Stine Wealth Management

06/25/2026

Major student loan changes are set to take effect July 1, bringing updates to borrowing limits, repayment options, and federal aid eligibility.
New rules will limit how much some students and parents can borrow. Parent PLUS loans will be capped at $20,000 per year and $65,000 total per student, while new caps will also apply to graduate and professional degree borrowing.
Repayment options are also changing. New federal loan borrowers will have fewer choices, with options narrowing to a tiered standard repayment structure or a new income-driven option called the Repayment Assistance Program.
Borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE may also need to choose a new repayment option, with loan servicers expected to send notices about next steps.
Pell Grant rules are changing as well, including expanded eligibility for some short-term workforce training programs.
For borrowers and students, the takeaway is simple: watch for communications from loan servicers, confirm contact information is current, and review available options before deadlines arrive.

Source:

The changes will affect how much students and their parents can borrow, as well as their repayment options.

06/24/2026

Summer travel may come with higher costs this year, as airfare, gas, lodging, dining, and activities all reflect broader price pressures.

Average domestic airfare is about $383, up $89 from last year, while gas prices have risen $1.42 per gallon from a year earlier.

Other travel-related expenses are also higher. Activities are up by more than 5.5%, lodging costs are up by 4.3%, and dining out prices are up by more than 3.6%.

Even with higher prices, many Americans are still taking trips, though some may choose destinations closer to home to help manage overall costs.

These trends show how inflation can affect more than everyday essentials — it can also shape how households approach travel, leisure, and seasonal spending.


Source:

Gas prices, airfares, accommodations and other vacation essentials are more expensive this year compared to last year.

06/23/2026

The U.S. House has approved a bipartisan housing affordability bill aimed at addressing the role of large institutional buyers in the single-family housing market.

The bill passed by a 396-13 vote and would prevent institutional investors that already own more than 350 single-family homes from buying additional existing homes.

However, the measure would still allow those investors to build more housing units, a key distinction that helped gain support from rental, construction, and housing industry groups.

Supporters say the bill could help improve access to single-family homes, while critics argue that some provisions may not go far enough to address build-to-rent activity.

The measure still needs Senate approval before it can move forward, meaning additional changes or debate may follow.

For housing markets, the discussion highlights the ongoing tension between affordability, supply, rentals, and homeownership.


Source:

The U.S. House approved an updated housing affordability bill after removing industry-opposed requirements on selling build-to-rent homes.

06/22/2026

If your kids are starting a summer job, why not look into a Custodial Roth account? Talk to your kids about how they can get started with tax-advantaged savings. Whether they put money in the account or you get it started for them with a gift, it’s a good way to start a great habit. For more information or to set up a meeting, drop us a note today!

We can explain the pros and cons of Custodial Roth IRA, and introduce you to some of the unique features of custodial accounts, including when kids can take control of the asset. Also, remember, with a Roth IRA, to qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, a Roth must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain other circumstances, and the original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals.

06/21/2026

Dads wear a lot of hats: teacher, fixer, coach, protector, and even, sometimes, dance partners.

Today, we're celebrating the dads who work hard for their families' health, happiness, and security.

Here's to early mornings, life lessons, and long-term thinking that keeps families moving forward.

Happy Father's Day to all the incredible dads out there. 🎓🔧🙏

06/19/2026

One of the most overlooked questions in building a retirement strategy isn't "How much do I have?" It's "When do I need it?"

That's exactly what a bucket strategy does. It matches your assets to your timeline, so every dollar is working as hard as it can for as long as it can.

Do your buckets match your time horizon?

06/18/2026

If you live to 95, will your money?

If you're too aggressive, will you come up short? Too conservative, and you leave quality of life on the table.

Also, will the life you are living at 70 change as you age? Have you considered how changing withdrawal rates can affect everything from estate management strategies to retirement strategies?



Disclosure: The portfolio is composed of 50 percent stocks, 40 percent bonds, and 10 percent Treasury bills. It is assumed that a person withdraws a hypothetical percentage each year. Historical returns based on the period January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2025. Stocks are represented by the Standard & Poor's 500, which is an unmanaged group of securities & considered to be representative of the US stock market. Bonds are represented by the five-year U.S. government bond and Treasury bills by the 30-day U.S. Treasury bill. An investment cannot be made directly in an index. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

06/17/2026

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

06/16/2026

What does the average American budget look like? We’ve created a fun interactive piece that lets you see how your own budget compares. Read more now.

Learn about the average American budget in this fun and interactive piece.

06/15/2026

Do your kids have the right stuff for college?

Preparing for college means setting goals, staying focused, and tackling a few key milestones along the way.