As of late October 2025, the U.S. national average for regular gasoline hovers around a seven-year average of roughly $3.06. Seemingly high, current prices actually fall between the extremes of recent decades: they are well above the low of around $1.84 per gallon seen in April 2020 during the COVID-19-driven demand collapse, yet significantly below… Continue reading What’s Fueling Gasoline Prices?
Article Categories: Articles
The Hidden Retirement Risk: Why Sequence of Return Risk Matters Most Right Now
While markets have generally trended upward over time, the order in which those returns occur can have a massive impact on your retirement success. And as you get closer to retirement, the window to recover from market downturns gets much smaller. What Exactly Is Sequence of Return Risk? Sequence of Return Risk is the danger… Continue reading The Hidden Retirement Risk: Why Sequence of Return Risk Matters Most Right Now
Are You Ready for the Holidays?
You may be enjoying the pumpkin décor and cozy sweaters in your part of the country, but it won’t be long before the season of family gatherings and giving takes place. For many individuals this time of year can be a strain on their finances, mainly due to the lack of preparation. Before you begin… Continue reading Are You Ready for the Holidays?
Smart Tools Still Need Human Judgment
Artificial intelligence has made work faster and more efficient—but it’s not ready to replace professional financial advice, yet. Here’s an example from a recent exchange with ChatGPT: Me: What are the 2025 contribution limits for employer plans? ChatGPT:403(b): $23,000 (plus $7,500 if age 50 or older)Governmental 457(b): $23,000 (plus $7,500 if age 50 or older)… Continue reading Smart Tools Still Need Human Judgment
Yes, You Can Max Out a Roth IRA (Even If It Feels Out of Reach Today)
A Roth IRA is one of the most powerful retirement tools available. You contribute after-tax dollars, and your growth and withdrawals in retirement are tax-free, assuming you follow the rules. For many people under the income limits, the real obstacle isn’t eligibility. It’s cash flow. The good news is that with a little scrutiny, most… Continue reading Yes, You Can Max Out a Roth IRA (Even If It Feels Out of Reach Today)
401(k) Loans: A Double-Edged Sword
401(k) Loans: Why Borrowing from Yourself Isn’t Free Money Emergencies happen, and usually at the times we least expect. When you suddenly need a pool of money to cover an emergency (or maybe that remodel that you’ve been wanting), you might think to yourself, “Wait, I have a lot of money saved in my 401(k)…Can’t… Continue reading 401(k) Loans: A Double-Edged Sword
A Tool for Making the Medicare Decision
October 1 is fast approaching and throughout the nation, seniors are bracing their mailboxes for the added weight of all the Medicare plan advertisements that will fill their mailbox. Open enrollment, the time to evaluate and shop for Medicare plans, runs from October 15 – December 7. In preparation, insurance companies will be screaming at… Continue reading A Tool for Making the Medicare Decision
Will Bonds Finally Make A Comeback?
Fed rate cuts can be a game-changer for fixed-income mutual funds, and it’s all about that inverse relationship between interest rates and bond prices. Think back to late 2021 when the Fed started hiking rates to fight inflation; we saw bond funds take a hit as their values declined. But now, if the Fed starts… Continue reading Will Bonds Finally Make A Comeback?
It’s Draft Day—for Your Wallet, Too
If you can tinker with a roster on Tuesday night, you can tune up your finances once a week. Here’s your fun, football-flavored playbook to spend as much time on your money as you do on FF—without sacrificing a single meme in the league chat. The Fantasy-to-Finance Translator Draft Day = Budget DayYour budget is… Continue reading It’s Draft Day—for Your Wallet, Too
Why People Overspend Their Money—and How to Regain Control
Of the most common barriers to financial stability, overspending is likely a factor. Even with good intentions, many individuals find themselves with little savings or mounting debt. To change this pattern, it’s important to understand the root causes of overspending and learn strategies to prevent it. 1. Emotional Spending Many people overspend when they’re stressed,… Continue reading Why People Overspend Their Money—and How to Regain Control
