Gene Dickison – Artificial Intelligence

As a perpetually optimistic person I choose to believe that AI will be beneficial (overall) to our world. And I also see an opportunity for us humans.

We have the opportunity to be more human. We have the chance to form more human relationships. We have the ability to create something that AI cannot – real human connections.

For all the advantages technology has brought in my lifetime it has also often widened the gap between us as people. Texts not conversations. Chats not discussions. Memes, not memories. Screens, not faces. Isolation, not connection.

AI cannot fix this gap.

We can. Forget the artificial part of AI. Focus on the I. The human I. Hone your skills of closing the gap, having conversations, discussions, making memories, seeing faces and making connections.

You will become invaluable to your job, your family, and your world.

Mark Belcak

The Economy is Doing Better Than Expected

The U.S. economy is growing at a healthy pace – about 2.5% to 2.8% this year. That might not sound like a lot, but it’s actually quite solid, especially compared to most other countries.

People are still working – unemployment is staying around 4%, which is low. Consumers are still spending money. Businesses are investing in new equipment and technology. And inflation is coming back down, which means the Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates a couple more times this year to keep things moving.

What’s really encouraging is seeing companies across all different industries – not just tech – figuring out how to use new tools like artificial intelligence to work more efficiently and make more profit. That’s a good sign for sustained growth.

Companies Are Reporting Strong Results

Every quarter, major companies report how much money they made. These earnings reports are like a report card for corporate America, and right now the grades are coming in better than expected.

The big banks just reported their first quarter results, and they’re doing really well. JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs all beat expectations – meaning they made more money than analysts thought they would. This matters because banks are a good indicator of the overall economy. When banks are doing well, it usually means businesses and consumers are in good shape.

Overall, companies are on track to grow their profits by about 13% compared to last year. That’s strong. And looking ahead to the second and third quarters, analysts expect profit growth to accelerate even more – potentially hitting close to 20%.

What This Means in Plain English

When companies make more money, their stock prices tend to go up over time. That’s good for investors. The earnings we’re seeing now support the idea that stocks can continue moving higher through the rest of the year.

The major investment firms are projecting the stock market could be 15-20% higher by the end of the year compared to where we started. That’s the good news.

The challenge is that we’re also dealing with some uncertainty – tensions in the Middle East affecting oil prices, ongoing debates about trade policy, the usual ups and downs that come with an election year. These things create volatility, which just means the market bounces around more day to day and week to week.

How to Think About Your Portfolio

Here’s what it comes down to: the fundamentals are good. Companies are making money. The economy is growing. But the path isn’t going to be smooth.

This is where having the right strategy matters. You want to be positioned to benefit when the market goes up – which it should do over time based on these strong earnings. But you also want protection for when geopolitical news or other events cause temporary drops.

That’s the whole idea behind buffered ETFs and structured notes – they’re designed to participate in the upside while limiting how much you can lose on the downside. You’re not trying to time when to jump in and out of the market. You’re just positioned for both scenarios.

Think of it like having airbags in your car. You don’t plan to crash, but you want the protection there just in case. Same concept with your investments in this environment.

Let’s Make Sure You’re Set Up Right

With the strong earnings we’re seeing and the growth expected in the coming quarters, the opportunity is real. The question is just making sure your portfolio is structured to capture it while managing the bumps along the way.

As Family Wealth Advisors at MtM Financial, this is what we help families with every day. Not just during the good times, but making sure your wealth is protected through all market conditions. Building strategies that work for you, your kids, your grandkids – generational wealth that lasts.

Alyssa Young

We’ve been touting the safety they’ll provide your principal—but what they’ve been demonstrating most of the time is how much growth you can achieve when the market is marching upward. Our clients who own buffered ETFs and structured notes have enjoyed strong returns the last couple of years, even without heavy allocations in equities (stock funds).

The first quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 have been the only recent opportunities to witness the downside buffers in action. Therefore, seeing negative signs on your monthly statements or quarterly performance reports may be alarming. This is a good time to remind you that reports that show the value of your investments at a snapshot in time or that measure the change over a short period (a month, a quarter, sometimes even one year) cannot accurately capture the effects of the buffer.

