Neal and I (Evan) were on our way to Florida for the Cars of 30A show in Alys Beach when our smooth drive down I-85 suddenly hit a bump—literally. Out of nowhere, we heard a steady thump-thump-thump coming from the rear passenger side.
We pulled off to the shoulder and discovered the tire was going flat fast. From where we stood, our only real options were to call a tow truck and wait it out or try to limp carefully to a car dealership we could see from the interstate. After a quick risk assessment (the kind that happens more by instinct than spreadsheet), we decided to carefully creep along the shoulder and make our way to the dealership.
Key Blind Spots Addressed
When we arrived, we did what any stranded travelers would do—we begged for help. And that’s when the real story started. The service manager immediately stepped in, brainstorming solutions on the spot. He considered every angle: could we take the wheel off and send it down the road in an Uber to another dealership that might have a matching tire? Could we get one delivered? Should we call around to see who might have our tire in stock?
After several calls and a few dead ends, our service manager double-checked their own inventory—and there it was. They actually had the exact tire we needed sitting in the back. Within an hour, they had replaced it and had us safely back on the road to Florida.
Only after the new tire was installed did we learn that the culprit wasn’t a simple nail or screw—it was a chunk of metal from a tow hook, courtesy of Georgia’s finest roadside debris. The mechanic said if it had struck at a slightly different angle, it could have cracked the rim and caused a much bigger (and more expensive) problem. As it turned out, we were lucky.
I was on fire - almost
4. Managing Surcharges on Investment Income: Even small income changes can trigger surcharges on long-term capital gains or qualified dividends. We work to keep clients below those thresholds whenever possible.
5. Georgia Retirement Income Planning: For Georgia residents, we help develop a plan to fully take advantage of the state’s retirement income tax exemption starting at age 65.
6. Bracket Management for Retired Couples: With retired spouses, we often maximize the Georgia exemption while keeping total income within the 12% federal tax bracket—creating tax-efficient income streams.
Final Thoughts
The whole experience reminded me a lot of financial planning. Sometimes, life throws you a flat tire—an unexpected expense, a market downturn, a job change—and in that moment, you need more than just a product or a quick fix. You need someone who steps up, thinks clearly under pressure, and helps you find the right path forward.
And just like that dealership, the best financial planning relationships simplify what feels complicated. Instead of chasing five different solutions at once, sometimes the smartest move is to stay put, work with the team that knows you, and rely on their experience and resources to get you back on track.
Because in both cars and financial plans, the goal isn’t to avoid every bump in the road—it’s to know that when something unexpected happens, you’ve got the right people in your corner to help you handle it calmly, efficiently, and confidently.
Whether it’s flat tires or financial plans—yes, we can help with that.
At Gary Alpert Financial Strategies, we believe the best plans are the ones that simplify life—not complicate it.
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And Now …
Today, 10 years later, our practice has grown considerably. We have phenomenal clients, a great team, and our practice is still part of the Integrated Financial Group. During this time, we have helped individuals and families with their estate planning, investment planning, executive compensation planning, retiree tax planning, and insurance planning. These are just a few of the areas we focus on for our clients.
I eventually got my drivers’ license (at the ripe age of 27), married my lovely wife, Wendy, and purchased a home in Woodstock GA complete with a fire extinguisher on each floor and a built-in sprinkler system.
Working with my amazing team to best service you has been the ultimate privilege. Our team will continue to expand our range of offerings with the goal of responding to all your financial planning needs. We will also make sure to do so without ever letting up on our service and responsiveness to you.
Thank you so much for being part of this journey.
Most investments are meant to be long term. Always evaluate whether the time horizon required for an investment to succeed matches your timeline for liquidity.
Imagine in mine and Wendy’s case if the doors and the windows locked just as we were trying to leave or that someone came down the stairs just as we were wandering around the main level.
Our motto is “we can help you with that.” We will collaborate with you on any financial decision you make, engaging other subject matter experts when necessary. We will not stop until we get things right. We encourage you to reach out to us for assistance in making important financial decisions and we always appreciate you recommending us to others.
by Hetmayar
Authored by Gary Alpert
Tracking ID: 810522
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