Oestriecher Financial Management Services

05/29/2026

According to a Fidelity article, for the ‘25-’26 school year, the average published all-in cost at a 4-year public school for out-of-state students is $45,780, and the average private school costs $60,920.

So, because today is 529 Day (it’s 5/29, get it? 😂), it’s a good time to revisit one of the most flexible tools for tackling those numbers.

What 529 plans actually do:

📚 Tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses. State tax treatment will vary, and so will fees and expenses.

📚 Use them for college, trade school, K-12 tuition, and apprenticeships. A 529 can even repay up to $10,000 in student loans.

📚 Whether a 529 qualifies for a state tax deduction will depend on your state of residence, as state tax laws and treatment may vary from federal tax laws.

📚 Superfund up to $95,000 in a single year by using five years of gift tax exclusions at once. But remember if you make nonqualified distributions, earnings will be subject to income tax and a 10 percent federal penalty tax.

📚 Minimal impact on financial aid—parent-owned 529s are assessed at a maximum rate of 5.6 percent.

Grandparents, parents, aunts, or uncles can contribute.

And starting in 2026, the K-12 annual withdrawal limit doubles to $20,000.

The best time to start was years ago. The second-best time is now.

05/28/2026

Most parents think the last tuition check means game over for college. The data says it's halftime.

50 percent of parents with adult children still provide regular financial support, spending $1,474 a month to do so. That's more than twice what they're putting toward their own retirement.

Here's what "just helping out a little" actually looks like:

✅ 75 percent of parents aged 45+ are financially supporting at least one adult child, even though over half of those children can meet their own basic needs, according to a 2025 AARP survey.

✅ 42 percent of supporting parents report financial stress. 9 percent have retired early because of it.

✅ 47 percent say they've sacrificed their own financial position for the sake of their kids.

✅ 18 percent say the support could continue indefinitely. They don't see an end in sight.

This isn't about being less generous. It's about being intentional.

Whether your kid just graduated, graduated five years ago, or is still in school, the question is the same: Is your support happening by design or by default?

That's worth a conversation.

05/27/2026

Federal Reserve officials appear increasingly focused on how persistent inflation could shape future interest rate decisions.

Minutes from the most recent Fed meeting show that many officials supported keeping rates steady, while also noting that higher rates could become appropriate if inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% target.

The meeting also reflected a notable level of disagreement. The committee voted to hold its benchmark rate at 3.5% to 3.75%, but four members dissented — the highest number of dissents since 1992.
A key issue was whether the Fed’s statement should continue to suggest that a rate cut remained the more likely next move. Several officials preferred more flexible language, given ongoing inflation pressures.

For households and businesses, these discussions matter because interest rate decisions can influence borrowing costs, savings yields, mortgage rates, credit card rates, and broader economic conditions.

A majority of officials anticipated that interest rate increases would be necessary if the Iran war continued to aggravate inflation.

05/25/2026

Yes, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. But let's not forget what this day is really about.

Today, we remember those who gave everything. The men and women who served and never came home.

Some of us knew them. Some of us are here because of them.

However you spend today, take a moment to pause. Enjoy the long weekend, but hold space for what it actually means.

To the families carrying that loss: we honor them with you.

05/21/2026

Cap and gown season is here. 🎓

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to every graduate walking across a stage this month! 🥳 🥳

The late nights, the stress, the uncertainty about what comes next have all led to this moment.

To the parents and grandparents in the audience pretending they're not emotional: we get it. ❤️

For the new grads, a few things to consider as you start this next chapter:

➡️ Start investing as early as possible, even if it's small. Time is the one advantage you won't get back.

➡️ If your employer offers a retirement plan with a company match, take it. It's free money.

➡️ Build an emergency fund before you worry about investing. Three months of expenses is a good first goal.

➡️ Understand your student loans: what you owe, the interest rates, and when payments start.

➡️ Your first budget doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to exist.

The financial habits you build now will help form the foundation for your future.

Congrats, Class of 2026. 👏

05/21/2026

Energy costs were a major driver of the latest inflation data, with higher gas, electricity, and fuel prices showing up across household budgets.

In April, the Consumer Price Index rose at an annual rate of 3.8%, marking the fastest pace in nearly three years. Higher energy prices accounted for about 40% of the total increase.

Gasoline prices were up more than 28% from a year earlier, while overall energy costs — including gas, heating oil, and electricity—rose nearly 18%.

