Forge Financial

Money is one of the most consistently cited sources of stress in America.

For caregivers, that weight can feel even heavier.

And often, financial stress isn’t just about the numbers. It’s the unknown — not knowing where you stand, how you’ll handle the next unexpected expense, or whether you’re making the right decisions for your family.

There may not be a quick fix for money stress, but there can be a plan.

One of the principles we believe strongly in is that financial peace starts with getting intentional about the basics:

- Know where your money is going.
- Make a plan to eliminate debt.
- Build an emergency fund.
- Save and invest for the future.
- Give generously when you’re able.

These are the kinds of principles behind Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps — not a promise of overnight change, but a framework for taking the next right step and replacing financial uncertainty with a plan.

Financial wellness and mental wellness are deeply connected. If financial stress has been sitting in the background of your life this year, consider bringing someone into conversation- whether that's a mental health professional, a financial professional, or both.

You don't have to figure everything out at once.

Sometimes financial peace begins with simply knowing what the next step is. Contact us at https://www.forgefinancial.com/.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re honoring those affected by breast cancer and reminding everyone to make time for what matters most—your health, your loved ones, and your future.

Taking care of yourself today can make all the difference for tomorrow.

While we can’t offer medical advice, we can help you think about the financial side of preparing for life’s unexpected moments and protecting the future you’re building.

Learn more about who we are and how we help. Visit our website. https://www.forgefinancial.com/

National Women’s Business Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the women who lead, build, inspire, and create opportunities for others.

In 2003, Charlotte Williams founded Forge Financial with a vision of helping people build stronger financial futures. More than two decades later, that vision continues to grow — and so does the representation of female advisors within our firm.

What started with Charlotte has grown into a team of six female advisors. Five women have joined Charlotte over the years, bringing their own expertise, perspectives, and passion for helping clients pursue their financial goals.

Charlotte has always believed in the importance of empowering women — both personally and professionally. We’re proud that her vision has helped create a place where women can build meaningful careers, serve clients, and support one another along the way.

This month, we celebrate Charlotte, our five female advisors, and women everywhere who have the courage to lead, the determination to build, and the heart to lift others as they grow.

Here’s to the women who forge their own paths — and make the path brighter for those who follow. 💙

Cyber criminals pay extra attention to accounts tied to money.

A 2026 FBI study found that over 12,400 of those victims lost more than $100,000 each, and the average reported loss across elder fraud victims that year was $38,500. Here are a few habits to fine-tune your digital security this month:

🔐 Turn on multi-factor authentication everywhere it's offered. Yes, it’s annoying, but according to a 2026 CISA report, using it makes an account roughly 99 percent less likely to be broken into. It only takes a minute to set up.

🔐 Give every account its own password. Reusing one password means one leaked login unlocks everything else. A password manager handles this without requiring you to remember dozens of them.

🔐 When you go to the dentist, put a reminder on your calendar to also change your passwords. Changing passwords often makes your accounts just that much harder to reach.

🔐 Pause before clicking. Phishing remains the most commonly reported cybercrime in the country, more than any other category the FBI tracks.

🔐 Check statements regularly, and turn on account alerts. Catching something small and wrong early is a lot easier to unwind than catching something large and wrong months later.

🔐 Consider freezing your credit if you're not actively applying for new credit or loans. This takes 15 minutes, one time.

A few simple steps can go a long way toward helping protect the things that matter most.

You don’t have to be a security expert or tackle everything at once. If there are one or two things you’ve been meaning to take care of—like updating a password, turning on two-factor authentication, or reviewing your account security, this might be a good week to check them off your list.

Small steps today can help give you greater peace of mind tomorrow.

At Forge Financial, we believe protecting your financial future is about more than investments. If you’d like to learn more about how we help families plan for what matters most, visit our website. https://www.forgefinancial.com/

What’s one financial decision you’ve made that helped you feel more prepared for the future?

For many of the people we work with, it’s not about finding the right investment or financial product. It’s about having a plan for their money—and taking the next step forward.

🗓️ October is Financial Planning Month, making it a great time to look at where you are financially and where you want to go.

Whether you’re paying off debt, building an emergency fund, saving for the future, or investing for retirement, the Baby Steps provide a proven framework for making progress one step at a time.

You don’t have to figure it all out at once. Start where you are, take the next step, and keep moving forward.

If you’re ready to create a plan for your financial future, we’re here to help. Visit our website at forgefinancial.com

Some financial decisions get a second chance. A handful don't.

