Cents & Sensibility, Inc.

06/05/2026

Markets continued their upward climb in May, supported by strong technology performance, positive economic data, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Nasdaq gained 8.36%, the S&P 500 rose 5.15%, and Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 2.37%, while investors welcomed better-than-expected job growth and upbeat corporate earnings. With the Fed's next meeting scheduled for June, attention is turning to updated economic projections and what they may signal about the broader economy. From \$24 billion spent on Father's Day to the popularity of dining out and special outings, this month's by-the-numbers highlights how families celebrate the dads in their lives.

Stocks pushed higher in May, fueled by big tech names, positive economic news, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

05/15/2026

Quick gut check: Do you know who's listed as beneficiary on your retirement accounts right now? Not who you'd want it to be — who's actually on the form. In most cases, beneficiary designations supersede your will. If yours are out of date, your estate plan may not work the way you think it does.

A forgotten form can override your will.

05/08/2026

This week, the country pauses to say thank you to teachers.

It's a good tradition. Though if you've ever spent time in a classroom — or been shaped by someone who did — you know that a week of appreciation barely scratches the surface of what educators actually give.

They show up every day not because it's easy, but because they believe in something.

Belief in the compounding effect of a patient explanation.

Belief in the student who needs one more chance.

Belief in the idea that the right person at the right moment can change the entire trajectory of a life.

That kind of commitment deserves more than a mug.

It deserves our utmost respect and praise.

To every teacher, past and present, reading this, thank you.

What you do matters more than a single week can hold.

05/08/2026

Stocks surged in April, delivering their strongest monthly gains in five years as solid economic data, easing geopolitical tensions, and upbeat first-quarter earnings lifted investor sentiment. The Nasdaq climbed 15.29%, the S&P 500 rose 10.42%, and the Dow gained 7.14%, while Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 3.65%. With no Fed meeting in May, attention turns to remarks from Fed officials and how evolving economic data may shape expectations moving forward. From \$34.1 billion in U.S. spending to the popularity of Mother’s Day dining and gifts, this month’s By the Numbers highlights how families celebrate the occasion.

Stocks surged in April, notching their best month in five years as investors cheered upbeat economic news, efforts to lower tensions in the Middle East, and first-quarter results.

04/30/2026

We want to give a warm welcome to the newest member of our team, Mayna Bressler! She also joined us as a Client Relationship Coordinator. We’re excited to have her on board and look forward to the energy she will bring. Get to know a little more about Mayna:

"Much like when I had to chase after a bus on the busy streets of Greece to throw my friend her passport through the window, I aim to bring a high level of dedication and effort to our clients at Cents & Sensibility. Coming from a background in Client Service in Commercial Insurance and a BS in Business Administration, I’m excited to get to help people with their finances. On the weekends, I’m always on the hunt for a cool new restaurant or taste sensation since I’m a huge foodie. I love to travel (I just returned from an awesome trip to Japan with my sister), but my ideal days would be spent by the water with my rescue pup, Kingston, and a delicious drink (my go-tos are an iced coffee, matcha, or St. Germain Spritz) in hand."

04/28/2026

History doesn't repeat exactly, but it does tend to reward patience. When markets feel uncertain, it helps to zoom out. In our latest Visual Insights Newsletter, we looked at what happened to $100 invested in 1928 and left alone for nearly a century. The results may surprise you.

A simple lesson about time and discipline.

04/23/2026

We’re so excited to welcome Lynda Kiikvee to our team! If you've called into the office recently, you may have already spoken to her or have had her help you schedule an appointment. She joined us as a Client Relationship Coordinator earlier this year, and we can’t wait for you to get to know her better! Here’s a little more about Lynda:

"In my working life, I started as a “stripper” (and no, not that kind!) in the printing industry. Prior to computers, a “stripper” would use a light table to assemble film negatives. I went on to run my own successful printing business and gained a reputation as the one who gets things done – I’m a “take charge” kind of gal. Now at Cents & Sensibility, I’m still using my tenacity to work hard for our clients while advocating for everyone to be proactive and learn about their financial health. In my free time, you can find me chasing around my darling grandgirlies, enjoying a hot yoga class or relaxing on a Sunday watching whichever Formula One Grand Prix I can catch on TV."

04/15/2026

Q1 gave investors a reminder: markets don’t move up in a straight line. Between geopolitical tension, rising oil prices, and persistent inflation, we saw a meaningful pullback across major indexes. The bigger question now is what comes next.

Here's what savvy investors took away from Q1

04/07/2026

U.S. stocks slipped in Q1 as AI disruption fears and Middle East tensions rattled investors. The S&P 500 fell 4.63%, the Nasdaq dropped 7.11%, and the Dow lost 3.58% — though six of eleven S&P 500 sectors still finished in the green, led by Energy's standout 37.91% gain. As the weather warms up and spring gets us outside, it turns out Americans are right there with you — over 181 million U.S. residents participated in outdoor recreation in 2024. Check out this month's by-the-numbers for more on the outdoor recreation economy.

Stocks fell in the first quarter amid concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) could disrupt certain industries and geopolitical issues that unsettled investors.

03/25/2026

Retirement isn’t one long, steady chapter. Research shows it often unfolds in three distinct phases, each with different spending patterns and priorities. Are you planning for one version of retirement, or all three?

Retirement is for living, not just saving.