Broker Check

237 Johns Street, Johnstown, PA 15901

(814) 534-4445

Blog

Thursday, October 29, 2026

To give is better than to receive, unless you’re giving more than your fair share to Uncle Sam. As you prepare your holiday gift list, you may opt to give family and friends gifts with lasting value that also offer tax benefits for...

Thursday, October 1, 2026

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2027–28 school year is scheduled to open on October 1. Students who submitted during the recent beta window do not need to resubmit when the form officially opens.1 Key...

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

1. Tax-Free Withdrawals Money that goes into a Roth IRA is after-tax dollars. Because you've already paid taxes on that money, once it is withdrawn, it comes out tax-free. There are some restrictions on those withdrawals if you want...

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Throughout your life, you’ve likely dreamt about what your retirement will look like. There are many possibilities about what you can do with your time, where you can live and what your income and finances will look like. As you get...

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Manage Your Money More Effectively Not having positive money management habits can have a severe impact not just on your current finances but also on your future finances. Creating and sticking to good habits can help you feel more in...

Show All

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Many parents today suffer from sticker shock when they learn what it costs to send their children to college. While the cost of college can be a hard pill to swallow, it’s never too early to get familiar with a 529 college savings...

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Summer’s here, and the time is right for vacations, outdoor activities, and fun. It’s also a good time to consider a few financial matters. Here are some questions to ask yourself mid-year. Goals still the same this year? Has market...

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Budgeting is a powerful first step on the path to building wealth as a young investor. By establishing mindful financial habits now, you can build a solid foundation to support your long-term financial goals. Here are ten budgeting...

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Working Hard but Looking Forward to the Next Stage in Life? You’re at that age when you find yourself thinking more and more about retirement. It’s really not that far away. Your kids are planning their careers and you’ve been saving...

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Managing your traditional or Roth IRA each year is a powerful step toward building your retirement strategy. In 2026, you can contribute up to $7,500—or $8,600 if you're 50 or older (depending on your modified adjusted gross income)....

Thursday, June 4, 2026

JOHNSTOWN, PA. (June 4, 2026) – Carpenter Financial Services earned the Circle of Excellence Award at Cetera Financial Group's annual awards conference. Representatives from Carpenter Financial Services were celebrated during the...

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Many parents today suffer from sticker shock when they learn what it costs to send their children to college. While the cost of college can be a hard pill to swallow, it’s never too early to get familiar with a 529 college savings...

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Retirement is an exciting milestone, but it often comes with big changes, both in your finances and your mindset. After years of building wealth, shifting from saving to spending can feel unfamiliar. The good news? With a few...

Friday, April 24, 2026

Earning more throughout your career doesn’t guarantee wealth. Without strong habits, spending often rises alongside income, leaving little progress toward long-term goals. True financial growth comes from consistent, intentional...

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Many people believe that higher income automatically leads to wealth, but without strong habits, spending often grows just as fast. Building wealth is less about big wins and more about consistent choices that compound over time. Here...

Monday, March 23, 2026

Sometimes the best things in life are unexpected and bring immeasurable joy. Other times even the most careful planning can still end up in heartbreak and tragedy. We are here to support and advise you through all of life’s ups and...

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Building wealth is an incredible achievement but preserving it for future generations requires intentional habits. Without structure and foresight, decades of effort can erode quickly due to market risks, taxes, or family conflict....

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

February is National Financial Aid Awareness Month, so it’s time to explore the many financial aid resources available for college-bound students. Whether you’re a parent or grandparent, understanding these choices may help your loved...

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Your retirement strategy is a journey that requires foresight, diligence, and a clear understanding of your financial needs. While there's no one-size-fits-all rule for determining how much you need to retire, there are some helpful...

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Retirement marks a new chapter, one that often requires a shift in both strategy and mindset. After decades of saving, moving into the distribution phase can feel overwhelming. The good news? With the right habits, you can approach...

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Retirement isn’t the end of planning; it’s the start of a new chapter called the distribution phase. This stage focuses on preserving savings, creating reliable income, and preparing for surprises.

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

The end of the year is prime time to reflect on whether you've met your financial goals. Some examples include repaying debt, saving for college, or building an emergency fund. Giving your finances a year-end checkup can help get you...

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

A solid strategy will help put you on the path towards a happy retirement. If you work with an experienced financial professional, they can help you retire with confidence knowing you’ve taken steps to protect your assets. Are you...

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Manage Your Money More Effectively Not having positive money management habits can have a severe impact not just on your current finances but also on your future finances. Creating and sticking to good habits can help you feel more in...

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Planning for your children’s education is a long-term effort. With college costs on the rise, starting early is key—but what about getting some other important individuals on board? Depending on your circumstances and preferences, you...

Friday, October 10, 2025

1. Tax-Free Withdrawals Money that goes into a Roth IRA is after-tax dollars. Because you've already paid taxes on that money, once it is withdrawn, it comes out tax-free. There are some restrictions on those withdrawals if you want...

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

A recent survey reported that 47% of parents had made financial sacrifices to support their adult children. It's often a difficult decision that can stress relationships, impact retirement strategies, and harm overall financial...

