Kevin Thomas Financial Consultant Equitable Advisors Navy Veteran

07/14/2026

🎨✂️ It was an honor to be part of the ribbon-cutting celebration for Hill Country Arts Academy as we welcomed them as one of the newest partners of the Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce!

I had the opportunity to tour the academy, meet owner Jill Cecil, and learn more about her inspiring vision of blending academics and the arts to help students discover and develop their unique talents. It’s always exciting to see passionate local business owners investing in the future of our community and creating opportunities for young people to thrive.

Congratulations to Jill and the entire Hill Country Arts Academy team on this exciting milestone! I look forward to seeing the positive impact you will continue to make in Harker Heights and beyond.

To learn more about their mission and programs, check out this article: Read More About Hill Country Arts Academy

07/12/2026

El Niño has formed in the Pacific, and forecasters say it could become one of the strongest events on record.

El Niño is a natural warming pattern in the Pacific Ocean that can affect weather around the world. This cycle may increase the risk of extreme heat, floods, droughts, wildfires, and other costly weather disruptions.

NOAA says there is a 63% chance this El Niño could become intense enough to rank among the largest events in the historical record going back to 1950.

The potential impact is not limited to weather. Severe climate events can affect agriculture, energy demand, insurance costs, supply chains, transportation, and local economies.

For households and businesses, El Niño is as much an economic story as an environmental one.



Source:

U.S. meteorologists say an El Nino has formed. That's the natural warming of parts of the Pacific that changes weather around the globe.

07/11/2026

A takeover battle is unfolding around a historic Italian lender widely regarded as the world’s oldest bank.

Founded in 1472, the institution began as a way to provide credit to lower-income citizens in Siena. More than five centuries later, it remains part of Italy’s financial landscape.

The current bidding activity has drawn attention because the outcome could reshape part of Italy’s banking sector.

The situation also carries broader significance because the bank has connections to major financial holdings, including insurance and government bond exposure.

For Italy, the issue is not only about banking. It also raises questions about domestic control, foreign influence, and how countries approach financial institutions viewed as strategically important.

It is a reminder that financial history is not frozen in the past. Sometimes, institutions that have existed for centuries still sit at the center of modern economic and political debates.


Source:

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena has been operating for well over 500 years, and some Italian officials reportedly want to ensure it stays in Italian hands.

07/09/2026

Trump Accounts opened on July 4. A few questions are worth considering:

➡️ Our baby is 18 months old. Do we qualify for the $1,000?

Yes. Every U.S. citizen baby born since January 1, 2025, qualifies for a one-time $1,000 federal contribution.

➡️ Is there an income maximum?

No. Eligibility is based on the child's citizenship and birth date, not family income.

➡️ Our child is 7. Did we miss it?

Not entirely. Any U.S. citizen under 18 can have an account opened. The federal $1,000 payment applies only to children born in 2025 through 2028, but everything else still applies.

➡️ Can grandparents contribute?

Yes. Up to $5,000 per year combined across parents, grandparents, family, and the child themselves.

➡️ What is the catch?

State tax conformity varies; California, for example, does not currently conform.

Whether to contribute, how much, and how to coordinate it with what you already have are all worth talking through. Our team is here for that.

07/08/2026

A bipartisan housing bill is drawing attention for its potential impact on home prices and housing supply.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act would aim to boost housing availability by reducing certain construction barriers, encouraging zoning reforms, supporting factory-built homes, and creating incentives for localities that increase housing supply.

It would also restrict large institutional investors from buying additional existing single-family homes once they exceed certain ownership limits.

Housing affordability has become a major challenge in many communities. One reason is that the U.S. has built fewer homes than needed for years, helping push prices and rents higher.

Experts say the bill could help support new construction over time, especially for townhomes, multifamily housing, and smaller condo buildings.

However, any impact on prices would likely take time, and the legislation was still awaiting final action after a scheduled signing ceremony was canceled.

For buyers, sellers, and homeowners, the broader takeaway is that housing affordability often depends on more than mortgage rates. Supply, construction costs, local rules, investor activity, and policy decisions can all shape the market.


Source:

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which has rare bipartisan support, would make it harder for major investors to hoard homes.

07/07/2026

🎆 Happy America 250! 🎆

Hope everyone had an incredible Fourth of July weekend! We had a great time celebrating with family, making memories, and enjoying one of Central Texas' best traditions—the Belton Fourth of July Parade.

There's just something special about seeing a community come together to celebrate freedom, family, and country. If you've never experienced the Belton Parade, put it on your list for next year—you won't be disappointed!

Here's to 250 years of freedom, courage, and opportunity. God Bless America!

🇺🇸✨

07/07/2026

Small business owners often think of their employees as family, but are they set up like it? This post opens the conversation around retirement options available to small business employees, reminding owners that a 401(k) isn't the only choice and that some options are built specifically for smaller teams.

07/03/2026

07/03/2026

Moving to music can be more than just fun—it can also support physical, mental, and social well-being as people age.

Health professionals say dancing may help improve balance, strength, mobility, flexibility, and brain health. Because it combines movement, memory, rhythm, and coordination, it can engage both the body and mind.

Dancing can also create meaningful social connections, whether through line dancing, ballroom, salsa, tap, Zumba, or community groups.

For many older adults, that combination of movement and connection can make staying active feel more joyful and sustainable.

The best part? You do not need to be an expert to benefit. Starting with simple steps, a beginner-friendly class, or a favorite song at home can still be a meaningful way to get moving.


Source:

Medical professionals say that moving to music is a great way for older adults to stay healthier as they age. It doesn't matter what kind of dancing.