Phoenix Financial Group, LLC

10/21/2026

❄️ Heating oil prices are climbing, and some households are facing difficult decisions as winter approaches.
In Maine, the average price reached $5.97 per gallon in early October. One homeowner estimates her family could spend nearly $5,000 heating their home this winter.
Nationwide, the U.S. Energy Information Administration expects households that rely on heating oil to spend 21% more than last winter.
Some fuel suppliers say customers are ordering smaller deliveries because filling an entire tank has become too expensive.
For families already managing rising everyday expenses, keeping the house warm may take an even larger share of their household budgets this winter.

Amid surging inflation and a rise in fuel prices, Americans who rely on heating oil to warm up their homes this winter are bracing for increased financial strains.

10/20/2026

Funding the retirement lifestyle you want isn’t just about how much you’ve saved—it’s also about how efficiently you use it.

Taxes can affect which accounts you draw from, when you take income, and how long your money may last. That’s why retirement planning and tax planning shouldn’t live in separate worlds. Your advisor and tax professional should be part of the same conversation.

10/19/2026

Social Security recipients will receive a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2027, translating to approximately $75 more per month on average.

The increase comes as inflation continues to affect everyday expenses. September's Consumer Price Index showed prices rising 3.7% over the past year.

But will the adjustment be enough? A September AARP survey found that roughly three-quarters of adults age 50 and older didn't believe a 3.5% COLA would keep pace with rising prices.

The actual increase will vary by recipient, and expenses such as health care, housing, and groceries may affect how far that additional income goes.

The Social Security Administration projects a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment for older adults and people with disabilities starting in 2027.

10/19/2026

One of the biggest objections people have to long-term care planning is, “What if I never need it?”

Some strategies are designed differently. Instead of paying for coverage that may never be used, certain policies can continue building value and may offer benefits even if long-term care is never needed.

The key is understanding exactly how the product works, what guarantees apply, and whether it actually fits your retirement plan.

10/19/2026

What happens to your cash flow when you stop earning a paycheck?

The 2026 EBRI Retirement Confidence Survey caught something interesting about that shift.

📊 Among workers, 33 percent say they turn to a financial professional for guidance.

📊 Among retirees, that number climbs to nearly 40 percent.

National Retirement Security Week (October 19–25 this year) is a reminder to check whether your strategy is evolving with your lifestyle priorities.

If retirement is within a few years, the practical step is not rebuilding the strategy today.

It's identifying the two or three moving pieces that are no longer theoretical, the day you stop working, and consider working with a financial professional who can help guide you.

10/18/2026

When a health crisis happens, money can mean more than paying the bills—it can mean having options.

In this case, access to $36,000 within 48 hours helped create the freedom to choose a different level of care, pay for additional support, and focus on what was best for her husband in that moment.

That’s why some retirement dollars need a specific job before the crisis ever comes.

10/17/2026

Sometimes the question isn’t just what your financial advisor is recommending—it’s why.

If keeping a certain amount of your money under management helps an advisor or firm hit a goal, that’s something worth understanding. Ask questions. Know how your advisor is compensated. And make sure every recommendation is being made with your retirement plan at the center.

10/16/2026

Grandparents raising grandchildren are often trying to do something incredibly loving while also protecting their own retirement.

Sometimes the hardest conversation is also the most important one: helping family without putting your own financial future at risk. Because one of the best gifts you can give the people you love is making sure they won’t have to financially rescue you later.

10/16/2026

Fidelity's 2025 wealth transfer study found that roughly 67 percent of parents age 55 and older have never told their adult children what they will inherit, or whether they will inherit anything at all.

About 33 percent would prefer the kids are kept in the dark about the amount.

Their reasons should feel familiar:
✔️ Worry that a specific number will dampen a child's drive
✔️ Discomfort talking about money at all

The same study found:
Most adult children say they are ready to handle whatever they inherit and would rather shape things while their parents are still around to explain the "why" behind decisions.

Families who have inheritance strategies share some similar habits:
💬 Kids know who the financial professionals are and how to reach them
💬 Everyone knows where the estate documents are
💬 They try to manage any surprises well ahead of time

So, do you tell your children or not?

There's no single right answer here.

Sharing exact numbers isn't necessary, but most families find that a broad discussion can help with priorities and expectations.

10/15/2026

Not every market move means you should change course—but “stay the course” shouldn’t be the automatic answer either.

A strong retirement strategy looks at how each decision affects the bigger picture. Sometimes the right move is patience. Sometimes changing direction—or taking advantage of an opportunity—can make sense. The key is having a plan where all the pieces work together.