Wint Family Wealth Management

05/19/2026

Auto debt continues to climb as higher vehicle prices and interest rates put pressure on household budgets.

A recent report found that total auto debt reached $1.68 trillion at the end of 2025, up 37% from late 2018. Nearly 86 million Americans, or about 1 in 4, now carry auto loan or lease debt.

Monthly payments have also increased. The typical auto loan payment rose from about $506 in 2018 to more than $680 by the end of 2025.

Several factors are contributing to the shift, including higher vehicle prices, fewer lower-cost new car options, and longer loan terms. More buyers are also taking on larger monthly payments, with $1,000 auto loan payments becoming more common for financed new-vehicle purchases.

For many households, higher transportation costs can affect other parts of the budget, including groceries, rent, savings, and emergency funds.

These trends highlight how vehicle affordability can play a larger role in everyday financial decisions.


Source:

Auto debt has swelled to $1.68 trillion, a new analysis finds. Americans face costlier vehicles, higher interest rates and lengthier loan terms.

04/29/2026

That yellow section? That's money you never saved, your money made it for you.

This is compound interest in action. Start with $1,000/year at a hypothetical 5 percent return, and by year 30, you've built nearly $70,000. But the real story is the yellow: Interest earning interest.

Year 1: almost no interest at all.
Year 30: the interest on your interest alone might cover a year of car payments (or more).

You don't need to invest more. You need to stay focused on your strategy. What's one financial habit you wish you'd started earlier? Drop it below. 👇

04/21/2026

A common online security tool is now being used in a new type of scam.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts — the familiar “I’m not a robot” checks — to trick users into taking actions that can compromise their devices.

Instead of a simple verification, these prompts may ask users to click “Allow,” enable notifications, or follow additional steps that can lead to persistent pop-ups, phishing attempts, or unwanted software.

These scams often appear through ads, suspicious links, or redirected web pages, making them harder to spot at first glance.

Security experts note that legitimate CAPTCHA tests do not require enabling notifications, downloading files, or entering system commands — making those requests a potential red flag.

As these tactics evolve, staying cautious when interacting with unexpected prompts can help reduce exposure to online threats.


Source:

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts to trick users into enabling malware and scam notifications Security experts warn the ta

04/08/2026

Great wine and great wealth have something in common—they both reward patience. 🍷

Behind every perfect vintage is time, care, and consistency. The same goes for your financial strategy. The goal isn't quick wins or a perfect growing season, but something that matures over time.

Let's raise a glass to long summer nights with friends, trusted bottles full of years of promise, and a life worth savoring.

Salut! 🥂

04/02/2026

A recent study suggests that maintaining a healthy diet may contribute to keeping your brain younger and potentially slowing cognitive aging. 🍎🥦

The research highlights the benefits of nutritious eating habits on brain health, emphasizing the importance of diet in supporting mental wellness and longevity. As we explore ways to promote healthy aging, understanding the role of nutrition in cognitive function becomes increasingly significant.

Incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet could be a key factor in preserving brain health as you age.

Source:

A new study that tracked brain changes in more than 1,600 adults over 12 years found that eating may help keep the brain younger.

03/30/2026

A rare Pokémon “Illustrator” card recently sold for $16.5 million, bringing renewed attention to collectibles as a potential alternative asset.

According to data cited in the article, secondary trading card sales volume has nearly doubled over the past two years. The Pokémon index has gained approximately 145% in the past year, compared to roughly 15% for the S&P 500 over the same period.

However, collectibles carry distinct considerations:
➡️Limited liquidity and reliance on auction markets for pricing
➡️Value driven largely by buyer demand
➡️Potentially higher capital gains tax rates (up to 28% for certain items)
➡️Performance that can differ significantly from traditional securities

While some investors explore trading cards, art, wine, and watches for diversification, these items are often viewed as complementary holdings rather than substitutes for broadly diversified portfolios.

As interest in alternative assets grows, understanding both the opportunities and the trade-offs is important.


Source:

AJ Scaramucci thinks trading cards have experienced tremendous growth, and thus they, and other collectibles, are great alternative investments.

03/27/2026

What a $5 Frappuccino can teach your teen about building wealth 👇

April is National Financial Literacy Month, and here's a number worth sharing at the dinner table.

If your teen opens a Roth IRA at 18 with $1,000 from a part-time job and adds $1,000 a year, that single account could be worth nearly $500,000 by age 65. Tax-free.

Think they can't save $1,000 a year? Skipping the daily Frappuccino more than covers it. ☕

But the best financial education isn't about the math. It's about real decisions with real consequences.

A few things that actually work:

✅ Hand them cash instead of a credit card for shopping. Let them keep what they don't spend.

✅ Give them a clothing budget for the year. If they blow it by October, that's the lesson.

✅ Have the college money talk before they fall in love with a school. As one counselor put it, "Have the conversation before they buy the hoodie."

✅ With the Roth IRA, you can show them that there are certain rules with certain accounts. For example, to qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Also, tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain other circumstances, such as the owner's death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals.

What's one money lesson you wish someone had taught you earlier? 👇

Please consult with a tax and finance professional before making any decisions.



Sources:
-https://www.calculator.net/roth-ira-calculator.html?cstartingprinciple=1%2C000&cannualaddition=1%2C000&cmax=n&cinterestrate=8&ccurrentage=18&cretirementage=65&ctaxtrate=25&printit=0&x=Calculate -ira-result
-https://www.ngpf.org/blog/advocacy/how-many-states-require-students-to-take-a-personal-finance-course-before-graduating-from-high-school-is-it-6-or-is-it-21/

02/11/2026

Valentine’s Day isn't just about roses and reservations this year — fast food chains are getting in on the fun with playful, limited-time offerings designed to stand out.

Some brands are rolling out unexpected menu items, from caviar-topped McNuggets to heart-shaped pizzas, leaning into novelty and social media buzz during one of the busiest restaurant holidays of the year. It's a reminder of how consumer trends, social media buzz, and seasonal moments can shape how businesses compete for attention. 🍟❤️



Source:

It’s a tale as old as time, or at least as old as TikTok: chicken nuggets lovingly topped with a dab of caviar.

02/02/2026

What are Wall Street’s best and brightest looking for in 2026? If you toss out the highest and lowest, you can see that the other forecasts settle into a pretty tight range for the year. What the table doesn’t show is that there will be highs and lows during the year. There will be times when stock prices look invincible. And there will be times when you wonder why you invest in stocks at all.