Prairie Sky Financial Group

11/29/2025

🧐 Did you know…

Small businesses (firms with 249 or fewer employees) made up 53 percent of the total net job creation in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Small Business Saturday celebrates exactly this—the vital role entrepreneurs play in our economy and communities.

We have the privilege and honor of working with business owners and helping them translate their hard work into personal financial strategies for the years ahead.

This Small Business Saturday, every local purchase supports the local economy, job creation, and the personal dreams behind each storefront.

A healthier small business community supports us all. 🚀

11/27/2025

🦃 This Thanksgiving, our hearts are full of gratitude.

We are thankful for:
💛 The trust our clients place in us to guide their financial journeys
👏 The dedication of our team, whose commitment makes everything possible
🏡 The communities we serve, which inspire us every day with their resilience and strength

We want to express our deepest appreciation in a season that reminds us of the importance of connection. The relationships we share with clients, colleagues, and friends are what make our work meaningful.

From our team to yours, may your Thanksgiving be filled with gratitude, great company, and plenty of pie. 🥧🥧

11/25/2025

⏰ It’s Open Enrollment season, which means it’s time to review your health and benefits coverage for the year ahead.

According to Fidelity, here are the general timelines to keep in mind:
📌 ACA/HealthCare.gov: Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026 (enroll by Dec 15 for Jan 1 coverage)
📌 Medicare: Oct 15 – Dec 7 (separate rules apply for Initial and General Enrollment)
📌 Medicaid/CHIP: Enrollment available year-round if eligible
📌 State marketplaces: Some states have slightly different windows—check your state’s site
📌 Employer plans: Typically run 2–4 weeks in Oct/Nov (HR/benefits will confirm exact dates)

💡 The reminder: Open Enrollment only comes once a year. It’s your chance to compare options, weigh costs, and align your coverage with your needs.

If you’d like to talk through how your benefits fit into your broader financial strategy, we’re here to help.

11/21/2025

🎁 PricewaterhouseCoopers projects U.S. holiday spending will see its steepest drop since 2020:
▪️ Overall spending down 5 percent
▪️ Gift budgets down 11 percent
▪️ Gen Z cutting back a striking 23 percent

💭 When people spend less, the real question becomes: What drives the purchases we do make?

A 2023 Simple Money article, “The Psychology of Holiday Spending,” points out that overspending often happens when:
▪️ We try to “re-create” the holidays of our childhood with bigger or more gifts
▪️ We feel pressure to match the generosity of friends or family
▪️ Retailers remind us that “time is running out,” and we click buy now before thinking twice

🧠 The real opportunity this season isn’t about spending less—it’s about spending with intention.

As we know, the best gifts are rarely the ones wrapped in paper.

When financial choices align with values, the holidays can feel lighter, less stressful, and more meaningful. Wishing a wonderful holiday to you and all those you love.

11/19/2025

💡 Did you know? If you’re over 50, a big retirement savings rule change is coming in 2026.

It has to do with retirement plan catch-up contributions (the extra dollars allowed once you turn 50).

First, catch-up contributions aren’t going away. You’ll still be able to make them in 2026 and beyond.

BUT—here’s the important difference:
📌 High earners will face a new rule. If you earned more than $145,000 from your employer in the prior year (indexed for inflation), all of your catch-up contributions will be handled differently. For some, that may mean you’ll have a taxable event now but down the road certain retirement plan withdrawals could be tax-free.
📌 Keep in mind that many companies are updating their retirement plans to make it easier for higher-earners to follow the new rule.
📌 If you earn less than $145,000, you can still choose where to place your money depending on your plan's choices.

If you’re turning 50 soon or already making catch-up contributions, now is the time to review your strategy and see if your plan is keeping up with the new rule.

11/17/2025

⏰ The end of the year presents unique opportunities for financial strategy decisions.

Here are a few smart moves to consider before December 31 that could make a real difference. According to Plancorp’s Ultimate Checklist:

✅ Use the IRS Withholding Estimator to see if you might need to make a final estimated payment by January 15
✅ Consider rebalancing your portfolio and exploring tax-loss harvesting before December 31
✅ Review your FSA contributions. Remember, FSAs may be “use it or lose it”
✅ Consider boosting your college savings while making the most of the annual gift exclusion

Year-end preparation isn’t about adding more to your to-do list. It’s about making small, timely moves that can have a lasting impact.

Taking an hour now can help you start 2026 confident and prepared.

