For folks with young children, there’s recent buzz about the new Trump Account—officially a…

Over the past 20 years, average costs for tuition, fees, housing, and food have…

One of the biggest advantages of owning a small business is flexibility – not

This graphic ranks countries by their forecasted gross domestic product…

College graduates looking to join the workforce this year encountered the most discouraging labor market in recent memory. The class of 2025 saw the number of job postings on Handshake (a career platform used to recruit college graduates) decline 15% from the previous year. The number of applications per job increased by 30%.¹

For nearly a quarter century, employers have been able to offer their retirement savings plan participants age 50 and older a valuable opportunity — the chance to make additional catch-up contributions to their plan. Thanks to the SECURE 2.0 Act passed in 2022, that opportunity became even more valuable: Employers may now allow plan participants age 60 to 63 to contribute even more than their other catch-up eligible peers through “super catch-ups.” In 2025, the standard plan contribution limit is $23,500. Participants who turn age 50 to 59 and 64 and older in 2025 can contribute an additional $7,500, while those who reach age 60 to 63 can contribute an additional $11,250.

If you or your loved one plans to attend college in the 2026–2027 academic year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) opens October 1, 2025. Completing the FAFSA is the key to receiving federal grants, work-study, and loans, as well as many state and institutional aid programs.

For families with high school seniors, fall is crunch time. Between campus visits, final SAT/ACT attempts, and essay writing, there’s also a parallel track that’s just as important: preparing the financial side of the college journey. Getting ahead now can reduce stress and improve the chances of securing the best possible financial aid package.

On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—a sweeping legislative package—was signed into law, bringing with it some of the most significant changes to federal student loans in over a decade.

Life is full of surprises—some uplifting, some challenging. For those who have hiked long-distance trails, the term “trail magic” evokes a special kind of wonder. Trail magic refers to the unexpected kindnesses hikers receive on their journey: a cherry Tootsie Roll pop from a stranger, a made to order omelet at a random trail crossing, or even just a word of encouragement when morale is low. In many ways, this mirrors the financial journey we all walk through life—with its share of surprises, messes, and magical moments.

If you’ve recently been laid off from Indeed in Austin, first, take a breath. Layoffs—even expected ones—can bring a rush of uncertainty. But they can also be a powerful inflection point in your financial life. With thoughtful planning, you can transition from reactive to proactive and turn this disruption into a moment of long-term gain.

Each year, the Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds provide detailed reports to Congress that track the programs’ current financial condition and projected financial outlook. These reports have warned for years that the trust funds would be depleted in the not-too-distant future, and the most recent reports, released on June 18, 2025, show that Social Security and Medicare continue to face significant financial challenges.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that effective April 14, some individuals who want to claim Social Security benefits or change their direct deposit account information will need to visit a local Social Security field office to prove their identity in person.

Every year, thousands of hopeful hikers set out to conquer long-distance trails like the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or Continental Divide Trail. With high spirits and grand ambitions, they march into the wilderness, packs stuffed with gear and dreams of transformation. Yet many are forced to quit early—not because of injury or lack of passion, but because they overestimated their endurance and underestimated their preparation.

Continuing education has always been important to me. As a career changer with a Master’s degree in Counseling, I’ve always enjoyed learning and strengthening my knowledge—whether that’s exploring different counseling theories or diving into the intricacies of new tax laws. That mindset is what led me to pursue the Certified College Financial Consultant (CCFC) designation.

July 2025 marked the passage of one of the most sweeping federal reforms in recent history—the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). While the headlines have focused on tax cuts and student loans, hidden within its 1,200+ pages are transformative changes to the U.S. education system.

Monetary donations given to trusted, local organizations allow aid to be delivered quickly and directly to those in need. Community foundations, chambers of commerce, churches, and volunteer fire departments are already working on the ground. They understand the specific needs of their neighbors and can respond with targeted assistance that national groups may not be able to provide as efficiently.

July 2025 brought sweeping legislative changes with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill. While most headlines focused on tax cuts and education reform, a lesser-known but highly relevant provision for many of our clients is the new federal remittance tax.

While thru-hiking on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia I noticed shimmery gold rocks the second day of my hike. These particular rocks were gorgeous…more sparkly and glittery than any other I have seen in nature. These rocks would be a beautiful addition to the prominently displayed rock collection in my living room. Throughout the next few days, I saw even more outstanding rocks…rocks outlined in gold & copper, rocks that couldn’t be any purer white, and a single rock that was colorless and absolutely flawless. I pondered the possibility of adding these rocks to my collection and what it would mean to carry them the next 178 days. Let’s explore this idea.

In the world of long-distance hiking, a “shakedown hike” is a short test run where hikers assess their gear, fitness, and preparedness before committing to a full thru-hike. It helps identify what’s essential, what can be left behind, and what needs improvement—ultimately reducing the hiker’s risk and improving their success on the trail.