JTomik Investment Planning Group, LLC

05/09/2026

Mom taught me that "waste not, want not."
That grocery lists matter.
That rainy day jars aren't just for spare change; they're one way she prepared for life's "what ifs."

Whether she balanced the checkbook down to the penny or found creative ways to stretch a budget, many of us carry her financial wisdom with us.

What's a money lesson your mom shared that still sticks with you?
Drop it in the comments—we'd love to hear what stayed with you. 💬👇

04/23/2026

New research shows a shift in how income is distributed across U.S. households.

About 31% of households are now considered upper middle class, making it the largest income group in the country — a significant increase compared to past decades.

This change reflects long-term income growth as more households move into higher-earning brackets. Factors such as dual-income households and increased workforce participation have contributed to this trend.

At the same time, the share of households in traditional middle-income ranges has declined, largely because many have moved into higher categories.

Even with these shifts, perceptions of financial well-being can vary. Rising costs in housing, education, and healthcare continue to shape how households experience economic progress.


Source:

America's middle class is shrinking, but not because people are getting poorer. Instead, more households are climbing the ladder, new research suggests.

04/16/2026

Financial scams may be far more widespread than many people realize.

A recent analysis estimates that Americans lose at least $119 billion annually to scams, a figure significantly higher than official reports suggest. Researchers say the gap exists because many victims never report the crime.

Data from the FBI shows $16.6 billion in reported scam losses in 2024, but studies suggest that only a small portion of cases are actually reported.

Investment-related schemes appear to be the most costly category. These often involve long-running online relationships or messages that eventually encourage victims to send money to fraudulent opportunities.

As technology evolves, scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making awareness and caution even more important when responding to unexpected messages, financial offers, or requests for personal information.


Source:

The estimate builds on numbers from the FBI, which are widely believed to capture only a small fraction of the money lost to scams.