Bob Burton

12/22/2025

✝️ As we gather with loved ones this season, we reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ.

🙏 May this holy season fill your heart with gratitude, your home with joy, and your life with the light of His presence.

🕊️ Wishing you a blessed and meaningful Christmas.

12/10/2025

Many charities experience a surge in volunteers between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, as people look for ways to give back during the holiday season. Researchers note that this increase in service has deep roots in human behavior; generosity and cooperation have long been instrumental in helping communities thrive.

Psychologists say that acts of giving often strengthen social ties and reflect cultural traditions found around the world, from Diwali and Ramadan to Christmas and Hanukkah. During this time of year, expressing gratitude and helping others may reinforce a sense of connection with the communities we’re part of.

Many volunteers say they value these moments not just during the holidays but throughout the year, whether they’re serving meals, clearing trails, or supporting local organizations.

The holiday season is a popular time for volunteering, but experts say giving back is beneficial year-round.

12/09/2025

Job creation at small firms has come to a halt. Firms with fewer than 50 employees lost 120,000 jobs during the first two weeks of November. If the Fed cuts short-term interest rates, will that solve small businesses' job problems overnight? No, but it might be a step in the right direction.

12/01/2025

At times, 2025 felt like an extraordinary year for stock investors. From tariff uncertainty to international tensions to drama at the Fed, 2025 felt like no other year before. But in hindsight, 2025 was pretty ordinary. In fact, from a volatility perspective, there was nothing special about 2025 at all. In fact, through November, there were three drops of five percent and one drop of more than 20 percent. Both numbers generally line up with historical trends.

11/28/2025

What is the one item you are most excited about purchasing this Black Friday?

11/27/2025

Today may be about turkey and the Big Game, but I’d like to take a moment to thank you for allowing me to be part of your financial journey.

Whether we connected years ago, recently, or you’ve seen me show up on your feed, I’m so grateful!

And before you dive into your festivities, have you wanted to connect with a financial professional? Send me a DM or comment the word “Turkey,” and we can connect soon.

11/12/2025

Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2026 — an increase that adds about $56 a month on average to retirement benefits.

While the adjustment helps payments keep pace with inflation, it’s also renewing debate over how the annual COLA is calculated. Lawmakers are considering whether to replace the current CPI-W index, which tracks the spending of urban wage earners, with one that better reflects the spending patterns of older adults, such as higher medical and housing costs.

Experts note that changing the formula could slightly alter future adjustments, but it would also impact the program’s long-term finances. For now, the 2026 increase remains near the historical average for COLAs since 1975.


Source:

The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 will not be a windfall for the millions of beneficiaries who rely on the program's monthly checks.

11/11/2025

11/05/2025

From the grocery store to the café, everyday staples are getting more expensive, and economists say several key factors are to blame.

According to CBS News, global prices for beef, bananas, and coffee have climbed sharply this year. Droughts in South America have reduced crop yields, tariffs have added pressure to import costs, and higher transportation expenses are filtering through the supply chain.

Food inflation now makes up nearly 14% of total consumer price increases, affecting both households and small businesses. Experts say pricing volatility could persist as weather patterns and global trade routes continue to shift.


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Americans are paying significantly more for these food staples, price inflation data shows. Will inflation ever relent?

10/29/2025

Have you ever heard of the bucket strategy? With this approach, you segment your retirement expenses into three buckets, attempting to match income sources to essential expenses.

10/23/2025

Medicare shoppers will see fewer stand-alone prescription drug plans for 2026, continuing a multi-year decline in available options.

According to KFF, the average number of Part D plans per market will drop from 12–16 this year to 8–12 next year, and only a handful will remain premium-free for those with low-income subsidies. Insurer participation has also declined, with Elevance leaving the market entirely.

While premiums are expected to fall about 10% to an average of $34.50 a month, many plans are raising deductibles or tightening formularies — meaning fewer drugs may be covered.

The changes come as the Inflation Reduction Act’s new $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap for 2026 reshapes insurer costs and plan offerings.


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Fewer choices may be on the menu again as Medicare patients shop for prescription coverage this fall.

10/22/2025

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cautioned that a sharp slowdown in hiring poses growing risks to the U.S. economy — a sign the central bank may cut rates again before year-end.

Speaking at the National Association for Business Economics conference, Powell noted that while inflation remains above target, employment data has weakened enough to shift the Fed’s focus toward job stability. The central bank is also expected to stop shrinking its $6.6 trillion balance sheet in the coming months, which could help ease longer-term borrowing costs.

The Fed’s next meeting is scheduled for October 29, with another policy decision expected in December.


Source:

Jerome Powell said the labor market's outlook hasn't changed much since the central bank's September meeting, when it penciled in two more rate cuts this year.