Posts by Laird Green
Failing to Plan in Family Business Succession: Planning to Fail?
August 15, 2025
By Brittany M. Midgette, CFP® Abacus Anyone who has watched the HBO series Succession has seen the challenges of passing along a family business to the next generation. While most…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Abacus Planning Group celebrates 18th CFP® professional as Anne Serrano earns certification
June 9, 2025
Abacus Planning Group, Inc., a fiduciary financial planning firm serving multigenerational families, announces that Anne Serrano has successfully all requirements to earn the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) certification. With this…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Abacus Planning Group Advisor, Ann Beckwith, appointed to the Board of Directors for Sistercare
April 8, 2025
Abacus Planning Group proudly announces the appointment of Ann Beckwith, CFP® to the board of directors of Sistercare. Sistercare’s philosophy is to empower survivors of domestic violence and their children…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy
Abacus Planning Group celebrates another Certified Financial Planner Professional
October 16, 2024
Abacus Planning Group, Inc. announced that Carolyn A. Stewart has completed all requirements for the CFP® credential. The CFP® marks identify those individuals who have met the rigorous experience and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Abacus Planning Group Advisor, William Jeter, elected as President for the Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity Board
September 11, 2024
Abacus Planning Group announces the election of William Jeter CFA, CAIA, CFP® to President of the Board for the Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity. William was elected to the…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, non-profit, on-the-move
Alexandra Chastain of Abacus Planning Group earns Family Business Advising Certificate
July 29, 2024
Alexandra (Alex) Chastain of Abacus Planning Group earned the Certificate in Family Business Advising (CFBA) from the Family Firm Institute’s Global Education Network (FFI GEN). The Global Education Network is…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Abacus Planning Group welcomes Michael Holt to its Financial Planning Team
July 22, 2024
Abacus Planning Group welcomed Michael Holt to its financial planning team as a Support Advisor. As a member of the financial planning team, Michael works closely with senior advisors to…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Abacus Planning Group Advisor, Anne Marie Ashworth, appointed to the Board of Directors for New Horizon Family Health Services
July 1, 2024
Abacus Planning Group announces the appointment of Anne Marie Ashworth, CFP® to the board of directors of New Horizon Family Health Services, Inc. New Horizon Family Health Services has been…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: financial-advisors, non-profit, on-the-move
Abacus Planning Group welcomes Lucy James to its Client Service Team
January 29, 2024
Abacus Planning Group welcomes Lucy James to its team as a Client Service Administrator. As a Client Service Administrator, Mrs. James supports the firm’s clients in performing back-office operations. She…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Abacus Planning Group welcomes Allison Jones to its Client Service Team
January 19, 2024
Abacus Planning Group welcomes Allison Jones to its team as a Client Service Administrator. Allison previously worked in the banking and property management industries and is now responsible for back-office…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Selecting a Credit Card
October 27, 2023
By Carman M. Young, CFP® Credit card companies can be aggressive in marketing their cards and their perks. Who doesn’t want a free trip to Europe? With so many options…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Abacus Planning Group’s founder, Cheryl R. Holland, CFP ®, inducted into Barron’s Advisor Hall of Fame
October 19, 2023
For the last 10 years, Cheryl Holland has been ranked as a Top 100 Advisor by Barron’s. This impressive feat has earned Ms. Holland a spot in the Barron’s Advisor…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Four Governance Questions for Endowment Management
September 27, 2023
By Anne Marie Ashworth To create an environment for good governance, endowments should assess whether they have the appropriate models for optimal long-term portfolio management, oversight and management, fiduciary responsibility,…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, business-services, churches, financial-advisors, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy
Abacus Planning Group Advisor earns IRS Enrolled Agent designation
September 21, 2023
Abacus Planning Group proudly announces that Stephen Maggard, CFP® has met all requirements to become an Enrolled Agent. An Enrolled Agent has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move, veterans
Financial Wellness for your Employees
August 24, 2023
Charles B. Flowers, CFA Employers want highly engaged employees who are focused on their work during business hours. Hopefully, the employees also want to be “all in” while they are…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: advice, banking-and-finance, business-services, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Karlyn Jones of Abacus Planning Group passes Certified Financial Planner (TM) Examination
August 4, 2023
Abacus Planning Group, Inc. proudly announces that Karlyn M. Jones has passed the CFP® examination. The CFP® Certification Examination assesses the candidate’s ability to integrate and apply a broad base…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, insurance, marketing-and-communications, on-the-move
Five ways to spend unused 529 plan funds
July 26, 2023
Opening a 529 plan is a fantastic way to save for education for a child. Imagine that you have been saving for your child’s college education since she was a…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, education, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Leasing vs. Buying a Car: Which one is right for you?
