Kevin Ridenour

10/16/2026

Children with special needs may need ongoing help after their parents are gone.

Planning for a child with special needs can be complicated, confusing, and even overwhelming.

10/15/2026

You don’t have to have everything figured out to start getting your finances in order.

These seven essentials are a good place to begin. But having them checked off isn’t the finish line—your income, family, job, and goals can change. Your plan should keep up.

Take a look at the list and ask yourself:
What’s already in place?
What needs an update?
What are we unsure about?

Progress starts with knowing your next step—not tackling everything at once.

I help families look at the whole picture, identify gaps, and prioritize what comes next.

Want help reviewing your financial foundation? Schedule a conversation through the link in my profile.

10/14/2026

Inflation may be coming down in the headlines—but that does not mean prices are coming down at the store.

When the news reports that inflation has slowed, it means prices are still increasing, just at a slower pace than before. For prices to actually fall, we would need deflation—meaning a negative overall change in prices.

That is why groceries, insurance, utilities, eating out, and many everyday expenses can still feel so expensive. The rapid price increases of the last several years did not reset; they became part of the new price level.

This chart shows the bigger picture: from January 2016 through August 2026, the monthly price increases compounded to roughly a 40.6% cumulative increase based on the data used in the chart. In other words, something that cost $100 in early 2016 would take about $140.60 to buy today.

That is also why planning matters. Even when inflation “cools,” purchasing power still has to be part of the conversation—especially for families building a budget, saving for goals, or planning for retirement.

If you have questions about how inflation could affect your family’s goals or retirement plans, feel free to text me at (940) 213-2099. I'd be happy to schedule a time to sit down and talk through it with you.

10/12/2026

Talking to your family about your financial decisions, arrangements, and values can help you leave a positive legacy.

Leave a legacy and plan for your family's financial future. Arrange your affairs and find ways to pass on your wealth.

10/09/2026

Worried about passing your wealth to a troubled adult child?There are strategies that can help.

The money problems or bad lifestyle habits of adult children could lead to the squandering of any inheritance they receive.

10/09/2026

🎉 10 YEARS OF BROCRO CREATIVE! 🎉

BroCro officially turns 10 this Saturday, October 10, and we’re starting the celebration today!

We had planned a bigger celebration, but with a busy shop and a mountain of orders, we’re keeping things simple—and taking a minute to say THANK YOU.

To every customer, school, team, business, and organization that has trusted us: you’ve helped build this shop. Every order, referral, and word of support has made a difference.

Ten years of shirts, ink, stitches, signs, and bringing your ideas to life. We’re proud to be part of this community and grateful to keep creating for you. 💛

👇 Help us celebrate! Post a picture of your favorite BroCro-made shirt or project in the comments—or tell us how you first found us!

Here’s to the next 10!
— Chad & the BroCro crew

10/09/2026

Buying a home? Financing a car? Carrying a credit card balance?

Interest rates can affect all three—but not in the same way.

Here’s a closer look at where rates stand, where they may be headed, and how they affect the economy.

Where are rates now?

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage point in September, bringing its target range to 3.75%–4.00%. The Fed described the economy as growing at a solid pace, but noted that inflation remained elevated.

That benchmark influences borrowing costs throughout the economy, but it isn’t the rate you’ll necessarily see on a mortgage, car loan, or credit card. Different loans respond to different market conditions.

Where might rates go?

The Fed’s September projections suggest another quarter-percentage-point increase is possible this year. They also suggest rates could remain elevated through 2027 rather than quickly returning to lower levels.

However, those projections aren’t a commitment. If inflation remains persistent, the Fed could keep rates elevated or raise them further. If inflation eases and economic conditions weaken, a less restrictive approach could become appropriate. The direction and timing will depend on incoming information—not a fixed calendar.

What does this mean for mortgages?

Higher mortgage rates increase the monthly payment needed to borrow the same amount. That can reduce purchasing power for buyers and slow housing activity.

If you already have a fixed-rate mortgage, a Fed increase does not change your mortgage’s interest rate. Your total payment could still change because of property taxes or insurance. With an adjustable-rate mortgage, the rate and payment may change at scheduled intervals according to the loan’s terms.

Here’s an important distinction: the Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates. Longer-term rates also reflect expectations about inflation, economic growth, and future Fed decisions. That means mortgage rates can move before the Fed acts—and a Fed rate cut would not automatically lower mortgage rates by the same amount.

What about car loans and personal loans?

Higher rates can make new loans more expensive, increasing the monthly payment and total interest cost for the same amount borrowed over the same repayment period. Existing fixed-rate loans generally keep their contracted rate, even when the Fed changes its benchmark.

What about credit cards?