▪️ When you actually retire. In EBRI's 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey, 46 percent of retirees left the workforce earlier than they expected.

▪️ Stepping into a parent's finances. A 2026 Care.com report found sandwich-generation caregiving duties typically begin around age 34.

▪️ Receiving an inheritance. Ohio State research found nearly one in five people who inherited $100,000 or more had spent or lost the entire amount within two years.

▪️ Selling a business. For a typical owner, roughly 80 percent of their net worth is tied up in the business itself, per the Exit Planning Institute.

▪️ Writing (or updating) a will. Only 24 percent of Americans currently have a will, down from 33 percent in 2022, according to Caring.com.

Some of life’s most important moments don’t arrive on schedule. Having thoughtful conversations early can help bring clarity and confidence when difficult decisions arise.

Planning ahead gives you and your loved ones an opportunity to make sure your wishes and priorities are understood.

If you’d like to talk with a financial advisor, we’re here to help. Visit Forge Financial to connect with our team. https://www.forgefinancial.com/

Will your future income keep pace with the life you are preparing for?

In October, the Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2027 will be announced.

The annual adjustment is designed to help benefits keep up with inflation, but the same principle can be applied more broadly.

Your retirement income may need to be adjusted as your life, expenses, and priorities change.

Healthcare, insurance, travel, home maintenance, and support for family members can all affect the income you may need to generate.

Ask yourself:

▪️ Has your expected retirement spending changed?
▪️ Are certain future expenses rising faster than you thought?
▪️ Does your income strategy account for inflation?
▪️ Are you strategizing for the lifestyle that you budgeted for years ago?

A thoughtful retirement income strategy should evolve as your life, priorities, and expenses change.

Retirement planning isn’t a one-time decision—it’s an ongoing process that should reflect your goals and objectives at every stage. At Forge Financial, we can help you develop a strategic retirement plan designed around your unique needs, priorities, and vision for the future. https://www.forgefinancial.com/

What would you tell your 25-year-old self about money?

Getting insight from people who’ve been in your shoes can be powerful when you are young.

Here’s ours:

💡 Time is more powerful than timing.

At 25, it can feel like you have forever to start investing. But the biggest advantage you have isn't picking the perfect investment—it's giving your money more years to grow.

If we could go back, we'd say:

🔹 Start investing before you think you're "ready."
🔹 Build sound habits over chasing returns.
🔹 Lifestyle inflation is sneaky; don't let every pay rise become a spending rise.
🔹 An emergency fund isn't boring. It can help when you least expect it.
🔹 You don't need to know everything to get started.

The right financial guidance can make a difference at every stage of life. Whether you’re just getting started, preparing for retirement, or looking for ways to make the most of the years ahead, having a thoughtful strategy matters.

If you’re ready to learn more about retirement planning and your financial options, reach out to Forge Financial. We’re here to help you better understand your options and plan with confidence for the future. https://www.forgefinancial.com/

📱 More and more people are now using AI for financial questions.

And with tools like ChatGPT adding bank account integrations, personalized financial guidance is starting to feel more accessible than ever.

So yes, AI can help organize information, model scenarios, and answer technical questions faster than most people could on their own.

BUT… financial insight isn’t just a math problem.

AI cannot talk to you about the pros and cons of making a portfolio adjustment when stock prices are falling. It might struggle to fully weigh your family dynamics, health concerns, risk tolerance, competing goals, or what will actually help you feel confident in your decisions.

🧠 That is where human guidance still matters.

Vanguard’s long-running Advisor’s Alpha research highlights behavioral coaching as one of the most valuable aspects of a relationship.

Not stock picking. Not market timing.

Helping people manage emotion when the stakes are high.

🤝 The future is not AI vs. financial professionals.

The future belongs to those who use better tools while still bringing judgment, context, and a genuine understanding of the person behind the strategy. At Forge Financial, we combine innovative tools and thoughtful financial guidance with a personal understanding of your goals, helping you build a strategy designed around you—not just the numbers. https://www.forgefinancial.com/

Did you know your Medicare plan can change for next year even if you don't touch a thing?

📬 Each fall, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans send a letter called the Annual Notice of Change.

It arrives by September 30 and outlines what's different starting January 1: premiums, copays, network doctors, and covered medications.

Most people never open it. A large share of Medicare beneficiaries never compare their options.

Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7. Take the time to review your plan and note what’s changing for the coming year.

If you have questions or would like help understanding your options, please contact our financial advisors at https://www.forgefinancial.com/. Our advisors can connect you with an agent who specializes in Medicare.