James Smith - Thrivent

03/30/2026

The recent sharp rise in the price of gasoline is sparking a new wave of interest in electrified vehicles. In the week starting March 2, shopper consideration of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery electrics accounted for 22.4% of all vehicle research activity on Edmunds, up from 20.7% the previous week. (Source: Edmunds)

03/27/2026

FUN FACT FRIDAY

A Charizard-shaped Cheeto fetched $87,840 at auction, making it one of the most expensive foods ever sold. Originally discovered several years ago and sold for $350 on eBay, the so-called “Cheetozard” earned a Guinness World Records title for the highest price paid for a videogame-likeness corn snack. (Source: Guinness World Records)

03/26/2026

Don't let this happen to you!

Millions of taxpayers expecting quick refunds are instead getting IRS notices, as missing or invalid bank information now triggers automatic delays. Under new IRS rules aimed at phasing out paper checks, refunds are frozen until filers provide direct deposit details—meaning a simple banking oversight can push a refund back weeks, not days. (Source: USA Today)

03/25/2026

For the 15th consecutive year, Thrivent has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. It’s an honor to work for an organization that’s committed to serving its clients, its workforce and its community with integrity.

Learn more about this recognition: https://bit.ly/4cVuu2j

03/24/2026

Spring cleaning isn't just for your home – it's the perfect time to declutter your finances, too. Check out these 8 simple steps to help you tidy up your money habits and set the stage for financial growth. >> https://bit.ly/4htPeNa

03/23/2026

Gold is down 8% from the record high it set in January and down 6.51% for March after a back-to-back losing streak. Between rising oil prices and news that the Federal Reserve was holding rates steady, gold sold off several sessions in a row—though it’s still up more than 60% from a year ago. (Source: The Wall Street Journal, as of 3/18/26)

03/20/2026

FUN FACT FRIDAY

After winning five Emmys, HBO Max’s ER-based drama "The Pitt" set a record for the largest post-season audience growth ever for a debut HBO or HBO Max series, with average viewership jumping 80% to more than 18 million global viewers per episode. Weekly viewership nearly tripled after the awards. (Source: Deadline)

03/19/2026

If you find yourself short of cash, here is a listing of the best to worst places to find extra money.

The CARES Act makes it easier to gain access to retirement accounts in a pinch, but they're not likely to be your best source of emergency cash.

03/19/2026

Markets shifted in February, and that matters for how portfolios are positioned today. Thrivent's March Market Update explains what drove stock volatility, why bonds strengthened, and how we’re thinking about risk and diversification moving forward.

Heightened geopolitical and market uncertainty in February pushed investors toward bonds and commodities.

03/19/2026

Cristo Fernández, best known as Dani Rojas on Ted Lasso, is trying to turn fiction into reality by pursuing a professional soccer career in the US. A standout youth player in Mexico and Puerto Rico, his playing career was derailed by serious knee injuries, pushing him toward acting. Now 35, he’s getting a rare second chance to play professionally. (Source: Yahoo)

03/18/2026

Campbell’s shares slid toward a 23-year low after the company reported another quarter of declining soup and snack sales and cut its full-year outlook. The company's snack revenue fell below $1 billion for the first time in four years. Mondelez and PepsiCo have similarly cut forecasts on declining snack and soda demand. (Sources: MarketWatch, US News, and Newsbreak)

03/17/2026

Small-cap stocks have outperformed large caps since last fall, with the S&P SmallCap 600 Index gaining about 10% since October while the S&P 500 Index has been roughly flat. That performance coincides with a sharp rebound in small-cap earnings, which are up nearly 30% over the same period after several years of declines. (Source: Barron's)