Monday, September 8, 2025

The SECURE Act 2.0 has introduced catch-up contribution choices for those aged 50+, designed to help boost your retirement savings. These enhanced catch-up provisions are available if you're participating in workplace retirement plans...

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Your 70s represent a time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, but there’s still work to do. When you turn 73, you’ll need to start taking one of the more complex and time-consuming aspects of managing your retirement income: required...

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Plan for Your Future You may have considered all the fun things you will do in retirement – travel, take up a new hobby or spend more time with your family – but well before your official retirement, it’s a good idea to create a...

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

6 Questions to Ask When Planning for Retirement Financial security in retirement doesn’t happen by accident. Planning for a financially independent retirement involves more than just putting money away into a savings account and...

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Representatives from Carpenter Financial Services were celebrated as Elite Financial Professionals of Avantax during the invitation-only Avantax Elite Summit 2025 in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Avantax is a community of tax-focused...

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Throughout your life, you’ve likely dreamt about what your retirement will look like. There are many possibilities about what you can do with your time, where you can live and what your income and finances will look like. As you get...

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Managing your traditional or Roth IRA each year is a powerful step toward building your retirement strategy. In 2025, you can contribute up to $7,000—or $8,000 if you're 50 or older (depending on your modified adjusted gross income)....

Monday, June 2, 2025

Robert Sekerak of Carpenter Financial Services recently joined co-owner Joseph Carpenter for a return visit to Bishop McCort High School, where they spoke with students about foundational money principles like saving, investing, and...

Thursday, May 22, 2025

6 Questions to Ask When Planning for Retirement Financial security in retirement doesn’t happen by accident. Planning for a financially independent retirement involves more than just putting money away into a savings account and...

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Are you financially prepared for retirement? You’ve spent your working life saving for the time when you can leave your career behind and enjoy your family, pursue hobbies or simply relax on the beach. But are you financially prepared...

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Are you going back and forth on when you should quit working for good? If you haven’t hit your retirement age and are thinking about moving into your next chapter, here are some personal and financial milestones you’ll want to reach...

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Did you know an estimated 70% of wealth passed down doesn’t make it past the second generation? Up to 90% disappears by the third generation.1 This is why proper financial education, and an established estate plan are important....

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Carpenter Financial Services is excited to announce that Robert J. Sekerak, Jr., who has been a member of the team on a limited basis since 2010, is now stepping into a full-time role as Financial Services Associate. Robert, who is Joe...

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Joseph A. Carpenter, co-owner of Carpenter Financial Services and an alumnus of Bishop McCort High School, recently returned to his alma mater alongside advisor Robert Sekerak, Jr. to educate students on personal finance. The duo also...

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

On Sunday, September 8, 2024, 20 children from the Run Home Camps program enjoyed an unforgettable day at PNC Park as they attended a Pittsburgh Pirates game, watching the home team secure a 7-3 victory over the Washington Nationals....

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Did you know that we offer comprehensive wealth management that has helped clients like you make choices that yield healthier financial and investment decisions? Every financial decision you make has tax implications. You need to be...

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Samuel and Joseph Carpenter were celebrated as exceptional affiliates of Avantax® Inc. for their exemplary client service and business achievements during the Avantax Elite Summit in Nassau, Bahamas. 

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Joseph A. Carpenter, CRPC® CFS® CSA, FRCSM, co-owner of Carpenter Financial Services, joined GBU’s Producer Advisory Council (PAC). GBU is a member-owned, not-for-profit life insurance and annuities company...

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Carpenter Financial Services has been voted The Tribune Democrat's "Simply the Best" Financial Planner in the Greater Johnstown area for 2023. We extend our sincere gratitude to our clients, friends, and partners who voted for us again.

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Joseph and Samuel Carpenter, co-owners of Carpenter Financial Services, were recognized as an Elite firm of Avantax Wealth Management® at the Elite Summit event held recently in London, England.

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Local financial advisor and co-owner of Carpenter Financial Services Joe Carpenter returns to his alma mater, Bishop McCort Catholic High School, on March 13, 2023 to educate students about personal finance topics.

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Carpenter Financial was recognized by the Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce for Excellence in Business at their annual dinner on March 2, 2023.

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Financial Advisor Joseph A. Carpenter, along with Wealth Management Assistants Heather McClelland, Lisa Wirfel, and Michelle Maksymik of Carpenter Financial Services joined 1,100 Financial Professionals, Educational Partners...

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Sam and Joe Carpenter, owners of Carpenter Financial Services, have been recognized as top affiliates of Avantax Wealth Management®.

Friday, February 18, 2022

Carpenter Financial Services has been recognized as one of the top affiliates of Avantax Wealth Management®, a leader in tax-advantaged financial planning. Only a handful of Avantax’s more than 3,000 affiliates are awarded...

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Saturday, July 24, 2021

Brothers Sam and Joe Carpenter, have been named to the Avantax Wealth ManagementSM Premier Advisors’ Forum, which recognizes the top 75 financial professionals out of more than 3,000 across the country affiliated with the...