Prism Financial

06/23/2026

Consumers continued spending in May, even as higher prices and gas costs remained part of the picture.

Retail sales rose 0.9% in May, up from a revised 0.4% increase in April. Excluding gas station sales, retail sales rose 0.7%.

The gains were broad-based, with clothing, accessories, furniture, and online sales all moving higher. Online sales rose 1.5% during the month.

The data suggests consumers are still spending, supported in part by tax refunds and steady hiring. However, economists noted that the boost from tax refunds may fade, and higher gas prices could still affect household behavior.

Some shoppers appear to be adjusting by looking for discounts, changing where they fill up, or becoming more selective with purchases.

For the broader economy, retail sales offer a useful snapshot of consumer strength — and how households respond when prices, fuel costs, and confidence all shift at once.

Shoppers stepped up their spending in May, surpassing economists’ expectations, as temperatures warmed and gasoline prices leveled off.

06/22/2026

Adam and Anneliza recently celebrated their 20th college reunion on the hill at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania! It was a privilege to catch up with old friends, reconnect with the Leopard community, and reflect on twenty years of growth and shared history. Lafayette will always hold a special place in our hearts. Go Pards!

06/22/2026

Increase worker productivity and motivate your employees with these five simple and inexpensive ideas.

Five creative (and inexpensive) ideas for motivating your employees.

06/21/2026

There's a version of your father you didn't know. The one who existed before you came along. Before the responsibility. Before the sacrifices, you may not have fully understood until you were older.

Most of us only piece that together with time.

What fathers leave behind isn't just memories. It's a way of moving through the world.

A standard.

A sense of what it looks like to take care of the people who depend on you.

That's worth honoring. 👔

Happy Father's Day weekend to every father and father figure out there.

06/19/2026

That's Abraham Lincoln's signature.

It appears on the Emancipation Proclamation, signed January 1, 1863.

Yet, it would be two and a half more years before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free.

They were kept in the dark on purpose.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston and delivered the news.

That's what Juneteenth commemorates.

It has been celebrated by Black Americans for more than 150 years and became a federal holiday in 2021. It's a day worth understanding, not just observing.

Wishing everyone a meaningful Juneteenth. 🤍

06/18/2026

Saving for retirement gets a lot of attention. Spending those savings can be just as important.

A recent survey found that only 31% of Americans know what “decumulation” means — the process of drawing down retirement assets over time.

That uncertainty may help explain why some retirees spend far less than they could. One report found that about one-third of retirees still had 100% or more of their initial retirement assets by their mid-80s.

For many people, the concern is not just having enough saved. It is knowing how to use those savings while accounting for healthcare costs, inflation, taxes, market changes, and longevity.

Common withdrawal guidelines, such as the 4% rule, may provide a starting point, but they do not account for every personal circumstance.

The transition from saving to spending can be both emotional and financial. After decades of building retirement assets, using them thoughtfully can take a different kind of confidence.

Many Americans spend decades saving for retirement, but lack a plan for using that money once they stop working, a new survey finds. Here's what to know.

06/17/2026

Have you ever had to deal with a "white elephant" inheritance? Learn how to avoid holding on to a burden in our latest article.

This article deals with how one might deal with a burdensome inheritance.

06/17/2026

Most people assume that a spouse's unused estate tax exemption passes to the surviving spouse automatically.

It doesn't.

Claiming it REQUIRES A FILING WITH THE IRS within 9 months of a spouse's death.

The IRS doesn't send a reminder. The deadline just passes.

A six-month extension is available, bringing the total window to 15 months. But the clock starts the day your spouse dies, not the day you think to ask about it.

This is exactly the kind of detail that gets lost in the fog of grief and estate administration.

It's also exactly the kind of thing we watch for on behalf of the families we work with. We also help families by working with their tax, legal, and accounting professionals to make certain that paperwork is completed in a timely manner.

06/16/2026

Inflation moved higher in May, with energy costs playing a major role in the increase.

Consumer prices rose 4.2% from a year earlier, up from 3.8% in April. On a monthly basis, prices increased 0.5%.

Gas prices were a key driver. Higher energy costs accounted for more than 60% of the monthly increase, while gasoline prices were up sharply from a year earlier.

The impact extends beyond the pump. Higher fuel and energy costs can affect transportation, shipping, airfares, electricity, business expenses, and household budgets.

Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose at a more modest pace. That suggests some price pressures remain concentrated in energy-related categories, though consumers and businesses are still feeling the strain.

For households, inflation can affect everyday spending decisions. For businesses, higher costs may influence pricing, hiring, margins, and customer behavior.

Rising gas prices pushed inflation to its highest level in three years last month, a headache for the Federal Reserve and a potential political challenge for the Trump administration as midterm elections near.

06/15/2026

"Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you've got to start young,” observed Teddy Roosevelt.

You can plan ahead to protect yourself and your family against the financial consequences of deteriorating health.