Benestar Financial

06/01/2026

This month's chart is thanks to past Fed Chair Alan Greenspan, who tracked men's underwear sales as a proxy for consumer confidence. What do you think the new Fed Chair will watch?

04/23/2026

Happy National Teach Children to Save Day! Today we encourage everyone to educate children about financial responsibility and smart money habits. Investing in financial education early on can set kids up for a successful future.

04/05/2026

Easter is not only a time for reflection and celebration, but it also marks the beginning of spring. As the flowers bloom and the weather warms up, we're reminded of the beauty and renewal of life. How are you celebrating this joyous season?

04/03/2026

Financial scams may be far more widespread than many people realize.

A recent analysis estimates that Americans lose at least $119 billion annually to scams, a figure significantly higher than official reports suggest. Researchers say the gap exists because many victims never report the crime.

Data from the FBI shows $16.6 billion in reported scam losses in 2024, but studies suggest that only a small portion of cases are actually reported.

Investment-related schemes appear to be the most costly category. These often involve long-running online relationships or messages that eventually encourage victims to send money to fraudulent opportunities.

As technology evolves, scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making awareness and caution even more important when responding to unexpected messages, financial offers, or requests for personal information.


Source:

The estimate builds on numbers from the FBI, which are widely believed to capture only a small fraction of the money lost to scams.

04/01/2026

What a $5 Frappuccino can teach your teen about building wealth 👇

April is National Financial Literacy Month, and here's a number worth sharing at the dinner table.

If your teen opens a Roth IRA at 18 with $1,000 from a part-time job and adds $1,000 a year, that single account could be worth nearly $500,000 by age 65. Tax-free.

Think they can't save $1,000 a year? Skipping the daily Frappuccino more than covers it. ☕

But the best financial education isn't about the math. It's about real decisions with real consequences.

A few things that actually work:

✅ Hand them cash instead of a credit card for shopping. Let them keep what they don't spend.

✅ Give them a clothing budget for the year. If they blow it by October, that's the lesson.

✅ Have the college money talk before they fall in love with a school. As one counselor put it, "Have the conversation before they buy the hoodie."

✅ With the Roth IRA, you can show them that there are certain rules with certain accounts. For example, to qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Also, tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain other circumstances, such as the owner's death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals.

What's one money lesson you wish someone had taught you earlier? 👇

Please consult with a tax and finance professional before making any decisions.



Sources:
-https://www.calculator.net/roth-ira-calculator.html?cstartingprinciple=1%2C000&cannualaddition=1%2C000&cmax=n&cinterestrate=8&ccurrentage=18&cretirementage=65&ctaxtrate=25&printit=0&x=Calculate -ira-result
-https://www.ngpf.org/blog/advocacy/how-many-states-require-students-to-take-a-personal-finance-course-before-graduating-from-high-school-is-it-6-or-is-it-21/

03/29/2026

Today we celebrate National Mom & Pop Business Owners Day! Show your support for small businesses by shopping local and spreading the word about your favorite spots in the community. Let's help these entrepreneurs thrive!

03/28/2026

As the fast-moving events in the Middle East unfold, one indicator to keep an eye on is the sentiment of individual investors. Are they turning too bearish or too bullish? This may provide clues about whether individuals are reacting to the news.

03/27/2026

You might be paying more in taxes than you need to—and not even realize it.

From investment timing to account selection, small decisions can have a big impact on your total tax bill. Here are five areas to keep in mind this tax season.

03/13/2026

Spring isn't just for deep cleaning your home—it's also a chance to clear out the financial clutter that built up over the winter.

Now's a great time to check in on your spending, review automatic payments, organize important documents, and take one small step toward a bigger goal. It doesn't have to be all at once—just one thing at a time.

Need help figuring out where to start? Reach out—I'm happy to help.


🔗 Sources
CNBC, April 2025
Kiplinger, March 2024
American Express, March 2024

03/11/2026

March is Women's History Month 💼💜
A time to honor the contributions women have made across industries, communities, and history—including the world of finance.

From breaking barriers to reshaping boardrooms, women continue to drive progress every day.

Let's take a moment to recognize that history isn’t just in the past—it's happening now.