Citizens Wealth Management Group

06/03/2026

The Federal Reserve’s new chair is stepping into the role during a complicated moment for monetary policy.

Inflation has remained above the central bank’s 2% target, with recent price increases driven in part by higher energy costs. Some economists expect the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge to show continued pressure in upcoming data.

That creates a difficult balancing act. Holding rates steady may help address inflation, while lower rates could support borrowing and economic growth.

The labor market also remains an important part of the equation. Steady employment conditions may give policymakers more flexibility, but persistent inflation could limit the case for rate cuts.

The new chair has also signaled interest in reshaping how the Fed operates and communicates with markets.

For households and businesses, the key takeaway is that inflation, interest rates, and Fed communication can all influence borrowing costs, savings yields, mortgage rates, and broader economic confidence.

Warsh is taking over as Fed chair as the U.S. faces the hottest inflation in years, impeding the interest rate cuts that President Trump has demanded.

06/02/2026

True or false: Americans in March 2026 are applying for fewer mortgages than they were during the Great Recession.

True. And it's not even close.

96 OF THE 100 LOWEST NUMBER OF WEEKLY MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS SINCE 1999 HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST 3 YEARS! (according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Mortgage Application Index)

Yet, unemployment today is a fraction of what it was during the financial crisis.

People aren't staying out of the market because they can't qualify. The market is gridlocked. Here's why. 👇

1️⃣ Millions of homeowners locked in at 3 percent during the pandemic. Selling means giving that up for another mortgage that may have a higher interest rate. So they're not moving.

2️⃣ If existing owners aren't selling, inventory can become thin, prices might stay elevated, and buyers wait for something to change.

3️⃣ Most are waiting for rates to drop. But when they do, demand may pick up, competition returns, and that window closes faster than expected.

Here's the truth about market timing: it almost never works the way people picture it.

The better question isn't "When is the right time to buy?" It's "Am I financially ready to move when the right opportunity comes?" 📋

06/01/2026

Who in your life is always happy to see you, never brings up work, and asks for almost nothing in return?

If a pet came to mind, you are not alone.

This week is Pet Appreciation Week, and our team wanted to take a moment to celebrate the four-legged, feathered, and occasionally scaly members of your household.

Pets have a way of putting things in perspective that no spreadsheet ever could.

Drop a photo of yours in the comments. We would love to meet them. 🐾

06/01/2026

Moving to music can be more than just fun—it can also support physical, mental, and social well-being as people age.

Health professionals say dancing may help improve balance, strength, mobility, flexibility, and brain health. Because it combines movement, memory, rhythm, and coordination, it can engage both the body and mind.

Dancing can also create meaningful social connections, whether through line dancing, ballroom, salsa, tap, Zumba, or community groups.

For many older adults, that combination of movement and connection can make staying active feel more joyful and sustainable.

The best part? You do not need to be an expert to benefit. Starting with simple steps, a beginner-friendly class, or a favorite song at home can still be a meaningful way to get moving.

Medical professionals say that moving to music is a great way for older adults to stay healthier as they age. It doesn't matter what kind of dancing.

05/29/2026

According to a Fidelity article, for the ‘25-’26 school year, the average published all-in cost at a 4-year public school for out-of-state students is $45,780, and the average private school costs $60,920.

So, because today is 529 Day (it’s 5/29, get it? 😂), it’s a good time to revisit one of the most flexible tools for tackling those numbers.

What 529 plans actually do:

📚 Tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses. State tax treatment will vary, and so will fees and expenses.

📚 Use them for college, trade school, K-12 tuition, and apprenticeships. A 529 can even repay up to $10,000 in student loans.

📚 Whether a 529 qualifies for a state tax deduction will depend on your state of residence, as state tax laws and treatment may vary from federal tax laws.

📚 Superfund up to $95,000 in a single year by using five years of gift tax exclusions at once. But remember if you make nonqualified distributions, earnings will be subject to income tax and a 10 percent federal penalty tax.

📚 Minimal impact on financial aid—parent-owned 529s are assessed at a maximum rate of 5.6 percent.

Grandparents, parents, aunts, or uncles can contribute.

And starting in 2026, the K-12 annual withdrawal limit doubles to $20,000.

The best time to start was years ago. The second-best time is now.

05/28/2026

Most parents think the last tuition check means game over for college. The data says it's halftime.

50 percent of parents with adult children still provide regular financial support, spending $1,474 a month to do so. That's more than twice what they're putting toward their own retirement.

Here's what "just helping out a little" actually looks like:

✅ 75 percent of parents aged 45+ are financially supporting at least one adult child, even though over half of those children can meet their own basic needs, according to a 2025 AARP survey.

✅ 42 percent of supporting parents report financial stress. 9 percent have retired early because of it.

✅ 47 percent say they've sacrificed their own financial position for the sake of their kids.

✅ 18 percent say the support could continue indefinitely. They don't see an end in sight.

This isn't about being less generous. It's about being intentional.

Whether your kid just graduated, graduated five years ago, or is still in school, the question is the same: Is your support happening by design or by default?

That's worth a conversation.

05/27/2026

Summer travel may come with higher costs this year, as airfare, gas, lodging, dining, and activities all reflect broader price pressures.

Average domestic airfare is about $383, up $89 from last year, while gas prices have risen $1.42 per gallon from a year earlier.

Other travel-related expenses are also higher. Activities are up by more than 5.5%, lodging costs are up by 4.3%, and dining out prices are up by more than 3.6%.

Even with higher prices, many Americans are still taking trips, though some may choose destinations closer to home to help manage overall costs.

These trends show how inflation can affect more than everyday essentials — it can also shape how households approach travel, leisure, and seasonal spending.

Gas prices, airfares, accommodations and other vacation essentials are more expensive this year compared to last year.

05/25/2026

Yes, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. But let's not forget what this day is really about.

Today, we remember those who gave everything. The men and women who served and never came home.

Some of us knew them. Some of us are here because of them.

However you spend today, take a moment to pause. Enjoy the long weekend, but hold space for what it actually means.

To the families carrying that loss: we honor them with you.

05/21/2026

Cap and gown season is here. 🎓

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to every graduate walking across a stage this month! 🥳 🥳

The late nights, the stress, the uncertainty about what comes next have all led to this moment.

To the parents and grandparents in the audience pretending they're not emotional: we get it. ❤️

For the new grads, a few things to consider as you start this next chapter:

➡️ Start investing as early as possible, even if it's small. Time is the one advantage you won't get back.

➡️ If your employer offers a retirement plan with a company match, take it. It's free money.

➡️ Build an emergency fund before you worry about investing. Three months of expenses is a good first goal.

➡️ Understand your student loans: what you owe, the interest rates, and when payments start.

➡️ Your first budget doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to exist.

The financial habits you build now will help form the foundation for your future.

Congrats, Class of 2026. 👏

05/18/2026

Who else has a pet that runs the household? 🙋

May is National Pet Month, and whether it's a dog 🐕, a cat 🐈, or something with scales or feathers, pets have a way of taking over.

They love us unconditionally. They give us so much joy. They are a big part of the fabric of our families.

They also can cost more than we expected, require more preparation than we anticipated, and somehow we'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

If you have one, or three, or had one in the past, then you know. ❤️

Share a pic of your fur baby(ies)! 🐶