Buffered ETFs and structured notes have outcome periods: three months, six months, one year, 18 months, two years, etc. Whether your buffer fully protects your principal or whether you earn a positive return despite a negative market outcome cannot be accurately measured until the outcome period ends.

For example, in the first quarter of this year, the S&P 500 lost about 4.6%. If in January you had purchased the new dual-directional buffered ETF with a 5 percent buffer that resets each quarter, in the middle of February or March, on paper it looked like your investment had depreciated. But as of April 1, when the outcome period ended, that -4.6% change in the S&P 500 resulted in a 4.6% positive return on your investment.

Similarly, if you own a structured note that’s paying 8 percent interest with a 50% barrier of protection on your principal, you should know the negative change in value that’s reported on your account summary is irrelevant: you’re received your monthly interest payment, and the S&P 500 is nowhere near breaching that downside barrier.

Alyssa’s Odometer: We often talk about year-to-date investment returns, so Melissa suggested that I also provide a YTD mileage update. As of April 6, I’ve logged 457 miles of running in 2026. Sadly, that’s fewer than my goal by this point. But on the bright side, now that the weather is improving, more and more of my miles are outdoors instead of on the treadmill!

Jon Weimer – Planning Ahead

I wanted to expand on, and reiterate the importance of, the two topics Gene and I discussed – namely 529 Education Plans and Estate Planning for Young Families.

For families with young children, two of the most consequential financial decisions often receive the least attention during the busy early years: funding a child’s education and ensuring that core estate planning documents are in place. Neither requires a complex strategy to be effective—but both benefit enormously from an early start. Getting these foundational pieces right means you’re building toward your family’s long-term objectives with confidence, rather than reacting under pressure later.

The Case for Starting a 529 Plan Early

A 529 education savings plan is one of the most efficient tools available for funding future education expenses. Contributions grow tax-free, and withdrawals used for qualified education expenses are tax-free. Funds can be used for K-12 private school, College, Vocational School and Trade School in addition to other options. The real advantage, however, is time. A plan opened at birth gives investments more than 18 years to compound, which can meaningfully reduce the out-of-pocket burden when tuition bills arrive. Even modest, consistent contributions—structured around your family’s broader financial picture—can accumulate into a significant asset. For families in Pennsylvania, the 529 plan also offers a state income tax deduction on contributions. Another added bonus – unused funds can now be rolled to a Roth IRA for the beneficiary when certain criteria are met. So unused funds could give your child or grandchild a tremendous head start on retirement! 

Estate Planning Is a Family Responsibility, Not Just a Wealth Issue

Many young families assume estate planning is something they’ll revisit when they’re older or have accumulated more wealth. In reality, the most important estate planning decisions—who will raise your children if something happens to you, and how assets will be managed on their behalf—are most urgent when your family is young. Young families often have the most at stake and least protection in place.

A basic estate plan should include a will with guardian designations (arguable the most important, because without one a court decides who raises your children), durable powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and the appropriate use of beneficiary designations and/or trusts to ensure assets transfer and are managed efficiently. These documents don’t just protect your estate; they protect your children from court-supervised processes and delays during an already difficult time. In addition to this, it’s also extremely important to review Life Insurance coverage since for most young families, income is the primary asset. Life insurance replaces it. Term life is usually the right starting point – low cost, high coverage during peak dependency years. Most employers offer supplemental life insurance at a discounted group rate through payroll deductions and without a medical exam. 

Both 529 planning and estate planning share a common principle: the earlier you address them, the more options you preserve. These aren’t one-time decisions—they should be revisited as your family grows and your priorities evolve. If you’d like to review where these fit within your overall financial plan, we’d welcome the conversation.

Chad Rupprecht – Growth

And as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, we find ourselves renewed and center our thoughts on new life.

The focus of this piece is Growth.

Growth can present itself in many ways. For the outdoors, it means budding flowers and the new smell of fresh grass after rain. For our bank accounts and retirement plans, we hope it means stronger returns. And from a spiritual perspective, we look to continually strengthen our faith. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, ‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see’. In a world wrought with war, hunger, violence, and greed, what better way to cope than to trust in a God who promises us a better life.

Often, the things in life that create pain and emotion and threaten our already wavering faith aren’t always the headlines we see in the news. They are the things that more directly impact our daily lives – our friends, our family, our church, our work. Recently, my wife and I lost our beautiful pup, Teddy. Teddy was a bundle of energy and love and drool. He had a face that made perfect strangers smile. And while he was not a fan of other dogs, there wasn’t a human he wouldn’t lean on and look up with big eyes that said, ‘Show me love’! Although Teddy was 11 years old when we lost him, it was unexpected and devastating. We were heartbroken. The house seemed empty and quiet, and as days went by, the void he left deepened.

But then something unexpected happened. My wife volunteers at Camp Papillon, a local animal shelter, and her heart opened for an amazing four-year-old black mouth cur mix named Dante. Dante’s life up to this point has been rough. Abandoned in his home and left to fend for himself until he was rescued, Dante has significant reaction to the world around him – delivery trucks, buses, bicycles, runners. But he is a sweet, sweet boy and simply needed a stable home with people who love him. In the three weeks since we adopted Dante, he has gained a pound, loves to go for walks, and has a fenced-in back yard to patrol. He loves to cuddle and especially loves my wife. He is growing every day – growing in weight, growing in love, and growing in trust. And now our family is growing, too.

We miss our good boy, Teddy – so much. But we are so happy to have our new sweet boy, Dante. As you go about your lives, breathing in the spring air and watching the new life bloom, I encourage you to think about growth in your lives – in nature, in your faith, and in your financial freedom.

Melissa’s Miscellaneous – Jury Duty and Persuasion

Just kidding! Can you imagine? Although in a twist of timing jury duty did remind me to spend some time this spring in what I enjoy doing and finally pick up something to read that is not just my “to-do” list. 

As many people can probably agree, it feels like I blinked and we were already 4 months into 2026. Between the holiday-season cleanup, shoveling snow, preparing for tax season, and the little demands that fill our days- jury duty felt like the thing that could push me over the edge. An entire day where I couldn’t do anything for work because there is no cell phone usage within the court room- and while ridiculous, my nervous sensibility makes me afraid that I would be held in contempt for merely checking an email. No phone means I would need something else to fill the time while waiting for the cogs of our judicial branch to turn. I scanned my bookshelf and realized that while I own a copy of most of Jane Austen’s books, I have only read half… yet I would argue she is one of my favorite authors. I know that sounds very nonsensical and I hope that none of my college literature professors ever learn this fact.

So, it was decided, in March I finally had a 2026 New Year’s Resolution: read all of Austen’s works. I started with Persuasion since the title felt particularly apt for a day spent with lawyers arguing their case. And apparently the lawyers thought so too- because I was one of the lucky 12 people chosen to serve on a trial. In hindsight, I should have chosen Pride and Prejudice- maybe that title would have made me seem less fit to serve on an unbiased jury. 

I only got a few chapters into the book during my time on jury duty, but I have since completed it by listening to the audiobook. I may be one of the few people to ever admit this- but I am glad I got chosen for jury duty. It forced me to take a step back from my routine and invest time in a forgotten love: reading. Unexpectedly, returning to lost joys and loves proved to be the main theme of the book. 

Persuasion follows Anne Elliot who is suddenly faced with her first love, Captain Wentworth, nearly 8 years after she was persuaded to break off their engagement. She must navigate second chances and filter out other people’s opinions and expectations so she can listen to her own heart this time. The theme of feeling stagnant but having hope of rejuvenation was a perfect pairing with March’s transformation of winter weather into the first whispers of spring. After finishing the novel, I wanted a palette cleanser before diving into another of her books (I plan to read Love and Friendship next). During the next day’s commute, I returned to my favorite podcast: You’re Dead to Me. The BBC podcast is hosted by a historian and each episode covers a widely different subject. The host is joined by a guest professor with a specialty on that episode’s topic, and a comedian… yes, a comedian, who is usually as clueless on the subject matter as I am, so we get to laugh and learn together. It covers a broad range of topics from “Old Norse Literature,” “Christmas with Charles Dickens,” “Victorian Bodybuilding,” to “History of Coffee” — yet when I turned it on that day my next episode was “Jane Austen: the life of a Regency literary icon.” I learned several interesting things, but in the hope of tempting you to listen to the episode yourself I will only share one fun fact: Winston Churchill stated that Jane Austen helped pull him through WWII. He would read her novels for comfort; a momentary escape from the darkness of war into the peace and quiet of domesticity Jane infused throughout her novels.

