Alliance Financial Planning

05/28/2026

Graduating into a tough job market? The class of ’91 has been there too. Their kids are job hunting now, and they’re sharing what they learned along the way:

Stay adaptable: One ’91 grad’s first job as a secretary eventually led to a career in communications and pharma.
Keep perspective: Taking a temporary role while job searching can be a practical step, not a setback.
Stay the course: A missed career path for another ’91 grad led to work around the world, from Siberia to Ukraine.
Find out more about career lessons from those who’ve been there: https://bit.ly/4uxtAim

The New York Times profiled young job seekers in 1991. Today, their own children are entering a work force in flux.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their courage, service, and dedication will never be forgotten.

As we spend time with family and friends this weekend, we are grateful for the freedoms their sacrifice has protected. 🇺🇸

From all of us at Alliance Financial Planning, we wish you a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/22/2026

AI chatbots are becoming round-the-clock companions, but a friend who never disagrees may not be the friend you need. For teens especially, constant validation from AI could reinforce harmful thinking instead of helping challenge it. Read more: https://bit.ly/4uaEkDi

With AI becoming more embedded in daily life, building critical thinking skills and maintaining human connections may be key to ensuring it remains a helpful tool, rather than a harmful substitute, experts say on CNA’s Deep Dive podcast.

05/20/2026

Summer electric bills are expected to be higher this year, but a few small changes can help keep costs in check:

Start with the filter: A quick air filter swap can help your cooling system run more efficiently.
Adjust the thermostat: Setting it a little higher when you’re out can help lower energy use from the AC.
Know your options: If bills are getting hard to manage, utility programs or federal assistance may be available.
Check out the full guide for more ways to stay cool without overheating your budget: https://bit.ly/4f0qjU7

The average bill is forecast to rise 8.5 percent. There are simple ways to make sure you’re not overpaying, like getting your air-conditioning checked.

05/18/2026

Want to support your grandkids without draining your own nest egg? Here are 3 smart ways to give:

• Save for education: A 529 plan can offer tax advantages when funds are used for qualified expenses.
• Plan your legacy: Trusts, wills, and beneficiary updates can help clarify who receives what, and when.
• Gift strategically: Annual gifts, direct tuition payments, or medical support may offer tax-efficient ways to help.

Read all 8 strategies for building a legacy without sacrificing retirement security: https://bit.ly/4c8D8r4

To give your grandkids money without clearing out your 401(k), considering saving for their education, or making them your life insurance beneficiary.

05/07/2026

AI won't replace cybersecurity professionals, but it will separate those who adapt from those who don't. Three skills that matter now:

Understand the tool. You don't need a degree in technology, but knowing why AI hallucinates and how prompts shape output is now a baseline competency.
Sharpen your scripting. AI-generated code can contain serious flaws, so professionals who can review, debug, and validate it will be the ones organizations trust.
Stay skeptical. AI outputs are drafts, not decisions. The experts who thrive will treat critical thinking as their most important security tool.
See how leading security teams are using AI as a force multiplier, not a replacement: https://bit.ly/4uzIZyz

The rise of AI can make experienced cyber professionals more valuable, not less.

05/05/2026

If your job doesn’t offer a retirement plan, new changes may open the door to start saving.

New Online Marketplace: A federal site will help workers compare private retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth IRAs in one place.
Federal Match Ahead: Starting in 2027, eligible workers may receive up to $1,000 through the Saver’s Match when they contribute.
A Big Coverage Gap: Nearly half of private-sector workers (about 57 million people) don’t currently have access to employer-sponsored plans.
See how these updates could expand access to retirement savings: https://bit.ly/4tKGU2D

That new matching contribution, known as the Saver’s Match, comes from 2022 legislation passed under Democratic President Joe Biden.

05/01/2026

70% of wealthy families lose it all by the second generation — keeping wealth in the family is harder than building it.

Trusts provide guardrails: Spendthrift and dynasty trusts protect assets from impulsive spending, creditors, and divorce for generations.
Silence is costly: Nearly 60% of wealth transfer failures stem from poor family communication, so start money conversations early, before inheritance arrives.
Teach before you transfer: Financial literacy must be intentional. Families that succeed treat wealth transfer as an educational process, not just a legal one.
See the strategies that help generational wealth endure: https://bit.ly/41KEoNB

Learn the safest estate planning strategy to pass on generational wealth while minimizing taxes, protecting heirs and avoiding common inheritance mistakes.

04/29/2026

Are you accidentally planning for a retirement that's too short? New research says most Americans are. Here's what to consider:

Know the real numbers.The average 65-year-old woman lives to 87; a man to 84, and there's a 30–40% chance of reaching 90.
Longevity drives savings behavior.Those who expect a 30+ year retirement are twice as likely to save regularly compared to those who expect fewer than 10 years.
Aim for 15%.Including any employer match, that's the savings target, yet many short-horizon save just a fraction of what experts recommend.
Read the full breakdown so you can plan for the retirement you'll actually have: https://bit.ly/48kFzXK

Only 1 in 3 Americans can correctly identify how long a 65-year-old will typically live, and that has consequences for retirement savers.

04/27/2026

AI is making financial scams harder to spot than ever, and seniors lost $2.4 billion to fraud in 2024 alone, up 26% in one year. Here’s what you need to know:

Agencies Won’t Call First: The IRS, Social Security Administration, and Medicare typically initiate important contact by mail, not surprise calls, texts, or emails demanding money or personal information.
That “Advisor” May Be Fake: Scammers create convincing crypto accounts and polished statements to steal retirement savings. Always verify directly with the real institution before wiring funds.
Pop-Ups Are Bait: Fake tech-support alerts use fear to trick victims into giving remote computer access. Never call the number on the screen.
Find out how to recognize today’s most common scams and help protect long-term savings: https://bit.ly/4vBYqax

Swindlers have stepped up their game with artificial intelligence and deepfakes to steal older Americans’ money and personal information.