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MONTH-2-MONTH
OCTOBER 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.
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Crisp mornings and golden afternoons mark October’s quiet arrival. The sun sits lower in the sky, casting longer shadows as trees trade green for fiery hues. Gardens fade and sweaters return, while the days grow shorter and the sun slips away a little earlier each evening. With each falling leaf, we’re reminded to slow down, take stock, and savor the season’s quieter beauty.
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THE WOMEN'S $ CIRCLE-Join us for our next Women's $ Circle meeting on Wednesday, November 6 at 6:30 PM. This month, we'll explore credit card rewards—how to maximize your everyday spending and redeem points strategically for travel, cashback, and more. Whether you're building financial confidence or fine-tuning your strategy, this is a supportive space to learn and connect with other women.
| PUMPKIN RUN- AFP is excited to be a sponsor of this year’s Great Pumpkin Run 5K and Tiny Tot Pumpkin Trot on Saturday, October 25, 2025, in Grandview Heights! This fun, family-friendly tradition brings the community together to celebrate health, wellness, and a bit of festive fall spirit. We hope to see you there—costumes encouraged! | THANK YOU- Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Fall Client Program, "Guidance Through Grief: Next Steps After a Loss." It was wonderful to gather as a community for an evening of meaningful conversation and expert guidance. We hope you found the insights helpful as you navigate this challenging journey. Keep an eye out for our next AFP event in 2026! | | |
Click below to read our October 2025 Blog edition.
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| | | | The busyness of life seemed to be in overdrive this month. Both choirs I am in are back on track with weekly rehearsals. The activities around the Grandview Hts./Marble Cliff Historical Society picked up this month with our 100+ Year old Marker program and every 3-year house tour that took place on Oct 5th. It has been a great organization to be a part of, but I am stepping down as Treasurer after being in this position for the last 6 years. I will continue to be on the Board until next year when my term expires. Due to the probable weather conditions for the Columbus ½ Marathon on October 19th, I decided to run my 13.1 miles on October 18th. It is the first time I’ve opted to do this, but after all the training, I did not want to chance the possible cancellation due to weather and played it safe. Glad I did my run on Saturday! | | | | | As much as we enjoy summer, I’m glad the weather is finally matching the calendar. This month, we’ve closed out Ellie’s second cross-country season. She finished on a really strong note with a personal best time of 16:28 for the 2-mile course. We’ve also reached the end of birthday season in our home – three in three months. Both of the girls enjoyed their birthday parties with friends, as well as their presents – clothes for the new teenager and Legos for the new 7-year-old. We’re now looking forward to the holiday season – far too much candy for Halloween, traveling to visit family for Thanksgiving, and Christmas at home with local family. | | | | | OSU’s fall break was last weekend. It was nice to have Cayleigh home for a couple of days. The house is quiet and our rescue dog, Coco, really misses her. We did a little shopping and enjoyed sharing some meals, movies, and stories. Our gypsy then moved to her brother’s home to pet sit while our son and daughter-in-law took a quick weekend getaway trip. | | | | | October has made me a busy bee! Between moving apartments, a wedding, and getting stuck in an elevator (thankfully not while moving boxes), I have hardly had a second to enjoy this fall weather. The move itself was pretty painless, but the unpacking is feeling eternal. I'm hoping to sneak in a trip to the pumpkin patch in the coming days and have a laundry list of Halloween movies to rewatch before we officially start the Christmas season. The classics like Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown are calling my name. I personally am a firm believer that Christmas starts November 1st, so I'm already counting down the days until I can break out the holiday decorations. | | |
Current Economic and Investment Information | | |
THE MOST VOLATILE TIME OF YEAR: October has historically delivered gains for the S&P 500, averaging +0.9% over the past 75 years. But it’s also the market’s most volatile month, with an average high-low spread of 8.3%, about 1.5 points higher than January, the next most volatile. (Source: Bespoke)
DRIVING INTO A HOLE: Q3 saw 28.1% of car purchases with negative equity – highest since Q1 2021. Average trade-in debt hit a record $6,905, with nearly a quarter owing over $10K and 8.3% upside down by more than $15K. (Source: Edmunds)
OIL GLUT: The IEA projects global oil supply will grow 3% in 2025 and 2.3% in 2026, while demand rises under 1% both years. This creates record supply gluts of 2.3% (2025) and 3.9% (2026) – the highest since at least 1997. (Source: IEA)
STOCKS OVER HOMES: First-time homebuyers dropped to 1.1 million in 2024 – half the historical average and a 20-year low. Gen Z homeownership sits at just 16%, while 37% of 25-year-olds have investment accounts, up from 6% in 2015. (Source: Wall Street Journal)
| | Job openings in the U.S. have steadily declined over the past two years — from 9.36 million in August 2023 to 7.21 million in August 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This drop reflects a cooling labor market as employers pull back on hiring amid economic uncertainty and slower growth, signaling a shift from the tight job market seen in the post-pandemic years. | | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, via Statista (2025). “Monthly job openings in the United States from August 2023 to August 2025 (in millions).” Statista | |
There’s a Shocking Disparity Between How High-income and Low-income Earners Feel About the Economy
By Alex Harring
Source: CNBC
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The U.S. economy may be growing, but not everyone feels it. New data from JPMorgan shows a sharp split in confidence between income groups — with wealthier Americans feeling optimistic while lower earners struggle under rising costs. Analysts are calling it a “K-shaped” economy, where prosperity and pressure grow side by side. The result? Two very different financial realities shaping how Americans spend, save, and see the year ahead.
Click here to read this article.
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TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry
By Acacia Gabriel
Source: LonelyPlanet
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TSA PreCheck and Global Entry both promise to get you through airport lines faster — but which one’s right for you? PreCheck speeds up security for domestic flights, while Global Entry adds express customs screening for international travel (and includes PreCheck perks). With fees, processing times, and eligibility rules that differ, choosing the right program can save you hours, and headaches, on your next trip. Before you book that ticket, find out which option fits your travel style (and your patience level).
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 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
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"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare."
- Japanese Proverb
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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. | | |
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