters across industries. We have targeted companies that are using AI to create durable advantages rather than simply following the trend: Lessons learned during the .com era. As risks increase and the market becomes more selective, we believe this selective approach matters more than ever. Adding to Defense, with a Global Lens We also added to our exposure to defense stocks, reflecting what we believe is a multiyear, policy driven investment cycle tied to modernization and security priorities. Importantly, we shifted from a U.S. centric approach toward a more diversified global strategy, aiming to capture where defense spending is expanding most clearly. Defense plays a dual role in investment portfolios today: Not only is it a structural growth opportunity; we are also viewing it as a diversifying equity exposure with drivers distinct from traditional economic cycles. An economic recession doesn’t necessarily impact the need for a nation to defend itself. Strengthening Bonds as a Stabilizer Within fixed income, our focus during this rebalance was to improve resilience. Credit spreads are historically tight, meaning investors are being paid very little for taking on credit risk. In these conditions, credit (bonds) can behave more like equity (stocks) during market stress. As such, we reduced credit heavy exposures and added higher quality, longer duration government bonds. The intent is to make our bond allocation a more reliable shock absorber during periods of volatility. At the same time, we would like to preserve the flexibility to add risk later if credit sells off and valuations improve. The Bottom Line Our March 2026 rebalance kept portfolios in our ‘barbell’ structure. Assets are both positioned for growth, which has served us very well, while we continue to increase our defensive positioning. We believe defense has been increased by improving diversification, reducing concentration, and strengthening downside protection.  In short, following our March rebalance, assets are positioned to take advantage of opportunities to participate in an overall economically constructive outlook, but we believe are now better positioned to weather uncertainty with greater resilience. If you have questions about how these changes apply specifically to your cash flows or financial objectives, we welcome the conversation. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. Important Disclosure This commentary is provided for informational purposes only and reflects general market views as of the date published. It is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee profit or protect against loss. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Market conditions and investment strategies are subject to change. Please consult with your Buttonwood Financial Group advisor regarding your individual circumstances before making any investment decisions.

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