Webb Garner Wealth Partners

05/25/2026

05/08/2026

A growing number of Americans are carrying credit card balances, highlighting ongoing financial pressure for many households.

Recent data shows that about 50% of credit card holders—roughly 111 million people—currently carry debt, marking a notable increase over the past several years.

At the same time, borrowing costs remain elevated. Average credit card interest rates are now above 23%, making it more expensive for balances to grow over time.

Some households are adjusting by cutting back on discretionary spending, delaying larger purchases, or relying more heavily on credit to cover everyday expenses.

These trends reflect how shifts in costs, interest rates, and income can influence day-to-day financial decisions across a wide range of households.


Source:

About 111 million Americans are carrying credit card balances, a 17% increase in five years, new research shows.

05/06/2026

The cost of raising a child in the U.S. continues to rise, reaching a new milestone in recent estimates.

A new analysis puts the total cost at approximately $303,000 through age 18, or about $16,800 per year on average.

These figures include everyday expenses like housing, food, and childcare, but do not account for college costs, which can add significantly more over time.

Costs can also vary widely depending on location. Some states saw notable increases, while others experienced slower growth in certain child-related expenses.

While the overall total has increased, some categories, such as early childcare, have shown signs of stabilizing in recent data.

As costs evolve, these trends offer a broader view of how family-related expenses are changing.


Source:

Raising a child through age 18 is most expensive in Hawaii, where a family would spend an estimated $412,661 in 2026, LendingTree found.

05/01/2026

A common online security tool is now being used in a new type of scam.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts — the familiar “I’m not a robot” checks — to trick users into taking actions that can compromise their devices.

Instead of a simple verification, these prompts may ask users to click “Allow,” enable notifications, or follow additional steps that can lead to persistent pop-ups, phishing attempts, or unwanted software.

These scams often appear through ads, suspicious links, or redirected web pages, making them harder to spot at first glance.

Security experts note that legitimate CAPTCHA tests do not require enabling notifications, downloading files, or entering system commands — making those requests a potential red flag.

As these tactics evolve, staying cautious when interacting with unexpected prompts can help reduce exposure to online threats.


Source:

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts to trick users into enabling malware and scam notifications Security experts warn the ta

04/16/2026

There's a moment many people experience at some point in their lives.

You're booking a flight. You scroll past the standard seat… and pause at first class.

Not because you have to upgrade.
Not because you're trying to impress anyone.
But because you've worked hard, and you're wondering when you're allowed to start enjoying the perks.

Milestones can shift the way we think about money.
A career high. An empty nest. A major life win. Retirement on the horizon.

Financial discipline matters. So does lifestyle.

The goal isn't reckless spending—and it isn't endless accumulation, either. It's aligning your resources with the life you actually want to live.

Sometimes that means staying in your seat.
Sometimes it means stretching out a little.

If you're navigating what "enjoying the journey" looks like in your own life, we'd be happy to talk it through with you. ✈️

04/14/2026

What a $5 Frappuccino can teach your teen about building wealth 👇

April is National Financial Literacy Month, and here's a number worth sharing at the dinner table.

If your teen opens a Roth IRA at 18 with $1,000 from a part-time job and adds $1,000 a year, that single account could be worth nearly $500,000 by age 65. Tax-free.

Think they can't save $1,000 a year? Skipping the daily Frappuccino more than covers it. ☕

But the best financial education isn't about the math. It's about real decisions with real consequences.

A few things that actually work:

✅ Hand them cash instead of a credit card for shopping. Let them keep what they don't spend.

✅ Give them a clothing budget for the year. If they blow it by October, that's the lesson.

✅ Have the college money talk before they fall in love with a school. As one counselor put it, "Have the conversation before they buy the hoodie."

✅ With the Roth IRA, you can show them that there are certain rules with certain accounts. For example, to qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Also, tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain other circumstances, such as the owner's death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals.

What's one money lesson you wish someone had taught you earlier? 👇

Please consult with a tax and finance professional before making any decisions.



Sources:
-https://www.calculator.net/roth-ira-calculator.html?cstartingprinciple=1%2C000&cannualaddition=1%2C000&cmax=n&cinterestrate=8&ccurrentage=18&cretirementage=65&ctaxtrate=25&printit=0&x=Calculate -ira-result
-https://www.ngpf.org/blog/advocacy/how-many-states-require-students-to-take-a-personal-finance-course-before-graduating-from-high-school-is-it-6-or-is-it-21/

04/05/2026

It’s 10 days until Tax Day. A busy person like you might find themselves filing your taxes in the final stretch for many reasons. Don’t sweat it! Get your paperwork together, talk to your trusted tax professionals, and remember that filing for an extension is possible before April 15th!

04/03/2026

Today is Good Friday. Let us take a moment to reflect on the profound significance of this holy day. May it be a time of peace, of prayer, and of reflection.

Please note that some financial markets will be closed.

03/26/2026

A rare Pokémon “Illustrator” card recently sold for $16.5 million, bringing renewed attention to collectibles as a potential alternative asset.

According to data cited in the article, secondary trading card sales volume has nearly doubled over the past two years. The Pokémon index has gained approximately 145% in the past year, compared to roughly 15% for the S&P 500 over the same period.

However, collectibles carry distinct considerations:
➡️Limited liquidity and reliance on auction markets for pricing
➡️Value driven largely by buyer demand
➡️Potentially higher capital gains tax rates (up to 28% for certain items)
➡️Performance that can differ significantly from traditional securities

While some investors explore trading cards, art, wine, and watches for diversification, these items are often viewed as complementary holdings rather than substitutes for broadly diversified portfolios.

As interest in alternative assets grows, understanding both the opportunities and the trade-offs is important.


Source:

AJ Scaramucci thinks trading cards have experienced tremendous growth, and thus they, and other collectibles, are great alternative investments.