Zach Holly - Financial Planner

06/02/2026

BETTER BREADTH. The cap-weighted S&P 500 made a new all-time high on April 15, driven by strong megacap performance in the wake of the Iran War, but the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index had been lagging. That changed on 5/22 when the Equal Weight Index made a new all-time high itself as market breadth improved. (Source: Bespoke)

ANALYSTS CAN’T KEEP UP. Semiconductor stocks have been so hot
that they’ve raced past Wall Street analyst price targets. The average Russell 1000 stock sits about 15% below its consensus analyst price target, but the average stock in the Semiconductor group was 2.2% above its consensus price target as of 5/28.(Source: Bloomberg)

06/01/2026

https://www.investopedia.com/slowing-growth-rising-inflation-create-dilemma-for-fed-11985354

With every new bit of economic data, the Federal Reserve's mission to keep inflation low and employment high at the same time looks more like a double bind.

05/29/2026

https://www.franklintempleton.com/articles-us/retirement/may-is-529-month-five-action-steps-every-family-should-take

May is 529 Month. As college costs rise, learn five practical ways to maximize your plan’s tax benefits, flexibility and growth potential to prepare for the future.

05/27/2026

https://www.investopedia.com/after-years-of-weirdness-used-car-prices-are-finally-getting-back-to-normal-11984249

Used car prices are falling from pandemic highs and approaching historical norms as supply recovers. Find out what this means for buyers and owners.

05/22/2026

https://www.investopedia.com/stock-market-today-dow-jones-s-and-p-500-05222026-11982006

Major stock indexes rose Friday ahead of the holiday weekend, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average setting an intraday record and the S&P 500 poised to post its eighth straight week of gains.

05/21/2026

JET LAG. The San Francisco 49ers will play in the first-ever NFL Australia game and as a result will break the league’s all-time travel record, topping 38,100 miles and logging 58 time zone crossings in 2026. The Carolina Panthers will travel the least at just 8,740 miles, crossing only six time zones and venturing no farther west than
Minneapolis. (Source: CBS Sports)

THE SHOHEI WAY. The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani threw seven scoreless innings for a win on 5/13, one day after hitting a home run. It was the sixth time in Ohtani’s
MLB career that he has hit a home run in one game and then pitched a scoreless start in the next. Only one other player in MLB history has done it, and only once: Walter Johnson in August
1909. (Source: OptaStats)

05/12/2026

https://www.investopedia.com/cpi-april-inflation-11972367

Gasoline prices surged in April, raising the CPI and pressuring household budgets.

05/07/2026

https://www.investopedia.com/stock-market-today-dow-jones-s-and-p-500-05072026-11969059

Major stock indexes closed lower Thursday as oil futures reversed course and turned higher.

05/04/2026

🎓 May 29 = 529 Day

A great reminder to talk about one of the most powerful tools for education savings: 529 Plans

If you have kids (or grandkids), this is worth knowing 👇

💡 What is a 529 Plan?
A tax-advantaged account designed to help save for education expenses.

📈 Key Benefits:

🔹 Tax-Free Growth
Your investments grow tax-free when used for qualified education expenses.

🔹 Tax-Free Withdrawals
Used for tuition, books, and more — no federal taxes when used properly.

🔹 Flexibility
Can be used for:
• College & university
• Trade schools
• Up to $10,000/year for K-12 tuition
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/qualified-ed-expenses

🔹 High Contribution Limits
Much higher than most people expect — great for long-term planning.

👨‍👩‍👧 Why Start Early?

Just like retirement, time makes a big difference.

Starting early means:
✔ Smaller monthly contributions
✔ More time for compounding
✔ Less reliance on loans later

💭 Bonus Insight:
Recent rule changes may allow unused 529 funds to be rolled into a Roth IRA (subject to limits and conditions), adding even more flexibility.

📌 Simple Takeaway:
529 plans aren’t just about saving for school — they’re about giving future options.

May 29 is a great reminder to get started or review what you already have in place.

📞 Zach Holly
First Financial Strategies, LLC
623-330-2656
[email protected]

Find out which education expenses qualify for claiming education credits or deductions.

04/29/2026

⚠️ Behind on Retirement at 40 or 50? Here’s What to Do Next

First — you’re not alone.

Most people hit their 40s or 50s and realize they’re not exactly where they thought they’d be financially.

The good news?
You still have time — but the strategy matters more now.

🔹 1. Increase Your Savings Rate (Aggressively)
This is your highest earning phase.
• Max out 401(k)s and IRAs
• Take advantage of catch-up contributions (age 50+)

Small increases won’t cut it — this is the time to be intentional.

🔹 2. Get Serious About Taxes
Where you save matters:
• Pre-tax (401k, IRA)
• Roth (tax-free later)
• Brokerage (flexibility)

A smart mix can increase what you keep, not just what you earn.

🔹 3. Avoid Big Mistakes
Trying to “catch up” by taking excessive risk can backfire.

Focus on:
✔ Consistency
✔ Diversification
✔ A plan that works in good and bad markets

🔹 4. Plan for Income — Not Just a Number
Retirement isn’t about hitting a lump sum…
It’s about creating reliable monthly income.

🔹 5. Delay Retirement (If Needed)
Even working 2–3 extra years can dramatically improve your outcome:
• More savings
• Fewer years withdrawing
• Higher Social Security benefits

💡 Reality Check:
You don’t need to be perfect — you need to be proactive.

The biggest mistake isn’t being behind…
It’s doing nothing about it.

🚀 Takeaway:
Your future isn’t determined by where you are today —
It’s determined by the decisions you make next.

📞 Zach Holly
First Financial Strategies, LLC
623-330-2656
[email protected]