Senes & Chwalek Financial Advisors

09/22/2026

The price you see on the shelf may not be the exact amount you pay at checkout.

With penny production ended, some merchants have started rounding cash purchases up or down to the nearest nickel. Depending on the total, that could mean a few cents more or a few cents less.

Paying by credit card may come with another wrinkle. Some retailers and service providers are adding surcharges to help offset card processing costs, which may increase the final price.

That means the same purchase could cost slightly different amounts depending on whether you use cash, debit, or credit.

Before you pay, take a second to compare the total for cash, debit, and credit so you know which option makes the most sense for that purchase.


Source:

More merchants are rounding change for cash purchases to the nearest nickel due to the end of penny production, or adding surcharges to credit card transactions.

09/16/2026

Deciding when to claim Social Security is one of the biggest retirement choices you’ll face. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some factors to consider:

📌 Are you still working?
📌 How long do you expect to live based on health and family history?
📌 How do early or delayed benefits fit into your retirement picture?

This guide walks through the basics to help you start thinking about your options.

09/09/2026

Thinking about retirement? You're not alone—and the numbers might give you something to think about.

From how much people rely on Social Security to what retirees actually spend, these stats highlight why it’s important to look at the full picture. It’s not about having every answer—it’s about starting a conversation that helps you feel more confident about what’s ahead.

📌 Save this post for later
📩 Share it with someone who’s thinking about their future
💬 Questions? I’m always here to talk things through

09/03/2026

September is College Savings Month, and it's a good time to think about what you want your child's future to look like. Every family's situation is different. If you have questions about what college savings options might make sense for your household, reach out. That's exactly what we're here for.

08/25/2026

The House passed a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent across most of the United States.

The bill passed by a vote of 308-117 and would end the twice-a-year clock change if it becomes law.

Supporters say permanent daylight saving time would provide more evening daylight during the hours when many Americans are most active. They also point to potential benefits for families, outdoor activity, tourism, and local businesses.

Critics have raised concerns about darker winter mornings, especially for children waiting for school buses and parents commuting to work.

States could opt out if their legislatures act before the bill takes effect.

The bill still needs to pass the Senate before it can be signed into law, so the current clock-change system is not changing yet.

For households and businesses, the debate is a reminder that even something as routine as changing the clocks can affect schedules, safety, commuting, consumer behavior, and local economic activity.


Source:

The Senate would also have to pass the daylight saving time bill before it could be signed into law, but it’s unclear if it will do so.

08/20/2026

Some Medicare beneficiaries may soon have access to GLP-1 medications for weight loss through a new temporary pilot program.

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program is scheduled to run from July 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027. Eligible patients would pay a $50 monthly copay for certain covered GLP-1 medications.

This marks the first time Medicare will help pay for GLP-1 drugs prescribed solely for obesity, rather than only for certain other medical conditions.

Eligibility depends on several factors, including Medicare Part D coverage, enrollment in an eligible plan, prior authorization, clinical criteria, and whether the patient already receives GLP-1 coverage for another condition.

KFF estimates that 3.8 million Medicare beneficiaries may meet the eligibility requirements.

One important detail: because the program is outside Medicare Part D coverage, the $50 copay does not count toward a patient’s deductible or yearly out-of-pocket cap.

For Medicare beneficiaries, this is a reminder that coverage changes can affect health care costs, prescription access, and household budgets.


Source:

For the first time, Medicare will cover GLP-1 drugs prescribed solely for weight loss for eligible beneficiaries at a $50 monthly copay.

08/11/2026

There are so many reasons to create a will this month, but here are three big ones to consider:

Direct Your Property: Creating a will tells the courts how you want your property distributed. Without a will, state laws will determine how your estate is divided, which may not align with your intentions.

Provide instructions to the probate court: A will can help manage the probate process, providing instructions to the court.

Designate Guardianship for Minor Children: If you have minor children, a will allows you to appoint a guardian to care for them. This crucial step directs that your children are raised by someone you trust, rather than leaving the decision to the courts.

08/06/2026

Life insurance is often framed as something you only think about "just in case."

But for many people, it can be part of a broader financial foundation—supporting both current flexibility and future considerations.

From how coverage works to what employer benefits actually provide, understanding the basics can make it easier to decide what fits your situation.

Several factors affect the cost and availability of life insurance. And any guarantees associated with a policy depend on the issuing insurance company's ability to continue making claim payments.

08/03/2026

Our website has a new look, and it's worth a visit. You'll find articles, videos, and tools covering a range of financial topics, with new content added regularly. If something catches your eye or sparks a question, reach out. We're always happy to talk.

Check out www.senesandchwalek.com.

08/01/2026

Living longer doesn’t automatically mean living better.

Healthy Aging Month is a reminder that how we age is shaped by more than just time. Staying active, mentally sharp, and socially connected all play a role—and so does the ability to support those lifestyles over time.

Small, consistent habits—both physical and financial—can influence what those years look like.



Sources
World Health Organization, Ageing and Health, October 2025
American Medical Association, What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Healthy Aging, September 2025
Stanford Medicine, Five Healthy Habits for Successfully Aging, January 2026
EBRI/Greenwald, 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey, April 2025