Balaji Rao MBA CPFA-Director/Wealth Advisor

10/15/2026

Another interest-rate hike may be coming this year. The question is when.

Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s September meeting show that most officials believe another increase in the federal funds rate will likely be appropriate before the end of 2026. But policymakers stopped short of signaling whether that could happen at their October 28 meeting or the final meeting of the year on December 9.

📌 Of the 18 Fed officials who submitted rate projections, 16 expected another increase this year.

Why the caution? Inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, while officials described the labor market as close to maximum employment and noted that economic growth has picked up.

At the same time, Fed officials emphasized that future decisions will depend on incoming economic data rather than a predetermined timeline.

For now, another hike appears to be on the table, but the timing is still an open question.

For details, contact me at [email protected] or book an appointment at .



Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/07/fed-officials-see-another-hike-coming-but-no-sign-as-to-when-minutes-show.html

Please follow the instructions to schedule time with me - it's fast and easy._________________________Phone: (949) 981-3981Email: [email protected] / LinkedIn / Facebook

10/13/2026

This month's chart unpacks where we most commonly go for information. Take a look, and you'll see one source stands out from the rest.

For details, contact me at [email protected] or book an appointment at https://oncehub.com/BalajiRao.

10/09/2026

AI headlines move fast. Good portfolio decisions usually don't.

Join Balaji Rao and Daniel Landers of Makena Capital Management for a dinner and discussion on the role of venture capital in portfolios and the evolving opportunities set in AI.

📅 Monday, October 12
⏰ 5:00 PM PT
📍 Santana Row, San Jose, CA 95128

To RSVP and get venue details, email [email protected] with your name, phone number, and email address.

10/08/2026

A record number of U.S. adults under 35 are living with their parents, according to a recent Realtor.com study.

In 2025, 25.2 million adults under 35 lived at home, a higher share than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many are working, but wages are not always keeping up with the cost of living. Among adults ages 25 to 34 who live at home, roughly 7 in 10 have jobs.

Housing affordability is a major factor. Higher home prices, elevated mortgage rates, rent, student loan payments, car payments, and everyday expenses can make living independently harder to sustain.

For some families, moving back home may be a way to reduce expenses, rebuild savings, or create more breathing room before taking the next step.

The broader takeaway is that financial independence does not always follow a straight timeline. Cost-of-living pressures are reshaping what adulthood, housing, and household decisions look like for many families.

For details, contact me at [email protected] or book an appointment at .


Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/record-adult-children-moving-in-with-parents/

Please follow the instructions to schedule time with me - it's fast and easy._________________________Phone: (949) 981-3981Email: [email protected] / LinkedIn / Facebook

10/06/2026

Making Lemonade from Lemons

For details, contact me at [email protected] or book an appointment at https://oncehub.com/BalajiRao.

10/01/2026

For many Gen Xers, retirement is starting to feel less like a distant milestone and more like a looming financial reality.

The oldest members of the generation will turn 62 next year, the earliest age to claim Social Security. At the same time, many are approaching retirement with limited savings and fewer pensions than previous generations had.

The median Gen X retirement savings balance is about $107,000, while members of the generation estimate they’ll need roughly $700,000 for retirement. Social Security may also become an increasingly important source of income, with 41% of workers over 55 saying they expect it to be their primary source in retirement.

That gap is prompting some Gen Xers to rethink when they’ll stop working, how much they may need to save, and what retirement could realistically look like.

If retirement is getting closer, this may be a good time to review your savings, expected Social Security benefits, and other sources of retirement income.

For details, contact me at [email protected] or book an appointment at .


Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gen-x-social-security-retirement-savings/

Please follow the instructions to schedule time with me - it's fast and easy._________________________Phone: (949) 981-3981Email: [email protected] / LinkedIn / Facebook

09/29/2026

Inflation is still running above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditures price index, rose 0.2% in July and 3.7% from a year earlier. Core PCE, which strips out food and energy prices, increased 3.3% annually.

The report also showed personal income rose 0.4% while spending increased 0.2%.

For consumers, that means price pressures haven’t disappeared, even as some categories, including gasoline and other energy-related goods, moved lower during the month.

With inflation still elevated, the latest numbers may remain an important part of the Fed’s upcoming interest-rate discussions.

For details, contact me at [email protected] or book an appointment at .



Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/26/feds-preferred-inflation-gauge-shows-core-prices-rose-3point3percent-annually-in-july.html

Please follow the instructions to schedule time with me - it's fast and easy._________________________Phone: (949) 981-3981Email: [email protected] / LinkedIn / Facebook

09/24/2026