Bradford C. Newsome Financial Planner for Michigan Financial Companies

We had an awesome time at the UofM game this past Labor Day weekend. This made me think that about how it's never too late and that perseverance can take you a long way. Constantly saving, planning and keeping the end goal in mind are keys to success in managing your wealth.

Life is always changing, and your financial plan may need to change with it. This month is a great reminder to take a closer look at your life insurance coverage and consider whether it still fits your needs. Whether you’re reviewing an existing policy or exploring coverage for the first time, talking with your financial professional can help you understand your options.

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:

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

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.🕹️

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!

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.

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:

Small-cap stocks enjoy their best first half in 35 years. Here's what's driving it The advance marks a sharp turnaround after years of underperformance versus large-cap peers.