Craig Bolanos

09/02/2026

What happens when inflation stays stubborn, interest rates remain elevated, and the national debt keeps climbing?

I joined WGN Radio 720’s Noon Business Lunch to talk through what these forces could mean for investors. We discussed the Federal Reserve’s fight against inflation, rising bond yields, the $40 trillion national debt, corporate earnings, consumer sentiment, and why I still believe the broader backdrop for investors remains constructive.

09/01/2026

Are you investing for your future—or accidentally turning your portfolio into a sportsbook?

I joined Cow Guy Close on RFD-TV to discuss a growing trend among younger investors: treating sports betting and high-risk speculation as part of a long-term financial strategy.

If you want to thrive, not just survive, in retirement, your portfolio needs to remain an investment portfolio—not become a sportsbook.

08/31/2026

Is another major market crash something investors should be worried about right now?

I joined Rural Radio to discuss what I’m watching as the Federal Reserve gathers at Jackson Hole, from inflation and interest rates to the jobs market and America’s $40 trillion national debt.

08/31/2026

If you were suddenly unable to manage your household finances tomorrow, would someone else know exactly what to do?

I joined the WBBM Noon Business Hour to talk about why every household should conduct a financial fire drill before an emergency happens. We discussed the importance of keeping three to six months of essential expenses in a safe, accessible emergency fund, knowing who your financial “first responders” are, and making sure key account information can actually be found.

08/28/2026

Are you saving for college in the account that gives you the right mix of flexibility and tax advantages?

In this Common Cents segment on Business First with Angela Miles, I break down several college savings options, including UTMA and UGMA accounts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, and 529 plans. I also explain why I believe 529 savings plans can be such a powerful tool for families preparing for future education costs.

08/27/2026

What if a low unemployment rate isn’t actually telling us the full story about the strength of the job market?

I joined WGN Radio 720 to discuss what I’m watching beneath the headline numbers—from slowing job growth and pressure on real wages to consumer spending, market breadth and the continued influence of AI.

We also talked about why investors may want to look beyond the Magnificent Seven, the opportunities I’m seeing in bonds, the importance of periodically rebalancing your portfolio and why I believe retirement investing should ultimately focus on protecting purchasing power and generating real returns.

08/26/2026

What does a $40 trillion national debt actually mean for your retirement?

I joined Your Money Matters on WGN Radio 720 to talk about why that enormous number deserves our attention — but also why I don’t believe investors should let something they can’t control distract them from the decisions they can control.

08/25/2026

Could one outdated beneficiary form completely derail your estate plan?

In this episode of Common Cents, we discuss some of the inheritance and estate planning mistakes families can often avoid with a little preparation.

08/24/2026

Have you ever wondered why spending money in retirement can feel harder than saving it?

I recently joined Cow Guy Close on RFD-TV to talk about wealth preservation anxiety — the fear that your money may not last, even when you’ve built a solid nest egg. We discussed how that anxiety can lead retirees to hold too much cash, work longer than they may need to, or miss out on experiences they’ve spent decades saving for.

08/19/2026

What if the return you see on your investment statement isn’t the return that actually matters in retirement?

In this week's episode of In the Know, I discuss why I believe protecting purchasing power should be one of the most important measures of financial success.

I break down my six portfolio action items for 2026, the role of real-return investing, why diversification needs to go beyond simply owning different investments, and how inflation and taxes can quietly change what your wealth is really worth.

Whether you’re retired, approaching retirement, or investing for the future, my goal is to help you focus on what matters most: not simply growing your money, but preserving what that money can actually buy.

In this episode of In the Know with Craig Bolanos, we discuss how i...