June 30, 2023
By Carolyn A. Stewart If you have been in the market for a new (or used) car in the last 2-3 years, you are probably aware that the cost of…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Jon Robertson of Abacus Planning Group appointed as Trustee of Richland Library
June 5, 2023
Abacus Planning Group proudly announces the appointment of Jon Robertson, CFP® to the Richland Library Board of Trustees. Richland Library is a vibrant, contemporary organization that provides resources and information…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, education, financial-advisors, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Investment Policy Guidelines: The Blueprint of your Portfolio
May 31, 2023
by Bailey O. Davis Investment Policy Guidelines (IPGs) are crucial for long-term financial success by creating a foundation of trust between you and your advisor. An IPG is an important…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Putting Your Cash to Work
April 25, 2023
By Charles B. Flowers, CFA The creation of a cash management plan is the best way to optimize your cash. A successful cash management plan incorporates cash needs, time frames,…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: accounting, advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
The Role of Trustee in Family Governance
April 2, 2023
By Jonathan J. Robertson, CFP® One of the most important decisions when you create an estate plan is selecting a trustee to manage your assets. You have many options when…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
A Guide to Bunching Charitable Contributions
February 27, 2023
by Stephen E. Maggard, CFP® Giving generously to charity is often a topic near and dear to our clients’ hearts; close behind on the priority list is limiting the amount…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: accounting, advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy
Where Do You Want To Be Five Years From Today?
January 30, 2023
by Ann J. Beckwith, CFP® In goal setting, it’s important to step back and look at where we wish to be and how we spend our time today in the…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: accounting, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Saving for the Future: 529 Plans
September 1, 2022
By Laird W. Green, CFP® Opening a 529 plan is a fantastic way to save for education from public or private colleges and graduate schools (as well as private elementary…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, banking-and-finance, education, financial-advisors, on-the-move
The Tale of Two Savers
July 13, 2022
Albert Einstein is reputed to have said, “Compound interest is the eighth Wonder of the World. He who understands it earns it; he who doesn’t, pays for it.” What is…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, financial-advisors
Utilizing the 0% Tax Rate on Long-Term Capital Gains
May 1, 2022
By Carolyn Stewart Even if the holidays have passed, it’s never too early or too late to start thinking about what gifts you can give to your loved ones. While…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: accounting, advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Charitable Gifting with Appreciated Securities
March 31, 2022
By Anne Marie E. Ashworth, CFP® A charitable gift can be in the form of time, money, or in-kind donation. Whichever the case, the goal is to have the most…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: accounting, advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move, philanthropy
Does Medicare cover Home Health Care? The answer is “it depends.”
February 28, 2022
By Molly Thomas, FPQP® The answer to this question is truly “it depends.” Medicare draws a line in the important distinction between medically necessary home health care and personal care…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, health-care, insurance, on-the-move
Fighting for the Truth: Investor Misinformation
January 29, 2022
By Stephen J. Scott, CFP® Within the past decade, the term “fake news” has entered into our lexicon. While most people associate the term with politics, the idea of misleading…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: accounting, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Choosing a Guardian for Your Minor Child
October 29, 2021
By Laird W. Green, CFP® While no one wants to think about the possibility of not being there to raise a child, naming a guardian for your child is of…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, law, on-the-move
Discussing a prenuptial agreement with your adult children
September 30, 2021
By Edward W. Kramer, CFP®, EA Should you require your children to have a prenuptial agreement? This question can be very important if you have a family business, financial wealth,…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Aligning Your Values with Your Investments
August 30, 2021
by Bailey O. Davis There are so many ways to help people, organizations, and causes that are special to you. You may donate your time by volunteering in your community.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, environmental, financial-advisors, on-the-move
How Hard is Your Cash Working?
