Keeling Financial Strategies

08/05/2026

A well-balanced life includes careful planning, time to recharge, and perhaps a sunny spot for an afternoon nap. Happy National Cat Day!

08/03/2026

Scammers can now use AI to imitate a loved one’s voice, adding a convincing twist to familiar fraud schemes. Knowing theese tactics can help older adults and families pause before responding.

📞 Watch for emotional pressure: Grandparent and romance scams use fear, trust, or urgency to push victims into sending money quickly.
🏦 Question unexpected claims: Fake bank representatives, government officials, and tech-support workers may say your accounts or benefits are at risk.
🛡️ Stop and verify: Contact the person or organization through a phone number you know is legitimate before sharing information or making a payment.

Learn more common warning signs and what to do if you or a loved one may have been targeted: https://bit.ly/4pUtOyJ

Financial targeting seniors often go unreported or can be difficult to prosecute. Find out how you can stop scams targeting .

07/31/2026

Would five more years of work strengthen your retirement, or take time away from what matters most? Consider both the financial benefits and the personal tradeoffs before deciding.

💰 Review the numbers: Working longer may increase savings, Social Security benefits, and access to employer health coverage.
❤️ Consider your quality of life: Health, job stress, caregiving needs, and time with loved ones can matter just as much as finances.
🚦 Find your zone: Determine whether retiring now would require major changes, a few adjustments, or none at all.

See which factors can help you decide whether to retire now or keep working: https://bit.ly/4pO0GJt

Retiring now is tempting, but five extra years of work offer major perks. Here is how to weigh the health and financial trade-offs.

07/30/2026

An inheritance doesn’t automatically mean you’ll face a tax bill. Estate tax is generally paid from the deceased person’s assets before distribution, while inheritance tax is paid by the recipient and exists in only five states. See which rules may apply: https://bit.ly/44U51Bb

Estate tax and inheritance tax are both often referred to as "death taxes," but they aren’t the same when it comes down to who pays.

07/28/2026

Headlines moved markets in the first half of 2026, but strong earnings provided support. Geopolitics, AI spending, Fed policy, and broader diversification may shape what comes next. Explore key themes to watch in the LPL 2026 Midyear Outlook: https://bit.ly/4vFfGuo

What's in store for markets? Commonwealth's Chris Fasciano provides analysis and insight as we head into the second half of the year.

07/23/2026

Your AI-powered gadgets might be why your grocery bill and your MacBook cost more this year. AI data center spending is driving up chip and electricity prices, triggering higher prices on laptops, iPads, and gaming consoles. Learn more: https://to.pbs.org/4wce1gY

Investment in data centers has made memory chips, computer processors and other equipment, as well as electricity, more expensive.

07/20/2026

Could a new federal law open more doors for homebuyers? The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act aims to expand construction, improve access to smaller mortgages, and limit large-investor purchases. See what may change and why the impact could take time: https://yhoo.it/4fhBZjB

It’s no secret that housing costs have been on the rise since 2020, putting the dream of homeownership out of reach for many. However, legislators believe that they have found a solution to the housin...

07/16/2026

Did you spot a small charge, such as 37 cents, on your statement? That unexplained "phantom payment" is a scammer testing if your account is active before making larger, fraudulent withdrawals. Learn how to spot this warning sign and protect your money: https://bit.ly/dskjiTu

Notice a strange bank account charge? It might be a phantom payment. Here’s how scammers use them and how you can detect bank fraud early.

07/14/2026

Storing cash in Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App? This convenient habit puts your money at risk. Find out why, and discover safer alternatives that protect your cash and earn interest: https://bit.ly/jfelojF

Keeping money in PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, or another P2P payment app puts your money at risk. Here’s why, and what to do instead.

07/13/2026

Retirement doesn’t have to mean stopping work all at once. Here are 3 ways to shape a next chapter that fits you:

Ease in gradually: Cut hours, shift to a mentor role, or take a sabbatical. Staying connected to work on your terms feels more natural than a hard stop for many people.
Turn passions into paychecks: Hobby jobs, travel gigs, and part-time roles in fields you love add income, structure, and purpose without the grind.
Reinvent entirely: New certifications, entrepreneurship, or a second career can bring the fulfillment your first one never did.
Read more ideas for building a retirement that feels right for you: https://bit.ly/3RAfSN4

Ease into retirement at your own pace and in a way that aligns with your interests.