Benestar Financial

09/02/2026

Whether or not you are a sports fan, attending a football game is a great excuse to spend time outside and have quality time with family or friends. Make your tailgate party the highlight of the day with these helpful tailgating tips and downloadable checklist.

Tailgate season has arrived! Here are great tips for food, music and entertainment ideas. Plus a packing checklist!

08/31/2026

Life insurance can help make sure your children are covered financially in the case of your death. Read on for Smart Asset’s reasons to consider life insurance!
https://smartasset.com/life-insurance/top-ten-reasons-to-buy-life-insurance

08/28/2026

We all dream of it but what does ‘financial independence’ really mean? There’s no absolute definition of what being financially independent means, but at its core, it’s the ability to live free of financial stress. What’s your definition?

Financial independence is not easy, but with careful planning and a little bit of luck it is possible.

08/26/2026

For summer and fall sports and concerts, what better way to extend the fun than with a tailgating party! Everyone loves a good picnic, but time and temperature play an important role in food safety. Check out these best practices from USDA.

No matter the score, football season brings plenty of opportunities to enjoy tailgating and outdoor fun with family and friends. To make the most of game day, be sure to follow food safety guidelines by keeping and cooking meat at the proper temperatures.

08/24/2026

If you own property with someone, what happens if the other person can no longer pay? Learn how life insurance could help in this — and other — scenarios.

Life insurance provides financial protection by offering a payout to loved ones after your death, helping cover expenses, replace income, and secure their future.

08/17/2026

What is it about August?

08/13/2026

Back-to-school season is bringing higher costs for many families.

A new analysis found that a typical basket of school items, including notebooks, lunch boxes, and index cards, is up nearly 8% compared with last year.

School lunches are also more expensive, with the cost of a typical packed lunch up 11%.

The analysis estimates families may spend roughly $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year, including about $175 on school items and $3,800 on packed lunches.

Some items have seen especially sharp increases. Lunch boxes are up 27%, one-subject notebooks are up 23%, and index cards are up 22%.

Higher tariffs, imported school supplies, food prices, and energy costs are all contributing to the increase.

For families, back-to-school shopping is a reminder that seasonal expenses can add up quickly, especially when everyday costs are already stretching household budgets.


Source:

U.S. households will spend roughly $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year, a new analysis found.

07/27/2026

Have you bought your ticket to Mars? The IPO market is heating up these days with two more big names preparing to debut in autumn.

06/29/2026

A new claim about previously unknown works by Michelangelo is drawing attention among Renaissance scholars.

An independent researcher recently suggested that the famed Renaissance artist may have created a marble bust of Christ in a Roman church. The theory is based on archival documents tracing the ownership of artworks after Michelangelo’s death.

The claim has sparked debate among art historians. While some researchers say the documentation raises interesting questions, others note that new attributions require extensive academic review before they can be widely accepted.

Discussions like these are fairly common in art history, particularly when it comes to famous artists whose works have been widely copied, studied, and sometimes misattributed over the centuries.


Source:

An independent researcher has asserted that a marble bust of Christ in a Roman church is by Michelangelo.

06/25/2026

Money is one of the top sources of tension in relationships — but experts say even strong couples can stumble if they avoid key conversations.

After studying more than 60 couples, money expert Heather Boneparth found that the happiest partners share five habits:

1. They adapt when circumstances change, rather than sticking to outdated money routines.

2. They don’t dwell on financial regrets or let shame define their decisions.

3. They avoid holding past mistakes over each other’s heads.

4. They focus on shared priorities instead of constant comparison.

5. They stay honest about spending and goals, building trust through transparency.

The takeaway? Communication matters as much as cash flow. Open conversations can help partners align values and expectations — and reduce unnecessary stress around money.


Source:

"You can love each other deeply and still allow money to erode your relationship if you're talking about the wrong issues, or not talking at all," writes money expert Heather Boneparth.