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“Beware the Text Trap: Smishing Scams on the Rise!”

A recent scam warning from Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey highlights a growing trend of fake text messages that pretend to come from banks. These messages often mention recent purchases and ask the receiver to click a link or respond to verify suspicious activity. However, the goal is to trick people into giving away personal or financial information. This type of fraud, known as "smishing" (SMS phishing), is becoming more common as more people manage their money through mobile apps. With the economy facing issues like inflation and rising interest rates, many people are paying closer attention to their finances—something scammers are trying to take advantage of. Officials urge everyone to be cautious, avoid clicking on links in suspicious texts, and contact their bank directly if they receive one.

“Retirement Revolution: Unlocking Flexibility and Legacy with RMD Changes!”

President Trump’s recent “Big Beautiful Bill,” along with the SECURE 2.0 Act, has introduced major changes to how retirees manage their money. One of the biggest updates is that retirees can now wait until age 75 to start taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from their retirement accounts. This gives them more time to make smart tax moves. For example, during years when they have less income, retirees can move money from traditional IRAs into Roth IRAs. This means they pay taxes now, but the money can grow tax-free in the future. Plus, when this money gets passed on to family members, it won’t be taxed, making it a useful tool for leaving a financial legacy. These changes come at a time when inflation and market ups and downs make it more important than ever to plan ahead.

“Side Hustle Nation: Thriving in 2025’s Uncertain Economy”

As inflation and economic uncertainty continue to affect the U.S. in 2025, many people are turning to side gigs to increase their income and financial security. With the cost of living rising faster than wages, side hustles are helping individuals stay ahead and prepare for unstable job markets. The most popular side gigs this year reflect changes in technology and the economy. For example, AI prompt engineering—creating and refining prompts for artificial intelligence tools—is becoming a high-paying opportunity, especially for those with strong language and tech skills. Other in-demand side hustles include freelance writing, online tutoring, and digital marketing services. These flexible jobs not only bring in extra cash but also build valuable skills that can lead to long-term career growth.

“Trump’s OBBB: Tax Cuts and Family Boosts for a Brighter Future!”

In July 2025, President Trump signed a major new law called the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB), which changes the way taxes work for millions of Americans. This law makes permanent some of the tax cuts from 2017, such as larger tax brackets and a nearly doubled standard deduction. That means many middle-class families, workers, and retirees will have lower taxable income and see simpler tax filing. The bill also increases the child tax credit to $2,200 per qualifying child and ties it to inflation, so it can grow over time. This helps families keep more of their money. In addition, the bill introduces new tax breaks designed to support certain groups, making it one of the most impactful tax reforms in recent years.

“Targeting Tough Times: How Inflation is Reshaping American Spending Habits”

In 2025, many Americans are adjusting how they spend money due to high inflation and steep tariffs—the highest in over a century, averaging 22.5%. These economic changes are making everyday goods more expensive, especially for lower-income families, who are feeling the impact more than wealthier households. As a result, people are spending less on non-essential items and focusing more on basics like groceries, healthcare, and household bills. Discount stores and cheaper store-brand products are gaining popularity, while luxury items are seeing fewer buyers. Still, U.S. consumers are showing resilience by continuing to spend carefully, especially on durable goods that last a long time, like appliances and furniture.

Lock In High Rates Now: Smart Moves Before the Fed Cuts Interest

As the Federal Reserve plans to cut interest rates soon, financial advisers are encouraging people to act now to protect and grow their money. Right now, savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) are offering higher interest rates than usual, which means better returns on your savings. But once the Fed lowers rates, these returns will likely drop, so locking in the current rates is a smart move. Advisers also suggest rebalancing your investment portfolio to prepare for possible market changes. When interest rates go down, some bonds and savings products might not perform as well, and the stock market could become more unpredictable. Taking these steps now can help you avoid missing out on key financial opportunities.

“AI Boom Brings Financial Doom: Navigating the Rise of High-Tech Scams”

In 2025, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is helping the economy grow, but it's also leading to a big increase in financial scams. Experts warn that criminals are using AI tools—especially deepfakes—to trick people and businesses more easily than ever before. Deepfakes are fake videos or audio clips that look and sound very real, allowing scammers to pretend to be trusted people like company CEOs or even family members. Billionaire investor Jim Chanos says fraud now is reaching extreme levels, even worse than during the COVID-19 pandemic. As tech companies keep pouring money into AI, consumers and banks need to stay alert to these new, high-tech threats.

“Smart Moves for Tough Times: Master Your Money Amid Market Turbulence!”

As inflation holds steady at 2.6% and stock markets retreat from recent highs, financial experts are urging people to take a closer look at their money habits. Tech stocks are seeing particular losses, and rising prices continue to create uncertainty about the economy's direction. Personal finance leaders like Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman are encouraging Americans to focus on building financial security. That means cutting unnecessary spending, paying down debt, and boosting emergency savings. With market ups and downs becoming more common, smart money moves now involve being cautious, staying informed, and sticking to long-term financial plans over risky investments.

“Side Hustle Surge: Top Gigs Powering American Incomes in 2025”

In 2025, many Americans are turning to side gigs to make extra money as wages stay flat and big companies continue to lay off workers. A popular article highlights six side hustles recommended by Grok, an AI tool created by Elon Musk. These side gigs are known for having low startup costs and real earning potential. Some of the top ones include AI prompt engineering, e-commerce, and mobile car detailing. Mobile car washing has become especially popular because people want convenient services and can now book them through apps. Hard-working individuals in this field are earning between $36,000 and $90,000 per year, showing how side hustles are helping people stay financially stable in uncertain times.

“One Big Beautiful Bill: Tax Reform Revolutionizes American Filing!”

On July 4, 2025, the U.S. government passed a major tax reform law called the *One Big Beautiful Bill Act* (OBBBA). This new law changes many parts of the federal tax system and aims to make earlier tax cuts permanent. It keeps the current income tax brackets the same for most people and continues the higher exemption amounts for the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), which helps some taxpayers avoid extra taxes. For the 2025 tax year, the standard deduction—the amount of income that isn't taxed—goes up to $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for couples filing jointly. These amounts will also be adjusted each year for inflation. The OBBBA is one of the biggest tax changes since 2017 and will affect how millions of Americans file their taxes.