Vawdrey Wealth Management

05/28/2026

National Homeownership Month isn't just about buying a house.

It's about what a home represents inside a larger financial life.

For current homeowners, that might mean thinking about how your home connects to your broader goals. For those still renting, it might mean revisiting the timeline and understanding what steps could move things forward.

Either way, housing is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make—and it deserves more than a passing thought once a year.

If you'd like to talk through how your home fits into your bigger financial picture, I'm always happy to have that conversation.



Source: Fred.StLouisfed.org, October 1, 2025

05/22/2026

Two out of every three S&P 500 companies mentioned AI on their Q4 earnings calls. That's not a trend. That's a signal.

The last time a technology shifted this many boardroom conversations at once? Smartphones. And we know how that turned out. Some sectors are all in. Others are barely speaking the word. That gap between the early movers and the quiet ones? It matters for investors.

05/21/2026

Here's a number worth sitting with: as of late 2025, the U.S. homeownership rate stands at 65.7%.

That's roughly two out of every three households.

And it's held steady—even through elevated mortgage rates and shifting market conditions.

What that tells us is that homeownership is still deeply woven into how Americans build their financial lives. It remains one of the most common ways families create memories and connect with the community.

If you're among those two-thirds, this month is a good moment to reflect on what that decision has meant for your household. If you're working toward it, know that millions of others have walked that same road.



Source: Census.gov, September 9, 2025

05/20/2026

Find your row first, then look one row up.

That's the difference starting 5 years earlier can make.

At a hypothetical 8% annual return, the difference between starting at 40 vs. 35 on a $500/month contribution is over $200,000 by the time you reach 65. Not because of more money—just more time.

Time in the market is not just valuable, it's the whole game.

Which row did you land on—and did it surprise you?

05/19/2026

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific investment or combination of investments. Illustration assumes Early Investor contributes $10,000 annually to a tax-deferred retirement account for ten years, while Late Investor contributes $10,000 annually for thirty years. Both accounts earn a hypothetical 6 percent annual rate of return. Consider your ability to make contributions over time before committing to a long-term strategy.

The early investor put in $100,000.
The late investor put in $300,000.

They ended up with nearly the same amount.

Let that sink in.

Starting early didn't just save money—it saved $200,000 in contributions. Same destination, a third of the effort. That's not a financial trick. That's time doing what money alone never can.

If you've been waiting for the "right time" to start investing, this chart is your sign. Save this post and share it with someone who needs to see it.

05/18/2026

That yellow section? That's money you never saved, your money made it for you.

This is compound interest in action. Start with $1,000/year at a hypothetical 5 percent return, and by year 30, you've built nearly $70,000. But the real story is the yellow: Interest earning interest.

Year 1: almost no interest at all.
Year 30: the interest on your interest alone might cover a year of car payments (or more).

You don't need to invest more. You need to stay focused on your strategy. What's one financial habit you wish you'd started earlier? Drop it below. 👇

05/15/2026

There's a crossover moment every long-term investor experiences, and it can change how you think about money forever.

It's the point at which your total investment earnings exceed your total contributions, meaning your portfolio is now doing more work than you ever did.

As this chart shows, it doesn't happen overnight. In year 5, earnings are barely visible. But by year 25, earnings have pulled ahead.

The most powerful financial decision you can make isn't picking the right investment. It's staying committed to your strategy long enough to reach that crossover.

Where are you on this chart? Drop a year or decade in the comments.

05/14/2026

June is National Homeownership Month—a time to recognize what homeownership means to millions of Americans.

It's more than a roof and four walls. For many families, it's where milestones happen. First steps, first dinners around your own table, the feeling of pulling into a driveway that's yours.

According to a 2025 Coldwell Banker survey, 85% of Americans still consider owning a home a key part of the American Dream.

That says something.

Whether you've owned for decades or you're still working toward it, this month is about honoring that aspiration and the meaning behind it. 🏡



Sources:
ColdwellBanker.com, November 10, 2025
Realtor.com, December 29, 2025

05/13/2026