LampPost Planning

LampPost Planning We are financial advisors. We objectively guide committed clients along a thoughtful, simple path to building wealth and knowledge.

We specialize in planning, investments, and insurance.

S&P 500 companies just keep raising the bar.Earnings per share estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been pushed higher, and ...
08/28/2026

S&P 500 companies just keep raising the bar.

Earnings per share estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been pushed higher, and Q2 already saw analysts get more bullish. Why? Mostly an upbeat economic outlook.

But here's the question worth sitting with: if earnings estimates keep climbing... does that mean stock prices are next?

Not necessarily. Earnings and price don't always move in lockstep, valuation, investor sentiment, and macro risk all play a role too. Worth watching Q3 results to see if this trend holds. 👀

📊 Source: Carson Investment Research, Factset (7/31/26). Forecasts are based on assumptions and subject to change.

✈️ You've heard the rule: retire on 70-80% of your pre-retirement income.Reality check: most new retirees spend just as ...
08/26/2026

✈️ You've heard the rule: retire on 70-80% of your pre-retirement income.

Reality check: most new retirees spend just as much (sometimes more!) in their first few years of retirement. Travel, hobbies, bucket-list projects, the excitement of newfound freedom comes with a real price tag.

The good news? Spending tends to decline meaningfully after 65, once the honeymoon phase settles down. 📉

The takeaway: don't panic if year one doesn't match the "rule." Plan for it instead.

https://www.lamppostplanning.com/post/retirement-realities-what-retirees-actually-experience-vs-what-they-expect

A record number of U.S. adults under 35 are living with their parents, according to a recent Realtor.com study. In 2025,...
08/24/2026

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.

🐕 A dog bite can turn a normal day into a legal and financial headache fast. Here's what to do:1️⃣ Get the injured perso...
08/21/2026

🐕 A dog bite can turn a normal day into a legal and financial headache fast. Here's what to do:

1️⃣ Get the injured person medical care
2️⃣ Secure your dog immediately
3️⃣ Exchange info + document everything (photos, witnesses)
4️⃣ Report the bite if your city requires it
5️⃣ Notify your insurance company — don't skip this
6️⃣ Talk to your agent (and a lawyer, if it's serious)

Hiding a bite from your insurer doesn't protect you, it can actually cost you coverage down the road. 🚫

Save this for the pet parents in your life. 🐾

https://www.lamppostplanning.com/post/dog-bites-neighbor-what-happens-next-and-how-homeowners-insurance-protects-you

Back-to-school season is bringing higher costs for many families. A new analysis found that a typical basket of school i...
08/19/2026

Back-to-school season is bringing higher costs for many families.

A new analysis found that a typical basket of school items, including notebooks, lunch boxes, and index cards, is up nearly 8% compared with last year.

School lunches are also more expensive, with the cost of a typical packed lunch up 11%.

The analysis estimates families may spend roughly $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year, including about $175 on school items and $3,800 on packed lunches.

Some items have seen especially sharp increases. Lunch boxes are up 27%, one-subject notebooks are up 23%, and index cards are up 22%.

Higher tariffs, imported school supplies, food prices, and energy costs are all contributing to the increase.

For families, back-to-school shopping is a reminder that seasonal expenses can add up quickly, especially when everyday costs are already stretching household budgets.

😳 Plot twist: the credit score you check on your phone probably isn't the one your lender sees.Research shows these two ...
08/17/2026

😳 Plot twist: the credit score you check on your phone probably isn't the one your lender sees.

Research shows these two numbers move together most of the time... but over 1 in 4 people land in a totally different credit tier once a lender pulls their real score.

Why the gap?
🔹 Different scoring models
🔹 Different credit bureaus
🔹 Industry-specific formulas (hi, auto & mortgage lenders)
🔹 Simple timing differences

Moral of the story: don't get too attached to one number. 📊

https://www.lamppostplanning.com/post/the-truth-about-free-credit-scores-what-every-consumer-needs-to-know

Have you bought your ticket to Mars? The IPO market is heating up these days with two more big names preparing to debut ...
08/05/2026

Have you bought your ticket to Mars? The IPO market is heating up these days with two more big names preparing to debut in autumn.

A honeymoon can be a meaningful first trip as newlyweds, and a major expense.According to a LendingTree survey cited by ...
07/31/2026

A honeymoon can be a meaningful first trip as newlyweds, and a major expense.

According to a LendingTree survey cited by CNBC Select, the average couple spends $6,260 on their honeymoon. The final cost can vary widely depending on the destination, length of stay, travel season, accommodations, flights, activities, and the kind of experience a couple wants.

Some couples use savings, delay the trip to give themselves more time to set money aside, use gifted money from a honeymoon fund, or redeem credit card rewards to help cover travel costs. There are also extra expenses that can be easy to overlook, including foreign transaction fees, resort fees, peak-season pricing, upgrades, transportation, meals, excursions, and souvenirs.

For couples preparing for a big life milestone, the takeaway is simple: the headline price is only part of the story. Looking at the full cost of the trip can help make the experience feel more intentional from the start.

https://www.cnbc.com/select/average-honeymoon-cost/

What do you want your money to say about you?For many investors, it's not just about growth — it's about legacy. Impact ...
07/29/2026

What do you want your money to say about you?

For many investors, it's not just about growth — it's about legacy. Impact investing offers a way to put your dollars behind the causes and communities that matter most to you, whether that's education, sustainability, or something closer to home.

It's a deeply personal decision, and there's no single "right" answer — only the one that reflects your values. If you're wondering how this could fit into your broader financial story, we'd love to help you think it through.

https://www.lamppostplanning.com/post/are-you-ready-for-your-portfolio-to-make-a-difference

Most parents think the last tuition check means game over for college. The data says it's halftime.50 percent of parents...
07/27/2026

Most parents think the last tuition check means game over for college. The data says it's halftime.

50 percent of parents with adult children still provide regular financial support, spending $1,474 a month to do so. That's more than twice what they're putting toward their own retirement. Here's what "just helping out a little" actually looks like:

✅ 75 percent of parents aged 45+ are financially supporting at least one adult child, even though over half of those children can meet their own basic needs, according to a 2025 AARP survey.

✅ 42 percent of supporting parents report financial stress. 9 percent have retired early because of it.

✅ 47 percent say they've sacrificed their own financial position for the sake of their kids.

✅ 18 percent say the support could continue indefinitely. They don't see an end in sight.

This isn't about being less generous. It's about being intentional. Whether your kid just graduated, graduated five years ago, or is still in school, the question is the same: Is your support happening by design or by default? That's worth a conversation.

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