You know how life tends to throw in a few plot twists? They don't ask if you're ready. They just show up—with potential financial consequences tagging along. A layoff. A diagnosis. A parent who needs help. These moments don't come with instruction manuals. But they do come with price tags, deadlines, and decisions that can echo for years. The good news? You don't have to wait until you're standing in the middle of a crossroad...

Many people think about taxes once a year — when April rolls around and it's time to file. By then, the year is already in the rearview mirror. The decisions that could have made a difference? Many of the deadlines for them already passed. That's the gap between tax preparation and tax planning. And understanding the difference could change how you think about your money — not just in the spring, but all year long...