Jonathan Rase

10/16/2026

🌴 More Americans are deciding that enjoying life now matters just as much as making financial progress for later.

A recent SoFi survey found that 72% of Americans would be willing to make slower progress toward their financial goals so they can spend more time with family, travel more, and prioritize meaningful experiences.

That doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning long-term goals. In fact, 59% of respondents said enjoying life is how they define financial progress, compared with 27% who pointed to owning a home.

The challenge is finding a balance between what matters now and what matters later. ✈️ That can mean making room for a vacation, concert, or family event while still keeping an eye on retirement savings and debt.

But charge that trip to a credit card and carry a balance, and interest can turn a two-week memory into a much longer bill.

What does financial progress look like to you: reaching the next milestone, enjoying more of life now, or some mix of both?


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SoFi found 72% of Americans are willing to make slower progress on financial goals to prioritize family, travel and meaningful experiences.

10/09/2026

Weekend Reading: If your phone has been blowing up with political ads, calls, and texts lately… you’re definitely not alone. Midterm season always brings a lot of noise — and a lot of anxiety — about what it might mean for the markets.

But history paints a much calmer picture.

BlackRock’s latest research on midterm election years shows a consistent theme:
Letting politics drive investment decisions has historically been costly. Investors who moved to cash when their preferred party wasn’t in power saw their returns cut in half compared to those who simply stayed invested.

A few standout insights:

Midterm years are often noisy, but markets tend to rally as uncertainty clears. Since 1970, stocks have historically begun rising about a month before Election Day as polling provides clearer expectations.

2026 is a great example. Despite the headlines, U.S. stocks were up 13% through August, marking one of the strongest midterm-year starts in nearly a century.

The real risk isn’t who wins — it’s trying to time the market. Political volatility can tempt investors to react, but history shows that staying invested has been the more rewarding path.

If you enjoy data-driven perspective, this piece is worth a read:
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10/02/2026

Weekend Reading: Surprise... FAFSA is opened a little earlier this year! If you have a child in college, its time to set aside an evening to go through their FAFSA application.

College-bound students and their families can now complete the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

09/25/2026

Weekend Reading: The Fed raised rates, now what?

The Fed's quarter-point rate hike will impact a range of consumer borrowing and savings costs, including mortgages, credit cards, car loans and deposit rates.

09/18/2026

Weekend Reading: U.S. credit card debt is approaching a record high.

Americans’ credit card balances reached $1.26 trillion in the second quarter, rising by $21 billion, according to new data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

That puts credit card debt just below the all-time high of $1.28 trillion set late last year.

Strong consumer spending is one factor behind higher balances. Rising prices for essentials like groceries and gas may also be contributing.

Delinquencies remain a concern. The share of credit card balances more than 90 days delinquent rose from 7.6% to 12.8% from mid-2022 through early 2026.

Total U.S. household debt now stands at $18.8 trillion. Auto loan debt also reached a new high of $1.71 trillion.

For households, rising debt is a reminder that everyday expenses, interest rates, minimum payments, and emergency costs can all affect financial flexibility.


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Americans' credit card debt reached $1.26 trillion, increasing by $21 billion in the second quarter of this year, according to new data.

09/11/2026

Weekend Reading: 🏈 Football season is almost here, and all 32 NFL teams are bringing something new to the field.

From offseason moves and fresh faces to shifting expectations across every division, there’s no shortage of storylines heading into 2026.

By the time of this post, the season will have opened with the New England Patriots facing the Seattle Seahawks in a Super Bowl 60 rematch, and that’s just the beginning. (My bet is on the Seahawks to win)

Whether you’re following your hometown team, setting a fantasy lineup, or just counting down to Sundays on the couch, now’s a great time to catch up on what changed during the offseason.

🏆 Which team are you watching most closely this season?


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NBC Sports has 32 team previews full of stats, storylines and projections that could shape your favorite team’s season.

09/11/2026

Today, we remember and pay tribute to the heroes and victims of 9/11. Their stories remind us that even in the darkest hours, the spirit of courage and selflessness shines through. Let's stand strong and work towards a future filled with peace and harmony.

09/04/2026

U.S. credit card debt is approaching a record high.

Americans’ credit card balances reached $1.26 trillion in the second quarter, rising by $21 billion, according to new data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

That puts credit card debt just below the all-time high of $1.28 trillion set late last year.

Strong consumer spending is one factor behind higher balances. Rising prices for essentials like groceries and gas may also be contributing.

Delinquencies remain a concern. The share of credit card balances more than 90 days delinquent rose from 7.6% to 12.8% from mid-2022 through early 2026.

Total U.S. household debt now stands at $18.8 trillion. Auto loan debt also reached a new high of $1.71 trillion.

For households, rising debt is a reminder that everyday expenses, interest rates, minimum payments, and emergency costs can all affect financial flexibility.


Source:

Americans' credit card debt reached $1.26 trillion, increasing by $21 billion in the second quarter of this year, according to new data.

08/28/2026

Weekend Reading: I've seen in my own area more individuals and families taking the leap in moving amid one of many challenges purchasing a home in this market. Here's how the buzz around bond yields from last week and in the future impact borrowing costs.

Long-term government bond yields have risen sharply in recent days. Higher bond yields push consumer borrowing costs up, sometimes immediately.

08/07/2026

Weekend Reading: If it feels like the Federal Reserve has been getting more attention over the past decade… you’re right.

Since the Great Financial Crisis, the Fed has gone from a behind‑the‑scenes institution to one of the most watched players in the economy.

Why the rise in attention?

After 2008, the Fed kept interest rates near zero for years and used new tools like large‑scale asset purchases (QE).

COVID brought another round of emergency support, pushing rates back to zero and expanding the balance sheet dramatically.

Then came the fastest rate‑hiking cycle in modern history from 2021–2023, taking rates from near zero to over 5% to fight the strongest inflation in 40 years.
When the Fed moves this dramatically, people pay attention — because it affects everything from mortgages to markets.

What does the Fed actually do?

Sets interest rates to balance inflation and employment

Manages the money supply through open market operations

Supervises banks to keep the financial system stable

Acts in crises as a lender of last resort

Fun fact: The Fed Funds Rate stayed near zero for seven years after the GFC, then again during COVID — but the 2021–2023 tightening cycle was one of the sharpest in history.

The more the Fed shapes the financial landscape, the more important it is for everyday people to understand how it works.