Semper Fortis Financial, LLC

09/02/2026

Inflation is still running above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditures price index, rose 0.2% in July and 3.7% from a year earlier. Core PCE, which strips out food and energy prices, increased 3.3% annually.

The report also showed personal income rose 0.4% while spending increased 0.2%.

For consumers, that means price pressures haven’t disappeared, even as some categories, including gasoline and other energy-related goods, moved lower during the month.

With inflation still elevated, the latest numbers may remain an important part of the Fed’s upcoming interest-rate discussions.


Source:

The personal consumption expenditures price index was expected to rise 0.1% monthly and 3.6% on a 12-month basis, according to economists surveyed by Dow Jones.

09/02/2026

Financial planning looks different at every stage of life. 💭

From building your foundation to preparing for retirement, having a plan can help you make more confident financial decisions.

Wherever you are in life, it’s never too early or too late to start planning.

Need help with your financial goals? We’re here to help.

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

US oil is back over $90.00 a barrel once again closing up 4.92% today - the highest price in 6 weeks as the US begins striking Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz.

09/01/2026

Investing isn’t about following the crowd—it’s about understanding your goals. 📈

Are you investing for retirement, a future home, education, or long-term wealth? Knowing your “why” can help put your financial decisions into perspective.

09/01/2026

Life insurance is often framed as something you only think about "just in case."

But for many people, it can be part of a broader financial foundation—supporting both current flexibility and future considerations.

From how coverage works to what employer benefits actually provide, understanding the basics can make it easier to decide what fits your situation.

Several factors affect the cost and availability of life insurance. And any guarantees associated with a policy depend on the issuing insurance company's ability to continue making claim payments.

09/01/2026

Living longer doesn’t automatically mean living better.

Healthy Aging Month is a reminder that how we age is shaped by more than just time. Staying active, mentally sharp, and socially connected all play a role—and so does the ability to support those lifestyles over time.

Small, consistent habits—both physical and financial—can influence what those years look like.



Sources
World Health Organization, Ageing and Health, October 2025
American Medical Association, What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Healthy Aging, September 2025
Stanford Medicine, Five Healthy Habits for Successfully Aging, January 2026
EBRI/Greenwald, 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey, April 2025

09/01/2026

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, and also one of the most treatable when it's caught early.

This September, during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we're encouraging the men in our lives, and ourselves, to make time for the conversations and checkups that matter.

A quick conversation with your doctor could make all the difference. Here's to catching it early.

08/31/2026

Some hospitals and medical providers are asking patients to pay more before receiving non-emergency care.

The trend comes as deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs continue to rise.

Traditionally, many patients received bills after treatment. Now, some providers are collecting preservice deposits based on their estimate of what a patient may owe.

A KFF Health News report noted that the average deductible for employer-sponsored family coverage is $3,762 per person. The average deductible for Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage rose 37% this year to $3,786.

For patients, upfront payment requests can create confusion, especially when insurance networks, deductibles, and estimated costs are unclear.

Emergency care has different rules. Hospitals that accept Medicare funding cannot demand upfront payment before stabilizing a patient who arrives at an emergency room.

For non-emergency care, it may be worth asking for an itemized estimate, confirming network status, and checking with the insurance company before making a large payment.


Source:

Hospitals and other medical providers are increasingly asking for payment before providing care, collecting more of what patients might owe.

08/31/2026

A record number of U.S. adults under 35 are living with their parents, according to a recent Realtor.com study.

In 2025, 25.2 million adults under 35 lived at home, a higher share than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many are working, but wages are not always keeping up with the cost of living. Among adults ages 25 to 34 who live at home, roughly 7 in 10 have jobs.

Housing affordability is a major factor. Higher home prices, elevated mortgage rates, rent, student loan payments, car payments, and everyday expenses can make living independently harder to sustain.

For some families, moving back home may be a way to reduce expenses, rebuild savings, or create more breathing room before taking the next step.

The broader takeaway is that financial independence does not always follow a straight timeline. Cost-of-living pressures are reshaping what adulthood, housing, and household decisions look like for many families.


Source:

One woman in her mid-30s said her $60,000 annual income wasn't enough to cover all her bills after a breakup, leading her to move back home.