Family WealthCare Center

07/18/2026

Creating a will is crucial, but remember: life changes. When it does, so should your estate strategy. Regularly updating your will keeps it aligned with your current circumstances and wishes. Here are 7 reasons to revisit your will:

1️⃣ Family Changes: Marriage, divorce, births, or losses can impact your strategy.
2️⃣ Relocation: Different places, different laws.
3️⃣ Financial Shifts: Reflect on your current assets.
4️⃣ Executor/Trustee: Ensure they’re still the right choice.
5️⃣ Law Changes: Stay compliant and minimize taxes.
6️⃣ Beneficiary Updates: Reflect evolving relationships.
7️⃣ Time: Review every 3-5 years.

07/17/2026

Despite a powerful Q2, individuals are hesitant.

07/16/2026

Online scams are becoming more sophisticated, and new technology is helping criminal networks operate at a larger scale. An AP investigation found that scam operations have used artificial intelligence, cloud services, internet infrastructure, satellite connections, and social platforms to target people around the world.

Some scams now involve automated messages, real-time translation, fake identities, and carefully scripted conversations designed to build trust quickly. The financial damage can be devastating.

The Federal Trade Commission estimated that scams cost Americans nearly $200 billion in losses in 2024. The human impact is also serious. Some people working inside scam compounds have been trafficked or forced to participate under threat of violence.

For consumers, the warning signs still matter: pressure to act quickly, requests to keep conversations secret, sudden talk of money or investments, and relationships that move unusually fast. As scams become more advanced, skepticism can be a form of protection.

Slowing down, verifying details, and talking with someone trusted before sending money can make a meaningful difference.

Technology from American companies is being used to power a revolution in the scam industry, playing a key role in the industrialization and globalization of fraud in ways that have not been clear until now, an AP/“FRONTLINE” investigation has found.

07/15/2026

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.

07/15/2026

LPL Research examines how sticky inflation, Fed leadership changes, and AI-driven borrowing are shaping the fixed income outlook for 2026.

Here's our Weekly Market Update:
https://www.familywealthcarecenter.com/weekly-market-commentary-july-13-2026-9e150

07/13/2026

Some federal student loan borrowers may soon qualify for a larger interest rate discount by enrolling in automatic payments.

The U.S. Department of Education announced that eligible borrowers who sign up for autopay can receive a 1-percentage-point reduction in their interest rate. The temporary discount is expected to last through June 30, 2028.

Borrowers already enrolled in autopay are expected to receive the discount automatically. Others must enroll by Sept. 30, 2026, to qualify.

Not every loan is eligible. The discount applies to certain federal Direct Loans, including Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Direct PLUS, and Direct Consolidation Loans. Private student loans and FFEL loans are not included.

Borrowers must also have loans in good standing, and the loans generally must have been disbursed on or after July 1, 2012.

For borrowers managing student loan payments, even a temporary rate discount may be worth reviewing as part of their broader monthly cash flow.

To qualify for the U.S. Department of Education's new interest rate discount on student loans, borrowers must meet several requirements. Here's what to know.

07/13/2026

A new supercomputer in China has taken the top spot as the world’s fastest publicly ranked system.

The LineShine computer, located in Shenzhen, debuted at No. 1 on the latest TOP500 ranking. It achieved 2.198 exaflops, meaning it can perform more than 2 quintillion calculations per second.

This marks the first time since 2017 that a Chinese supercomputer has topped the list.

Supercomputers matter because they can support advanced research, climate modeling, national security work, energy analysis, medicine, engineering, and artificial intelligence development.

LineShine is also notable for running entirely on conventional computer chips rather than the graphics processors often used for AI workloads.

The ranking offers a snapshot of how countries continue to compete in computing power, technological infrastructure, energy use, and innovation.

A supercomputer in China now outranks its U.S. counterparts as the world’s most powerful, marking the first time since 2017 that a Chinese computer has topped a list sometimes viewed as a measure of a nation’s technological prowess

07/11/2026

Money wisdom from Ben Franklin!

07/10/2026

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and deductibles for the upcoming year.

Here's a look at the new figures:
▪️Part B premium: $202.90 per month (previously $185)
▪️Part B deductible: $283 (previously $257) before Original Medicare begins covering services.
▪️Part A inpatient deductible: $1,736 (previously $1,676)

These updates take effect in January and reflect the latest adjustments from CMS. Individuals enrolled in Medicare may notice changes in their monthly costs or coverage details for the upcoming year.

07/09/2026

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.

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