Charleton Financial

05/14/2026

If you or someone in your family is still in school—or heading back in the fall—now is the time to make sure your FAFSA form is in.

A few things worth knowing:
⏰ The federal deadline is June 30. State and school deadlines are often earlier.
⏰ Many types of aid are first-come, first-served. Waiting could cost money.
⏰ You can make corrections after submission, but the form needs to be in first.

Don't let a deadline get in the way of money that's already available to you.

05/07/2026

That yellow section? That's money you never saved, your money made it for you.

This is compound interest in action. Start with $1,000/year at a hypothetical 5 percent return, and by year 30, you've built nearly $70,000. But the real story is the yellow: Interest earning interest.

Year 1: almost no interest at all.
Year 30: the interest on your interest alone might cover a year of car payments (or more).

You don't need to invest more. You need to stay focused on your strategy. What's one financial habit you wish you'd started earlier? Drop it below. 👇

05/06/2026

A common online security tool is now being used in a new type of scam.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts — the familiar “I’m not a robot” checks — to trick users into taking actions that can compromise their devices.

Instead of a simple verification, these prompts may ask users to click “Allow,” enable notifications, or follow additional steps that can lead to persistent pop-ups, phishing attempts, or unwanted software.

These scams often appear through ads, suspicious links, or redirected web pages, making them harder to spot at first glance.

Security experts note that legitimate CAPTCHA tests do not require enabling notifications, downloading files, or entering system commands — making those requests a potential red flag.

As these tactics evolve, staying cautious when interacting with unexpected prompts can help reduce exposure to online threats.


Source:

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts to trick users into enabling malware and scam notifications Security experts warn the ta

03/23/2026

Exciting news! 🥳 We are incredibly grateful to announce a new sponsor for the Genesee Valley Homesteading Expo! 🚜✨

A massive thank you to Charleton Financial, an independent financial planning firm. We are so appreciative of their partnership and truly thankful for their generosity in supporting our event and community! 🙌💰

Charleton Financial specializes in a wide range of financial planning areas, including financial goals, retirement strategies, investments, and long-term financial security—all essential areas that go hand-in-hand with the homesteading lifestyle.

For more information, please refer to the picture below for their website, Facebook, and LinkedIn details. 💻📈

03/17/2026

We're proud to be a sponsor of this great event!

It's always a pleasure to support our clients and be part of opportunities that bring the community together. We're looking forward to a fantastic expo - be sure to check it out!

Exciting news! 🥳 We are incredibly grateful to announce a new sponsor for the Genesee Valley Homesteading Expo! 🚜✨

A massive thank you to Charleton Financial, an independent financial planning firm. We are so appreciative of their partnership and truly thankful for their generosity in supporting our event and community! 🙌💰

Charleton Financial specializes in a wide range of financial planning areas, including financial goals, retirement strategies, investments, and long-term financial security—all essential areas that go hand-in-hand with the homesteading lifestyle.

For more information, please refer to the picture below for their website, Facebook, and LinkedIn details. 💻📈

01/09/2026

🚀 Big News for Your 2026 Retirement Plans! 🚀

The IRS announced new contribution limits for 2026 in November, and there's a lot to look forward to! Here's a quick breakdown:

🔹 401(k), 403(b), 457 Plans & TSP: Contribution limit increased to $24,500 (up from $23,500 in 2025). If you're 50 or older, you can contribute up to $32,500 annually!

🔹 IRA Contributions: Limit increased to $7,500. Catch-up contributions for those 50 and older are now $1,100.

🔹 Roth IRA & Saver’s Credit: Income phase-out ranges have increased, making it easier to qualify and maximize your savings.

🔹 SIMPLE Accounts: Contribution limit up to $17,000, with higher limits for certain accounts.

🔹 Medicare Part B: Monthly premiums will rise to $202.90, impacting how much of your Social Security COLA you'll see.

Stay up-to-date with details about your retirement savings! For full details, check out Notice 2025-67 on the IRS website.

With most retirement accounts, once you reach age 73, you must begin taking required minimum distributions. Roth accounts are the exception. Withdrawal penalties may apply if you take the money before age 59½. Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after the account holder reaches age 59½.



Sources:
IRS.gov, November 13, 2025
CNBC, November 17, 2025

11/19/2025

America’s oldest coin had been around since 1793. Now that Trump has stopped the minting of new pennies, will 99 cent pricing disappear? And what about sales taxes?

11/18/2025

The stock market has changed a lot since the infamous crash of 1929. Some of the differences are highlighted in "1929," a new book by Andrew Ross Sorkin.

11/17/2025

Social Security tax will be imposed on up to $184,500 of earnings. Average benefits will rise $56 a month, but Medicare Part B premium hikes will eat up part of that.

11/15/2025

Tuition keeps increasing, challenging even families with plenty of money. Here are a few strategies that can help.