Financial Foundation Group

06/02/2026

One of the most overlooked questions in building a retirement strategy isn't "How much do I have?" It's "When do I need it?"

That's exactly what a bucket strategy does. It matches your assets to your timeline, so every dollar is working as hard as it can for as long as it can.

Do your buckets match your time horizon?

05/28/2026

The cost of raising a child in the U.S. continues to rise, reaching a new milestone in recent estimates.

A new analysis puts the total cost at approximately $303,000 through age 18, or about $16,800 per year on average.

These figures include everyday expenses like housing, food, and childcare, but do not account for college costs, which can add significantly more over time.

Costs can also vary widely depending on location. Some states saw notable increases, while others experienced slower growth in certain child-related expenses.

While the overall total has increased, some categories, such as early childcare, have shown signs of stabilizing in recent data.

As costs evolve, these trends offer a broader view of how family-related expenses are changing.


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Raising a child through age 18 is most expensive in Hawaii, where a family would spend an estimated $412,661 in 2026, LendingTree found.

05/25/2026

That yellow section? That's money you never saved, your money made it for you.

This is compound interest in action. Start with $1,000/year at a hypothetical 5 percent return, and by year 30, you've built nearly $70,000. But the real story is the yellow: Interest earning interest.

Year 1: almost no interest at all.
Year 30: the interest on your interest alone might cover a year of car payments (or more).

You don't need to invest more. You need to stay focused on your strategy. What's one financial habit you wish you'd started earlier? Drop it below. 👇

05/21/2026

A common online security tool is now being used in a new type of scam.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts — the familiar “I’m not a robot” checks — to trick users into taking actions that can compromise their devices.

Instead of a simple verification, these prompts may ask users to click “Allow,” enable notifications, or follow additional steps that can lead to persistent pop-ups, phishing attempts, or unwanted software.

These scams often appear through ads, suspicious links, or redirected web pages, making them harder to spot at first glance.

Security experts note that legitimate CAPTCHA tests do not require enabling notifications, downloading files, or entering system commands — making those requests a potential red flag.

As these tactics evolve, staying cautious when interacting with unexpected prompts can help reduce exposure to online threats.


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Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts to trick users into enabling malware and scam notifications Security experts warn the ta

05/18/2026

If you or someone in your family is still in school—or heading back in the fall—now is the time to make sure your FAFSA form is in.

A few things worth knowing:
⏰ The federal deadline is June 30. State and school deadlines are often earlier.
⏰ Many types of aid are first-come, first-served. Waiting could cost money.
⏰ You can make corrections after submission, but the form needs to be in first.

Don't let a deadline get in the way of money that's already available to you.

05/15/2026

Investors are anxious, and with good reason. The unsettling events in the Middle East are dominating the headlines, which can put even the most seasoned investor on edge. Will the number of corrections for the S&P 500 increase to 27 this year?

05/12/2026

Some high-earning couples may currently receive $100,000 or more per year in Social Security benefits, based on lifetime earnings and when benefits begin.

A new policy proposal suggests capping those benefits—potentially limiting annual payments to $100,000 for couples and $50,000 for individuals—as one way to address long-term funding challenges.

The idea is one of several being discussed as policymakers consider how to support the program’s future. Current projections indicate that Social Security trust funds may face shortfalls in the coming decade.

It’s important to note that this is not a finalized change, but part of a broader conversation around how to balance sustainability, benefits, and contributions over time.

As discussions continue, proposals like this highlight the range of approaches being considered to address the program’s long-term outlook.


Source:

High-earning couples who consistently pay the maximum into Social Security during their careers stand to get the biggest benefits in retirement.

05/06/2026

New research shows a shift in how income is distributed across U.S. households.

About 31% of households are now considered upper middle class, making it the largest income group in the country — a significant increase compared to past decades.

This change reflects long-term income growth as more households move into higher-earning brackets. Factors such as dual-income households and increased workforce participation have contributed to this trend.

At the same time, the share of households in traditional middle-income ranges has declined, largely because many have moved into higher categories.

Even with these shifts, perceptions of financial well-being can vary. Rising costs in housing, education, and healthcare continue to shape how households experience economic progress.


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America's middle class is shrinking, but not because people are getting poorer. Instead, more households are climbing the ladder, new research suggests.

05/02/2026

Recent global developments are beginning to show up in key areas of the U.S. economy, with energy costs leading the impact.

Fuel prices have risen, with the national average reaching around $4.10 per gallon, increasing costs for households and businesses. Broader inflation data has also reflected some upward pressure, particularly in energy-related categories.

Despite these shifts, overall economic growth is still expected to continue, though at a slower pace. Some forecasts suggest growth may ease slightly while remaining positive.

Consumer activity has shown mixed signals. Spending has remained relatively steady, even as sentiment surveys reflect lower confidence.

Looking ahead, factors like energy prices, inflation trends, and central bank decisions may continue to influence the economic outlook.


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The Iran war is starting to show up in the U.S. economy in ways both obvious and not so much.

04/28/2026

Some lawmakers are exploring changes to capital gains taxes on home sales to address the ongoing housing shortage.

Currently, homeowners can exclude up to $250,000 in profits for single filers and $500,000 for married couples filing jointly when selling a primary residence. These limits have remained unchanged since 1997.

However, rising home values mean more sellers may now exceed those thresholds. Estimates suggest that about 8 million households—roughly 10 percent—could exceed the $500,000 exemption for married couples.

Supporters of potential changes argue that adjusting the rules could encourage long-time homeowners with significant equity to sell, potentially increasing housing supply. Others question whether tax adjustments alone would meaningfully address affordability challenges.

As housing policy discussions continue, proposals like these highlight the complex relationship between tax policy, housing supply, and market dynamics.


Source:

Some lawmakers want to reduce or eliminate capital gains on home sales. Here's how that could impact housing affordability.