This month on Moving Forward. Together: Check out our community engagement, Ditch The Suits reboot, and find out if you should buy Title Theft Insurance.

One of the principles that has guided SEED from the beginning is the belief that strong communities create stronger futures. Through the combined efforts with our affiliated nonprofit, SEEDs of Hope, we dedicate time, resources, and relationships to causes that align with our mission. While S.E.E.D. Planning Group focuses on cultural enrichment, youth development, and community partnerships, SEEDs of Hope is dedicated to helping people who help others and advancing financial literacy initiatives that empower individuals and families. Over the past year, these efforts have included support for organizations such as the Roberson Museum, WSKG, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Southern Tier Veterans Support Group, GiGi's Playhouse Southern Tier, Horse Haven of Tennessee, New Visions Business & Career Academy, Junior Achievement, and many others.

As we look ahead, we want our clients to know that some of our most meaningful community partnerships have started with a simple conversation. If you are involved with a charitable organization, educational initiative, cultural institution, youth-focused program, financial literacy effort, or another cause that aligns with the mission of either S.E.E.D. Planning Group or SEEDs of Hope, we would love to hear about it. While we cannot support every request, we are always looking for opportunities to make a positive impact and to connect with people who are working to improve the lives of others. Together, we can continue planting seeds that create lasting change, stronger communities, and greater opportunities for generations to come.

We're excited to announce a refreshed Ditch the Suits experience! What started as a podcast focused on helping people get more from their money and life has evolved into a broader platform for financial education, consumer advocacy, and honest conversations. You'll notice updated branding, a redesigned website, and new resources created to make it even easier to access practical insights, explore past episodes, and continue learning between shows. The refresh is designed to better reflect the podcast's mission: helping people understand the "rules of the game" when it comes to money, make more confident decisions, and cut through the noise that often surrounds financial advice.

While the look is new, the purpose remains the same. Hosted by Travis Maus, Ditch the Suits continues to deliver straightforward, consumer-first discussions about money, life, leadership, and the challenges that affect everyday families. Along with new episodes, listeners can expect expanded educational content, a growing library of downloadable resources, blog articles, and enhanced access through YouTube and other platforms. If you haven't tuned in recently, now is the perfect time to rediscover Ditch the Suits. And if you're already a listener, we think you'll love what's coming next.

Check out more at Financial Planning & Finance Podcast | Ditch The Suits

Understanding Home Title Theft: What Every Homeowner Should Know

One of the common questions we get from clients is “Do I need to subscribe to Title Lock or some sort of service to protect the title of my house from theft.” Normally this is triggered by seeing an advertisement warning that someone can “steal” your home by taking over the title to your property. While home title theft, also known as deed fraud, is a real form of identity theft, it is often misunderstood and sometimes overstated in marketing campaigns. In these schemes, criminals use stolen personal information and forged documents to fraudulently transfer ownership of a property or take out loans against a home’s equity. The good news is that these cases remain relatively uncommon, and there are practical, low-cost steps homeowners can take to monitor and protect their property. We are not saying the risk isn’t real or that related services do not provide value, but before spending money on monitoring services, it’s important to understand the actual risks, warning signs, and available protections.

If you would like to learn more, we recommend reviewing the following resources. Kiplinger’s article, How to Protect Your Home From Deed and Title Theft, provides a practical overview of how title fraud occurs and steps homeowners can take to monitor their property records. For a data-focused perspective, see Home Title Theft Statistics 2026: Is It Really Common?, which examines the actual prevalence of title theft and who may be most at risk. We also recommend Home Title Theft: Is Title Lock Worth It? (2026), which explains the differences between title monitoring services and true prevention measures. Finally, the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer alert, Home Title Lock Insurance? Not a Lock at All, reminds homeowners that many paid “title lock” services simply notify owners after a filing has occurred and that free monitoring options may already be available through local land records offices. Taking a few minutes to educate yourself today can help you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary expenses tomorrow.