John-Mark Young

Every time the S&P 500 hits a record, investors wonder how their own accounts measure up. But the S&P 500 covers only two of Dave Ramsey's four categories — Growth and Growth & Income — leaving out Aggressive Growth and International entirely. Comparing four categories to two isn't a scorecard; it's a recipe for frustration. Here's what's happening beneath the headlines in small caps, value stocks, and international markets, and why owning all four still matters.

For many families, funding a child's education is a top financial goal — and grandparents often want to help. A recent change to federal financial aid rules now excludes grandparent-owned 529 accounts from the student income portion of the aid calculation, removing a longstanding drawback. Combined with tax-free growth, generous gifting limits, and new flexibility for unused funds, these accounts deserve a second look as part of a family's education funding and legacy planning strategy.

July brought increased market volatility as investors weighed AI infrastructure spending, geopolitical tension in the Middle East, and shifting Fed policy. Despite short-term pullbacks, broad markets remain near all-time highs following strong year-to-date performance. Key drivers—from rising Treasury yields and oil price spikes to new trade tariffs—highlight the ongoing importance of portfolio balance. Discover essential lessons from July's economic shifts to help navigate the rest of the year.