DuPont Financial Group

Just over 50 percent of homeowners still have mortgages with rates under 4 percent. But that number has been trending lower, especially in the past year. Are you thinking about making a change?

What if your most expensive tax decision in 2026 happens long before you file your return?
Tax prep looks backward; tax strategy looks ahead, and that gap is where real after-tax outcomes get decided.

A few high-impact levers to keep on the radar:
➡️ When Income Lands: Timing bonuses, self-employment income, and retirement distributions can help manage brackets.

➡️ How You Might Save: Consider taking advantage of the higher 401(k) limits in 2026 and catch-up provisions—but be sure to look into whether you need to use a Roth for those catch-up contributions.

➡️ Where Giving Shows Up: New rules change how charitable gifts and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limits work together.

➡️ What You Do in Down Markets: Tax-loss harvesting can turn volatility into a tool, not just noise.

➡️ With most retirement accounts, once you reach age 73, you must begin taking required minimum distributions. Roth accounts are the exception. Withdrawal penalties may apply if you take the money before age 59½. Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after the account holder reaches age 59½.

Preparing year-round can help shape future cash flow, flexibility, and choices.



Sources:
➡️ https://www.affiancefinancial.com/news/tax-planning-or-tax-preparation-which-do-i-need
➡️ https://www.bdo.com/insights/tax/irs-issues-final-catch-up-contribution-regulations-for-salary-deferrals-in-retirement-plans
➡️https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-25-67.pdf
https://silvertaxgroup.com/donor-advised-funds-strategy/
➡️ https://www.fidelitycharitable.org/guidance/charitable-tax-strategies/bunching-charitable-donations.html
➡️ https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/convert-to-roth-ira/

Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January meeting show that most policymakers want to see additional progress on inflation before supporting further rate reductions this year.

While two officials favored another quarter-point cut, the vast majority agreed the benchmark rate should remain steady for now at roughly 3.6%.

Here’s what stood out:
▪️Many participants believe the labor market has stabilized after late-2025 weakness.
▪️Inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% target, even as price growth has cooled.
▪️Some policymakers signaled openness to future easing if price pressures continue to decline — while others indicated they would prefer holding policy unchanged for an extended period.

Recent data adds context:
▪️Employers added 130,000 jobs in January.
▪️The unemployment rate slipped to 4.3%.
▪️The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge is expected to run near 3% year over year.

For now, officials appear comfortable waiting for more unmistakable evidence that price growth is sustainably moving toward the target before adjusting policy again.


Source:

Fed minutes: Lower inflation needed before many officials will support rate cuts Many Federal Reserve officials want to see inflation fall further before they would support additional interest rate cuts this year, particularly if the job market continues to stabilize, minutes of last month’s meeting show.

You might be paying more in taxes than you need to—and not even realize it.

From investment timing to account selection, small decisions can have a big impact on your total tax bill. Here are five areas to keep in mind this tax season.

It’s 10 days until Tax Day. A busy person like you might find themselves filing your taxes in the final stretch for many reasons. Don’t sweat it! Get your paperwork together, talk to your trusted tax professionals, and remember that filing for an extension is possible before April 15th!

Money is one of the top sources of tension in relationships — but experts say even strong couples can stumble if they avoid key conversations.

After studying more than 60 couples, money expert Heather Boneparth found that the happiest partners share five habits:

1. They adapt when circumstances change, rather than sticking to outdated money routines.

2. They don’t dwell on financial regrets or let shame define their decisions.

3. They avoid holding past mistakes over each other’s heads.

4. They focus on shared priorities instead of constant comparison.

5. They stay honest about spending and goals, building trust through transparency.

The takeaway? Communication matters as much as cash flow. Open conversations can help partners align values and expectations — and reduce unnecessary stress around money.


Source:

The most successful couples never let these 5 money mistakes ruin their relationship, says expert "You can love each other deeply and still allow money to erode your relationship if you're talking about the wrong issues, or not talking at all," writes money expert Heather Boneparth.

It’s a fact: Putting a plan in place to protect your family is made easier with a basic understanding of life insurance. Let’s talk through some facts of life insurance together to get you and your family coverage that works for you.

What would Warren Buffett think about investors being fearful? Would he say it’s time to be greedy? Or would he remind everyone of the quote, “stocks climb a wall of worry." It suggests that investors should maintain their discipline even when there are a ton of reasons to believe the market will fall.

January is National Financial Wellness Month, which means it's a great time to examine your money habits, priorities, and peace of mind.

Financial wellness isn't about being perfect with money. It’s about building a life that feels stable, supported, and sustainable—whatever that looks like for you.

That might mean:
📝 Reflecting on your current goals
🔁 Making small changes to your budget
📅 Automating your savings
💬 Checking in with someone you trust

No matter where you are in your journey, your financial health matters.

As 2026 gets underway, the stock market is picking up where it left off last year, with technology companies once again leading early gains. Artificial intelligence–related stocks continue to attract attention, particularly in semiconductors and large-cap tech, reflecting ongoing investment in AI infrastructure and applications.

At the same time, some market observers have raised questions about valuations and whether companies will need to demonstrate clearer returns on their significant AI spending. As the new year begins, investors appear to be striking a balance between enthusiasm for long-term innovation and a closer scrutiny of earnings, costs, and sustainability.

The early trading patterns suggest that while leadership may remain concentrated in technology for now, broader participation across sectors remains an important theme to watch in 2026.



Source:

The 2026 stock market is looking a lot like the bifurcated market of 2025 A look inside the S&P 500 shows a major division, with five sectors higher, led by industrials, and six sectors lower, led by consumer discretionary.