The Financial Planning Group, LLC

09/14/2026

Which month historically gives the S&P 500 its biggest headache?

If you said October, think again!

Although October has a reputation for market events, September is actually the month that's experienced more downturns.

September finishes higher less than half the time (historically around 44 percent).

There are theories behind it.

Institutions often rebalance their portfolios at the end of the third quarter, adding to the volatility.

Traders return from a slower summer, which can shake up trading.

And the federal government's fiscal year ends September 30, so budget uncertainty also tends to land in September.

Did you already know this? Or is this new news?

The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index that is considered representative of the U.S. stock market. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index.

09/10/2026

As sundown approaches tomorrow, Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year.

More than a simple celebration, this is a traditional season of deep introspection.

To hit pause, reflect honestly on the year that passed, and focus on what matters most: family, community, and our core values.

To all our clients, professional partners, and friends celebrating this weekend…

Shana Tova U'Metuka

May it be a healthy, peaceful, and deeply rewarding year for you and your loved ones.

09/09/2026

Most families think they have until next June to file the FAFSA.

For a lot of state and school aid, that's already too late.

FAFSA for the 2027-28 school year is set to open on October 1.

The federal deadline runs through June 30, 2028, but most states and colleges set their own deadlines, some as early as January, and aid is often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

File in October, and you're near the front of the line. Wait until spring, and the aid you were counting on may already be spoken for.

Tip: Create your FSA ID at StudentAid.gov before October 1 arrives, ahead of the day-one rush.

If you have a student applying to college this year, make a note in your calendar.

09/08/2026

Do you know who just took the helm of the Fed?

Kevin Warsh is the new Federal Reserve Chair, though most people have never heard his name. Unlike his predecessors, he doesn't have an academic background. He spent the last decade and a half at a private investment firm, not in a university lecture hall.

He's already signaling a different approach, promising shorter statements and more transparency in how the Fed communicates.

That matters more than it might seem. The Fed Chair's decisions ripple through the economy, affecting everything from mortgage rates to car loans to credit cards.

Lately, we've heard one question more than any other: What does this mean for me? Honestly, it depends on your situation. But knowing who's steering the ship is where smart financial decisions start.

What's your biggest question about this shift at the Fed?

09/07/2026

A long weekend gives us space to step back from work and reflect on the life we are building.

We honor the work our clients have done to build what they have. And we help make sure it actually serves their lives.

Wishing you and your family a meaningful Labor Day weekend.

09/04/2026

Markets pushed higher in August as AI-driven optimism helped investors look past softer economic data. The S&P 500 gained 2.62% and the S&P/TSX Composite rose 2.96%, even as softening retail sales kept consumer spending in focus. Back-to-school season adds another data point to that story, with spending expected to reach \$146.8 billion in the U.S. and \$4.5 billion in Canada this year.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 2.62 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 3.93 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, adding 1.34 percent. The S&P/TSX rose 2.96 percent.1,2

09/03/2026

Recent data regarding men's health highlight a critical reality that deserves closer attention:

1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, it stands as the most commonly diagnosed cancer in U.S. men. While that statistic is stark, the turnaround potential is incredible:

When caught early, the 5-year survival rate exceeds 99 percent.

Here are the most critical facts to know about risk and prevention:

◾ The Age Factor: Approximately 6 in 10 cases are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older.

◾ Family History: Risk increases for individuals with a father or brother who has battled the disease.

◾ The Silent Nature: Early-stage prostate cancer rarely shows any symptoms at all, making proactive screening the ultimate defense.

The American Cancer Society recommends speaking with a healthcare provider to make informed decisions about testing. This conversation typically begins at age 50 for average-risk individuals and earlier (around age 40 to 45) for those with a strong family history.

Consider sharing this information with a colleague, friend, or family member who might need a reminder to prioritize their next check-up.

09/02/2026

Roughly 56 percent of IPOs bought at the offer price lost money after 3 years.

That's not the headline you see on day one.

You see the first-day pop. The company goes public, and its stock has averaged a 19 percent gain since 1980. Feels like a moment you should catch.

Here's what actually happens:

Institutional investors get the offering price before trading opens.

You buy at market open, after the move.

Then the real story starts.

This gap is based on research led by Professor Jay R. Ritter, who authored a 2026 report on IPO performance for the University of Florida. His analysis of 9,300 U.S. IPOs is one of the most comprehensive databases available.

Chasing IPOs can provide a thrill, but there are pros and cons.

A sound portfolio should reflect an investor's goals, risk, and time horizon. The risks of an IPO are not for everyone.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The return and principal value of IPOs and other stocks will fluctuate as market conditions change. And shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

08/27/2026

Two retirees can earn the same average return and have very different outcomes.

Why?

Because in retirement, timing matters.

An early market downturn in retirement can be more damaging than the same downturn later.

That is the sequence-of-returns risk.

The risk is not simply “the market went down.” It’s “the market went down while income still had to come out.”

A strong retirement strategy should look beyond average returns and address:

Where income will come from
How much cash or short-term reserves make sense
Which accounts to draw from first
When to rebalance
How RMDs and Social Security fit into the withdrawal strategy

Sequence-of-returns risk does not make many headlines.

But for anyone entering retirement, it can be one of the most important ideas to understand.

The goal is not to predict the next downturn. It’s about being prepared.

08/25/2026

There is usually no single moment when the roles begin to shift with aging parents.

A confusing medical bill.
A missed payment.
A scam text that almost got clicked.

When and how do you step in without taking over?

The goal is not to take control.

The goal is to make sure helpful people, information, and safeguards are in place before decisions have to be made under pressure.

One potential conversation starter you could try…

“We are reviewing our own estate documents and realize we should understand where everything is.”

Sometimes, that is enough to open the door.

The families who tend to feel best about how this chapter goes are the ones who approached it as a proactive exercise rather than a response to a problem.

We are glad to be part of that process at whatever stage a family is ready to begin.