Scott Alexander, CFP

Jobs, inflation, and interest rates remain closely connected, making this week's inflation data especially important for markets and the Federal Reserve.
Join CIO Gene Goldman on this week's episode of as he examines the final inflation reports before the Fed's September 16 meeting, what recent labor market data tells us about the economy, and why persistent price pressures could influence the outlook for interest rates and market performance.

The Week Ahead | Cetera “Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms...

Read the latest issue of Retire Wise here:

Retire Wise | September 2026 For a lot of retirees, filing for Social Security felt like crossing a finish line. But the strategy behind that decision doesn't have to stay frozen the day…

\$100 not spent is more like \$143. Intrigued?

Stop Wasting Money One way to find money is to examine your current spending habits and eliminate money wasters.

The average college senior graduates with credit card debt. How will your kids manage money?

Do Your Kids Know The Value of a Silver Spoon? You taught them how to read and how to ride a bike, but have you taught your children how to manage money?

This Monthly Recap summarizes market performance, major events and news from August 2026. Read more here:

August 2026 Monthly Recap U.S. stocks returned to gains in August after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both ended negative the prior two months while the Dow Industrials capped a…

What will this week's economic data mean for rate hike odds?
Join Chief Market Strategist Brian Klimke on this week's episode of as he breaks down key reports on manufacturing, services, employment, and Friday's closely watched jobs report. With the Fed meeting just two weeks away, markets will be looking to see whether the data strengthens or weakens the case for another hike.

The Week Ahead | Cetera “Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms...

Buying a home may be your largest financial commitment. Which loan is best for your situation?

Fixed or Variable Mortgage, Which Should You Pick? When selecting a mortgage, one of the most critical choices is between a fixed or variable interest-rate mortgage.

The beans brewed for your morning coffee may have changed hands many times.

The Economic Journey of Your Morning Coffee Few contemplate the complex journey that brought their coffee from farm to kitchen table.

One of the greatest luxuries money can buy isn't a bigger house or a nicer car.

It's time.

Last week, I met with someone who came in believing she had to work three more years before retirement was possible.

The surprising part?

After walking through her goals, cash flow, investments, taxes, and different retirement scenarios, we discovered she could comfortably retire next year.

That conversation changed everything.

For years, she had been measuring success by an arbitrary date instead of what her financial plan actually made possible.

I see this more often than you might think.

Many people don't just need a retirement plan—they need permission.

Not permission from me, but confidence that they've done enough.

Confidence that the numbers support the decision.

Confidence that they're not making a mistake.

Sometimes the greatest value of financial planning isn't helping someone retire with more money.

It's helping them retire with more life.

If you're unhappy in your career, healthy enough to enjoy retirement, and financially capable of making work optional, those extra years aren't just years.

They're family vacations.

More mornings without an alarm.

More time with grandchildren.

More freedom to travel, volunteer, pursue hobbies, or simply enjoy a slower pace of life.

You don't get those years back.

A thoughtful retirement strategy isn't about convincing someone to stop working.

It's about helping them understand what's possible so they can make that decision with clarity instead of fear.

Because financial independence isn't just about having enough money.

It's about having the confidence to live the life you've worked so hard to build.

If retirement feels like it’s still three, five, or even ten years away, it may be worth asking one simple question:

**Do I actually need to keep working that long?**

Sometimes the answer is yes. But sometimes, once we put a real strategy around the numbers, the answer is very different.

If you’d like to know what your timeline actually looks like, send me a message. I’d be happy to help you start the conversation.

Markets face plenty of uncertainty, but investors may be looking past the next rate decision and toward Jackson Hole.
In this week's episode of , CIO Gene Goldman discusses what to expect from the first Jackson Hole symposium under Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, including the future of Fed communications, the message behind rising Treasury yields, and how policymakers are navigating an economy that is sending mixed signals.

The Week Ahead | Cetera “Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms...