Bailey Wealth Advisors

Energy costs were a major driver of the latest inflation data, with higher gas, electricity, and fuel prices showing up across household budgets.

In April, the Consumer Price Index rose at an annual rate of 3.8%, marking the fastest pace in nearly three years. Higher energy prices accounted for about 40% of the total increase.

Gasoline prices were up more than 28% from a year earlier, while overall energy costs — including gas, heating oil, and electricity—rose nearly 18%.

The impact may extend beyond the pump. Higher fuel costs can influence transportation, airfares, grocery prices, and other everyday expenses as businesses absorb or pass along higher operating costs.

For households, these trends highlight how energy prices can ripple through the broader economy and affect purchasing power over time.

Searing U.S. energy prices are driving the hottest inflation in years CPI gas price index has surged 28% from a year ago, while overall energy costs are up nearly 18%, new inflation data shows.

Stocks surged in April, delivering their strongest monthly gains in five years as solid economic data, easing geopolitical tensions, and upbeat first-quarter earnings lifted investor sentiment. The Nasdaq climbed 15.29%, the S&P 500 rose 10.42%, and the Dow gained 7.14%, while Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 3.65%. With no Fed meeting in May, attention turns to remarks from Fed officials and how evolving economic data may shape expectations moving forward. From \$34.1 billion in U.S. spending to the popularity of Mother’s Day dining and gifts, this month’s By the Numbers highlights how families celebrate the occasion.

Quarterly Market Insights | April 2026 Stocks fell in the first quarter amid concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) could disrupt certain industries and geopolitical issues that unsettled investors.

Americans over 70 hold more than 30 percent of the country's wealth, even though they represent just 11 percent of the population.

May is Older Americans Month, and whether you're in this chapter, approaching it, or helping a parent navigate it, here are some of the considerations that come into play:

1️⃣ Required minimum distributions that force withdrawals whether you need the income or not

2️⃣ Sequencing decisions about which accounts to tap first

3️⃣ Medicare timing and long-term care options, including whether a continuing care retirement community makes sense

4️⃣ Protecting against elder scams and financial exploitation

5️⃣ Power of attorney conversations and making sure the documents are accessible

6️⃣ Considering the possibility of cognitive decline before it happens

None of these has one right answer. They depend on your health and what your family goals look like.

The earlier these conversations start, the more options there may be on the table. 🙌

Behind every small business is someone who believes in themselves. 💼

Business owners carry a weight most people don't see.

You're the CEO, the HR department, and sometimes the night janitor, all in the same day.

Your financial picture is more complicated, too.

Choosing a retirement account, balancing what you pay yourself while reinvesting in the business, and making sure the company serves your life, not the other way around.

We've been working with small business like yours for over 40 years. Contact us at [email protected] to ensure you're getting the most out of your business.

According to the American Psychological Association…

Money stress is one of the leading causes of anxiety—ahead of work, relationships, and health concerns.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it's worth acknowledging what we see in this work every day: financial decisions carry emotional weight.

Will I have enough? Am I doing this right? What if something changes?

Looking ahead can help make the weight lighter, not heavier. If your financial life feels like a source of stress instead of clarity, that's worth paying attention to.