Prentice Wealth Management

10/09/2026

Markets rarely move in a straight line, and they almost never wait for the news cycle to feel comfortable. In fact, some of the strongest market periods happen while investors are surrounded by unsettling headlines: geopolitical...

Learn what's behind recent market surges, and stocks that hold up better than headlines might imply.

10/08/2026

Stocks finished the third quarter mixed. The S&P 500 gained 2.03%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.47%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 2.70%. Halloween is next on the calendar, with U.S. consumers expected to spend \$13.5 billion USD this year and 6.26 million Canadian children in their trick-or-treating years.

Stocks were mixed in the third quarter as economic, geopolitical, and corporate earnings news pushed the broad market higher while weighing on the Dow Industrials.

10/07/2026

If you're a member of the armed forces, your commitment to protecting our country deserves a strong financial strategy as well.

One often-overlooked opportunity? IRA contributions.

For 2026, service members can contribute up to $7,500 to an IRA, with an additional $1,100 catch-up contribution available for those age 50 and older. And in some cases, you may also be able to contribute to an IRA for a spouse, helping your household save even more for the future.

A few important considerations:

✅ Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible, depending on factors such as income, filing status, and participation in retirement plans like the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

✅ Roth IRA contributions are not tax-deductible, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free in retirement.

✅ Military members can generally count nontaxable combat pay as compensation when determining IRA contribution eligibility, creating valuable retirement-saving opportunities.

✅ The deadline to make IRA contributions for a tax year is typically the tax filing deadline of the following year.

The right retirement savings strategy depends on your unique situation, including your income, tax considerations, and long-term goals. Taking time to review your options today can make a meaningful difference tomorrow.

The best financial defense is a coordinated one. Working closely with a financial advisor can help ensure you're making the most of the retirement planning opportunities available to you and your family.

10/06/2026

Between busy schedules, family commitments, career changes, and everything else life throws our way, it's easy to put important financial tasks on the back burner. But as life changes, your financial and legacy plans should change with it.

Now is a great time to take a few moments to review:

✅ Your beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, insurance policies, and other financial accounts

✅ Your will, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives

✅ Any changes in your family situation, such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or new grandchildren

✅ Whether your financial accounts and estate planning documents still reflect your current wishes

One of the most common estate planning mistakes isn't having the wrong documents. It's having outdated ones. Taking time for these important checkups today can help provide clarity and confidence for tomorrow.

If it's been a while since you've reviewed your beneficiaries or estate plan, let's talk. We're here to help ensure your planning stays aligned with your life, no matter how much it changes.

09/30/2026

Most people spend years planning for retirement financially, but few prepare for what comes next.

Here are a few surprising realities about retirement:

✅ You may spend 20 to 30+ years in retirement. For many people, retirement is not an ending. It's an entirely new life chapter.

✅ Your expenses don't necessarily decrease. Travel, hobbies, healthcare, and helping family members can keep spending levels higher than expected.

✅ The emotional transition can be just as challenging as the financial one. Many retirees miss the routine, identity, and social connections that work provided.

✅ Healthcare often becomes one of the biggest retirement expenses. Planning ahead can help reduce stress and avoid surprises later.

✅ The happiest retirees usually retire "to" something, not just "from" something. Purpose, relationships, volunteering, travel, and passions often play a huge role in long-term fulfillment.

Retirement isn't just about having enough money. It's about creating a life you'll love living.

Are you preparing for retirement, or helping someone who is? Let's talk about building a plan that addresses both the financial and personal sides of retirement. Reach out to us today to start the conversation.

09/28/2026

For many entrepreneurs, the dream of business ownership isn't just about financial success. It's also about creating a lifestyle with more flexibility, greater independence, and the freedom to spend more time doing what matters most, whether that's with family, pursuing a passion, or enjoying an extra walk with your four-legged coworker.

What's different today is that entrepreneurs have access to tools that were once only available to large corporations. With the rise of AI, business owners can streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, improve marketing efforts, enhance customer service, and gain valuable insights faster and more cost effectively than ever before. For many aspiring entrepreneurs, that makes this an especially exciting time to turn an idea into a business.

