Babcock Insurance & Financial Services

09/07/2026

U.S. credit card debt is approaching a record high.

Americans’ credit card balances reached $1.26 trillion in the second quarter, rising by $21 billion, according to new data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

That puts credit card debt just below the all-time high of $1.28 trillion set late last year.

Strong consumer spending is one factor behind higher balances. Rising prices for essentials like groceries and gas may also be contributing.

Delinquencies remain a concern. The share of credit card balances more than 90 days delinquent rose from 7.6% to 12.8% from mid-2022 through early 2026.

Total U.S. household debt now stands at $18.8 trillion. Auto loan debt also reached a new high of $1.71 trillion.

For households, rising debt is a reminder that everyday expenses, interest rates, minimum payments, and emergency costs can all affect financial flexibility.


Source:

Americans' credit card debt reached $1.26 trillion, increasing by $21 billion in the second quarter of this year, according to new data.

09/04/2026

Markets pushed higher in August as AI-driven optimism helped investors look past softer economic data. The S&P 500 gained 2.62% and the S&P/TSX Composite rose 2.96%, even as softening retail sales kept consumer spending in focus. Back-to-school season adds another data point to that story, with spending expected to reach \$146.8 billion in the U.S. and \$4.5 billion in Canada this year.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 2.62 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 3.93 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, adding 1.34 percent. The S&P/TSX rose 2.96 percent.1,2

09/03/2026

The price you see on the shelf may not be the exact amount you pay at checkout.

With penny production ended, some merchants have started rounding cash purchases up or down to the nearest nickel. Depending on the total, that could mean a few cents more or a few cents less.

Paying by credit card may come with another wrinkle. Some retailers and service providers are adding surcharges to help offset card processing costs, which may increase the final price.

That means the same purchase could cost slightly different amounts depending on whether you use cash, debit, or credit.

Before you pay, take a second to compare the total for cash, debit, and credit so you know which option makes the most sense for that purchase.


Source:

More merchants are rounding change for cash purchases to the nearest nickel due to the end of penny production, or adding surcharges to credit card transactions.

08/31/2026

You might be paying more in taxes than you need to—and not even realize it.

From investment timing to account selection, small decisions can have a big impact on your total tax bill. Here are five areas to keep in mind this tax season.

08/26/2026

There are four ways to approach risk. You can ignore it or avoid it entirely. Or managing it carefully. Or transferring it through insurance.

Every one of these can work, but the key is knowing which one you're choosing and why.

Of these four approaches, which one do you instinctively reach for?

08/24/2026

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.com, June 2026
AALTCI.org, June 2026
EBRI.org, 2026

08/19/2026

Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference. This post reminds small business owners that retirement benefits aren't just for big companies, and that something as straightforward as number of employees can determine whether a SEP-IRA or SIMPLE IRA is the better fit.

08/17/2026

New research from The Aspen Institute looks at what it calls “essential wealth”: a benchmark for financial resilience and major life milestones.

The benchmark includes having six weeks of take-home pay in savings, along with enough net worth to support goals such as homeownership and retirement security.

According to the report, about 34.5 million U.S. households fall short of that threshold.

The estimated net worth needed varies by age group:
18-29: $40,000
30-39: $120,000
40-49: $265,000
50-64: $530,000
65+: $775,000 for a couple with no mortgage

These figures are broad estimates and can vary based on income, location, household needs, and housing costs.

The broader takeaway is that income alone does not always show whether a household feels financially secure. Savings, assets, debt, housing, and long-term goals all help shape the bigger picture.


Source:

Three in four American households lack the wealth to weather financial setbacks and achieve major life milestones.

08/13/2026

Final clip from our podcast on Humans That Build! Adam drops some incredible wisdom here on the art of sales and how humans want to help each other. Great advice to ponder especially if you're new to the industry. We are excited to hopefully collaborate on more podcasts or other ventures with Adam in the future. It was a pleasure and until next time!

08/12/2026

Mortgage rates are rising again, but some buyers may be finding a little more room to navigate the housing market.

The average contract interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a conforming loan balance rose to 6.69%, up from 6.65% the previous week.

That was the highest level since last August.

Even so, purchase mortgage applications rose 6% for the week. One reason may be that more inventory in some markets is giving buyers additional options.

Some sellers also appear more willing to cut prices as the market moves through its typically slower summer season.

Higher borrowing costs still matter. Mortgage rates can affect monthly payments, affordability, and how much buyers feel comfortable spending on a home.

For buyers and sellers, the broader takeaway is that multiple factors shape housing conditions. Rates, inventory, home prices, competition, and timing can all influence the market at once.