Monthly Money Digest || Don't Let Summer Delay Your Financial Progress

Hello, BlackBird community!

Market

NASDAQ COMPOSITE YTD: 10.54% S&P 500 YTD: 8.65%

From June 25' to June 26': Airline tickets are up 26.5% Used cars are down -1.8%

Motor Vehicle repair is up 7%

(quoted as of 7/22/26 )

Understanding Major Indexes and Lesser-Known Indexes. Read Here

Leading Economic Indicators

HOUSING STARTS: Housing starts rebounded in June following the large drop in May. While housing starts didn't quite bounce back to where they were in April, it is still a warm welcome. Up 19% from May. (report)

NEW CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT: Initial jobless claims fell to 208,000 for the week ending July 11, while the four-week moving average declined to 214,250. The recent trend suggests layoffs remain low and the labor market continues to cool gradually rather than weaken, supporting a resilient economy. (report)

What's the reason for following leading economic indicators? Read Here

Roth IRA Conversions: Timing, Taxes, and Long-Term Benefits

Thinking about taxes before December can create more options. If you've wondered whether a Roth conversion makes sense, this article explains the timing, tax implications, and long-term tradeoffs in plain English.

Read Article

Financial Quote or Tip

Mid-Year Financial Check-Up: Spend 15 minutes today to make sure you're still on track.

☐ Review your retirement contributions.
If you've received a raise this year, consider increasing your 401(k) or IRA contributions by 1%. Small increases today can have a meaningful impact over time.

☐ Update your emergency fund.
Has your monthly spending changed? Make sure your emergency savings still reflects three to six months of essential expenses.

☐ Schedule the conversation you've been putting off.
Whether it's discussing finances with your spouse, talking with aging parents, updating your estate plan, or meeting with your financial planner, don't let another season pass before taking the first step.