If you are still reading this, thank you for amusing my ramblings- I hope this means you are up to the challenge to give Jane’s writings a try. I know that the language and customs feel antiquated, but if you accept that some things won’t make immediate sense and instead let the words and feelings wash over you, I think you might find that these novels feel like a warm cup of tea for the soul. Or perhaps you might enjoy a film adaptation, like the 2022 Netflix movie Persuasion, that retells the original story geared towards a modern audience. Don’t be fooled, while Jane depicts quaint, Georgian-England country life, she does include some witty social commentary that feels shockingly modern and cheeky. For example in Persuasion she introduced a character’s deceased, unruly brother as “he had, in fact, though his sisters were now doing all they could for him, by calling him ‘poor Richard,’ been nothing better than a thick-headed, unfeeling, unprofitable Dick Musgrove, who had never done anything to entitle himself to more than the abbreviation of his name, living or dead.” (My apologies to all the wonderful Richards I know, in fact, we have several clients at MtM and they are all a delight!)

I know springtime is often associated with nature’s rebirth and growth, but I hope that this may have inspired you to dig into a book as well as the garden. I know I plan to spend some warm evenings on the porch with Jane this year, and whether it be Austen’s works or my zany podcast recommendation, I hope this reminds you to revisit the things that water your own soul.

Love, Melissa – the aspiring reader

Makaila Scarcelle – You Are Not Behind

For a moment, it felt really easy to believe I wasn’t ready, like I was somehow behind where I should be. But then it passed. Not because the fear went away, but because I moved forward anyway. Afterward, I realized that feeling isn’t just unique to being on live TV – it’s the same one so many people carry when it comes to their finances.

At 23, I’ll be the first to admit I don’t have decades of life experience. I haven’t lived through every type of market cycle, and I’m still growing my own financial itinerary. But working in a field where long-term planning and generational focus are everyday conversations has given me a real perspective on how our clients think about money at different stages of life.

One thing I see frequently is this quiet belief that they are already behind. It shows up in comparison to others, in hesitation, and in the pressure to feel further along than they are. It’s not always said out loud, but it’s there. And the truth is, most of our clients aren’t behind. They’re just measuring themselves against a version of success that is one-sized fits all instead of looking at their goals in terms of their own efforts & goals. 

For younger generations especially, that pressure is constant. We’re surrounded by curated snapshots of other people’s lives: promotions, apartments, vacations, big milestones. It creates this quiet feeling that everyone else is moving faster, getting ahead sooner, doing it better. But what you don’t see matters just as much. The debt, the help behind the scenes, the lack of planning, the uncertainty. Those parts rarely make it into the picture, but they’re there for more people than you’d think.

Real financial security often doesn’t look like those highlight moments. It’s slower. Quieter. Built over time through consistency, discipline, and small decisions that add up.

One of the most common habits I’ve noticed, especially with younger people, is holding a lot of money in cash. Saving cash feels safe. It feels responsible. But over time, money sitting in a savings account can quietly lose value due to state inflation. As the cost of living rises, your money just doesn’t go as far. What feels like progress can end up being stagnant.

Take $10,000 sitting in a savings bank account for years. On paper, it’s still $10,000, but in reality, it buys less, does less, and slowly loses its impact. Over time, that gap becomes meaningful. It’s one of the most overlooked losses, not market swings, but money that never had the chance to grow at all.

This is where investing starts to matter, and where understanding the types of accounts can really change your future. A 401(k) is one of the easiest ways to begin. It’s offered through your employer, and instead of trying to figure everything out on your own, a percentage of your income is automatically set aside and invested for you. They have pre-set options you can usually specify – but at least it’s a start. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to start.

