Stivers Wealth Management

12/30/2025

❓ College vs. Retirement: Where should your extra money go?

Even when the ability to do both exists, the order matters.

🔍 Key considerations:
▪️ Consider retirement first: Compounding works best when funds are invested earlier. And, as you know, there are no loans for retirement.
▪️ Education has flexibility: Scholarships, grants, and student loans can fill gaps if needed.
▪️ Timing matters: The mix between retirement and education funding can shift as they near college age and/or retirement approaches.

💡 Pro Tip:
You may benefit from focusing on retirement needs first, then using surplus cash flow for education funding strategies.

Of course, you need to revisit this periodically to stay aligned with market conditions and family goals.

Smart preparation makes it possible to retire and support education in a way that fits your overall wealth strategy. We’re here to help.

12/22/2025

Mortgage rates moved higher following the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut, contributing to a slowdown in borrowing activity. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to about 6.38%, up slightly from the prior week.

As rates edged higher, total mortgage applications declined nearly 4% week over week. Refinance activity also dipped, though it remains well above year-ago levels as some borrowers continue to respond to lower rates compared with last year’s highs.

Market watchers have noted that investor expectations regarding the pace of future rate cuts may be influencing mortgage pricing, highlighting that changes in borrowing costs do not always move in lockstep with Federal Reserve decisions.

Mortgage rates moved higher after the Fed cut interest rates last week. That caused demand to drop for both home buying and refinancing.

12/22/2025

🏡 When downsizing in retirement, is it better to buy or rent?

For many retirees, selling a long-time home can free up some capital, but the next step isn’t always obvious.

The decision comes down to several key factors:
▪️ Liquidity: Proceeds from selling a home can be invested, but buying again may lock up some capital.
▪️ Flexibility: Renting is one approach to testing a new city, preparing to relocate again, or wanting to avoid maintenance obligations.
▪️ Costs: Buying can offer some stability on housing payments (especially with no mortgage) but adds property taxes and upkeep, while rent might rise over time.
▪️ Legacy goals: Ownership may still be appealing if passing property to heirs is part of the strategy.

💭 Downsizing is often one of the biggest financial transitions in retirement, and the buy-versus-rent choice can meaningfully impact cash flow, lifestyle, and estate management.

Working with a financial professional can help you evaluate which option best aligns with long-term goals. We’re here to help if you or someone you know is facing this decision.

12/18/2025

❓ Why do most New Year’s resolutions fade before spring?

Nearly half of Americans set resolutions each year, yet most give up within four months.

The good news…
Small changes in how you set goals can dramatically improve your chances of success.

Here are 5 tips to help make goals stick in 2026:
1️⃣ Use SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound
2️⃣ Write Them Down: Increases success rates by 42 percent
3️⃣ Share Them with Someone You Trust: Follow-through can jump to 95 percent
4️⃣ Keep It Simple: Focus on 2–3 priorities at a time
5️⃣ Celebrate Progress: Recognizing wins builds motivation

The same principles that make a personal financial strategy work apply to all areas of life: clear goals, steady progress, and accountability.

✨ Taking time this December to set your goals may be one of the best gifts you give yourself.

What’s one goal you want to pursue in 2026?

#2026

12/17/2025

The Federal Reserve lowered its key interest rate by a quarter point to about 3.6%, marking its third cut in a row. In its statement, the Fed signaled that it may keep rates unchanged for a while, noting that officials expect to lower rates just once in 2026, based on the latest economic projections.

The decision revealed wider divisions among policymakers: three officials dissented — the most in six years — with some supporting no cut and others favoring a larger reduction. Fed officials pointed to mixed signals across the economy, including elevated inflation, slowing job gains, and a rising unemployment rate.

Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that future moves will depend on incoming data, adding that the Fed is “well positioned to wait” before considering additional cuts. He noted that many households are still feeling the effects of higher prices, even as inflation remains well below its peaks from several years ago.

The Federal Reserve reduced its key interest rate for the third time in a row Wednesday but signaled that it may leave rates unchanged in the coming months.

12/15/2025

Two laws enacted in 2025 may shift how Social Security benefits are taxed in the coming year. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill introduces a new $6,000 senior deduction for individuals age 65 and older, available through 2028. Eligibility depends on income: the full deduction applies up to $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for married couples, and phases out above those levels.



At the same time, the Social Security Fairness Act may increase taxable income for some retirees by restoring benefits to pensioners who previously saw reductions or exclusions. Some beneficiaries will also receive lump-sum payments dating back to January 2024, which may raise the portion of their benefits subject to federal tax.



Tax forms SSA-1099 and SSA-1042S reflecting 2025 benefits will be available online beginning December 25, with mailed copies expected by late January. These forms outline total benefits received for the year and help determine any federal tax owed.

New laws enacted in 2025 may impact just how much federal taxes Social Security beneficiaries owe on their benefit income. Here's how experts say to plan.

12/12/2025

💭 What Would You Do With an Additional $17,000/year?

