Perspective Financial Group

Pencils ✏️ Notebooks 📓 Backpacks 🎒 But what about your child's financial education?

A 2013 Cambridge University study found money habits formed by age seven! Add money smarts to your checklist this back-to-school season with these age-appropriate financial lessons. Turn everyday activities into learning experiences that will set them up for success. Which of these steps have you already taken with your kids?

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

The cost of raising a child in the U.S. continues to rise, reaching a new milestone in recent estimates.

A new analysis puts the total cost at approximately $303,000 through age 18, or about $16,800 per year on average.

These figures include everyday expenses like housing, food, and childcare, but do not account for college costs, which can add significantly more over time.

Costs can also vary widely depending on location. Some states saw notable increases, while others experienced slower growth in certain child-related expenses.

While the overall total has increased, some categories, such as early childcare, have shown signs of stabilizing in recent data.

As costs evolve, these trends offer a broader view of how family-related expenses are changing.


Source:

Raising a child now costs over $300,000 in the U.S., study finds. See how your state compares. Raising a child through age 18 is most expensive in Hawaii, where a family would spend an estimated $412,661 in 2026, LendingTree found.

Happy Father's Day to the amazing dads, stepdads, granddads, and all father figures who embrace the adventure of fatherhood with open hearts and open arms.

Whether you're exploring the world through imaginative play, offering sage advice, or simply being there with love and support, your impact is immeasurable.

Here's to the explorers, guides, and heroes in our lives—thank you for making every day an adventure.

Day 1 of Retirement Advisor Council is in the books! Excellent content and a little fun too! I enjoyed learning about the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College and its mission. We closed the day out at Fenway Park! Let Day #2 begin!

Shawnda Sparks

National Homeownership Month isn't just about buying a house.

It's about what a home represents inside a larger financial life.

For current homeowners, that might mean thinking about how your home connects to your broader goals. For those still renting, it might mean revisiting the timeline and understanding what steps could move things forward.

Either way, housing is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make—and it deserves more than a passing thought once a year.

If you'd like to talk through how your home fits into your bigger financial picture, I'm always happy to have that conversation.



Source: Fred.StLouisfed.org, October 1, 2025

How far will your savings actually go? Enter your numbers to see how long your money could last depending on how much you withdraw each year.

How Long Will Your Money Last? See how long a lump sum of savings could last based on your withdrawal rate and return.

Here's a number worth sitting with: as of late 2025, the U.S. homeownership rate stands at 65.7%.

That's roughly two out of every three households.

And it's held steady—even through elevated mortgage rates and shifting market conditions.

What that tells us is that homeownership is still deeply woven into how Americans build their financial lives. It remains one of the most common ways families create memories and connect with the community.

If you're among those two-thirds, this month is a good moment to reflect on what that decision has meant for your household. If you're working toward it, know that millions of others have walked that same road.



Source: Census.gov, September 9, 2025