Brian Armstrong, CFP, Wealth Advisor

09/08/2026

The Fed’s next move will get plenty of attention.

But if rates start moving higher again, the bigger story may be how quickly they keep going.

In four of the last five hiking cycles, the S&P 500 was higher a year after the first increase. The exception was the aggressive 2022–23 cycle.

See why the pace of future rate hikes may matter just as much as the first one: https://bit.ly/4ij2dFG

09/05/2026

How much could your 401(k) grow by the time you’re ready to retire?

It can be tough to picture what today’s contributions could mean years down the road. A few simple numbers can help put it into perspective.

Try our 401(k) calculator to see how your savings could add up over time and get a better sense of whether you’re on track. https://bit.ly/4akMIFJ

09/04/2026

Retirement planning can cover a lot of ground.

Saving consistently, understanding your future expenses, managing risk, and knowing how your investments fit together are all part of the picture.

Use these 10 practical tips as a check against your own retirement to-do list: https://bit.ly/4ngXIuL

Not sure how to start retirement planning? We’ve compiled 10 tips to help you get on track with your retirement savings goals.

09/02/2026

Deciding when to start Social Security can feel like a pretty big choice.

You can claim as early as age 62, wait until full retirement age, or delay benefits up to age 70.

There are a few things that can shape that decision. Here’s what to consider as you make your plan:

Your plan shouldn't look the same when you’re 55 as it did when you were 35, and part of that is because you have ever-changing goals. So how do you know when it’s time to adjust your financial plan?

08/31/2026

September is known for being a tough month for the S&P 500.

Since 1950, the index has dropped an average of 0.6% in September and ended the month higher less than half the time.

But this year is starting from a different place. Stocks are already up nearly 13% for the year, and August is shaping up to be a solid month, too.

Many of the worst Septembers in history began when stocks were already struggling. That’s not the setup we’re seeing this year.

See why this September may not follow the usual seasonal pattern: https://bit.ly/4gphqUg

08/29/2026

You probably have a good idea of how much you’ve saved for retirement.

But that number is only part of the story.

Your income, how much you’re still saving, what you expect to spend, and how you invest can all affect the picture.

Answer six quick questions to get a better sense of your retirement readiness: https://bit.ly/2thmnpC

08/28/2026

Retirement might be your main goal, but it’s probably not the only one.

You may also be planning for healthcare costs, college for a child or grandchild, or other long-term needs.

That’s where tax-advantaged accounts come in. A 401(k), Roth IRA, HSA, or 529 can each offer different tax benefits depending on the account and how it’s used.

See how these accounts work across different parts of your financial plan: https://bit.ly/49FleNa

08/26/2026

Ten years from retirement, you still have time to save, adjust, and think seriously about the life you want to fund.

Five years out, the conversation gets more practical. What will you spend? Where will your income come from? Are you on track?

With one year to go, it’s time to start putting more of the plan into motion and even “test drive” what retirement might feel like.

See what may deserve your attention at each stage: https://bit.ly/4dzrOGj

Getting ready to retire? Find out the key planning steps you should be taking 10, 5, and 1 year before retirement.

08/24/2026

A lot of the headlines around the markets right now are focused on stocks, but there’s another part of the market worth watching: debt.

Debt is becoming a bigger part of the market story—from $40 trillion in U.S. government debt to the growing use of debt to fund the AI boom.

While we believe the summery rally looks likely to continue, it’s a reminder to keep the bigger picture in view.

Get our full analysis on recent market moves: https://bit.ly/4wKkyPm

08/22/2026

We all have some idea of what we hope our investments will do over time.

But have you ever stopped to think about what those expectations say about how much risk you’re comfortable taking?

Try the Investment Risk Tolerance Quiz to get a better sense of how you think about risk and long-term growth: https://bit.ly/3EKs844