Inflation is back in the headlines, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 3.8% year over year in April, up from 3.3% in March. Ongoing geopolitical tensions have pushed oil, diesel, and fertilizer prices higher, driving up the cost of everyday essentials like gas and groceries. While inflation affects most households, they can be particularly challenging in retirement, when income sources are often less flexible and spending needs may continue to grow.

Unfortunately, many of the expenses that tend to rise the fastest over time, including housing, healthcare, and insurance, can be difficult to reduce. That's why it's important to account for inflation before it becomes a challenge. A well-designed retirement plan can help you prepare for rising costs and maintain your purchasing power over the long term.

529 plans have evolved well beyond their original role as a narrow college savings tool. Recent updates through the SECURE Act and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) have expanded how you can use these accounts, giving you more flexibility without triggering taxes or penalties. Depending on your situation, you can now use 529 plan funds for ongoing education, to pay down student loans, or even to support retirement savings.

If you’ve built up a 529 balance and aren’t sure how it fits into your plan, or you want a more tax-efficient way to cover education-related expenses, here’s a fresh look at how these accounts can work for you today.

Oil prices have surged in recent weeks following U.S. strikes on Iran and Iran’s subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most crucial energy chokepoints. In March, crude oil climbed above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, driving a noticeable jump in gas prices for many Americans.

Oil market volatility doesn’t always draw the same attention as stock market swings, but higher prices at the pump tend to change that. To put recent moves into context, it helps to understand how the oil market works and how those dynamics flow through to gas prices.

As your net worth grows, it’s easy to assume your credit score will take care of itself—or that it matters less once you’ve built meaningful wealth. But that’s not how the credit system works. A high income or sizable portfolio doesn’t automatically translate into a strong credit profile.

March is Credit Education Month, making it a timely opportunity to separate fact from fiction. Even financially successful people can slip into habits that quietly lower their scores or limit flexibility when borrowing. When you understand how credit actually works, you’re better positioned to finance real estate, manage liquidity, and plan for what’s next.

Every year, the IRS revises contribution limits, income thresholds, and other planning benchmarks that affect retirement savings, tax strategy, gifting, and long-term planning. These changes determine how much you can set aside, how income is taxed, and where you may find new planning opportunities in the year ahead. Here are the key tax and financial planning numbers for 2026.

The end of the year is a natural pause point. It gives you space to look at what changed over the past twelve months and decide what you want the next year to look like. If you’ve been setting financial goals for a long time, the process can start to feel routine, even automatic. But 2025 brought enough shifts that it’s worth setting your goals with fresh eyes.

Prices stayed high. Healthcare costs kept pushing upward. Investment markets rewarded certain sectors while adding plenty of volatility along the way. And many people found themselves reconsidering not just what they want to earn or save, but how they want to live.

If your financial life has evolved, your goals should evolve with it. Here’s how to set financial goals for 2026 that are meaningful, realistic, and aligned with the life you want.