Kevin Thomas Financial Consultant Equitable Advisors Navy Veteran

09/01/2026

Trending Higher

08/28/2026

Back-to-school season is bringing higher costs for many families.

A new analysis found that a typical basket of school items, including notebooks, lunch boxes, and index cards, is up nearly 8% compared with last year.

School lunches are also more expensive, with the cost of a typical packed lunch up 11%.

The analysis estimates families may spend roughly $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year, including about $175 on school items and $3,800 on packed lunches.

Some items have seen especially sharp increases. Lunch boxes are up 27%, one-subject notebooks are up 23%, and index cards are up 22%.

Higher tariffs, imported school supplies, food prices, and energy costs are all contributing to the increase.

For families, back-to-school shopping is a reminder that seasonal expenses can add up quickly, especially when everyday costs are already stretching household budgets.


Source:

U.S. households will spend roughly $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year, a new analysis found.

08/27/2026

Late Post;

Last month it was a great day celebrating the Ribbon Cutting for The Heights Pizzeria & Drafthouse! 🎀✂️🍕

It was an honor to join and community leaders in welcoming another outstanding local business to Killeen. Seeing so many people come together to support local entrepreneurs is a great reminder of what makes our community special.

From the excitement of the ribbon cutting to sharing some incredible pizza, today's event showcased the power of community, small business, and local partnerships. Congratulations to the entire team at The Heights Pizzeria & Drafthouse on this exciting milestone—we wish you continued success as you serve the Killeen community for years to come!

If you haven't visited yet, be sure to check them out:

📍 1103 W. Stan Schlueter Loop, Bldg. A, Suite 300, Killeen, TX 76549

Thank you to for your continued commitment to supporting local businesses and creating opportunities for growth throughout Central Texas.



🍕 Congratulations again, The Heights Pizzeria & Drafthouse—welcome to the Killeen business community! 🎉👏

07/27/2026

Retaining great employees starts with showing them their future matters. This post spotlights the SIMPLE IRA as an accessible retirement option designed with smaller teams in mind, giving business owners a specific, tangible reason to start the conversation.

07/26/2026

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.

07/25/2026

U.S. airlines spent more than $6 billion on jet fuel in May for the second month in a row.

According to government data, airlines spent $6.66 billion on fuel in May, up 84% from a year earlier.

The increase was driven mostly by higher fuel prices, not higher fuel use. U.S. carriers used slightly less fuel than they did a year ago, while the average price paid rose to $4.09 per gallon.

Fuel is typically one of the airline industry’s highest operating costs, which can make carriers especially sensitive to swings in energy prices.

In response to higher fuel costs, airlines have raised fares and fees in some cases and adjusted flight schedules.

For travelers and businesses, the broader takeaway is that energy prices can affect more than the cost of filling up a car. They can also influence airfare, travel budgets, company expenses, and inflation pressures.


Source:

Government data released Tuesday shows that U.S. airlines spent $6.66 billion on jet fuel in May

07/24/2026

One of the best parts of being a Ambassador is getting to serve alongside such an amazing group of people who truly care about our community and local businesses.

We had a great time at our recent Ambassador After Hours at Wings Pizza N' Things—good food, great conversations, and a chance to celebrate the volunteers who help make the Chamber such a welcoming and connected place.

A big congratulations to our Ambassadors of the Quarter (and yes, we had a tie! 🎉):

🏆 Lisle Meeker with Hooked on Health Wellness Begins at Home
🏆 Ashleigh Cosper with Firetrol Protection Systems, Inc. – Temple, TX

Both of these rockstars consistently go above and beyond for the Chamber, our members, and our events. Their dedication and willingness to jump in wherever needed make a real difference, and this recognition is well deserved!

I'm also grateful to serve alongside so many incredible Ambassadors, including Abigail Smith, Alison Gardenhire, Ashton Koontz, Bre Alexander, James Nickerson, Kenny Kelly, Melissa McCoy, Michael Moore, Michael Alexander, Taneesha Kayser, Tiffany Marek, Tommi Fettig, Trevor Coots, and many others who generously give their time to support our local business community.

Abigail Smith (Hilton Garden Inn Temple-Texas), Alison Gardenhire (SunTex Roofing and Reconstruction), Ashton Koontz (Horizon Bank), Bre Alexander (Baylor Scott & White Health), James Nickerson (Texas Veteran's Commission), Kenny Kelly (Residence Inn by Marriott), Melissa McCoy (Blessed Boutique), Michael Moore (Moore Junk Removal & Recycling), Michael Alexander (A+ Roofing and Construction Temple), Taneesha Kayser (Amplify Credit Union), Tiffany Marek (Lamar Advertising), Tommi Fettig (Cornerstone Gardens), Trevor Coots (Express Employment Professionals - Temple/Killeen), and so many others who generously give their time and energy to strengthen our business community.

Proud to be part of this team!

07/23/2026

When it comes to small business retirement options, the choices can feel overwhelming. This post highlights that a SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and 401(k) are structured differently, and that the right fit depends on business size, number of employees, and overall goals.

07/22/2026

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.

07/21/2026

It was truly an honor to be part of such a special celebration as a Temple Chamber of Commerce Ambassador at the ribbon cutting for Wings Pizza N' Things' newest West Temple location!

What made the day even more meaningful was that we weren't just celebrating a new location—we were also celebrating 20 years of success, hard work, and community impact by the Dent family.

Seeing so many community members come together to support this incredible family-owned business was a powerful reminder of what makes Temple such a great place to live, work, and do business. Congratulations to Mike and Sara Dent, along with their daughter Jessica, on this exciting new chapter and well-deserved milestone.

I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to celebrate alongside so many friends, business leaders, and community supporters. Here's to continued growth, great food, and many more years of success for Wings Pizza N' Things!

🍕✂️🎉