AFG Wealth

10/17/2026

10/17/2026

About National Pasta Day
When is National Pasta Day? This holiday is always observed on October 17
Today is National Pasta Day, an October 17 holiday. Choose your favorite shape, there are over 600 of them. Then, add your favorite sauce, and chow down! For many of us, the first sauce that comes to mind is red tomato spaghetti sauce. There are plenty of other sauces and toppings to choose from, including alfredo sauce, clam sauce, and cheese sauce, to name a few. To celebrate this special day, it doesn’t matter what sauce you use. All that is important is that you use pasta noodles. … sorry, no spaghetti squash today.

When we think of pasta, Italy and Italian cuisine come to mind. Pasta has a long, long history, and it did not originate in Italy. The noodles are made from dough consisting of water, flour, and sometimes other spices and ingredients. Ancient cultures were making and cooking noodles long before they were introduced to Italy and other parts of Europe. Marco Polo has been erroneously credited with bringing spaghetti and pasta to Europe. Historical records show Europeans cooking it well before Marco Polo began his travels. Historical records also show that Arab cultures were selling dried spaghetti-like noodles in open markets in the early 1200s. The Chinese were the first to make pasta, cooking pasta noodles as far back as 5,000 B.C.

While ancient cultures were making and eating spaghetti and other pasta well before it came to Europe, it’s the Italians who popularized it in the cuisines of Europe and America. It was introduced to the United States through the travels of Thomas Jefferson, who brought it back from Naples, Italy in 1789. Italian immigrants also brought it over with them to the U.S., where its popularity quickly spread.

10/17/2026

Market headlines can be distracting, especially during periods of uncertainty. Yet history continues to highlight the importance of maintaining a disciplined investment strategy focused on long-term goals.

While short-term market fluctuations are inevitable, staying focused on your overall objectives may help you avoid making decisions based solely on temporary market movements. If recent volatility has raised questions, I'd be happy to discuss your strategy.

10/16/2026

A rising cost of living has Americans tracking their spending more carefully, with millennials leading the charge, according to a recent NerdWallet survey.

10/16/2026

About Boss's Day
Date When Celebrated: This holiday is observed on October 16 or a weekday closest to October 16
Today is Boss’s Day, an October 16 holiday that your fearless leader is certain to enjoy. Now here is a day that gives you a chance to both tell and show the boss what you really think of him or her. And, it is an opportunity to give your boss the appreciation that he or she truly deserves. So go right ahead and give it to him…..give it to him good! After all, it only comes around once a year.

10/16/2026

Small actions taken consistently can make a meaningful difference over time. For many individuals, annual Roth IRA contributions may help create additional flexibility in retirement through the potential for tax-free growth.

While $8,000 per year may not seem significant on its own, the long-term impact can add up. If you'd like to explore how consistent saving could support your retirement goals, let's schedule time to discuss.

10/15/2026

Think paying upfront is always the smartest financial move? Learn why maintaining flexibility with certain expenses may be worth considering in retirement.

Think paying upfront is the smartest financial move? Discover why staying flexible with some bills is the real secret to stretching your retirement savings.

10/15/2026

About National Grouch Day
When is National Grouch Day? This holiday is always celebrated on October 15
Do you wake up in the morning bright-eyed, bushy-tailed with a smile on your face? Or, do you begrudgingly arise from your bed like a grumpy old curmudgeon with a scowl in your voice? If you are the latter, then you’re going to love this holiday. Today is National Grouch Day. On this October 15 holiday, it is perfectly acceptable to whine, moan, and scowl. Go ahead and be a “Negative Nancy”. If someone calls you a miserable old coot, just growl at them and say “That’s right!” Don’t let anyone spoil your miserable day. Tomorrow, we can call you out for bellyaching, but not today.

The world has its share of grouches who spend their days being miserable and downtrodden about the whole world. And, they enjoy bringing others down to their level. More often than not, we shy away from them. However, today we pay more attention to their antics. Often, we can see the humor in their behavior and antics. On this holiday, we can even behave like them, if we prefer. However, if you do, be prepared for unpleasant reactions from your family and friends. And, make sure they know why you’re acting like a grouch.