That’s roughly the annual cost of raising a child in the U.S., adding up to a total of $320,000 by age 18 for a middle-income family.

For some families, the number is often higher when you factor in:
• Private school tuition
• Travel and enrichment activities
• College savings goals (often fully funding four years)

💡 Why It Matters for Wealth Strategies
Even if cash flow isn’t an issue, raising children introduces a series of long-term financial decisions:
• When and how to fund education
• Preparing for potential multigenerational wealth transfer

🧠 A Useful Thought Exercise
If you knew your annual spending would increase by $17K–$50K+ for nearly two decades, how would you adjust your investment strategy, estate strategy, or gifting approach today?

For many families, these aren’t questions of affordability, but rather questions of intentional design: aligning financial resources with the life they want to create for their children and grandchildren.

12/10/2025

A new Realtor.com analysis indicates that home prices may decline in 22 of the 100 largest U.S. cities in 2026, with most of the projected decreases concentrated in the South and West. Seven of the eight largest cities in Florida are expected to see price drops, with the Cape Coral–Fort Myers area forecast to fall 10.2%, the steepest decline in the country.

The North Port–Sarasota–Bradenton region is projected to follow with an 8.9% decline. These metros saw significant demand during the pandemic boom, and rising inventory and more balanced conditions are now contributing to softer price expectations.

While 22 cities are slated for declines, prices in the remaining large metropolitan areas are still expected to rise, albeit modestly, with a median increase of approximately 4%. The report also notes a potential uptick in existing-home sales, which are projected to reach 4.13 million in 2026.

A new report from Realtor.com projects that the housing market will shift in a more buyer-friendly direction in 2026.

12/10/2025

Most Americans get retirement preparation wrong.

💊 Healthcare costs can make up around 15 percent of a retiree's annual spending by age 75, which is roughly two times what it typically is during the working years.

📉 Lower-than-expected returns early in retirement can change projections (sequence-of-returns risk).

⏳ The number of Americans living to age 100 and beyond is expected to quadruple over the next 30 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For couples, there’s a 20 percent chance that one partner will live to at least 100!

Ask yourself:
❓ How does my strategy manage market volatility?
❓ Am I factoring in healthcare inflation?
❓ Will my income last as long as I do?

The takeaway: Retirement isn’t about a number in your retirement account. It’s about a strategy that addresses all the risks that could impact your goals.

Let us know if you’d like to review to see if you’re on track.

12/08/2025

❓Would you pay double for the same degree? 🎓

Many families are facing that decision right now as college acceptances arrive in high school seniors’ inboxes through April.

The next question is whether to choose a public or private university.

A 2025 analysis from Chase shows just how big the gap can be. Private school tuition averages more than double public in-state rates, but generous aid packages can help narrow that difference.

And when you factor in outcomes, some public schools deliver similar value at a fraction of the price.

💭 The real decision isn’t just about cost — it’s about value.

Consider:
• The net price after scholarships and grants
• Debt load vs. future earning potential
• Fit, support systems, and opportunities that will shape the next four years

🧠 The best choice is the one that balances financial reality with personal goals.

If you or someone you know is weighing college offers this winter, now is the perfect time to sit down, compare numbers, and make an intentional decision about this major investment in the future.

12/08/2025

The IRS has announced that paper tax refund checks for individual taxpayers will begin being phased out on September 30, 2025, as part of a broader transition to electronic payments. According to the agency, paper checks are more than 16 times as likely to be lost, stolen, or delayed compared with direct deposit.



Electronic refunds also provide quicker access to funds, typically within 21 days for those who file electronically with direct deposit, while paper checks may take six weeks or longer to arrive by mail.



Most taxpayers already receive refunds digitally, but additional options—including prepaid debit cards and digital wallets—will be available for those who do not have traditional bank accounts. Further guidance will be issued ahead of the 2026 filing season as the transition continues.

IR-2025-94, Sept. 23, 2025 — The Internal Revenue Service, working with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, today announced that paper tax refund checks for individual taxpayers will be phased out beginning on Sept. 30, 2025, as required by Executive Order 14247, to the extent permitted by law.

12/04/2025

🚗 Do you lease or buy cars?

The holidays are one of the busiest car-buying seasons of the year, and many people are asking, “Should I buy or lease a car?” right now.

The trade-offs, according to 2025 Consumer Reports, are as you likely know:
• Leasing = often lower monthly payments and perhaps a new car every few years
• Buying = can be higher upfront cost but potentially lower long-term expense and eventual ownership
• Leasing comes with mileage caps and potential fees, while buying can lead to equity in the vehicle

💭 The real decision isn’t just about payments, it’s about priorities:
• Do you value driving a new car every few years, or owning one outright?
• How many miles do you drive annually?
• What does your budget look like over the next 3–5 years?

🧠 This is a great time to run the numbers and choose the option that aligns with your financial goals for the year ahead. We can help clients evaluate the pros and cons of this decision. Let us help you if you’re thinking about which works best for you.