MONTH-2-MONTH

APRIL 2026

MONTH-2-MONTH is intended to provide you with updates on AFP and timely financial planning and investment information on a variety of topics.

If you find our content useful, please forward this email to a friend.

BURSTING FORTH

April arrives with sudden rain and bursting green. Gardens stir to life and birdsong fills the morning air, while gentle breezes carry cherry blossoms past open windows. With each new day unfolding, we're reminded to celebrate renewal, tend to growth with patience, and trust in spring's abundance.

• HAPPENING AT AFP •

MUSIC ON THE LAWN- AFP is one of the sponsors for the 40th Annual Music on the Lawn summer concert series at the Grandview Heights Public Library this summer. It’s a fun event with food trucks that takes place every Tuesday evening in June and July from 7 to 8 pm. We will be one of the sponsors for either June 16th or July 14. We hope to see you there!

FOOD BANK- We are scheduling another Mid-Ohio Food Bank volunteer time, and we thought we’d check in and see if you would like to join us. Let us know if you are interested.

WOMEN'S GATHERING CIRCLE- Due to scheduling issues and time constraints, we are delayed in putting together our 2nd Quarter Women’s Gathering Circle. We hope to have something out in the next few weeks.

• THIS MONTH'S BLOG •

Click below to read our April 2026 Blog edition.

Is Your Financial Clutter Costing You Peace of Mind?

We would enjoy receiving your feedback on our Blog. Please share any comments or suggestions for future topics with us via email.

• ON A PERSONAL NOTE •

+ Teri's Treks

Since this was the first year in over 30 years that I have not prepared tax returns for clients, family, or myself, I decided to go to London at the beginning of April for a week and spend some of that time with one of my daughters and her family. I have been wanting to go back to London ever since I did my student teaching there at Prior Western Primary School in the Barbican area. I was able to see my school, wander through museums, and watch my grandsons play soccer in every park we came across. We also saw the musical, “Oliver,” the last night we were there, and it did not disappoint.

+ Nathan's Notes

It’s hard to believe there are only four weeks left in the school year. (I guess there won’t be any more snow days like Ellie was hoping for) As each year passes, the saying about the days passing slowly and the years passing quickly rings a little clearer. Both of the girls have done very well this school year. Ellie should finish the year with straight A’s again, which is no small feat at her school. Ainsley has learned to read very well and is graduating from her speech therapy program this month. They’re both looking forward to a well-earned break and to more pool time and less school time.

+ Tracey's Time

Our “To Do” List this spring seems endless with home and yard work needing done before we can consider bringing the RV home from storage. We are hoping to take some trips but nothing planned so far. The reality that we are empty nesters might set in when we experience travel as a couple. There is no shortage of desirable destinations! Sometimes “winging it” without advance plans turns out to reveal amazingly fun surprises, although we’ve never “spun the bottle” to determine a direction.

• POINTS OF REFERENCE •

Current Economic and Investment Information

INFLATION - ENERGY DRIVEN SPIKE - The annual U.S. inflation rate hit 3.3% in March 2026 — a 15-month high — driven by a 12.5% surge in energy costs, largely tied to the Iran conflict. (BLS / Trading Economics)

ENERGY - HISTORIC GAS PRICE JUMP- Gasoline prices surged 21.2% in March alone — the largest single-month increase since 1967 — as the Iran war disrupted oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. (CNN Business / BLS)

INTEREST RATES - FED ON HOLD - The Fed held the federal funds rate at 3.5%–3.75% in March 2026, citing elevated inflation and war-related uncertainty, while still signaling one cut later in the year. (CNBC / Federal Reserve)

EMPOYMENT - STEADY BUT COOLING - The U.S. added 178,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in March 2026, with unemployment holding at 4.3%, led by health care, construction, and transportation gains, while federal employment continued to shrink. (BLS)

INT'L - IMF CUTS FORECASTS- The IMF cut its 2026 eurozone growth forecast to 1.1% (from 1.3%) and UK growth to 0.8% (from 1.3%) — the steepest G7 downgrade — warning of a potential "major energy crisis" from the Middle East conflict. (IMF / T. Rowe Price)

HOUSING - SUN BELT DOWN, RUST BELT UP- 28 of the 53 largest U.S. metros saw home price declines through February 2026, including all markets in Florida, California, and Texas, while Kansas City (+8.6%), Cleveland (+5.9%), and Pittsburgh (+5.8%) led national gains. (AEI Housing Center / Fortune)

• CURRENT CHARTS •

Tech & Energy Driven

Typically equity analysts revise their earnings estimate for the year down by an average of 2% between January and April. Not this year. Despite a more challenging macro backdrop, analysts have reversed course and revised their estimates up by 4%. AI, is behind this newfound optimism and Tech companies have driven 84% of this upward revision. They are expecting 67% of this year’s earnings to come from this sector of the market.

Source: J.P. Morgan Asset Management, "Weekly Market Recap April 20, 2026 J.P. Morgan

• TIMELY TOPICS •

What We're Reading

How To Plan A Trip

By BHTP

Source: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Image by Canva

For some, there can be either nothing more satisfying or nothing more terrifying than planning a trip. This article was very thought-provoking in outlining the scope of topics you may want to consider when you embark on your next excursion. It covers the gamut. Bon voyage and enjoy!

Click here to read this article.

What We Think Is Interesting

How Spring Cleaning Can Lift Your Mood

By Cleveland Clinic, Newsroom

Source: Cleveland Clinic

Image by Canva

We hear a lot about “spring cleaning” this time of year. Much is written about how to do it, but little has been written about the psychological impact the act of doing this task has on our mental psyche. This is a short article, but thought-provoking.

Click here to read this article.

Do you know someone who can benefit from FINANCIAL PLANNING?

At Alexander Financial Planning, we are passionate about financial life planning. We also know that it is not just about the numbers. While numbers are important, they are there to support your hopes, dreams, and desires. When we can put all the components of financial planning together, (cash flow, insurance, investing, taxation, and estate planning) your unique picture of a path forward comes into view. For 28+ years, we have been helping individuals and families develop their plan and navigate the twists and turns each year.

Whether you’re planning for retirement, becoming an empty nester, or navigating how to take retirement distributions, we are your thinking partner. We are here to make sense of it all, one step at a time. If now is the time for you or someone you know to get serious about your financial future, contact us. We’d love to be of service.

WHAT SETS US APART

• QUOTE •

In Honor of Financial Literacy Month

" Wealth is the ability to fully experience life."

- Henry David Thoreau

Alexander Financial Planning

3600 Olentangy River Rd, Ste. C2

Columbus, OH 43214

614-538-1600

Office Hours:

Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Registered Investment Advisor

Visit our Website

This material is distributed by Alexander Financial Planning, Inc., (AFPI) and is for information purposes only. Although information has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy. It is provided with the understanding that no fiduciary relationship exists because of this report. Opinions expressed in this report are not necessarily the opinions of AFPI and are subject to change without notice. AFPI assumes no liability for the interpretation or use of this report. Financial planning, investment conclusions, and strategies suggested in this report may not be suitable for all investors and consultation with a qualified advisor is recommended prior to executing any investment strategy. No portion of this writing should be construed as legal or accounting advice. All rights reserved.