AJ Bernth at Prudential

10/19/2026

Weddings add up fast. Use this calculator to map out your budget by category, set priorities, and see what your big day might really cost.

Estimate total wedding costs and see how different choices affect your overall budget.

10/19/2026

Keep your devices current and protected. Software updates include essential security fixes that protect you from attackers.

10/18/2026

Do you know the ins and outs of charitable giving? It's more complicated than you may think. Learn more now.

This article may help you maximize the benefits of your donation for your chosen charity.

10/17/2026

Many people are worried about Social Security lasting until they retire. Watch this video to learn more about why that's more hype than truth.

Every so often, you'll hear about Social Security benefits running out. But is there truth to the fears, or is it all hype?

10/16/2026

This investment account question is vital and should be answered as early as possible. Explore the reasons in this piece.

This investment account question is vital and answered as early as possible.

10/16/2026

Let's discuss your investment goals and risk tolerance. Are you satisfied with your current investment portfolio? What investment opportunities or challenges are you facing? Let's explore strategies to make your investments work harder for you.

10/15/2026

Some younger consumers are spending on luxury items even as major milestones feel harder to reach.

An article from The Economic Times explores whether Gen Z spending on items like expensive smartphones, sneakers, and travel may reflect a broader version of the “Lipstick Effect.” 📱👟✈️

The Lipstick Effect describes a pattern where consumers buy smaller luxuries during periods of financial uncertainty, especially when larger purchases feel out of reach.

In this case, the larger purchase is often homeownership.

As housing costs rise, some younger adults may feel that saving for property is increasingly unrealistic. Instead, they may choose purchases that offer more immediate enjoyment, identity, or a sense of progress.

That does not mean every purchase is financially harmful. But it does show how affordability pressures can shape behavior, priorities, and trade-offs.

The broader takeaway: spending decisions often reflect more than impulse. They can also reflect economic realities, delayed milestones, and the ways people look for meaning when traditional markers of success feel further away.


Source:

Financial advisor Prem Soni says Gen Zs spending on Rs 15,000 sneakers, expensive iPhones and foreign holidays may reflect the “Lipstick Effect.” He argues that with homes costing around Rs 3 crore and long-term EMIs, traditional milestones feel increasingly unreachable for young earners. Instea...

10/15/2026

Thinking about refinancing your student loans? Compare your current terms with a new rate to see if refinancing could reduce what you pay over time.

Compare your current student loan terms to a potential refinance to see if it makes sense.

10/13/2026

A record number of U.S. adults under 35 are living with their parents, according to a recent Realtor.com study.

In 2025, 25.2 million adults under 35 lived at home, a higher share than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many are working, but wages are not always keeping up with the cost of living. Among adults ages 25 to 34 who live at home, roughly 7 in 10 have jobs.

Housing affordability is a major factor. Higher home prices, elevated mortgage rates, rent, student loan payments, car payments, and everyday expenses can make living independently harder to sustain.

For some families, moving back home may be a way to reduce expenses, rebuild savings, or create more breathing room before taking the next step.

The broader takeaway is that financial independence does not always follow a straight timeline. Cost-of-living pressures are reshaping what adulthood, housing, and household decisions look like for many families.


Source:

One woman in her mid-30s said her $60,000 annual income wasn't enough to cover all her bills after a breakup, leading her to move back home.

10/13/2026

When you choose to take Social Security might impact your retirement income. Find out how.

One of the most common questions people ask about Social Security is when they should start taking benefits.