Bradford C. Newsome Financial Planner for Michigan Financial Companies

06/02/2026

🎓 Do you have college students who are home for the summer? Or future college-bound children? Summer is a great time to talk to them about money!

💬 Whether it's learning to budget, building credit, or understanding paychecks, a little financial education at home sets the stage for smart choices later.

🤝 Parents + students: Let's use this time to help build habits that last well beyond graduation. Reach out today or tag a friend below!

05/28/2026

Beginning July 4, 2026, the new Trump Accounts program will officially go into effect nationwide. These government-backed investment accounts are designed to help American children start building long-term savings and financial security from an early age.

🗓️ Effective Date: July 4, 2026
👶 Who It Affects: U.S. children under age 18 with a valid Social Security number
💰 Special Benefit: Children born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028 may qualify for a one-time $1,000 government contribution into their account.
📈 Contributions: Parents, family members, employers, and others can contribute up to annual limits beginning July 4, 2026. Funds are invested in low-cost index funds designed for long-term growth.

As more families begin enrolling, now is a great time to learn how these accounts work and whether they may benefit your child’s future financial goals.

Please reach out with any questions!

05/25/2026

Proud to honor and remember those who have served and sacrificed for our freedoms.

05/21/2026

Free CPE credits!!!

CPAs! Join us virtually for our CPA CE webinar series and earn one, or all three—CPE credits.

Three dates. Three different topics. Three opportunities to learn.

Visit our website at https://michiganfinancial.com/cpa-ce-registration to learn more or register for the available sessions.

04/28/2026

Raising a child in the U.S. now costs about $303,000 through age 18 — roughly $16.8K per year. That covers basics like housing, food, and childcare, but not college. Costs vary by location, and while some expenses are stabilizing, the overall trend is still upward.

Source:

Raising a child through age 18 is most expensive in Hawaii, where a family would spend an estimated $412,661 in 2026, LendingTree found.

04/23/2026

One way women can make retirement funds last longer is to get a part time job after retirement. It’s a great way to stay active, do something you love, and earn an income! Check out these lucrative part-time jobs for retirees!

Translate your skills into a lucrative side hustle.

04/17/2026

Last week I was asked to speak at Hazel Park High School about investing and finance related careers. It was such a great experience. I shared my passion for helping people with their finances because of my humble beginnings. I shared a few tips... the time to invest is now and spending habits are just as important as saving.

04/14/2026

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/

04/10/2026

04/09/2026

Playing caregiver for an elderly loved one is role undertaken by many women. Research shows that nearly half of family caregivers forfeit their own financial security. Without proper financial preparation, it can derail your retirement plan.

What women need is richer context about the implications of financial decisions and what they are truly trading.