Let’s be real—everything feels more expensive these days. A few years ago, most of us had at least a little breathing room in the budget. Now? Inflation has eaten that cushion and asked for dessert. You may not be able to control the cost of groceries or gas, but you can control how much of…
Read more
I love starting my day with a little time in the Word, and recently I was listening to a sermon that hit me right between the eyes. The pastor asked a simple but powerful question: Where are you getting your advice? It made me pause. Every day, we let different voices shape our thoughts and…
Read more
Let’s face it—this question isn’t just coming from teenagers anymore. It’s echoing from young adults, parents, even grandparents. How do we get better with money? Why does it feel like we’re all figuring this out way too late? Here’s the reality: financial literacy should be a required class in school—but for most people, it never…
Read more
This might be an easier question to answer than “what is new in DC?” It feels a bit like drinking from a fire hose, so we thought it might be beneficial to zero in on some things that are important to the families we serve. #1…Which, by the way, is my favorite! The on again,…
Read more
While looking for some entertaining statistics on how much exercise equipment is bought in January, I found out why Presidents Day sales are so good. It falls in line with all the returns made on the New Years Resolution items from January. In one way or another this rings true for all of us. I…
Read more
Kids these days! How many times have you heard…or even said this? Parents these days! Yes, your children will be saying this someday, if they aren’t already. There is an ongoing disconnect between generations and the way they think about a lot of things, including money. This is evident in any family, so the good…
Read more
Inflation has been a beast on the ole’ pocketbook. In the 4th quarter of 2023, household debt reached 17.5 trillion dollars with credit card debt – an increase of 50 billion dollars within that same quarter. This translates to Americans spending more with less capability to pay their debt. All while most of these same…
Read more
Your financial health is akin to your physical health—there are two ways you can go about managing it. Most people wait until something isn’t quite right or something needs attention. Then they try some medicine, go the doctor, or make changes to their lifestyle. The second path is one much less traveled: the preventative route. …
Read more
Across most of the world, our American work ethic is perceived as crazy. There was an article in Business Insider called, 11 American Work Habits Other Countries Avoid at All Costs.1. It named these: Crazy long hours Very little vacation time Not enough family leave Americans eat at their desk Breaks during the day are…
Read more
Over the weekend, I read commentary around a new book by a gentleman named Bill Perkins. The book is called “Die with Zero,” and the premises is just that—you don’t get to take it with you, so you need to enjoy it and attain fulfillment. This fulfillment, Perkins states, may include giving money to your…
Read more
Securities offered through Calton & Associates, Inc. member FINRA and SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or ability. Investment advisory services offered through Smart Money Group, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Smart Money Group, LLC and Kennedy Financial Services, Inc. are not owned or controlled by Calton & Associates, Inc.