I know it probably goes without saying, but most of the stuff we buy today costs way too much. It wasn’t that long ago that inflation was nearly non-existent. For the decade prior to Covid, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by an average of just 1.8% a year. Since [...]
My family has started to complain about the amount of pork and chicken we’re eating. As the primary grocery shopper and cook in our home, I’ve made the decision to buy much less beef lately. Prices seem to climb higher every week, and it’s becoming harder to justify. These rising [...]
Last week, Kansas City officials announced a hiring freeze to address a projected $100 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2027. When asked about the decision, Mayor Quinton Lucas explained that there is a fundamental “mismatch between income and expenses.” He attributed much of the growing deficit to the rising [...]
As football season kicks into high gear, I know some of you here in Missouri may be chomping at the bit to place a wager on your favorite team, especially with sports betting set to become legal in our state on December 1. It’s been remarkable to watch how quickly [...]
As many of you know, several weeks ago the Federal Reserve, under Chairman Jerome Powell, announced a quarter-percent cut to its key interest rate, the first of 2025. Both in announcing this cut and in later remarks, Powell emphasized that the Fed intends to move cautiously, balancing the risk of [...]
Why Chasing Performance Can Hurt Your Returns This year has been a roller coaster for investors. From steep losses in the early months to meteoric gains since April, 2025 has tested investors’ nerves. With a positive swing of nearly 30% in the last six months, it’s easy to feel tempted [...]
Many years ago, I had a conversation with a coworker that has stuck with me ever since. They had just purchased a brand-new truck that cost nearly twice their annual salary, all while still living with their grandparents. I questioned the wisdom of that choice, and their response was something [...]
This past Saturday, it was announced that a Missourian purchased one of the winning Powerball tickets for the third-largest jackpot in history, a staggering $1.8 billion. Even if you’re like me and have never bought a ticket, it’s fun to imagine what life would be like as an overnight billionaire. [...]
Well, it’s that time again. School is back in session and parents are reminded that college tuition bills are looming. When families start thinking about saving for a child or grandchild’s education, two options often come up: the Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) and the 529 Plan. At first glance [...]
When many people think about working with an investment advisor, they picture something similar to a mechanic. You bring in your portfolio when it “needs a tune-up,” they make a few adjustments, and you drive away until the next issue pops up. In reality, your financial advisor should be more [...]
