Matt Johnson
Wealth Advisor
Hockey, Heart, and High School
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to coach hockey at many levels, from brand new six-year-olds to 18-year-old high school players who can skate circles around me. I’ve loved working with every athlete I’ve coached, and it’s especially rewarding to run into former players years later and see that they’re still enjoying the game.
This season has been extra special, as my boys are now old enough to play for their high school team. The atmosphere surrounding a high school program is truly unique, and it has been a meaningful experience to be part of it as both a coach and a parent.
Brandon, a goalie, and Chase, a defenseman, both play on the junior varsity team. Chase has had opportunities to play up with varsity when they’ve been short on players, and he’s enjoyed competing alongside older, more experienced teammates. Brandon continues to put in the work, and his opportunity to appear in a varsity game is right around the corner.
Our JV roster includes several newer players, some of whom had never skated before this season. Watching their growth, both in skill and in understanding of the game, has been one of the highlights of the year. I look forward to coaching many of them over the next three to four years as they develop throughout high school.
Regardless of experience level, my expectation for every player is the same, work hard and give your best effort. I never expect more than what a player is capable of, but when they give everything they have, that’s what makes me proud. Earlier this season, we suffered a tough loss on the scoreboard, yet it remains one of the games I felt best about because of the team’s effort and determination.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to be involved with this program. The coaching staff is outstanding, and the players are exceptional young men and women. Hockey truly is a special sport, and I’m thankful to share it with my kids and so many other great young people.
Larz as a mentor…
Recently Larz hosted several Personal Financial Planning students from BYUI. They had the opportunity to tour the office, observe a day in the life of a financial advisor, and then ask candid questions about what is looks like working for Carson Wealth.
Larz Macfarlane
Wealth Advisor
The IRA that Fooled George and Martha
George and Martha Washington had always been careful with their money. Over the years, George’s IRA quietly grew into the largest account they owned. They thought of it as “their money” and assumed it would work much like their savings account or investment portfolio.
What they did not realize was that a traditional IRA is really a joint account with their favorite Uncle… Uncle Sam. The taxes had only been postponed, not eliminated. When George retired and they began taking withdrawals, the added income pushed them into higher tax brackets than expected, shrinking the amount they actually kept.
Later, when George passed away, Martha assumed the IRA would transfer as easily as their home or their bank accounts. Instead, she discovered that IRAs follow a very different set of rules at death. Beneficiary designations mattered more than their will, required distributions came with strict timelines, and recent changes in the law limited options she thought were still available. A missed opportunity led to unnecessary taxes that could not be reversed.
The challenge was not the IRA itself. It was the assumption that it behaved like other assets. For many families, the IRA is one of the biggest accounts they own, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Its unique tax rules and distribution requirements mean small mistakes can become costly ones.
George and Martha’s story is fictional, but the lesson is real. Understanding how IRAs work, especially after recent legislation, can make a meaningful difference. That is why we have outlined 21 easy bullet points explaining what makes IRAs unique and how costly mistakes can often be avoided.