The impact may extend beyond the pump. Higher fuel costs can influence transportation, airfares, grocery prices, and other everyday expenses as businesses absorb or pass along higher operating costs.

For households, these trends highlight how energy prices can ripple through the broader economy and affect purchasing power over time.

CPI gas price index has surged 28% from a year ago, while overall energy costs are up nearly 18%, new inflation data shows.

05/19/2026

The Senate has confirmed a new Federal Reserve chair, marking a leadership change at the central bank during a closely watched period for monetary policy.

The confirmation vote was 54-45, making it one of the closest votes for a Fed chair in the modern era.

The transition comes as policymakers continue to weigh inflation, interest rates, labor market conditions, and broader economic uncertainty.

The new chair previously served on the Federal Reserve Board and has been involved in monetary policy discussions during periods of significant economic stress.

As leadership changes, markets and policymakers will continue watching how the Fed approaches its dual mandate: supporting maximum employment while seeking price stability.

In the most divisive vote ever for a Fed chair, Warsh, 56, won confirmation to take over for Jerome Powell.

05/18/2026

Who else has a pet that runs the household? 🙋

May is National Pet Month, and whether it's a dog 🐕, a cat 🐈, or something with scales or feathers, pets have a way of taking over.

They love us unconditionally. They give us so much joy. They are a big part of the fabric of our families.

They also can cost more than we expected, require more preparation than we anticipated, and somehow we'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

If you have one, or three, or had one in the past, then you know. ❤️

Share a pic of your fur baby(ies)! 🐶

05/15/2026

Trees can play an important role in cooling cities, especially in areas where pavement and buildings absorb heat.

A new study found that tree cover offsets nearly half of the additional heating caused by the urban heat island effect across the world’s cities.

On average, trees cool cities by about 0.27 degrees Fahrenheit, largely by providing shade and releasing water v***r. Without that tree cover, researchers estimate that global cities would warm by about 0.56 degrees Fahrenheit due to urban heating.

But the benefits are not evenly distributed. Hotter and lower-income cities often have less tree cover, meaning the places most exposed to extreme heat may receive less cooling relief.

Researchers noted that while planting trees can help, it is not a complete solution. Water access, available land, local climate, and long-term maintenance all affect how much tree cover can realistically expand.

Still, the findings show how urban design, green space, and local environmental conditions can shape how people experience heat in cities.

Tree cover globally cools nearly half the warming from built-up cities, but it’s doing it more in richer, cooler areas and less in hotter poorer areas where it’s needed most.

05/15/2026

Think you have to start claiming Social Security at 62?

That's a myth that could cost you.

Fidelity recently broke down this common misconception with the facts behind Social Security:

➡️ Claiming at 62 locks in a permanent 30 percent reduction compared to waiting until full retirement age.

➡️ Waiting from 62 to 70 can increase your monthly benefit by approximately 77 percent.

➡️ If you're divorced after 10+ years of marriage and haven't remarried, you may be entitled to 50 percent of your ex-spouse's benefit, and claiming it doesn't affect theirs at all.

➡️ Benefits are based on your highest 35 earning years, not just what you made before 65. Working past 65 can still improve your calculation.

➡️ Once you claim it, that's your benefit, adjusted only for cost-of-living increases.

The decision of when to claim is one of the most consequential decisions when preparing for retirement.

For a benefit designed to last 20, 30, or more years, the math is worth getting right. 📊

05/14/2026

Your retirement outlook probably covers income, investments, and Social Security.

But does it answer this question: if your health changes at 82, who coordinates your care, how is it paid for, and what burden does it place on the people you love? 👇

That's the conversation most families aren't having early enough.

A few numbers that put it in perspective:

✅ 70 percent of adults who reach 65 will need some form of long-term care.

✅ A semi-private nursing home room now costs a median of $114,975 per year, and that number is climbing fast.

✅ Projected out 20 years, nursing home care could approach $186,000 annually.

✅ Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) offer an alternative: move in while independent, with access to assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing on one campus as needs change.

✅ A portion of CCRC entrance fees and monthly fees may have tax considerations since they can be classified as a medical expense. Most people don't know this.

The biggest mistake we see?

Waiting.

CCRCs require applicants to be healthy enough to live independently. Many have waitlists.

"I'll just stay in my house" feels like the safest option. But it's only safe if you've stress-tested what happens when care needs escalate.

Have you started this conversation with your family or your financial professional? 👇