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Benchmark Financial Design

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cbowhuis@ mibenchmark.com

2358 S. Garden Ct,

Jenison, MI 49428

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Greetings!,

Do you feel many times like you have information overload? Maybe even this blog is part of the emails, texts, and ads that all compete for your attention.

I find that I am more and more frustrated and skeptical of what I felt used to be trusted data sources. Sometimes (most times) I just want the facts or data without analysis or opinion. Trying to make informed decisions for ourselves and our relationships feels like it has become as much of a technical search as the review we put into investment options.

What we have tried to do here is take a non-news approach. Yes, there are times we will provide hard data of information we feel it is important to share. More times than not, we use this to share what may excite us, frustrate us, what we find humorous or even a little odd.

However, we are also looking for ways to improve. This is where we are asking for your help. We would like to hear back from you on what you like, what you would like less of, or ways you feel we can make this weekly blog a better use of your time.

Click on the link below to offer your opinion and we will report back on what is most popular.

We will continue to use our website platform to distribute more business related information and videos. If you are not receiving these and want to be on the distribution list, use the link above to let us know that as well.

As always, thanks for reading.

Bernie & Chad

Smart Moments: 4/10/26

EDUCATION RETURNS - Not all graduate degrees pay off. Some of the most popular programs actually produce negative financial returns net after tuition and lost income. Medical degrees led with a 173% lifetime earnings gain, followed by pharmacy (68%), law (41%), and public administration (26%). Meanwhile, social work, psychology, and education-related degrees delivered returns as low as -8%. So, graduate school can boost earnings… but only if you choose wisely. - Inside Higher Ed, March 31, 2026

DEAD SPACE - China is set to ban the use of empty apartments to store cremated remains, ending a practice known as “bone ash apartments.” The move comes as falling home prices tied to China’s property downturn have made some empty units cheaper than cemetery plots, pushing some families to use apartments as memorial spaces instead.⁠ - The Guardian, March 31, 2026

"We live in a world where there is more and more information, and less and less meaning."

Jean Baudrillard

Benchmark Financial Design

Investment Advisor Representative of and Securities offered through Founders Financial Securities, LLC. Member FINRA, SIPC and Registered Investment Advisor.