Michael Cuti - Relationship Development Associate

The Common Cents Act has passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The bill is tied to the phase-out of the penny and would create a national rounding standard for cash transactions.

Under the proposal, cash purchases would be rounded up or down to the nearest five cents when exact change is not available.

For example, a purchase totaling $10.02 would round down to $10.00, while a purchase totaling $10.04 would round up to $10.05.

Pennies would still retain their value under the act, even as the Treasury stopped minting them.

The bill is especially relevant for businesses that handle cash, including restaurants and retailers, because it could reduce confusion and legal risk around exact change.

For consumers and businesses, the broader takeaway is that even small changes in currency rules can affect daily transactions, checkout systems, and cash-handling practices.


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The Common Cents Act is closer to becoming law. What would it mean for businesses and consumers? New law aims to address how businesses and consumers should transact amid the phase-out of the penny.

What is it about August?

Back-to-school season is bringing higher costs for many families.

A new analysis found that a typical basket of school items, including notebooks, lunch boxes, and index cards, is up nearly 8% compared with last year.

School lunches are also more expensive, with the cost of a typical packed lunch up 11%.

The analysis estimates families may spend roughly $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year, including about $175 on school items and $3,800 on packed lunches.

Some items have seen especially sharp increases. Lunch boxes are up 27%, one-subject notebooks are up 23%, and index cards are up 22%.

Higher tariffs, imported school supplies, food prices, and energy costs are all contributing to the increase.

For families, back-to-school shopping is a reminder that seasonal expenses can add up quickly, especially when everyday costs are already stretching household budgets.


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Families face higher costs as back-to-school season nears U.S. households will spend roughly $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year, a new analysis found.

Retaining great employees starts with showing them their future matters. This post spotlights the SIMPLE IRA as an accessible retirement option designed with smaller teams in mind, giving business owners a specific, tangible reason to start the conversation.

Join us for a donut on us and take a few minutes to learn more about what FGP does and how we may be able to help you work toward your financial goals. Whether you're looking to protect your family, plan for the future, or simply want to learn more about your options, we'd love the opportunity to connect.

If you're considering a career change, one of our recruiters will also be on hand to answer questions and share information about opportunities with our team.

While this event was originally organized with my former York County Prison colleagues in mind, everyone is welcome! We always enjoy meeting new people, making new connections, and having meaningful conversations.

We look forward to seeing you there!

A bipartisan housing bill is drawing attention for its potential impact on home prices and housing supply.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act would aim to boost housing availability by reducing certain construction barriers, encouraging zoning reforms, supporting factory-built homes, and creating incentives for localities that increase housing supply.

It would also restrict large institutional investors from buying additional existing single-family homes once they exceed certain ownership limits.

Housing affordability has become a major challenge in many communities. One reason is that the U.S. has built fewer homes than needed for years, helping push prices and rents higher.

Experts say the bill could help support new construction over time, especially for townhomes, multifamily housing, and smaller condo buildings.

However, any impact on prices would likely take time, and the legislation was still awaiting final action after a scheduled signing ceremony was canceled.

For buyers, sellers, and homeowners, the broader takeaway is that housing affordability often depends on more than mortgage rates. Supply, construction costs, local rules, investor activity, and policy decisions can all shape the market.


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Could the ROAD to Housing Act actually lower home prices? Here's what experts say. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which has rare bipartisan support, would make it harder for major investors to hoard homes.

Some trips are about getting away.

Others are about slowing down and really being there.

Lately, luxury travel has been less about doing more and more about choosing experiences that feel memorable, immersive, and just a little indulgent.

Whether that means returning to a favorite destination in a new way or heading somewhere you never thought you’d go, the common thread is simple: curiosity, comfort, and time to enjoy it.

If you could go anywhere next, where would you linger?

When it comes to small business retirement options, the choices can feel overwhelming. This post highlights that a SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and 401(k) are structured differently, and that the right fit depends on business size, number of employees, and overall goals.

Small business owners often think of their employees as family, but are they set up like it? This post opens the conversation around retirement options available to small business employees, reminding owners that a 401(k) isn't the only choice and that some options are built specifically for smaller teams.