Townsend Financial Life Management

09/02/2026

Being healthy may help your personal finances.

Being healthy not only makes you feel good, it may also help you financially.

09/01/2026

Inflation is still running above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditures price index, rose 0.2% in July and 3.7% from a year earlier. Core PCE, which strips out food and energy prices, increased 3.3% annually.

The report also showed personal income rose 0.4% while spending increased 0.2%.

For consumers, that means price pressures haven’t disappeared, even as some categories, including gasoline and other energy-related goods, moved lower during the month.

With inflation still elevated, the latest numbers may remain an important part of the Fed’s upcoming interest-rate discussions.

The personal consumption expenditures price index was expected to rise 0.1% monthly and 3.6% on a 12-month basis, according to economists surveyed by Dow Jones.

08/31/2026

Considering a vacation home? 5 questions to determine if you’re ready.

You may be considering purchasing a vacation property, this can be an exciting milestone, but there are a few things to consider first.

08/28/2026

\$100 not spent is more like \$143. Intrigued?

One way to find money is to examine your current spending habits and eliminate money wasters.

08/27/2026

A pay raise does not always mean a paycheck goes further.

New research found that from February 2021 to June 2022, real wages fell by more than 4% as inflation outpaced many workers’ pay increases. The impact lasted for many households, with 37% of workers in the study earning less in inflation-adjusted terms in December 2024 than they had four years earlier.

Now, a similar squeeze is happening again. In July, the Consumer Price Index rose at a 3.4% annual pace, while hourly wages rose 3.2% over the same period.

When prices rise faster than pay, purchasing power declines. That can make everyday expenses feel heavier, even when income is technically increasing.

When inflation rises faster than workers' wages, it feels like they're getting a pay cut. Companies, meanwhile, benefit.

08/26/2026

Business owners should consider a succession plan sooner rather than later.

08/24/2026

The market is as unpredictable as the weather. We’re here to help you prepare.

This short video helps explain why markets can be as unpredictable as the weather.

08/21/2026

You’ve heard Medicare Parts A, B, C, & D referenced, but what do they mean—and what do they cover? Find out more here:

Medicare is broken down into four specific parts—but what do they mean? This article will help you understand each piece.

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 actually happens when the U.S. government shuts down?

This handy interactive explains which essential government services are affected by a shutdown.