Bradford C. Newsome Financial Planner for Michigan Financial Companies

09/03/2026

Early estimates for the 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment have moved lower as inflation moderates.

New projections suggest the 2027 COLA may fall between 3.4% and 3.6%.

The official adjustment has not been announced yet. The final number will depend on inflation data for July, August, and September.

Social Security COLAs are calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, known as CPI-W.

July data showed CPI-W rose 3.4% over the past 12 months. The broader consumer price index also rose 3.4% year over year.

One estimate from AARP suggests a 3.5% COLA would raise the average retired worker’s benefit by about $73 per month.

For retirees and near-retirees, the COLA is an important reminder that inflation can affect income, purchasing power, household expenses, and long-term financial decisions.


Source:

New estimates show just how much Social Security benefits may increase in 2027, based on new government inflation data.

08/21/2026

What a turnout! 🎉

I am grateful to be a sponsor of another Care House of Macomb County - the Macomb County Child Advocacy Center, Inc. event and continue the relationship we’ve built over the past year in support of their mission to provide hope, help, and healing for children impacted by domestic abuse.

Pinball for a Purpose brought together around 80 incredible people, friends, family, clients, and community members, who came out to support this important cause.

We are so grateful to everyone who attended, donated, sponsored, and helped make the night such a success!

This was just the beginning! We’re already looking forward to making Pinball for a Purpose even bigger and better next year.🕹️

08/17/2026

Tomorrow's the day! We've added some prizes for playing! For a $2 entry fee you can try the Split-Flipper challenge with a friend for a high score or if the last 4 digits of your score matches a random 4 digit drawing you also win a prize. There is a solo play challenge version of this as well for prizes! See you tomorrow!

07/29/2026

Teachers do so much for our communities, and we’re happy to help support them as they prepare for the school year.

If you’re a teacher or know one who could use a little extra help, head over to MFC’s original post and comment your classroom Amazon wish list below!

📣CALLING ALL TEACHERS!!

We're excited to bring back our initiative of helping clear teacher wish lists this year!

Comment below 👇 with the link to your Amazon wish list for your classroom and we will try to help clear as many as we can.

07/23/2026

Small-cap stocks have had a standout start to the year.

The Russell 2000 Index has climbed more than 21%, putting it on track for its strongest first-half performance since 1991.

One major driver has been the expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. While large technology companies often get most of the attention, smaller companies tied to semiconductors, equipment, components, and connectivity have also benefited from increased AI-related spending.

The rally also reflects what some market watchers describe as a valuation catch-up after years of small-cap underperformance compared with large-cap stocks.

Still, interest rates remain an important factor. Smaller companies can be more sensitive to higher borrowing costs because they may carry more floating-rate debt or face greater refinancing needs.

For investors, the broader takeaway is that market leadership can shift over time — and major themes like AI may affect more than the biggest names in the market.


Source:

The advance marks a sharp turnaround after years of underperformance versus large-cap peers.

07/20/2026

Whether you still need life insurance or are reviewing your current policy, determining the right coverage isn’t always easy. Factors like marriage, kids, mortgages, education costs, and income sources need to be considered.

07/15/2026

Joining hotel and airline rewards programs can save you tons of money when booking future vacations. Which are the best? Here are the breakdowns of the top programs as identified for both frequent travelers and for traveling families.

The NerdWallet travel rewards team compared thousands of data points from airlines and hotel programs to determine the best travel loyalty programs.