Cotton Wealth Management Associates

08/21/2026

Have you heard about the new contribution limits from the IRS? Read about it in our article.

A look at the new retirement contribution limits from the IRS.

08/19/2026

Early estimates for the 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment have moved lower as inflation moderates.

New projections suggest the 2027 COLA may fall between 3.4% and 3.6%.

The official adjustment has not been announced yet. The final number will depend on inflation data for July, August, and September.

Social Security COLAs are calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, known as CPI-W.

July data showed CPI-W rose 3.4% over the past 12 months. The broader consumer price index also rose 3.4% year over year.

One estimate from AARP suggests a 3.5% COLA would raise the average retired worker’s benefit by about $73 per month.

For retirees and near-retirees, the COLA is an important reminder that inflation can affect income, purchasing power, household expenses, and long-term financial decisions.

New estimates show just how much Social Security benefits may increase in 2027, based on new government inflation data.

08/19/2026

What can a fairy tale teach us about goal-setting success? Watch our video and find out.

Do you know how to set up your financial goals for success? This knight does.

08/17/2026

Stocks were mixed over a sleepy summer week, as cooling inflation lifted markets while sluggish retail sales nipped at investor sentiment. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 0.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged up 0...

08/17/2026

Learn about Medicare’s popular program, offering retirees free gym membership and health education.

Medicare’s popular program, offering free gym membership and health education.

08/17/2026

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.

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

08/14/2026

Looking to create a financial legacy for your heirs while managing taxes? Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) may be the solution you're looking for. Explore how GRATs can help you transfer wealth and reduce gift tax liability.

Explaining Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) and their benefit to estate strategy.

08/12/2026

C&R Research reports that the average American spends \$219 on subscriptions. Many find themselves with an unclear idea how much they are spending on their services, in many cases underestimating the amounts by upwards of \$100 per month.

A look as how autopay subscriptions can be a drain on your finances, especially when forgotten.

08/12/2026

A record number of U.S. adults under 35 are living with their parents, according to a recent Realtor.com study.

In 2025, 25.2 million adults under 35 lived at home, a higher share than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many are working, but wages are not always keeping up with the cost of living. Among adults ages 25 to 34 who live at home, roughly 7 in 10 have jobs.

Housing affordability is a major factor. Higher home prices, elevated mortgage rates, rent, student loan payments, car payments, and everyday expenses can make living independently harder to sustain.

For some families, moving back home may be a way to reduce expenses, rebuild savings, or create more breathing room before taking the next step.

The broader takeaway is that financial independence does not always follow a straight timeline. Cost-of-living pressures are reshaping what adulthood, housing, and household decisions look like for many families.

One woman in her mid-30s said her $60,000 annual income wasn't enough to cover all her bills after a breakup, leading her to move back home.

08/10/2026

Stocks bolted ahead last week as investors cheered the last big week of Q2 corporate reports and a Friday jobs update that put the spotlight on the Fed's next move with short-term rates. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index advanced 3.57...