Blankenship Financial Solutions LLC- Brandon Blankenship, MBA

08/21/2026

Inflation moderated slightly in July, but some categories are still putting pressure on household budgets.

The consumer price index rose 3.4% from a year earlier, down from 3.5% in June.

Energy remained one of the biggest drivers. Energy prices were up 14.7% over the past year, while gasoline prices rose 24.6%.

Airline fares also increased sharply, rising 25.5% year over year.

Other everyday expenses showed more modest changes. Food-at-home prices rose 2.7%, rent of primary residence increased 2.9%, and core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 2.5% from a year earlier.

Some categories moved lower. Used cars and trucks fell 1.9%, motor vehicle insurance declined 4.5%, and medical care commodities dropped 2.7%.

The broader takeaway: inflation is not one single number. It can look very different depending on what households buy, where prices are rising, and which expenses matter most month to month.


Source:

Costs remain elevated for consumers, however inflation is showing some signs of easing, economists say.

08/14/2026

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.

08/12/2026

Ready to retire? Prepare with these key questions for those ready to take the big step.

Key questions to answer when you are considering retirement.

08/11/2026

Fear & Greed & Investors

08/03/2026

🌞 Did you know schools in the South tend to start the school year the earliest? 🌞

📚 As the back-to-school season approaches, approximately 54.1 million K-12 students and 5.7 million teachers are gearing up to head back to classrooms this fall. 📚

🍎 Teachers are the largest group among the nearly 10 million individuals employed in the country's elementary and secondary schools, which also include principals, school bus monitors, teaching assistants, and janitors. 🚌👩‍🏫



Information from the U.S. Census Bureau

07/28/2026

I've been warning clients on this for the last year. It's happening now. Please call me if you are needing assistance.

Millions of people rely on the supplemental insurance to offset the deductibles, copayments, and other costs faced by enrollees in the traditional Medicare program.

07/28/2026

Medicare supplemental insurance costs are rising, with many consumers seeing noticeable increases in recent months.

Some policyholders experienced significant jumps — including reports of increases as high as 45% for certain plans, while more typical adjustments are now landing in the double digits.

These policies help cover out-of-pocket costs not included in traditional Medicare, such as deductibles and copayments. Without supplemental coverage, there is generally no cap on annual healthcare expenses.

A range of factors are contributing to higher premiums, including increased use of medical services, rising healthcare costs, and demographic shifts.

At the same time, options for switching plans can be limited by timing, location, and health status, making it more challenging for some individuals to adjust coverage.

These trends highlight how healthcare costs and coverage choices can evolve over time, especially for those approaching or already in retirement.


Source:

Millions of people rely on the supplemental insurance to offset the deductibles, copayments, and other costs faced by enrollees in the traditional Medicare program.

07/24/2026

For the first time, Medicare will cover GLP-1 drugs prescribed solely for weight loss for eligible beneficiaries at a $50 monthly copay.

07/24/2026

Some Medicare beneficiaries may soon have access to GLP-1 medications for weight loss through a new temporary pilot program.

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program is scheduled to run from July 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027. Eligible patients would pay a $50 monthly copay for certain covered GLP-1 medications.

This marks the first time Medicare will help pay for GLP-1 drugs prescribed solely for obesity, rather than only for certain other medical conditions.

Eligibility depends on several factors, including Medicare Part D coverage, enrollment in an eligible plan, prior authorization, clinical criteria, and whether the patient already receives GLP-1 coverage for another condition.

KFF estimates that 3.8 million Medicare beneficiaries may meet the eligibility requirements.

One important detail: because the program is outside Medicare Part D coverage, the $50 copay does not count toward a patient’s deductible or yearly out-of-pocket cap.

For Medicare beneficiaries, this is a reminder that coverage changes can affect health care costs, prescription access, and household budgets.


Source:

For the first time, Medicare will cover GLP-1 drugs prescribed solely for weight loss for eligible beneficiaries at a $50 monthly copay.

07/23/2026

Living longer doesn’t automatically mean living better.

Healthy Aging Month is a reminder that how we age is shaped by more than just time. Staying active, mentally sharp, and socially connected all play a role—and so does the ability to support those lifestyles over time.

Small, consistent habits—both physical and financial—can influence what those years look like.



Sources
World Health Organization, Ageing and Health, October 2025
American Medical Association, What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Healthy Aging, September 2025
Stanford Medicine, Five Healthy Habits for Successfully Aging, January 2026
EBRI/Greenwald, 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey, April 2025