FEFA Financial

Labor Day math: 🌭 + 🍻 + 🎶 + 😴 = 💯

When you do financial planning for a living, you tend to make everything a formula but we know everybody has a different one when it comes to this weekend. So who is doing what this Labor Day? Who’s firing up the grill, who's hitting the road, and who's just soaking in time to relax? Tell us your weekend plans!

It's National Dog Day! 🐶 It feels a little funny to celebrate because really, every day at FEFA HQ feels like "Dog Day." We're a dog-friendly office and if you’ve ever stopped by, you know our pups are part of the team. They wander into meetings, nap under desks, and somehow always manage to steal the spotlight during Zoom calls.

But the true meaning of today gives us all pause. Our pups are spoiled--they get loved on, played with, and given too many treats (looking at you, Marie!) Not every dog has that kind of life. "Millions of dogs are killed each year because they're simply unwanted", says Colleen Paige, founder of National Dog Day. "They're unwanted because no one realized how to properly care for the demands of the breed, unwanted because they shed too much, unwanted because they bark too much. UNWANTED simply because someone changed their mind."

All a dog wants to do is love you and be loved by you. Dogs are courageous, loyal, and deeply sentient beings that deserve compassion and respect. That is why Stray Rescue of St. Louis is one of the causes closest to our hearts. If you've been thinking about adding a furry friend to your family, today is the perfect day to visit your local shelter and adopt a dog (or cat!) who was once considered "unwanted."

If you already have 2 or 3 rescues like many of us here at FEFA, or your spouse won’t let you adopt another 😅, consider a donation to your local shelter! Every bit helps.

Biggest Social Security Changes for 2025! this important update with friends and family who receive Social Security benefits! 📢

Here's what you need to know:

💰 Benefits are getting a 2.5% cost-of-living increase. That means the average retiree will see about $50 more per month according to the SSA. It’s the lowest COLA we’ve had in four years, reflecting a return to pre-pandemic inflation trends.

📋 Important updates:
- Medicare Part B premiums rising to $185 (up $10.30 from 2024)
- Social Security tax cap increasing to $176,100
- Starting January 6, appointments will be *required* for all Social Security field offices

Want to learn more about how these changes affect you? Comment below and we’ll do our best to answer your questions!