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MONTH-2-MONTH
AUGUST 2025
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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.
| | TURNING THE PAGE AS SUMMER ENDS | | |
As summer winds down and school starts back up again,
this is a perfect time to refocus and prepare for the months ahead.
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FALL CLIENT PROGRAM- We will be hosting our second client program of the year in October. This event will feature a panel of experts sharing guidance on navigating the difficult steps that follow the loss of a loved one.
SAVE THE DATE- "From Grief to Guidance: Next Steps After a Loss"
Thursday, October 23rd Time TBA
Wyman Woods Shelter House
1520 Goodale Blvd
Grandview Heights, OH 43212
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Normal Hours Resume– AFP's Summer Hours have ended, and we have resumed our normal hours of operation; 9 am–5 pm, Monday – Friday.
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STAFFING CHANGES- This month we welcomed a new member to our team!
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Morgan started at Alexander Financial Planning as a Client Service Representative this month. Morgan graduated in December of 2024 from Miami University with a degree in Communications and Marketing. She has a dog named Thelma and lives in the German Village area. In her free time, she can be found taking her dog for walks, thrifting, cooking, or trying new coffee shops.
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SCHWAB MOVE MONEY GOING DIGITAL- Effective 10/29/2025, Schwab will require new bank connections to be authorized digitally through the Schwab Alliance website. Paper forms will not be accepted. DocuSign will be the only alternative, and it also requires a digital signature. This will reduce fraud and increase efficiency.
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REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION PROCESS UPDATE FOR 2026- AFP will be updating the RMD process due to Schwab’s adoption of the digital Move Money policy. RMDs will be processed through Schwab's Advisor Center website. This will reduce paperwork. Please stay tuned for further details on the new process.
| | | | August seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye. I spent the first week on vacation in Edisto, SC, with 2/3s of my kids and ½ of my grandsons. Can’t wait to do it again! On the way down, my son and I hiked the New River Gorge National Park in WV. I had planned to go there a few years back, but I got Covid and could not go. I’m so glad to have a redo. The views are breathtaking!. On the way home, we stopped in Elkin, NC, and hiked Stone Mountain State Park. Much more rugged but well worth it. I also checked out the Reeves Theater in Elkin the night before. They were hosting several local musicians and had hosted the Prairie Home Companion in the past. It was quite an enjoyable experience. | | | | | Overall, I think we had a really enjoyable summer. Our
family was able to take a couple of trips: Virginia to visit Lisa’s family, and North Carolina for a restful vacation. Both trips included a lot of water time, boating, tubing, and the pool, so we were definitely able to hit peak summertime. We also enjoyed lots of time with family and friends at cookouts, fireworks, birthday parties, and other get-togethers. While there were a lot of fun times
this summer, over the past few weeks, I think we’ve all felt that it’s time to look forward to fall and a new school year, and all the new activities that go with that. | | | | | This has been a summer to remember. Last month, we traveled West again to escape the heat and humidity. We camped near Glacier National Park in Montana for 6 days. The weather was a mix of sun and clouds, and the changing light and shadow made each photo unique. The wildflower carpets were in bloom and the wildlife was very active. We had hoped to see a bull moose and were excited to see three as well as several grizzly bear sightings. | | | | | August was a busy month full of travel and new beginnings. I spent a couple days in Nashville, Tennessee, enjoying all the great music and food. My partner's birthday was this month, so we spent a day in Pittsburgh for a Steelers preseason game, which was a lot of fun! I started my new role here, which is very exciting, and I am looking forward to fall weather and the start of football season in the coming weeks! | | |
Current Economic and Investment Information | | |
WHAT’S IN A SCORE: 81% of Gen Z Americans know that a good credit score is important for their financial health, but only 55% know what factors determine their score. Only 18% have checked their score, and just 33% would ask a parent or expert to help improve their score. (Source: USAA)
DATA CENTER DEMAND: The electricity supplied by the US power grid to data centers has doubled since 2021 and is projected to double again between 2025 and 2030 to 120 gigawatts (GW) per year. With total US installed capacity of roughly 1,250 GW, 2030 data center demand would represent only 10% of current utility capacity. (Source: EIA, S&P Global)
A PART-TIME JOB. Americans spend nearly 4 hours per day thinking about money, more than most spend preparing meals and exercising combined. Gen Z Americans average 4.8 hours a day with finance-related issues on their mind versus just 2.4 hours for Baby Boomers. (Source: Empower)
A PART-TIME JOB: Americans spend nearly 4 hours per day thinking about money, more than most spend preparing meals and exercising combined. Gen Z Americans average 4.8 hours a day with finance-related issues on their mind versus just 2.4 hours for Baby Boomers. (Source: Empower)
PRODUCER PRICE SPIKE: Consumer prices (CPI) for July were in line with estimates at 0.2% month-over month; however, producer prices (PPI) rose 0.9% month-over-month versus estimates of just 0.2%. This is only the 15th time since 1998 that economists underestimated the number by 0.7 percentage points or more. (Source: BLS, Bloomberg)
SIX-FIGURE TUITIONS: Wellesley College is the first US college or university to cross the six-digit threshold for one academic year, exceeding $100,000 total “all-in” cost. The typical undergrad family average spending was $30,837 in the last academic year, with 27% covered by scholarships and grants. (Source: Forbes, Sallie Mae)
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Over the last few years, there has been significant growth in the technology space, much of this due to artificial intelligence (AI) and its macro impact. The chart below shows the recent surge in tech and software spending in the U.S. during the 2nd quarter this year, even greater than the late 1990s tech boom.
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To stay sharper while aging, get active, challenge your brain, and eat healthy
By Lauren Neergaard
Source: AP News
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AP News reports on practical strategies older adults can adopt to help slow cognitive decline, following a study that found healthy habits can make the brain appear 1–2 years younger on cognitive tests. Experts recommend incorporating moderate-intensity exercise into your weekly routine and making dietary changes such as eating more dark leafy greens and cutting back on ultra-processed foods.
Click here to read this article.
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Long-term care isn’t something you want to think about, but planning for it pays off. A little preparation now can help you stay independent, shield your family from tough choices, and guard your finances from unexpected care costs.
Click here to read this article.
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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 27+ 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
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"The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes."
- Frank Lloyd Wright
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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
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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. | | |
© Alexander Financial Planning, Inc. | |
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