05/28/2026
Stocks bounced back last week as enthusiasm for the AI trade continued and rumors of a Middle East peace agreement bolstered investor optimism. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.88 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index...
Weekly Market Insights | Markets Shrug Off Chip Worries, Finish Strong
05/28/2026
Where you save matters just as much as how much you save. See how tax-deferred growth compares to a taxable account over the same time horizon.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Compare how the same contribution grows differently in taxable versus tax-deferred accounts.
05/27/2026
Federal Reserve officials appear increasingly focused on how persistent inflation could shape future interest rate decisions.
Minutes from the most recent Fed meeting show that many officials supported keeping rates steady, while also noting that higher rates could become appropriate if inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% target.
The meeting also reflected a notable level of disagreement. The committee voted to hold its benchmark rate at 3.5% to 3.75%, but four members dissented — the highest number of dissents since 1992.
A key issue was whether the Fed’s statement should continue to suggest that a rate cut remained the more likely next move. Several officials preferred more flexible language, given ongoing inflation pressures.
For households and businesses, these discussions matter because interest rate decisions can influence borrowing costs, savings yields, mortgage rates, credit card rates, and broader economic conditions.
Fed officials see rate hike ahead if inflation stays elevated, minutes show
A majority of officials anticipated that interest rate increases would be necessary if the Iran war continued to aggravate inflation.
05/26/2026
The truth is a little more complicated with these personal finance idioms.
The Latte Lie and Other Myths
Check out this video to begin separating fact from fiction.
05/21/2026
Concerned about identity theft? Some things to leave at home.
Please Leave Home Without It
Concerns over identity theft continue to grow, especially with data breaches at major companies and financial institutions.
05/20/2026
Restoring the Great Wall of China is a careful process, and in some places, it is happening one brick at a time.
The Great Wall stretches roughly 13,000 miles, but it is not one continuous structure. Instead, it is composed of many sections built over several dynasties over about 2,000 years.
One restoration effort focuses on the Jiankou section, a steep, rugged section of the wall north of Beijing. The work requires traditional masonry skills, local knowledge, and a deep respect for preserving the structure’s historic character.
For Cheng Yongmao, known as Old Cheng, the work has become a life’s calling. After decades as a bricklayer and restoration specialist, he now helps guide efforts to protect and repair parts of the wall for future generations.
The project is a reminder that preserving history often depends on patience, craftsmanship, and the people willing to protect what came before.
China’s Great Wall is being restored one brick at a time
NBC News visits the monumental 13,000-mile fortifications, which are not, in fact, one contiguous structure but many segments built over several dynasties spanning about 2,000 years.
05/19/2026
Stocks were mixed last week as investors fretted over hot inflation reports, which offset the move in chipmaker stocks. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.13 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged down 0.08 percent. The...
Weekly Market Insights | Inflation Bites, But Wall Street Bites Back
05/19/2026
Have you ever had to deal with a "white elephant" inheritance? Learn how to avoid holding on to a burden in our latest article.
White Elephant Inheritance
This article deals with how one might deal with a burdensome inheritance.
05/14/2026
Stocks rose last week as peace talks picked up while investors cheered better-than-expected economic news and Q1 corporate results. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 2.33 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 4.51...
Weekly Market Insights | Stocks Rise with Upbeat News
05/14/2026
Your insurance needs don’t stay the same when the nest empties, but what changes?
Insurance Needs Assessment: For Empty Nesters and Retirees
Do your insurance needs stay the same when the nest empties?
05/12/2026
Own a life insurance policy or annuity that is many years old? You may want to consider a trade in.
What Is a 1035 Exchange?
1035 exchanges provide a way to trade-in an annuity contract or life insurance policy without triggering a tax liability.