James Brown III - First Financial Group

06/02/2026

Worried about passing your wealth to a troubled adult child?There are strategies that can help.

The money problems or bad lifestyle habits of adult children could lead to the squandering of any inheritance they receive.

06/02/2026

True or false: Americans in March 2026 are applying for fewer mortgages than they were during the Great Recession.

True. And it's not even close.

96 OF THE 100 LOWEST NUMBER OF WEEKLY MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS SINCE 1999 HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST 3 YEARS! (according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Mortgage Application Index)

Yet, unemployment today is a fraction of what it was during the financial crisis.

People aren't staying out of the market because they can't qualify. The market is gridlocked. Here's why.

• Millions of homeowners locked in at 3 percent during the pandemic. Selling means giving that up for another mortgage that may have a higher interest rate. So they're not moving.

• If existing owners aren't selling, inventory can become thin, prices might stay elevated, and buyers wait for something to change.

• Most are waiting for rates to drop. But when they do, demand may pick up, competition returns, and that window closes faster than expected.

Here's the truth about market timing: it almost never works the way people picture it.

The better question isn't "When is the right time to buy?" It's "Am I financially ready to move when the right opportunity comes?"

05/31/2026

Your earning potential over a lifetime is one of your biggest assets. See a projection of what your career income could add up to over time.

Estimate how much you may earn over your working years based on your current income.

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

Ever wonder about those free credit scores you get once a year?

What’s the deal with your yearly free credit report?

05/26/2026

Buy or lease—it's not just about the monthly payment. This calculator breaks down the full cost of each option so you can make a more informed decision.

Compare the true costs of buying versus leasing a vehicle to find the better fit for you.

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.

05/24/2026

If you don’t have an estate strategy, here's some reasons why you should.

Do you have an estate strategy? You should.

05/21/2026

Understanding credits and deductions is one of the critical building blocks to making the tax code work for you.

When you take the time to learn more about how it works, you may be able to put the tax code to work for you.

05/21/2026

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.