That’s the shift. Instead of your money just sitting there, it’s finally doing something, growing quietly in the background with every paycheck. With a traditional 401(k), your contributions go in before taxes, so more of your money stays invested right away. Even better, the growth on that money isn’t taxed each year, giving it the chance to build on itself quietly over time. It’s like planting a seed and watching a tree slowly take shape, growing stronger and taller with each passing year, ready to support you when you need it most. Yes, you will pay taxes when you withdraw the money later, but it also means you started with a bigger seed, giving it more room to grow from the very beginning.

Many people overlook the employer match, but it’s essentially free money. If it’s offered and you’re not taking full advantage, you’re leaving part of your compensation behind. That money can work for you, helping you move forward without any extra effort.

A 401(k) is only one piece of the puzzle. Individual retirement accounts, or IRAs, give you another way to take control of your financial future. A Traditional IRA lets you contribute pre-tax dollars, which can reduce your taxable income today, while your investments grow tax-deferred. A Roth IRA flips that. You contribute after-tax dollars, but the growth is tax-free, and qualified withdrawals in the future are also tax-free. For someone in their 20s, that can mean decades of compounding without future tax worries.

It’s not just about saving money. It’s about where you choose to put it, and how that choice shapes your future. The difference between letting money sit and letting it grow can be the difference between feeling stuck and building real momentum. You work hard for your money, let the money also do some work for you.

Getting started doesn’t require perfection. It requires action. Even the smallest steps, contributing enough to get that employer match, opening an IRA, investing a little bit consistently, can quietly change everything over time. The most powerful advantage you have isn’t your salary, it’s time. Time is what lets your money grow. Time is what turns small, steady choices into something far bigger than you can imagine right now. Once it’s gone, you can’t get it back, which makes starting today one of the most important decisions you can make. And, if you are older than me and thinking it’s too late now to capture what I’m talking about – that’s okay too. What you didn’t know or couldn’t do yesterday is done, but there is still time to make a change for your tomorrow. Don’t let the fear or frustration of not feeling better prepared stop you from doing what you can do to prepare today for the future. 

There is no universal timeline for financial success. There is only the path you are building with the choices you make each day. That moment on live TV reminded me of something that goes far beyond cameras or nerves. You can feel unprepared, uncertain, even like you are behind, and still be exactly where you are meant to be. You are not behind. You are not failing. You are taking the first steps, and that is more than enough to start building something real.

One of the things I love most about the work we do is the long mindset. “Generational wealth” isn’t just a phrase; it’s a way of thinking about life and money. It’s about being there through the highs and the lows, through every market cycle, and walking alongside our clients as their lives and their families grow. That kind of time together isn’t about numbers on a page. It’s about being present, consistent, and committed through all of it.

Words Are Powerful Tools For American Freedom

Deepak Chopra is both a physician and a metaphysician in that he has spent decades helping people heal their bodies, spirits, and souls.

Chopra believes that we can all bless those around us. Without cash. Without fanfare. Without government. Just by sharing the best parts of us:

“The gifts of caring, attention, affection, appreciation, and love are some of the most precious gifts you can give, and they don’t cost you anything.”

Blessed to be a blessing. Caring, attention, affection, appreciation, and love.

Bless everyone around you with who you really are.

Please allow us to serve you and those you love,

Your MtM Family Wealth Advisors

It is important to understand that buffered products provide downside protection (how much your investment can drop) in exchange for a limit on your upside participation (you will not receive the full benefit of positive performance above the cap level).

Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and various assumptions concerning future events and circumstances that are subject to change. Actual results and events may ultimately be materially different.

Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information presented here should be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice. This information is not intended to be a substitute for personalized financial planning, tax planning, or legal advice.

Securities offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance Inc. (SFA), Member FINRA, SIPC. Advisory and tax services offered through MtM Financial Group, LLC which is otherwise unaffiliated with SFA. 4505 Hanoverville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020. SFA does not provide tax or legal advice. Supervising office 888-447-2444.