Highlander Financial Group

05/27/2026

Grateful for another great few days at the LPL Masters Conference with our team and fellow advisors and peers throughout the LPL network.

Always thankful for the opportunity to connect, share ideas, and learn alongside some of the industry’s top professionals. This year was especially exciting for HFG as DeVonte and Chris attended Masters for the first time.

05/20/2026

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.

05/15/2026

Artificial intelligence continues to reshape conversations across industries, markets, and everyday life — but separating long-term impact from short-term noise isn’t always easy.

In this full conversation, Casey Craig sits down with Sonali Basak, Chief Investment Strategist of iCapital, to discuss AI’s growing influence on the market, investor sentiment, innovation, and the broader economic landscape.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/13/2026

In today’s environment, confidence can be mistaken for certainty.

In this highlight, Sonali Basak of iCapital discusses one of the most common mistakes investors make when forming strong market convictions — and why diversification still matters.

05/06/2026

NASA has unveiled an ambitious long-term strategy to return humans to the moon and establish a sustained presence on its surface.

The plan includes an estimated $20 billion investment over the next several years, with the goal of building a permanent lunar base supported by a series of missions and international partnerships.

Rather than focusing on short visits, the initiative emphasizes developing infrastructure that would enable astronauts to live and work on the moon for longer periods.

The strategy is expected to roll out in phases—beginning with testing equipment and technology, followed by early construction, and eventually expanding into a more established base.

Officials say the goal is to move beyond exploration and toward a consistent human presence, marking a significant step in the next phase of space development. 🚀


Source:

"This time, the goal is to stay," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said Tuesday as NASA unveiled an ambitious $20 billion moon base strategy.

05/02/2026

Money and mental health are more connected than we often realize. Stress about bills, debt, or even keeping track of accounts can take a toll.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, it's a good time to pause and check in with yourself. Sometimes, even one small financial step—like reviewing an account balance or setting up an automatic payment—might help manage your stress and bring a sense of control.

And remember: if you're struggling with mental health, reaching out to a trusted professional or support resource can make a difference.

04/29/2026

Major League Baseball is set to introduce a new technology-assisted system for calling balls and strikes.

Beginning in 2026, games will include an Automated Ball/Strike System (ABS) that allows teams to challenge certain home plate umpire calls. Rather than replacing umpires entirely, the system works alongside them.

Each team will have a limited number of challenges per game. If a call is challenged, tracking technology quickly reviews the pitch and displays the result, helping confirm whether it crossed the strike zone.

The system relies on camera-based tracking to evaluate each pitch against a defined strike zone calibrated to each player’s height.

After several years of testing in the minor leagues and spring training, this approach aims to balance tradition with technology — keeping the human element while adding a layer of consistency to close calls.


Source:

Robot umpires are coming to the big leagues in 2026

04/24/2026

A common online security tool is now being used in a new type of scam.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts — the familiar “I’m not a robot” checks — to trick users into taking actions that can compromise their devices.

Instead of a simple verification, these prompts may ask users to click “Allow,” enable notifications, or follow additional steps that can lead to persistent pop-ups, phishing attempts, or unwanted software.

These scams often appear through ads, suspicious links, or redirected web pages, making them harder to spot at first glance.

Security experts note that legitimate CAPTCHA tests do not require enabling notifications, downloading files, or entering system commands — making those requests a potential red flag.

As these tactics evolve, staying cautious when interacting with unexpected prompts can help reduce exposure to online threats.


Source:

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts to trick users into enabling malware and scam notifications Security experts warn the ta

04/22/2026

What a $5 Frappuccino can teach your teen about building wealth 👇

April is National Financial Literacy Month, and here's a number worth sharing at the dinner table.

If your teen opens a Roth IRA at 18 with $1,000 from a part-time job and adds $1,000 a year, that single account could be worth nearly $500,000 by age 65. Tax-free.

Think they can't save $1,000 a year? Skipping the daily Frappuccino more than covers it. ☕

But the best financial education isn't about the math. It's about real decisions with real consequences.

A few things that actually work:

✅ Hand them cash instead of a credit card for shopping. Let them keep what they don't spend.

✅ Give them a clothing budget for the year. If they blow it by October, that's the lesson.

✅ Have the college money talk before they fall in love with a school. As one counselor put it, "Have the conversation before they buy the hoodie."

✅ With the Roth IRA, you can show them that there are certain rules with certain accounts. For example, to qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Also, tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain other circumstances, such as the owner's death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals.

What's one money lesson you wish someone had taught you earlier? 👇

Please consult with a tax and finance professional before making any decisions.



Sources:
-https://www.calculator.net/roth-ira-calculator.html?cstartingprinciple=1%2C000&cannualaddition=1%2C000&cmax=n&cinterestrate=8&ccurrentage=18&cretirementage=65&ctaxtrate=25&printit=0&x=Calculate -ira-result
-https://www.ngpf.org/blog/advocacy/how-many-states-require-students-to-take-a-personal-finance-course-before-graduating-from-high-school-is-it-6-or-is-it-21/

04/17/2026

We’re proud to share that our founding partner, Casey Craig, has been named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list.

This recognition reflects the standard he’s set over time—through consistent work, thoughtful advice, and a deep commitment to the clients we serve.

It also speaks to the way he shows up for people—in all he does, with a level of care that’s uncommon. That’s something we value deeply.

We’re proud of the work, and grateful for the relationships that make it possible.