WillowTrust Wealth Management

09/02/2026

Test your estate strategy knowledge with this short quiz.

Estate management can help ensure that your assets are transferred according to your wishes while managing tax issues.

09/02/2026

Looking to plan your future with confidence?

Join us for Retirement Planning Today®, an educational course offered through Wake Tech Workforce Continuing Education at the RTP Campus! Led by Jim Nowak, CFP®, this course gives adults ages 50 to 65 the practical tools to take control of their financial future.

What you'll learn:
• How to determine your retirement savings goal
• Strategies to outpace inflation and protect your income
• Ways to minimize estate taxes, expenses, and legal delays

Cost: $39 (Includes textbook + free instructor consultation)

Secure your spot here: https://www.waketech.edu/course/csp-4000ji2

Questions? Call Wake Tech Workforce Continuing Education at 919-532-5700.

Planning for your financial future begins with a solid understanding of the principles that support long-term financial well-being. Whether you are preparing for retirement or just beginning to develop a financial plan, this course offers practical, educational guidance to help you make informed fin...

08/31/2026

Inflation is still running above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditures price index, rose 0.2% in July and 3.7% from a year earlier. Core PCE, which strips out food and energy prices, increased 3.3% annually.

The report also showed personal income rose 0.4% while spending increased 0.2%.

For consumers, that means price pressures haven’t disappeared, even as some categories, including gasoline and other energy-related goods, moved lower during the month.

With inflation still elevated, the latest numbers may remain an important part of the Fed’s upcoming interest-rate discussions.

The personal consumption expenditures price index was expected to rise 0.1% monthly and 3.6% on a 12-month basis, according to economists surveyed by Dow Jones.

08/31/2026

A home is the single largest financial commitment for most people. What mortgage fits you best?

Selecting a mortgage isn't an easy process. Get a better understanding of how professionals make the right decisions.

08/28/2026

Personality vs. Pocketbook: Should you lease, finance, or pay cash for your next car?

Whatever your relationship with your car, it may eventually come time for a new one. Familiarize yourself with your options.

08/26/2026

Stocks declined last week as global investors fretted about oil-supply-induced inflation. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.43 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slid 2.05 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

08/26/2026

Could you find acres of diamonds in your own backyard? Watch this video.

In life it often happens that the answers to our most pressing questions are right in our own backyards.

08/24/2026

Surprises crop up every day, and they’re a great reason to work with us.

Making the most of surprises is a great reason to work with us.

08/21/2026

Do your kids have the right stuff for college?

Preparing for college means setting goals, staying focused, and tackling a few key milestones along the way.

08/19/2026

Early estimates for the 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment have moved lower as inflation moderates.

New projections suggest the 2027 COLA may fall between 3.4% and 3.6%.

The official adjustment has not been announced yet. The final number will depend on inflation data for July, August, and September.

Social Security COLAs are calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, known as CPI-W.

July data showed CPI-W rose 3.4% over the past 12 months. The broader consumer price index also rose 3.4% year over year.

One estimate from AARP suggests a 3.5% COLA would raise the average retired worker’s benefit by about $73 per month.

For retirees and near-retirees, the COLA is an important reminder that inflation can affect income, purchasing power, household expenses, and long-term financial decisions.

New estimates show just how much Social Security benefits may increase in 2027, based on new government inflation data.