Fox Financial Advisors

07/17/2026

07/16/2026

Oil prices moved closer to $100 per barrel as renewed uncertainty overseas weighed on markets.

Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, rose about 2.1% to roughly $97.98 per barrel amid tensions that threatened the ceasefire's stability.

U.S. stocks also pulled back from recent record highs, with major indexes trading lower in midday.

Oil prices can influence more than energy markets. When crude prices rise, the effects can ripple into fuel costs, transportation, business expenses, and inflation expectations.

For investors, businesses, and households, moves like this show how global events can quickly affect market sentiment and everyday costs.


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Oil prices rose following the latest threats to the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, and U.S. stocks retreated from their records.

07/15/2026

Saving for retirement gets a lot of attention. Spending those savings can be just as important.

A recent survey found that only 31% of Americans know what “decumulation” means — the process of drawing down retirement assets over time.

That uncertainty may help explain why some retirees spend far less than they could. One report found that about one-third of retirees still had 100% or more of their initial retirement assets by their mid-80s.

For many people, the concern is not just having enough saved. It is knowing how to use those savings while accounting for healthcare costs, inflation, taxes, market changes, and longevity.

Common withdrawal guidelines, such as the 4% rule, may provide a starting point, but they do not account for every personal circumstance.

The transition from saving to spending can be both emotional and financial. After decades of building retirement assets, using them thoughtfully can take a different kind of confidence.


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Many Americans spend decades saving for retirement, but lack a plan for using that money once they stop working, a new survey finds. Here's what to know.

07/14/2026

A honeymoon can be a meaningful first trip as newlyweds — and a major expense.

According to a LendingTree survey cited by CNBC Select, the average couple spends $6,260 on their honeymoon.

The final cost can vary widely depending on the destination, length of stay, travel season, accommodations, flights, activities, and the kind of experience a couple wants.

Some couples use savings, delay the trip to give themselves more time to set money aside, use gifted money from a honeymoon fund, or redeem credit card rewards to help cover travel costs.

There are also extra expenses that can be easy to overlook, including foreign transaction fees, resort fees, peak-season pricing, upgrades, transportation, meals, excursions, and souvenirs.

For couples preparing for a big life milestone, the takeaway is simple: the headline price is only part of the story. Looking at the full cost of the trip can help make the experience feel more intentional from the start.


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With the average cost of a honeymoon topping $6,000, these tools can help you pay for the trip.

07/13/2026

Here are a few recommendations for you as you contemplate your summer reading, both for your own list and perhaps for someone you know.

07/12/2026

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.

07/11/2026

Most parents think the last tuition check means game over for college. The data says it's halftime.

50 percent of parents with adult children still provide regular financial support, spending $1,474 a month to do so. That's more than twice what they're putting toward their own retirement.

Here's what "just helping out a little" actually looks like:

✅ 75 percent of parents aged 45+ are financially supporting at least one adult child, even though over half of those children can meet their own basic needs, according to a 2025 AARP survey.

✅ 42 percent of supporting parents report financial stress. 9 percent have retired early because of it.

✅ 47 percent say they've sacrificed their own financial position for the sake of their kids.

✅ 18 percent say the support could continue indefinitely. They don't see an end in sight.

This isn't about being less generous. It's about being intentional.

Whether your kid just graduated, graduated five years ago, or is still in school, the question is the same: Is your support happening by design or by default?

That's worth a conversation.

07/10/2026

There are so many reasons to create a will this month, but here are three big ones to consider:

Direct Your Property: Creating a will tells the courts how you want your property distributed. Without a will, state laws will determine how your estate is divided, which may not align with your intentions.

Provide instructions to the probate court: A will can help manage the probate process, providing instructions to the court.

Designate Guardianship for Minor Children: If you have minor children, a will allows you to appoint a guardian to care for them. This crucial step directs that your children are raised by someone you trust, rather than leaving the decision to the courts.

07/09/2026

Major student loan changes are set to take effect July 1, bringing updates to borrowing limits, repayment options, and federal aid eligibility.
New rules will limit how much some students and parents can borrow. Parent PLUS loans will be capped at $20,000 per year and $65,000 total per student, while new caps will also apply to graduate and professional degree borrowing.
Repayment options are also changing. New federal loan borrowers will have fewer choices, with options narrowing to a tiered standard repayment structure or a new income-driven option called the Repayment Assistance Program.
Borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE may also need to choose a new repayment option, with loan servicers expected to send notices about next steps.
Pell Grant rules are changing as well, including expanded eligibility for some short-term workforce training programs.
For borrowers and students, the takeaway is simple: watch for communications from loan servicers, confirm contact information is current, and review available options before deadlines arrive.

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Loan revamp affects how much students and families can borrow to pay for college, as well as their repayment options.

07/09/2026

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.