John A. Warekois, CPA, LLC

10/20/2026

🐾 Scientists have identified a new species of wild cat for the first time in more than a century.

The Tilcayo tiger cat, or Leopardus tilcayo, was found in Bolivia’s mountainous Yungas region near La Paz. The small spotted feline is slightly smaller than a domestic cat, and locals have sometimes mistaken it for an ordinary house cat.

🔬 Researchers confirmed the discovery through whole-genome sequencing of two animals, the only known members of the species found so far.

So far, the species has only been detected in Bolivia, and researchers say its tiny known population could leave it vulnerable to extinction. 🌿

A brand-new wild cat species hiding in plain sight for this long is pretty remarkable.


Source:

Scientists have discovered a new species of wild cat for the first time in more than a century, a Bolivian researcher says.

10/16/2026

🎂 Japan just crossed a milestone: for the first time, more than 100,000 people there are age 100 or older.

According to the country's Health and Welfare Ministry, Japan now counts 107,677 centenarians, up nearly 8,000 from the year before. Almost 88 percent are women. The country's oldest resident, Kyoto's Fuyo Kishimoto, recently turned 114.

🎌 Officials point to progress in medical care, along with healthier lifestyles and diet, as part of what's driving the trend. And Japan isn't alone; life expectancies have been rising in many countries over the past several decades.

It's a good reminder of how many more years many of us may be around for, and why that's worth factoring into conversations about the road ahead, from healthcare to how a longer stretch of years gets supported financially.

That's exactly the kind of long-term thinking we like to talk through together.


Source:

The number of people aged 100 or older in Japan has surpassed a record 100,000 this year. The latest figures from Japan's government underscore the country’s rapid aging and population decrease.

10/12/2026

🛠️ The richest person in your town probably isn't a tech founder or someone in finance. It's more likely the dentist running four offices, or the owner of the HVAC company whose trucks are everywhere.

New research from economists Owen Zidar and Eric Zwick, based on IRS and Treasury data, found nearly 5 million U.S. households worth at least $5 million, holding combined wealth more than 13 times that of the Forbes 400.

A few patterns stood out:
➡️Most started their business themselves rather than inheriting it
➡️Most run ordinary, brick-and-mortar businesses rather than tech or finance
➡️Independence mattered more to them early on than getting rich ever did

🌭 Case in point: Dick Portillo started a hot dog stand in 1963 with just $1,100. Decades later, he sold the business he'd built for $1 billion.

Building wealth often looks much more ordinary and attainable than the headlines suggest. If growing or eventually stepping back from a business is part of your picture, that's worth talking through together.


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Getting rich in the U.S. is still possible, but the most common path to wealth doesn't involve working for other people, according to a new book.

10/09/2026

🌴 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?


Source:

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

10/05/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

We take this time to honor the strength of those who have faced a diagnosis, support those currently going through it, and recognize the families and communities who stand beside them.

Awareness matters. Support matters. Presence matters.

We stand with you.

10/03/2026

Whether you’re building your career, starting a family, or planning for retirement, a tax-intelligent financial professional can be your greatest asset at any stage of life. Reach out to us so we can put our tax intelligence to work for you!! 🚀

09/28/2026

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...

09/26/2026

Have you thought about maximizing your tax savings with capital gains and losses carryover? By leveraging these strategies, you can offset gains and potentially decrease your tax bill. Whether it's utilizing capital loss carryovers or understanding the tax implications of capital gains, there are a variety of intelligent ways to navigate the tax landscape. Let's explore these strategies together to make the most of your financial planning!

09/21/2026

Big expenses like a family trip, a milestone gift, or a home renovation rarely come as a surprise, yet they often get treated like one. Planning for them in advance, with a number attached, can turn them from a source of stress into something you can enjoy.

09/19/2026

Considering IRA conversions and distributions? These tactics could be game changers in your tax planning. By converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, you may secure tax-free income during retirement. Additionally, qualified charitable distributions from your IRA could fulfill required minimum distributions while reducing your taxable income. Contact us today so we can share how IRA strategies could help optimize your tax savings!