Jennifer Leavitt - Registered Representative

Recent survey data suggests many households are feeling increased financial pressure.

About 55% of Americans say their financial situation is getting worse, reflecting a steady rise in concern over the past several years.

Affordability remains a key factor, with higher costs across essentials like housing, healthcare, and everyday expenses continuing to shape how people experience their finances.

At the same time, concerns extend beyond the short term. Many individuals report increased anxiety around long-term goals, including saving for retirement and managing future expenses.

While experiences can vary widely, these trends highlight how broader economic conditions can influence both day-to-day budgeting and longer-term financial outlooks.


Source:

Over half of Americans say their finances are worsening, Gallup poll finds The impact of higher energy prices and fears about covering monthly bill is taking a toll on public sentiment, a new Gallup poll finds.

Living longer is becoming the norm. Are you planning to live well? There’s a disconnect between how people hope to live later in life and how well they are preparing for it today. Only 13% of working Americans feel exactly on track to save enough for the lifestyle they want in retirement, while 45% say they’re off track.

Discover more tips to live well, longer from the Mind, Body, and Wallet 2026 report here.

https://www.guardianlife.com/reports/mind-body-wallet?tab=Full-report-1&utm_id=1974560206&utm_source=marketing-suite&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=em-2026-mind-body-wallet-launch&utm_content=mbw

Helium prices just doubled. Your balloons, your MRI, and your phone's chip are all feeling it. 🎈

Dads wear a lot of hats: teacher, fixer, coach, protector, and even, sometimes, dance partners.

Today, we're celebrating the dads who work hard for their families' health, happiness, and security.

Here's to early mornings, life lessons, and long-term thinking that keeps families moving forward.

Happy Father's Day to all the incredible dads out there. 🎓🔧🙏

If you or someone in your family is still in school—or heading back in the fall—now is the time to make sure your FAFSA form is in.

A few things worth knowing:
⏰ The federal deadline is June 30. State and school deadlines are often earlier.
⏰ Many types of aid are first-come, first-served. Waiting could cost money.
⏰ You can make corrections after submission, but the form needs to be in first.

Don't let a deadline get in the way of money that's already available to you.

Extended care is one of the biggest wild cards in retirement.

Costs vary by location, care type, and health needs—but they've all been rising faster than many realize.

These five insights can help you understand what drives costs and why they often catch retirees by surprise.



Sources:
CareScout, Cost of Care Report, July–December 2024
AALTCI, Long-Term Care Insurance Statistics & Data 2025
EBRI/Greenwald, 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey, April 2025

Artificial intelligence is becoming a more common expectation in early-career roles.

Recent data shows that about 4.2% of entry-level job postings now reference AI skills, nearly double the share from a year ago. Internship postings are even higher, with more than 10% including AI-related requirements.

The trend spans a range of industries, with the strongest presence in technology roles, along with growing adoption in areas like financial services and marketing.

At the same time, many students report learning these tools on their own, as formal training continues to catch up with workplace expectations.

While the overall job market for new graduates remains competitive, familiarity with AI tools is becoming one way candidates can stand out across a variety of roles.


Source:

Entry-level jobs calling for AI skills nearly doubled from a year ago, says report As of March, 4.2% of full-time early-career jobs called for AI skills, nearly double the share from a year ago, according to Handshake's 2026 graduate report.

The cost of raising a child in the U.S. continues to rise, reaching a new milestone in recent estimates.

A new analysis puts the total cost at approximately $303,000 through age 18, or about $16,800 per year on average.

These figures include everyday expenses like housing, food, and childcare, but do not account for college costs, which can add significantly more over time.

Costs can also vary widely depending on location. Some states saw notable increases, while others experienced slower growth in certain child-related expenses.

While the overall total has increased, some categories, such as early childcare, have shown signs of stabilizing in recent data.

As costs evolve, these trends offer a broader view of how family-related expenses are changing.


Source:

Raising a child now costs over $300,000 in the U.S., study finds. See how your state compares. Raising a child through age 18 is most expensive in Hawaii, where a family would spend an estimated $412,661 in 2026, LendingTree found.

🎗️ National Cancer Survivors Day: A Celebration of Life, Awareness, and Hope 🎗️

Join us in honoring those who have battled cancer and raising awareness about the ongoing challenges survivors face. Let's come together to inspire hope for the future! 🌟

Organized by the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, this day is for everyone with a history of cancer to connect, celebrate milestones, and share their powerful stories. 💪❤️

📅 Save the Date: National Cancer Survivors Day® is celebrated on the first Sunday in June. In 2026, we’ll celebrate on June 7th. Let's make it a day to remember! 🎉

That yellow section? That's money you never saved, your money made it for you.

This is compound interest in action. Start with $1,000/year at a hypothetical 5 percent return, and by year 30, you've built nearly $70,000. But the real story is the yellow: Interest earning interest.

Year 1: almost no interest at all.
Year 30: the interest on your interest alone might cover a year of car payments (or more).

You don't need to invest more. You need to stay focused on your strategy. What's one financial habit you wish you'd started earlier? Drop it below. 👇