Ward Goldberg - Allied Wealth Partners

09/03/2026

This Monthly Recap summarizes market performance, major events and news from August 2026. Read more here:

U.S. stocks returned to gains in August after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both ended negative the prior two months while the Dow Industrials capped a…

09/03/2026

U.S. credit card debt is approaching a record high.

Americans’ credit card balances reached $1.26 trillion in the second quarter, rising by $21 billion, according to new data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

That puts credit card debt just below the all-time high of $1.28 trillion set late last year.

Strong consumer spending is one factor behind higher balances. Rising prices for essentials like groceries and gas may also be contributing.

Delinquencies remain a concern. The share of credit card balances more than 90 days delinquent rose from 7.6% to 12.8% from mid-2022 through early 2026.

Total U.S. household debt now stands at $18.8 trillion. Auto loan debt also reached a new high of $1.71 trillion.

For households, rising debt is a reminder that everyday expenses, interest rates, minimum payments, and emergency costs can all affect financial flexibility.


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Americans' credit card debt reached $1.26 trillion, increasing by $21 billion in the second quarter of this year, according to new data.

08/11/2026

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.


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

08/11/2026

Oil prices rose sharply after renewed tensions between the U.S. and Iran raised concerns about global energy supplies.

Brent crude futures gained 7.2% to $90.12 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures rose 6.6% to $84.46.

The move followed reports of an attempted attack on U.S. forces in the Middle East and renewed concerns about shipping routes tied to global oil exports.

Markets have been closely watching the Strait of Hormuz and the southern Red Sea, two key chokepoints for oil exports from the Middle East.

When geopolitical tensions affect energy markets, the impact can move beyond oil futures. Higher crude prices can influence gasoline, diesel, transportation, shipping, and airline fuel costs, as well as inflation expectations.

For households and businesses, energy prices remain an important part of the broader economic picture.


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Oil rose sharply amid renewed tensions in the Middle East after Iran launched an attack on U.S. forces using ballistic missiles.

06/16/2026

Read the latest issue of Retire Wise here:

Families often struggle to find meaningful ways to pass down their values. While wealth, heirlooms, or traditions can be transferred with relative ease,…

06/16/2026

Money wisdom from Ben Franklin!

04/20/2026

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.


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