Many credit cards have variable interest rates tied to an underlying index. When that index increases, the rate charged on a carried balance can rise as well. Unlike a fixed-rate loan, the borrowing cost can change without someone taking out a new loan.

How does this affect businesses?

Businesses borrow money to purchase equipment, finance inventory, and expand operations. Higher financing costs can make those projects less attractive, leading some companies to delay spending or expansion. That can eventually affect economic growth and hiring.

Why raise rates at all?

The goal is to help bring inflation under control. More expensive borrowing can slow spending and reduce demand, easing some pressure on prices. But there is a trade-off: cooling demand can also slow the economy and weaken employment.

Lower rates can encourage borrowing and spending, but cutting too quickly could work against efforts to control inflation. The Fed’s challenge is balancing stable prices with maximum employment. These effects take time to work through the economy—they don’t happen immediately after a rate announcement.

The takeaway: “Interest rates” aren’t one number that moves every household’s finances the same way. The impact depends on whether someone is borrowing now or already has a loan, whether the rate is fixed or variable, and when that rate can change.



*For educational purposes only. Not individualized financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Economic projections are uncertain and may not occur as anticipated. Information as of October 6, 2026, and subject to change.

10/08/2026

I have seen a lot of posts lately about why people do what they do. It got me thinking…

I tell people what I do all the time, but I do not always explain why I do it.

And honestly, I am doing myself—and the people I want to help—a disservice by not sharing that.

Stick with me for a few minutes. This is a longer post.

So, why do I do financial planning?

The answer has changed over the years.

When I started in this career 13 years ago, I was young. Like many people coming into this profession, I thought financial planning was mostly about investments—helping people grow their accounts and prepare for retirement.

Investments do matter. But after years of working with people in different stages of life, I have learned investments are only one piece of a large puzzle.

What I have seen repeatedly is that many good, hardworking people are stressed about money.
They are trying to make ends meet. They are carrying more debt than they want. They are living paycheck to paycheck. They are worried about what happens when the next bill, car repair, medical expense, or unexpected emergency shows up.

And many of them are not in that position because they are lazy or do not care. They are there because life is expensive, financial decisions can feel overwhelming, and most people were never taught how to build a plan.

We also live in a world that makes it easy to compare ourselves to everyone else.

We see the newer vehicles, the bigger homes, the vacations, the clothes, and all the things people post online. It can feel like we are supposed to keep up with everyone around us—even if it means taking on debt or spending money we really cannot afford to spend.

That cycle can create a lot of stress.

It can make people feel stuck. It can make them avoid looking at their accounts. It can keep them from saving because saving for the future does not always provide the instant gratification that spending does.

I want to help the people who are tired of that life.

The young families trying to build something better for their kids. The parents trying to make the most of every paycheck. The couples who are working hard but still feel like they cannot get ahead. The person in their 40s or 50s who looks up one day and decides they do not want to keep living this way.

Those are the people I want to help.

When someone comes to me, they do not need to have everything figured out. They do not need to have a large investment account. They do not need to understand every financial term or know exactly what questions to ask.

They just need to be willing to start.

My job is not to talk over someone’s head, hand them a stack of paperwork, and tell them what to do. My job is to help them understand where they are, what is holding them back, and what steps can help them move forward. This is why I consider myself an educator as well.

Because if you do not understand your money—or why you are making certain decisions—it is hard to stay committed to a plan.

I have seen families come in feeling like they are in a hole with no clear way out. They are stressed, discouraged, and unsure of what to do next.

Then, little by little, they begin climbing out.

Sometimes that starts with getting organized. Sometimes it starts with reducing debt. Sometimes it starts with building an emergency fund. And sometimes it starts with saving just $50 a month because that is all they can afford at that time.

But that $50 matters.

Over time, small steps can turn into real progress. I have watched people who thought they could never save, begin to build money set aside for the future. I have watched them feel accomplished because they finally have a plan, they understand it, and they can see that their effort is making a difference.

That is why I do what I do.

Financial planning is not just about investments. Yes, investments are important, but they are only one part of a much bigger picture.

It is about helping people reduce financial stress, understand their options, make decisions with purpose, enjoy life today, and still build toward a future where work is not the only option.

If you are tired of feeling like you are working hard but not getting ahead, I would be happy to have a conversation with you. You do not need to have all the answers, a perfect budget, or a large investment account to start.

You just have to be willing to start the conversation.

I would love to chat with you.

10/05/2026

Three tips for giving smart from the heart.

Do you have causes that you want to support with donations?

10/02/2026

D&O insurance can be a risk management tool for small businesses, non-profits and educational institutions.

Not only can D&O insurance provide financial protection, but it can help improve an organization’s decision-making.