💡 If any of these ideas create some interest—or if you have some of your own—we might be able to provide you with additional information. But we would encourage you to check in with your tax, legal, or accounting professional before making any changes.

11/14/2025

🚨 It could cost you $290,000/year to give your loved one 24/7 home care.

If you have a family member over the age of 75, this reality may already be on your mind.

63 million Americans are now caregivers, which is up 45 percent in 10 years.

The stats are brutal:
▪️ 1 in 4 caregivers go into debt or raid retirement accounts
▪️ The average caregiver works 27 hours/week (unpaid)
▪️ Medicare covers nursing homes for just 100 days max
▪️ Half of those under 50 are caring for aging parents and raising kids

What families who navigate this successfully do differently:
✅ Have the money conversation before the crisis hits
✅ Get power of attorney and healthcare directives sorted now
✅ Run actual care cost calculators (not wishful thinking)
✅ Understand what insurance actually covers (spoiler: not much)

"The new inheritance isn't money for your kids—it's having enough to cover long-term care."

Whether it's you or someone you know, don't wait for the emergency room call to start preparing.

What's your biggest concern about having to care for an aging parent?

11/11/2025

Today, we honor the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform.

The courage, sacrifice, and selflessness of our veterans protect the freedoms we often take for granted.

Their service is a powerful reminder of what it means to put others before oneself.

Today, and every day, we are deeply grateful.

11/10/2025

💡 Did you know November may be the most important month for your taxes?

And this year, the opportunities may be bigger than usual.

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act creates some unique year-end opportunities.

Here are a few highlights worth noting:

📌 Higher standard deduction through 2025 means more taxpayers might not need to itemize
📌 New deductions for seniors, overtime pay, and even tipped income offer ways to manage taxable income
📌 Charitable giving strategies, especially donating appreciated assets, can be some year-end tax moves to consider

Thoughtful steps now could help you manage your 2025 tax bill.

If any of these ideas interest you—or if you have other ideas—we might be able to provide you with additional information on the new tax laws. But we would encourage you to check in with your tax, legal, or accounting professional before making any changes.

11/07/2025

October marked the sixth straight month of gains for U.S. markets, with the Nasdaq gaining 4.70% and the S&P 500 climbing 2.27%, powered by strong Q3 corporate earnings that overcame government shutdown concerns and trade tensions. The Fed delivered a quarter-point rate cut on October 29, though Chair Powell signaled a December adjustment wasn't a "foregone conclusion." As families prepare for Thanksgiving, last year's feast for 10 averaged \$58.08, with the turkey alone representing 43% of the total cost at \$25.67.

Stocks advanced for the sixth consecutive month in October as major averages pushed through a government shutdown and trade jitters. Robust Q3 corporate results drove momentum over a month that is notorious for market declines.

11/05/2025

Three shocking realities most families miss when it comes to wealth transfer:

→ The top reason why wealth transfer strategies fail is a lack of communication and trust (60%)
→ Your retirement plan beneficiary designation overrides your will
→ Most heirs must withdraw inherited retirement accounts within 10 years. This could have wide-ranging implications

Here’s the surprising part: the biggest reason wealth fails to transfer isn’t bad investments… It’s a lack of communication.

What your adult children need to know:

▪️ Where your retirement income comes from
▪️ How bills are paid and where passwords are stored
▪️ Who your financial team is and how to reach them
▪️ Who has power of attorney, and who’s the executor
▪️ The why behind your financial decisions

Why Now?
Holiday gatherings create the rare moment when everyone’s together and the mood is about gratitude.

How to start:
We want to make sure you’re prepared if something happens to us. Can we talk through the basics?

Families who succeed at wealth transfer aren’t the ones with the most money. They’re the ones who talk about it.

11/03/2025

🏥 Preparing for health and care needs is one of personal finance's most important and often overlooked parts.

According to the 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey:
✨ Home health aide: $77,800 per year (+3 percent from 2023)
✨ Homemaker services: $75,500 per year (+10 percent)
✨ Assisted living: $70,800 annually (+10 percent)
✨ Nursing home, semi-private room: $111,325 per year (+7 percent)
✨ Nursing home, private room: $127,750 per year (+9 percent)

These are sobering numbers, but they highlight an opportunity: the earlier families begin preparing, the more options and flexibility they may have.

This month reminds us of the value of preparing not only for retirement from a lifestyle perspective, but also for the possibility of care needs along the way.

A thoughtful approach today might help preserve independence, protect assets, and ease the burden on loved ones tomorrow.