Frank Anthony Ulloa - Financial Advisor

09/03/2026

Paying off your mortgage before retirement can sound like an obvious goal, but personal finance rarely comes with a one-size-fits-all answer. For some, eliminating the payment may align with their goals. For others, maintaining liquidity and flexibility may be an important consideration. The decision should be evaluated alongside your interest rate, savings, cash flow, taxes, and retirement income strategy.

🎥 Watch this reel to learn why the better question isn't simply “Can I pay off my house?” but “How does this decision fit into my overall plan?”

👉 Visit https://www.aifinancialstrategies.com/ to learn more.

09/03/2026

Is Your Retirement Plan Stuck in the Past?

"The strategies that helped you accumulate wealth are often not the same ones that help you live confidently on it.” Kiplinger's latest look at retirement planning explains why rules of thumb from the 2000s — like the classic 4% withdrawal rate and a rigid 60/40 portfolio — may need updating for today's longer, more flexible retirements. Curious whether your plan reflects 2026 realities? Let's talk it through.

It's time to bring your old plan forward by moving away from the rules of yesterday, such as the 4% withdrawal rate and the 60/40 portfolio, to an adaptable, tax-diversified strategy focused on reliable income and longevity.

09/02/2026

An Early Look at Your 2027 Benefit.

New estimates suggest Social Security benefits could rise 3.6% starting January 2027, which would push the average monthly retiree benefit to roughly $2,146. Final numbers won't be confirmed until October, but it's a good moment to revisit how Social Security fits into your bigger income picture.

The data used to determine the adjustment is moving into an ever-narrowing range of possibilities.

09/02/2026

Can group and private disability policies work together?

Loss of income from disability has the potential to cause financial hardship. Disability insurance can help.

09/02/2026

Trending Higher

09/02/2026

Fear & Greed & Investors

09/02/2026

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.


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

09/02/2026

This month's chart unpacks where we most commonly go for information. Take a look, and you'll see one source stands out from the rest.

09/02/2026

A pay raise does not always mean a paycheck goes further.

New research found that from February 2021 to June 2022, real wages fell by more than 4% as inflation outpaced many workers’ pay increases. The impact lasted for many households, with 37% of workers in the study earning less in inflation-adjusted terms in December 2024 than they had four years earlier.

Now, a similar squeeze is happening again. In July, the Consumer Price Index rose at a 3.4% annual pace, while hourly wages rose 3.2% over the same period.

When prices rise faster than pay, purchasing power declines. That can make everyday expenses feel heavier, even when income is technically increasing.


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When inflation rises faster than workers' wages, it feels like they're getting a pay cut. Companies, meanwhile, benefit.