July 27, 2021
Managing cash in a low interest rate environment by Stephen E. Maggard With current treasury yields hovering slightly above zero, individuals are experiencing angst over the lack of returns from…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Protecting Your Children’s Credit
June 16, 2021
By Brittany M. Midgette As you sort through your mail, you may notice that some mail has arrived that is addressed to your child. For example, your ten-year-old child may…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Understanding Your Portfolio and Fees
May 29, 2021
By Charles B. Flowers, CFA At the end of every month, quarter, and year, the investment world tallies returns and produces reports. Frequently the results are delivered in chart-filled reports…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Order of Contributions
April 30, 2021
By Corinne Hanna, CFP® Whether you are an employee deciding about your annual benefits at election time or an employer deciding which benefits to offer, make your workplace benefits work…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: accounting, advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
How to Think About Insuring that Second Home
March 30, 2021
By Molly A. Thomas, FPQP™ Many people dream of a second home—a place to go for some rest and relaxation, a place to call your own, a place for family…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, insurance, on-the-move, residential-real-estate
SPACs – Special Purpose Acquisition Companies
February 24, 2021
By William R. Jeter, CFA, CFP® SPACs are currently all of the rage in financial media. Why? As with any investment being heavily promoted, you can almost always understand by…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Whom Should I Select to Serve as Trustee?
February 22, 2021
By Jonathan J. Robertson, CFP® When people are updating their estate documents, they frequently leave assets in trust for someone else. The key concept behind the idea of a trust…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, banking-and-finance, law, on-the-move
Creating a Budget: Empowerment Over Constraint
January 29, 2021
By Anne Marie E. Ashworth, CFP® For many, budgeting has a lot of negative connotations. Tracking where money comes from and where it goes leaves some feeling frustrated and guilty.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, life, on-the-move
Beneficiary Designations: Why your Will and Trusts Aren’t Enough
October 29, 2020
By Anne Marie E. Ashworth, CFP® When developing a comprehensive estate plan, it is critical to understand which, if any, of your assets have (or could have) a beneficiary designated.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, law, on-the-move
Leaving a Legacy – Using a Retirement Account Beneficiary Designation to Gift to Charity
August 31, 2020
By J. Abigail Mason, CFP® Designating a charity through a retirement account beneficiary designation is a great option for those who are philanthropic and who also want to ensure money…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: accounting, advice, banking-and-finance, law, on-the-move
Abacus Planning Group named to Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers
August 18, 2020
Abacus Planning Group announced it has been named, once again, to the 2020 edition of the Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers. The list recognizes top independent RIA firms…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: accounting, banking-and-finance, on-the-move
Charitable Considerations When Selling a Business
July 30, 2020
By Bethany M. Griffith, CFP®, EA Running a business is full of decision points, strategy planning, and opportunities. All of these factors remain when it is time to sell…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: accounting, advice, banking-and-finance, on-the-move, philanthropy
What to Consider in a Buy-Sell Agreement
June 30, 2020
By Jonathan J. Robertson, CFP® If your business has more than one owner, having a buy-sell agreement in place is vital. A buy-sell agreement is used to determine in advance…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: accounting, advice, banking-and-finance, on-the-move
Transferring the Ownership of Your Business as You Approach Retirement: an ESOP may be the answer
May 14, 2020
By Ann J. Beckwith, CFP® As the owner of a business, you have worked tirelessly to build a profitable company in which you take pride. Now, as you approach…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, banking-and-finance, on-the-move
Helping your Child Purchase a Business
April 8, 2020
By Eddie W. Kramer, CFP®, EA Highly driven children often have a desire to own their own business, especially when they have grown up in a family of successful business…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
Aging and Eldercare – What’s Your Plan?
March 27, 2020
By Molly Thomas FPQP® at Abacus Planning Group Benjamin Franklin wisely said, “When you fail to plan you are planning to fail”. Many of us and most of our parents…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, banking-and-finance, business-services, health-care, insurance, on-the-move
The Ultimate Gift: A Road Map for Funeral Wishes
March 9, 2020
By Laird W. Green CFP® from Abacus Planning Group “Facing death with a sense of practicality, equanimity, and clarity is the ultimate gift you can leave your children, friends, and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, banking-and-finance, on-the-move
