Archstone Financial: Eric Riggin

What a $5 Frappuccino can teach your teen about building wealth!

April is National Financial Literacy Month, and here's a number worth sharing at the dinner table.

If your teen opens a Roth IRA at 18 with $1,000 from a part-time job and adds $1,000 a year, that single account could be worth nearly $500,000 by age 65. Tax-free.

Think they can't save $1,000 a year? Skipping the daily Frappuccino more than covers it. ☕

But the best financial education isn't about the math. It's about real decisions with real consequences.

A few things that actually work:

✅ Hand them cash instead of a credit card for shopping. Let them keep what they don't spend.

✅ Give them a clothing budget for the year. If they blow it by October, that's the lesson.

✅ Have the college money talk before they fall in love with a school. As one counselor put it, "Have the conversation before they buy the hoodie."

✅ With the Roth IRA, you can show them that there are certain rules with certain accounts. For example, to qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Also, tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain other circumstances, such as the owner's death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals.

What's one money lesson you wish someone had taught you earlier? 👇

Please consult with a tax and finance professional before making any decisions.



Sources:
-https://www.calculator.net/roth-ira-calculator.html?cstartingprinciple=1%2C000&cannualaddition=1%2C000&cmax=n&cinterestrate=8&ccurrentage=18&cretirementage=65&ctaxtrate=25&printit=0&x=Calculate -ira-result
-https://www.ngpf.org/blog/advocacy/how-many-states-require-students-to-take-a-personal-finance-course-before-graduating-from-high-school-is-it-6-or-is-it-21/

We are pleased to offer an exclusive discussion featuring Gene Goldman a highly regarded investment strategist and thought leader.

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It's easy to rush through the present while already thinking about what's next. Some of the most grounding moments come from simply pausing. Savoring a quiet evening, stepping back from a busy routine, or noticing how much you've grown.

Let's catch up and talk through how far you've come.

The Archstone Financial team invites you to join us for a spring document shredding event to celebrate Earth Day!

Safely dispose of your documents in our office and know that they will be destroyed and recycled.

Monday, April 13, 2026 from 10am to 3pm
at our office in Worcester, MA

Responsibly destroying sensitive, confidential documents is a smart way to stay safe to ensure your private information is kept safe. We'll help you dispose of unnecessary items, safely and securely while making an impact on the health of our planet. Did you know every ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees?

Ideal Documents for Shredding:
Medical documents
Bank Information
Tax records
Paperwork containing account numbers or private details

Items Not to Bring:
Junk mail
Magazines
Phone books
Pictures
Batteries
Thick metal, plastic or non-paper items

We encourage you to bring a friend or loved one along to shred their documents safely too!