Jacobs Financial Partners

10/21/2026

*October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month*

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 and allow hackers to steal their private data.

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.

They tell you there is an error and instruct you to press keys like the Windows Key + R, then Ctrl + V, and Enter.

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.



Source: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/captcha-scams-are-surging-as-hackers-exploit-a-security-tool-032626.html

10/13/2026

Planning for college costs? The FAFSA for the 2027–28 school year opened on Oct. 1 🎓

A few quick reminders:
• There’s no income cutoff to file- many students qualify for some form of aid.
• The federal deadline is June 30, 2027, but schools often set earlier “priority” dates (sometimes as early as January).
• Set up your account at StudentAid.gov and gather items like recent tax info, cash/savings balances, and Social Security numbers for all contributors 📋
-----

Sources:
1. ED.gov, Feb. 13, 2026
2. StudentAid.gov, 2026
3. FinAid.org, 2026
4. FederalRegister.gov, 2026

10/09/2026

Stocks finished the third quarter mixed. The S&P 500 gained 2.03%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.47%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 2.70%. Halloween is next on the calendar, with U.S. consumers expected to spend \$13.5 billion USD this year and 6.26 million Canadian children in their trick-or-treating years.

Since 2001, Leo has been working in the financial services industry, consulting with families and business owners by developing investment accumulation plans, retirement income strategies, estate and tax plans, as well as personal and business protection using life and long term care insurance.

10/08/2026

Find your row first, then look one row up.

That's the difference starting 5 years earlier can make.

At a hypothetical 8% annual return, the difference between starting at 40 vs. 35 on a $500/month contribution is over $200,000 by the time you reach 65. Not because of more money—just more time.

Time in the market is not just valuable, it's the whole game.

Which row did you land on—and did it surprise you?

10/07/2026

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. 👇

10/06/2026

There's a crossover moment every long-term investor experiences, and it can change how you think about money forever.

It's the point at which your total investment earnings exceed your total contributions, meaning your portfolio is now doing more work than you ever did.

As this chart shows, it doesn't happen overnight. In year 5, earnings are barely visible. But by year 25, earnings have pulled ahead.

The most powerful financial decision you can make isn't picking the right investment. It's staying committed to your strategy long enough to reach that crossover.

Where are you on this chart? Drop a year or decade in the comments.

09/07/2026

Markets pushed higher in August as AI-driven optimism helped investors look past softer economic data. The S&P 500 gained 2.62% and the S&P/TSX Composite rose 2.96%, even as softening retail sales kept consumer spending in focus. Back-to-school season adds another data point to that story, with spending expected to reach \$146.8 billion in the U.S. and \$4.5 billion in Canada this year.

Since 2001, Leo has been working in the financial services industry, consulting with families and business owners by developing investment accumulation plans, retirement income strategies, estate and tax plans, as well as personal and business protection using life and long term care insurance.

09/01/2026

A few weeks ago I had a bucket-list moment: standing on the NYSE floor for the Closing Bell, marking a milestone celebration for First Eagle Investment’s upcoming ETF launch. Watching it on CNBC is one thing—feeling the energy in person is another. Grateful for the perspective it brings. Photo highlights below. 🔔

08/10/2026

Markets navigated mixed signals in July. Inflation eased, tech faced pressure, and energy surged. Meanwhile, Americans are planning record travel spending in 2026: \$1.37 trillion. What's shaping your household budget this summer?

Since 2001, Leo has been working in the financial services industry, consulting with families and business owners by developing investment accumulation plans, retirement income strategies, estate and tax plans, as well as personal and business protection using life and long term care insurance.

07/13/2026

The summer job landscape has dramatically shifted since 1980. Back then, teens and college students flooded the job market during summer break, finding work at theme parks, retail stores, and more. With the minimum wage at $3.10/hr, managers made room for young workers, often allowing them to continue part-time during the school year.

Fast forward to today: Many employers seek full-time availability, with minimum wage at around $7.25/hr. The demand for flexibility is gone, and summer jobs are less economically viable for both businesses and students. Also many jobs teens used to occupy have been shifted to AI.

Now, with the rise of unpaid internships, volunteer work, and side hustles, students are building skills and brands rather than just earning money. When you see a young person working this summer, remember they're keeping a vintage tradition alive.

Sources:
Salon, May 26, 2025
Department of Labor, March 2, 2026