Schwallier Wealth Management

07/08/2026

Markets posted solid second-quarter gains as investors responded to upbeat economic reports, continued diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, and strong first-quarter corporate numbers. The S&P 500 rose 14.87%, the Nasdaq gained 21.41%, and the Dow picked up 12.90%, while Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 6.37%. Looking ahead, markets may continue to react to Middle East updates, oil prices, inflation trends, and the pace of global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz. From U.S. home price growth to Canadian housing forecasts, this quarter’s by-the-numbers highlights the data behind one of North America’s most closely watched markets.

Stocks saw solid gains in the second quarter, riding a wave of enthusiasm over upbeat economic reports, ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, and strong first-quarter corporate numbers.

07/06/2026

Trump Accounts officially opened on July 4. Our team has gotten a handful of the same questions from clients and friends of the firm over the last few weeks, so we figured we'd answer them here too, in case you've been wondering the same thing.

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

You do, but it's not automatic. You'll need to file an election (IRS Form 4547) on your child's behalf to claim it. Any U.S. citizen child born since January 1, 2025 is eligible.

➡️ "Is there an income cutoff we should worry about?"

No. This one comes down to your child's citizenship and birth date, not your household income.

➡️ "Our son is 7. Did we already miss out?"

Not entirely. You can still open an account for any U.S. citizen child under 18. The $1,000 federal deposit is only for kids born 2025 through 2028, but everything else about the account is still on the table for him.

➡️ "Can grandma and grandpa put money in too?"

They can. Contributions from everyone combined, parents, grandparents, other family, even the child, are capped at $5,000 a year.

➡️ "So what's the catch?"

A couple of things worth knowing before you jump in. State tax treatment isn't uniform (California, for one, doesn't currently conform), and the money is generally locked up until your child turns 18. Like any new savings tool, it's worth thinking about where it fits alongside what you're already doing for retirement and education.

That last question is really the one that matters most, and it's different for every family. If you're curious whether a Trump Account makes sense for yours, we'd love to talk it through with you. That's the kind of thing our team does best.

And since we're a fee-only, NAPFA member firm, you can trust that conversation comes with no strings attached. We don't sell products, earn commissions, or answer to a broker-dealer or insurance company behind the scenes. No divided loyalties, just advice that's actually about you.

Give us a call, send an email, or catch one of us at the office. We'd love to hear from you.

This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice.



Sources
https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/investment-accounts/tax-advantaged-accounts/trump-accounts
https://www.irs.gov/trumpaccounts

07/04/2026

This year isn't just another July 4th for us. It's the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, the founders broke from a system where loyalty was owed to a crown, not to the people it was supposed to serve. That idea, that the person making decisions on your behalf should actually answer to you, is still surprisingly rare in a lot of industries.

It's part of why our firm is built the way it is. We're fee-only. We don't earn commissions, sell products, or answer to a broker-dealer or insurance company behind the scenes. We're fiduciaries and members of NAPFA, which means our only obligation is to the families we work with. No divided loyalties, then or now.

So this year, our team is celebrating two kinds of independence: the country's 250th, and the kind we get to help build for every family that walks through our door.

Happy 4th of July, from all of us at SWM.

This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice.

07/02/2026

This Saturday, July 4, a new kind of account becomes available for kids: the Trump Account.

It's a federally created investment account for anyone under 18 with a Social Security number. Every U.S. citizen child born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028 is eligible for a one-time $1,000 seed contribution from the government, on top of whatever a family chooses to add (up to $5k per year).

Our team has spent the last few weeks digging into the rules so we can talk through it with clients who are curious. A few things worth knowing ahead of launch:

The account isn't automatic. Families have to file an election (IRS Form 4547) to open one and to claim the $1,000 deposit.

Funds are invested in low-cost index funds only, and generally can't be touched until the child turns 18. At that point, the account converts into a traditional IRA.

There's no income limit to qualify, but contribution limits and state tax treatment vary, so the details matter more than the headline.

We'll have a full breakdown once accounts officially open. In the meantime, if you're wondering whether a Trump Account fits into your family's plan, that's a conversation worth having before you file anything.

As a fee-only, NAPFA member firm, our team doesn't sell products, earn commissions, or answer to a broker-dealer or insurance company. No divided loyalties. Just advice that serves you.



Sources

https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/investment-accounts/tax-advantaged-accounts/trump-accounts
https://www.irs.gov/trumpaccounts

06/05/2026

Markets continued their upward climb in May, supported by strong technology performance, positive economic data, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Nasdaq gained 8.36%, the S&P 500 rose 5.15%, and Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 2.37%, while investors welcomed better-than-expected job growth and upbeat corporate earnings. With the Fed's next meeting scheduled for June, attention is turning to updated economic projections and what they may signal about the broader economy. From \$24 billion spent on Father's Day to the popularity of dining out and special outings, this month's by-the-numbers highlights how families celebrate the dads in their lives.

Stocks pushed higher in May, fueled by big tech names, positive economic news, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

05/08/2026

Shred Day and Open House - Join us on Saturday, May 9th

Schwallier Wealth Management invites you to join us for Shred Day at our new office! A shredding truck will be on site to provide secure and convenient disposal of your paper documents. This is a community event, and we welcome you to invite your family and friends. We will be providing refreshments while you drop off your shredding. We are excited to host this event at our new location:

535 Cascade West Parkway SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Date: Saturday, May 9th
Time: 10 AM - 1 PM

We look forward to seeing you there!

Advisory services are offered through Schwallier Wealth Management, and attending this event does not create an advisory relationship.

05/08/2026

Stocks surged in April, delivering their strongest monthly gains in five years as solid economic data, easing geopolitical tensions, and upbeat first-quarter earnings lifted investor sentiment. The Nasdaq climbed 15.29%, the S&P 500 rose 10.42%, and the Dow gained 7.14%, while Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 3.65%. With no Fed meeting in May, attention turns to remarks from Fed officials and how evolving economic data may shape expectations moving forward. From \$34.1 billion in U.S. spending to the popularity of Mother’s Day dining and gifts, this month’s By the Numbers highlights how families celebrate the occasion.

Stocks surged in April, notching their best month in five years as investors cheered upbeat economic news, efforts to lower tensions in the Middle East, and first-quarter results.

04/27/2026

Shred Day and Open House

Schwallier Wealth Management invites you to join us for Shred Day at our new office! A shredding truck will be on site to provide secure and convenient disposal of your paper documents. This is a community event, and we welcome you to invite your family and friends. We will be providing refreshments while you drop off your shredding. We are excited to host this event at our new location:

535 Cascade West Parkway SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Date: Saturday, May 9th
Time: 10 AM - 1 PM

We look forward to seeing you there!

Advisory services are offered through Schwallier Wealth Management, and attending this event does not create an advisory relationship.

04/07/2026

U.S. stocks slipped in Q1 as AI disruption fears and Middle East tensions rattled investors. The S&P 500 fell 4.63%, the Nasdaq dropped 7.11%, and the Dow lost 3.58% — though six of eleven S&P 500 sectors still finished in the green, led by Energy's standout 37.91% gain. As the weather warms up and spring gets us outside, it turns out Americans are right there with you — over 181 million U.S. residents participated in outdoor recreation in 2024. Check out this month's by-the-numbers for more on the outdoor recreation economy.

U.S. stocks struggled in February amid fears that artificial intelligence would disrupt a wide swath of industries, unsettling investors. Late in the month, geopolitical concerns weighed on the market amid tensions in the Middle East.

04/05/2026

It’s 10 days until Tax Day!