Kevin Thomas Financial Consultant Equitable Advisors Navy Veteran

10/13/2026

The Big Mac Index turns forty this year. Forty years old and still fun to explain at parties. Check out what this classic burger can tell us about the purchasing power of our dollar.

10/12/2026

As a Member of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce Welcome Council it's always rewarding to celebrate businesses and organizations that are creating positive change in our community.

Congratulations to Innovate Next Level Basketball Training on their official ribbon cutting with the ! 🏀✂️

The energy, support, and excitement in the room reflected what this organization is all about: helping young people reach their full potential through mentorship, discipline, and athletic development.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support this important milestone, and thank you to the team at Innovate Next Level for your commitment to serving youth and families throughout the Killeen area.

We are fortunate to have organizations like this investing in the future of our community.

10/09/2026

A carton of milk 🥛. A set of golf clubs ⛳. A bottle of perfume 🌸. All three just got pricier to send north into Canada. 🍁

Canada's new tariffs on $20 billion in American goods took effect this week, ranging from 15 to 50 percent depending on the product.

It's the latest move in a trade dispute that's dragged on for more than a year between two of the world's largest trading partners.

The ripple effects won't directly affect most household budgets. But they're a reminder that global headlines and everyday costs are more connected than they seem.

That connection, and what it might mean for your own situation, is exactly the kind of thing we're keeping an eye on for you.


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Canada's steep retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion in U.S. goods took effect just after midnight ET on Tuesday, deepening the trade war between the two countries.

10/08/2026

As a veteran, it means a little more when I have the opportunity to support and celebrate fellow veterans who are building something special in our community.

Last week, I was honored to join my fellow Ambassadors with the in welcoming A Lot of Fun Party Rentals & Supplies to their new storefront in Temple. Congratulations to Francisco Lomeli, a fellow veteran and entrepreneur, on this exciting milestone!

For more than three years, Francisco has helped families and businesses across Central Texas create memorable events through party rentals, bounce houses, tables, chairs, canopies, and more. Now, with this new storefront, the community has a local destination for party supplies and event essentials. For many of us, this feels like a much-needed replacement after Party City closed its doors, giving Temple families another great local option right here at home.

I love seeing veterans continue their service in a different way by creating businesses, generating jobs, and investing back into the communities they call home. It was a privilege to help celebrate this ribbon cutting and welcome another growing small business to Temple.

Congratulations, Francisco! Wishing you, your family, and the entire A Lot of Fun team continued success in this next chapter.

📍1701 W. Avenue M, Temple, TX

10/07/2026

🌴 More Americans are deciding that enjoying life now matters just as much as making financial progress for later.

A recent SoFi survey found that 72% of Americans would be willing to make slower progress toward their financial goals so they can spend more time with family, travel more, and prioritize meaningful experiences.

That doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning long-term goals. In fact, 59% of respondents said enjoying life is how they define financial progress, compared with 27% who pointed to owning a home.

The challenge is finding a balance between what matters now and what matters later. ✈️ That can mean making room for a vacation, concert, or family event while still keeping an eye on retirement savings and debt.

But charge that trip to a credit card and carry a balance, and interest can turn a two-week memory into a much longer bill.

What does financial progress look like to you: reaching the next milestone, enjoying more of life now, or some mix of both?


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SoFi found 72% of Americans are willing to make slower progress on financial goals to prioritize family, travel and meaningful experiences.

10/06/2026

What a fantastic afternoon at last months Business Link Lunch!

There’s something special about being in a room filled with local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community champions who are all committed to helping Central Texas thrive. Great conversations, new connections, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to strengthen relationships made this event one to remember.

A big thank you to Rowan Digital Infrastructure for sponsoring this month's lunch and to Wings Pizza N' Things for being such a great host. Events like these remind me that some of the best opportunities begin with a simple conversation.

And as an added bonus... I was lucky enough to take home an awesome YETI cooler during the raffle! Thanks to Jake Ruse from Texas AirSystems! Needless to say, I was pretty excited about that one! 🎉🧊

I’m grateful to be part of a business community that values collaboration, supports local growth, and creates meaningful opportunities to connect.

Looking forward to the next one!

09/17/2026

Wildfire smoke can travel far from the flames, creating poor air quality in communities many miles away.

Experts say one of the biggest risks comes from tiny particles in the air, which can contribute to short-term and chronic health issues.

When smoke levels are high, health officials recommend staying indoors and taking steps to keep indoor air as clean as possible.

If you have central air conditioning, use the highest level of filtration your system can handle. Filters rated MERV 13 or higher are ideal, and setting the system to recirculate can help limit outside air.

A portable HEPA air filter can also help. If you only have one, consider using it to create a “clean room” where you can spend most of your time.

Experts also recommend sealing gaps where smoky air can enter and avoiding sources of indoor combustion, including candles, fireplaces, and gas stoves.

Wildfire smoke can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, headaches, and burning eyes or nose. Anyone wheezing, struggling to breathe, or in distress should seek emergency care.


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When the air is smoky from burning wildfires, health experts say to stay indoors. But there are steps you should take to keep the air clean inside your home.

09/16/2026

For many homeowners, the biggest weather risk may no longer be hurricanes.

New research from First Street found that severe convective storms, including tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds, have become the costliest insured natural disasters worldwide.

In 2025, these storms accounted for one-third of global natural disaster economic losses. Insured and uninsured losses totaled $82 billion, with $68 billion concentrated in the U.S.

Hail is the biggest driver of insurance payouts within this category, followed by severe winds.

These storms tend to move quickly, but they can cause widespread damage to homes, cars, businesses, and infrastructure.

For homeowners, the growing cost of severe weather can show up in more than repairs. It may also affect insurance premiums, property maintenance, emergency savings, and long-term housing costs.

As weather risks shift, it can be worth reviewing coverage, deductibles, and how prepared your household is for unexpected property damage.


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Severe "convective" storms account for roughly a third of global natural disaster economic losses, a new study finds.

09/15/2026

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, and also one of the most treatable when it's caught early.

This September, during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we're encouraging the men in our lives, and ourselves, to make time for the conversations and checkups that matter.

A quick conversation with your doctor could make all the difference. Here's to catching it early.

09/14/2026

Thinking about making changes to your retirement account? Before taking action, it's important to understand all of your options. Depending on your circumstances, a rollover, retirement plan loan, partial withdrawal, or simply staying invested may be worth considering.

I'm here to help you evaluate the choices available and understand how each could impact your long-term goals. Reach out today for a conversation about your options.