Furstenau Financial

09/30/2026

When Should I Sign Up for Medicare?

Medicare timing can sneak up on you.

Your initial enrollment period usually starts three months before the month you turn 65 and continues for three months after. But things like employer coverage can change when you need to sign up.

A little planning now can help you understand which window applies to you: https://www.furstenaufinancial.com/insights/blog/when-should-i-sign-up-for-medicare/

09/28/2026

Market Commentary: Stocks Climb Despite Soaring Yields

Treasury yields shot higher last week. Stocks basically shrugged.

The S&P 500 gained, the Nasdaq hit new highs, and the economic data still looked pretty solid. Consumers are spending, layoffs remain low, and earnings have held up even as inflation and interest rates stay elevated.

Higher yields still matter. But so far, they haven’t been enough to knock stocks off course.

More on what’s holding up and what could change the picture:
https://www.furstenaufinancial.com/insights/blog/market-commentary-stocks-climb-despite-soaring-yields/

09/26/2026

Most of us know what we’d like our investments to do over time.

What’s harder to pin down is how much risk we’re actually comfortable taking to get there.

That’s where this quick quiz can help.

Take the Investment Risk Tolerance Quiz to get a better sense of how you think about long-term growth and risk:
https://www.furstenaufinancial.com/risk-tolerance-quiz/

09/25/2026

Diversification is something we talk about often, but what does it actually mean, and why does it matter when it comes to your long-term financial plan?

In our latest video, Tyler breaks down the basics of investment diversification and explains how spreading your investments across different areas can help manage risk and build a more balanced portfolio.

Watch the video to learn why diversification matters.

Investing always comes with some level of risk—but diversification ...

09/23/2026

The plan with the lowest monthly premium isn’t always the one that saves you the most money.

A plan might look great on paper, but once you add in your doctors, prescriptions, and what you’ll actually pay out of pocket, the numbers can shift fast.

That’s why open enrollment is about more than just comparing monthly premiums.

See five things to look at before choosing your coverage for the year ahead:

Navigating Medicare can be a daunting task, especially with the numerous plans and options available. However, choosing the right Medicare plan is

09/22/2026

The Fed raised rates for the first time in three years.

That sounds hawkish. The rest of the message was less so.

Even with stronger growth, lower unemployment, and higher inflation in its own projections, the median Fed official still sees just one more hike this year and none in 2027.

See why the headline rate hike may not tell the whole story:

The S&P 500 slipped 0.5% last Wednesday after the Fed hiked interest rates for the first time in three years, but a late-week bounce left the index

09/18/2026

A retirement budget can look solid on paper and still miss what your lifestyle actually costs.

More time at home can mean higher utilities. More free time can turn into more dinners out, projects, or trips. Those little extras can add up faster than expected.

Instead of starting with what you think you’ll spend, it may help to look at what your current lifestyle is really costing you.

See the tips that can help you build a more realistic retirement spending plan:

Many retirees find that even carefully planned budgets don’t hold up once the structure of a regular work schedule disappears. Spending can creep up in

09/17/2026

Myth vs. Fact?

09/16/2026

8 Tax Planning Considerations Every Pre-Retiree Should Know

You’ve probably spent years thinking about how much you’ll need for retirement.

It’s also worth thinking about how taxes could affect that money once you start using it.

From withdrawals and Social Security to Medicare and estate planning, here are 8 areas to review as you get closer to retirement:

For many people, retirement brings many advantages—more free time, fewer responsibilities, and more time for family and hobbies. Unfortunately, taxes can

09/14/2026

Market Commentary: Stocks Wobble as the Fed Gets Ready to Act

Oil may be getting most of the attention, but the inflation story is broader than energy.

Prices are still rising across everyday services, while manufacturers are also dealing with higher costs for things like electronics, steel, and semiconductors.

That broader pressure is one reason Carson’s Investment Research team is taking another look at what the Fed may do next.

See what’s changing in the inflation picture and why it could matter for rates: https://www.furstenaufinancial.com/insights/blog/market-commentary-stocks-wobble-as-the-fed-gets-ready-to-act/