A few key considerations before taking the leap:

✅ Develop a clear business plan with realistic financial projections
✅ Understand your target market and competitive advantage
✅ Evaluate financing needs and cash flow requirements
✅ Conduct thorough due diligence when purchasing an existing business or franchise
✅ Take advantage of available tax strategies and business deductions
✅ Leverage technology and AI tools to improve efficiency and scalability

Business ownership can offer greater independence, flexibility, and financial opportunity, but success still comes down to thoughtful planning and disciplined ex*****on.

Considering starting, buying, or expanding a business? Let's start the conversation. We can help you evaluate the financial considerations, align your business goals with your personal priorities, and create a roadmap for long-term success.

09/23/2026

Nearly 30% of ultra-high-net-worth families have experienced a cyberattack.

As your digital footprint grows, your security habits must evolve too. Protecting your wealth today goes beyond monitoring your portfolio. It requires a proactive approach to safeguarding your entire digital life.

Simple but effective steps, such as freezing your credit, using multi-factor authentication, and segmenting your home network, can significantly reduce your risk. These high-impact habits are often easy to implement and can provide an added layer of protection for your family, financial accounts, and personal information.

Just as important, remember that cybersecurity is a team effort. The best defense comes from working together with your financial advisor. Always keep your planning team in the loop if you receive suspicious communications, notice unusual account activity, or have concerns about potential fraud. Early communication can help identify risks and protect what matters most.

If you'd like to revisit how your digital security practices fit into your broader financial strategy, we're here to help. In the meantime, stay vigilant and stay protected.



Sources:
JPMorgan.com, January 23, 2026
Risk-strategies.com, 2025
Toplinecu.com, March 18, 2026
Fidelity.com, 2026

09/22/2026

🐻 Fat Bear Week is back, and the competition is looking VERY well-fed.

From September 22–29, fans can vote for their favorite brown bears at Katmai National Park and Preserve as they pack on the pounds before hibernation. 🐟

This year’s field includes 11 contenders, including reigning champion 32 Chunk, who’s back to defend his title after winning the 2025 crown. 👑

The bracket also features familiar faces like 128 Grazer, 856, 901, 909, and 910, along with several other salmon-fueled heavyweights hoping to become the internet’s next favorite bear.

Fans can watch the bears on Katmai’s live cams and vote through the single-elimination tournament until one gloriously chunky champion remains. 🏆

So, who gets your vote this year? 🐻❤️


Source:

The internet's favorite bear contest is back. See details on Fat Bear Week 2026.

09/21/2026

🏠 Higher mortgage rates are pushing some homebuyers to look for lower-cost alternatives.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.79%, while the average rate for a 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage fell to 5.94%.

That gap is drawing more attention to ARMs, which made up 8% of mortgage applications last week, their highest share in five weeks.

🔑 The tradeoff is that an ARM’s rate can change later, which means the lower initial rate may come with more uncertainty down the road.

For buyers comparing mortgage options, it’s worth looking beyond the starting rate and understanding how the loan could change over time.


Source:

Mortgage rates continue to rise, pushing some buyers to riskier, adjustable-rate loans in order to find savings. Rates are at the highest level since June 2025.

09/11/2026

As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we pause to remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the profound impact felt across our nation.

Today, we honor the people and places forever connected to that tragic day:

📍 The World Trade Center in New York City
📍 The Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
📍 Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 passengers and crew demonstrated extraordinary courage
📍 The countless communities and families across America whose lives were touched by loss, grief, and resilience

We are especially grateful for the first responders, recovery workers, military personnel, and volunteers who ran toward danger when others were seeking safety. Their bravery, selflessness, and commitment to serving others remain an enduring example of courage.

At Prentice Wealth Management, we recognize that the legacy of 9/11 extends far beyond that day. Many heroes continue to face ongoing challenges, including exposure to hazardous materials, chronic health conditions, and the lasting effects of trauma, anxiety, and depression. Their sacrifices did not end when the recovery efforts concluded, and neither should our gratitude.

Today, we remember. We honor. We thank.

To all those who served, sacrificed, and continue to carry the physical and emotional weight of that day, please know that your courage will never be forgotten.