Ludewig Financial Group

07/09/2026

Despite a powerful Q2, individuals are hesitant.

07/04/2026

Isn't it amazing to call America our home? God bless the USA!

Independence isn't merely a day on the calendar; it's part of daily life in the United States.

How are you spending this Fourth of July? Joining in the celebrations with loved ones? Relaxing under the sun and grilling? Share your plans below!

We wish you a wonderful Independence Day!

06/30/2026

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.

06/24/2026

Consumers continued spending in May, even as higher prices and gas costs remained part of the picture.

Retail sales rose 0.9% in May, up from a revised 0.4% increase in April. Excluding gas station sales, retail sales rose 0.7%.

The gains were broad-based, with clothing, accessories, furniture, and online sales all moving higher. Online sales rose 1.5% during the month.

The data suggests consumers are still spending, supported in part by tax refunds and steady hiring. However, economists noted that the boost from tax refunds may fade, and higher gas prices could still affect household behavior.

Some shoppers appear to be adjusting by looking for discounts, changing where they fill up, or becoming more selective with purchases.

For the broader economy, retail sales offer a useful snapshot of consumer strength — and how households respond when prices, fuel costs, and confidence all shift at once.



Source:

Shoppers stepped up their spending in May, surpassing economists’ expectations, as temperatures warmed and gasoline prices leveled off.

06/21/2026

Of all the things they’ve taught us, the most important is how to be better. 👩‍🎓🪂🥇

📣 Join us in saying thanks to father figures everywhere.🙌

06/18/2026

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.


Source:

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.

06/11/2026

Federal Reserve independence is receiving renewed attention as questions around political pressure and monetary policy continue to surface.

In recent remarks, former Fed Chair Jerome Powell described the central bank as facing a political “stress test,” emphasizing the importance of keeping monetary policy decisions insulated from short-term political influence.

At the center of the discussion is the idea that public trust matters. When households, businesses, and markets believe the Fed is making decisions based on economic conditions, that credibility can support confidence in the broader financial system.

The concern is that political pressure could push policymakers toward short-term decisions that may not align with long-term price stability.

History has shown that inflation can become harder to manage when interest rate decisions are delayed or influenced by outside pressure.

For the economy, the broader issue is not just who leads the Fed — it is whether the institution can maintain credibility while balancing inflation, employment, and financial stability.


Source:

The Supreme Court is expected to rule within weeks on Trump's attempted removal of a Fed governor.

06/08/2026

If you live to 95, will your money?

If you're too aggressive, will you come up short? Too conservative, and you leave quality of life on the table.

Also, will the life you are living at 70 change as you age? Have you considered how changing withdrawal rates can affect everything from estate management strategies to retirement strategies?



Disclosure: The portfolio is composed of 50 percent stocks, 40 percent bonds, and 10 percent Treasury bills. It is assumed that a person withdraws a hypothetical percentage each year. Historical returns based on the period January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2025. Stocks are represented by the Standard & Poor's 500, which is an unmanaged group of securities & considered to be representative of the US stock market. Bonds are represented by the five-year U.S. government bond and Treasury bills by the 30-day U.S. Treasury bill. An investment cannot be made directly in an index. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

06/05/2026

The U.S. House has approved a bipartisan housing affordability bill aimed at addressing the role of large institutional buyers in the single-family housing market.

The bill passed by a 396-13 vote and would prevent institutional investors that already own more than 350 single-family homes from buying additional existing homes.

However, the measure would still allow those investors to build more housing units, a key distinction that helped gain support from rental, construction, and housing industry groups.

Supporters say the bill could help improve access to single-family homes, while critics argue that some provisions may not go far enough to address build-to-rent activity.

The measure still needs Senate approval before it can move forward, meaning additional changes or debate may follow.

For housing markets, the discussion highlights the ongoing tension between affordability, supply, rentals, and homeownership.


Source:

The U.S. House approved an updated housing affordability bill after removing industry-opposed requirements on selling build-to-rent homes.

05/26/2026

One of the most overlooked questions in building a retirement strategy isn't "How much do I have?" It's "When do I need it?"

That's exactly what a bucket strategy does. It matches your assets to your timeline, so every dollar is working as hard as it can for as long as it can.

Do your buckets match your time horizon?