Harriett Financial Group

07/22/2026

Wholesale prices moved lower in June, offering a fresh look at inflation pressures before they reach consumers.

The producer price index, which measures wholesale costs, fell 0.3% in June. Economists had expected the index to remain unchanged.

Energy costs were a major driver. Goods prices declined 1.4%, while energy prices dropped 6.4%. Gasoline prices fell 12%, accounting for about two-thirds of the monthly decrease.

Core wholesale prices, which exclude food and energy, rose 0.2% for the month.

Wholesale prices matter because they can influence what businesses eventually charge consumers. When producer costs ease, it may reduce some pressure on consumer prices over time.

Still, inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s target, which means policymakers are likely to continue closely monitoring upcoming inflation data, energy prices, and consumer spending.

As with consumer prices, the index benefited from easing energy costs, particularly as oil fell due to the brief pause in tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

07/22/2026

The Common Cents Act has passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The bill is tied to the phase-out of the penny and would create a national rounding standard for cash transactions.

Under the proposal, cash purchases would be rounded up or down to the nearest five cents when exact change is not available.

For example, a purchase totaling $10.02 would round down to $10.00, while a purchase totaling $10.04 would round up to $10.05.

Pennies would still retain their value under the act, even as the Treasury stopped minting them.

The bill is especially relevant for businesses that handle cash, including restaurants and retailers, because it could reduce confusion and legal risk around exact change.

For consumers and businesses, the broader takeaway is that even small changes in currency rules can affect daily transactions, checkout systems, and cash-handling practices.

New law aims to address how businesses and consumers should transact amid the phase-out of the penny.

07/22/2026

⚠️ A 10 percent position in a single stock is sometimes called a concentrated position.

Most people don't realize it when they have one.

It's usually not a conscious decision.

Ten years go by, and one company’s stock is a large percentage of the portfolio.

That isn't loyalty. It's exposure.

🔍 A few questions you might consider:

🛑 If the stock dropped tomorrow, what would change for your family?

🛑 Is the position there because selling always felt premature?

🛑 Has the embedded capital gain quietly become the reason nothing has been done?

There are several ways to unwind a concentrated position without writing a large check to the IRS.

The correct path depends on the situation.

If this sounds familiar, we’d welcome a conversation to share ideas that may help. Before any action is taken, however, it’s important to consult your tax, legal, and accounting professionals so you understand the tax consequences of any decision.

07/22/2026

Do you actually know what your car costs you in fuel each year? Enter your driving habits and gas prices to find out what your MPG really means for your wallet.

Calculate your vehicle's fuel efficiency and see what you're spending on gas annually.

07/21/2026

A new study suggests a blood test may someday help identify healthy older adults who are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s symptoms years in advance.

The test measures p-tau217, a form of tau connected to Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain.

Researchers found that symptom-free older adults with very high levels of p-tau217 had a 38% risk of developing cognitive impairment within five years. That risk rose to 78% over 10 years, though researchers noted there is less confidence in the 10-year estimate.

For now, scientists say the test may be most useful for research, including identifying people who could participate in studies of possible Alzheimer’s treatments or prevention strategies.

They also caution that the test is not yet precise enough to guide an individualized prognosis for healthy people.

The broader takeaway: medical advances can create promising new tools, but timing, accuracy, and clinical usefulness matter. For now, researchers still emphasize familiar brain-health habits, including eating well, sleeping well, exercising, and staying socially engaged.

A blood test that helps diagnose Alzheimer's might also forecast if healthy older adults will develop symptoms.

07/20/2026

December is the busiest month for RMDs.

But waiting until then can mean you miss some chances with charitable giving or with estate ideas.

For anyone age 73 or older, the required minimum distribution is mandatory, and the penalty for missing a deadline can be steep. If taken before age 59½, withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income and may be subject to a 10 percent penalty.

But the timing of the withdrawal and which accounts it comes from can shape the tax bill in ways a December scramble can’t.

A few things worth knowing:

👉 Multiple IRAs can be aggregated; retirement plans cannot. Each RMD must come from that specific plan.

👉 In 2026, a Qualified Charitable Distribution may allow up to $111,000 per individual to go directly from an IRA to a qualified charity, satisfying the RMD without adding to taxable income. Check with your tax, legal, or accounting professional if you’re considering this approach.

👉 A QCD has to be a direct transfer. Once the money lands in a personal account, the option is gone.

👉 Coordinating across accounts, spouses, and inherited IRAs is where most of the value might sit.

Mid-year is when there is still room to model it.

If RMDs are part of your plan this year, this is a good time to map them.

07/20/2026

When was the last time you looked at the content of your portfolio? Steps to consider here.

Time and market performance may subtly and slowly imbalance your portfolio.

07/17/2026

Many people stop being "and-a-half" around age 12. But at age 50, "and-a-half" makes a comeback.

Here's a look at several birthdays and “half-birthdays” that have implications regarding your retirement income.

07/16/2026

Travel fraud gets worse every summer, and we hear more stories from clients every year.

A quick login from the lobby.

A brokerage app checked from the airport lounge.

A bank balance pulled up at a cafe.

Public networks are where accounts can get exposed.

A few habits worth building before the next trip:

🛑 Skip public WiFi for anything financial. Use cellular data or a personal hotspot.

🛑 Turn on real-time transaction alerts for every card.

🛑 Consider using credit, not debit.

🛑 Watch for skimmers (devices attached to gas pumps and ATMs that copy card data).

A few minutes of preparation before the trip can help prevent months of cleanup after.