Zach Holly - Financial Planner

08/28/2026

https://www.investopedia.com/fed-chair-warsh-in-jackson-hole-speech-12071137

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh refuses to offer “forward guidance” to financial markets about the Fed’s interest rate plans—but investors increasingly believe he will back up his words with action.

08/25/2026

Buying a Second Home in Retirement… or Just Travel More?

A second home is a common retirement goal. But is it always the best use of your retirement dollars?

Consider a simple example:

You could buy a $450,000 second home and potentially spend another $15,000–$20,000+ per year on property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, utilities, maintenance and repairs.

Or… you could keep that $450,000 invested and use some of your retirement income to take 3 great trips every year.

Here’s where the math gets interesting.

Assume the home appreciates at 3% per year while a diversified investment portfolio averages 7%.

After 20 years:

🏠 $450,000 home at 3%: ~$813,000

📈 $450,000 invested at 7%: ~$1.74 million

Of course, investment returns aren't guaranteed and neither is home appreciation. But there’s another factor that doesn't show up on a spreadsheet:

Freedom.

Instead of returning to the same second home every year, you could spend one year traveling through Spain, the next in Hawaii, the next in Italy, Scotland, Alaska or wherever retirement takes you.

You also don't have to worry about a second roof, HVAC system, water heater, insurance policy or an unexpected repair while you're 1,000 miles away.

And travel spending is flexible. If you want to travel less later in retirement, you simply spend less.

A second home's expenses don't necessarily work that way.

There isn't one right answer. If you love a particular location and plan to spend several months there every year, a second home can provide tremendous lifestyle value.

But if the goal is simply “I want to enjoy retirement and see more of the world,” buying another property may not be the only—or best—way to accomplish it.

Retirement planning isn't just about accumulating money. It's about deciding what you want your money to allow you to do.

Would you rather own the second home or take the trips?

08/19/2026

https://www.investopedia.com/why-treasury-yields-are-surging-and-what-it-means-for-your-money-12063059

Treasury yields are hitting their highest levels in years, pushing up mortgage rates and borrowing costs while creating new risks for stocks.

08/12/2026

https://abcnews.com/US/credit-card-debt-rises-126-trillion-nearing-time/story?id=135556533

Americans' credit card debt reached $1.26 trillion, increasing by $21 billion in the second quarter of this year, according to new data.

08/10/2026

https://www.investopedia.com/comparing-cost-of-living-across-all-50-states-key-drivers-of-big-regional-price-12033081

The most expensive state to live in costs more than twice as much as the cheapest. New data on cost of living, home values and income reveals which states stretch your dollar furthest—and which ones quietly drain them.

08/04/2026

BACK TO RECORDS. Back-to-school and back-to-college shopping this year are forecast to hit record highs of $43.3 billion and $103.5 billion, respectively. The total projected spending of $146.8 billion would be a 14.5% increase over 2025 and would surpass 2023’s record by 8%. (Source: National Retail Federation)

MORTGAGE “TAX.” Of mortgage borrowers who purchased their home in 2025, 87% ended up with a more expensive mortgage than was available to them at the time. As a result, the typical
borrower incurred additional costs of $3,343 annually and $78,186 over the entire term of the loan. (Source: Bankrate)

08/03/2026

https://www.investopedia.com/last-stand-for-trump-s-tariff-wall-12028134

The latest wave of President Donald Trump’s tariffs is coming into effect, but economists say the new import taxes aren’t that different from his earlier tariffs. Time will tell how long they’ll be in effect as lawsuits to undo them were filed immediately.

07/30/2026

💊 Important Medicare Part D Changes: What Seniors Should Know

If you're on Medicare—or have a loved one who is—it's important to stay informed about changes to Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

What's changing?

Beginning in 2026, the annual out-of-pocket cap for covered Part D prescription drugs increases to $2,100, up from the $2,000 cap introduced in 2025. The increase is tied to prescription drug spending trends. Other changes to the Part D program continue as Medicare's prescription drug benefit is redesigned.

Why were these changes made?

The redesign aims to:
✅ Limit catastrophic prescription drug costs for seniors
✅ Make annual drug expenses more predictable
✅ Shift more of the financial responsibility for very high-cost medications away from beneficiaries and toward insurers, manufacturers, and Medicare itself.

What does this mean for you?

For many people with expensive medications:
✔ You'll know there's a limit to your annual out-of-pocket prescription costs.
✔ Budgeting for healthcare may become easier.

However, because the program has changed, some Part D plans may also adjust:
• Monthly premiums
• Deductibles
• Formularies (covered medications)
• Pharmacy networks

That's why it's so important to review your Part D plan every year during Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) rather than automatically renewing the same plan. The best plan one year isn't always the best plan the next.

💡 Financial Planning Tip:
Prescription drug costs are an important part of retirement planning. Reviewing your Medicare coverage annually can help ensure you're getting the coverage that best fits your medications and budget.

07/27/2026

https://www.investopedia.com/stock-market-today-dow-jones-s-and-p-500-07272026-12027190

Major indexes were mixed Monday as the busiest week of the corporate earnings season began, as chip stocks weighed on the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500. Meanwhile, oil prices tumbled as the U.S. and Iran paused their fighting.

07/23/2026

https://www.investopedia.com/stock-market-today-dow-jones-s-and-p-500-07232026-12025025

Major stock indexes dropped as shares of Tesla and Google parent Alphabet sold off on AI spending concerns, and Brent crude futures topped $100 a barrel for the first time in two months.