This monthly communication, “Financial Bullet Points,” will quickly and easily cover the main financial issues we see affecting the markets without being bogged down with a lot of details.
Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter
Prepared on August 18th, 2026
The Bullet Points for September are:
1. FOMO: The fear of missing out (FOMO) is driving stock indexes to record highs farther away from the average than in 76 years. Traders are aggressively chasing momentum, causing Wall Street’s fear gauge (the VIX) to drop significantly as market complacency rises. The present bull market is approaching its average lifespan of 4 years, after which a bear market (a drop of 20% or more) usually sets in. But, could it be “different this time,” and the bull run last 5, 6, or 7 years because of AI? Many of the bulls think so. History will tell.
2. Federal Reserve Regime Change: The first three months of new Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s tenure have been full of changes in market expectations. What was expected to be a year of lower interest rates has instead been a year of potentially higher ones. He plans to change the collection and the type of economic data that is used to make decisions. As a result, the bond markets are adjusting price expectations, and interest rates continue to be a focal point.
3. Reminders for RMDs & Medicare Open Enrollment: We will be in touch soon to discuss your RMD for 2026, so please be prepared with how you would like to handle it. Also, for those age 65+, Medicare open enrollment begins in mid-October, so use the month of September to review your coverage and determine if you believe any changes are necessary.
4. Government Debt: In the first 10 months of the government’s fiscal year, the Treasury reported the deficit rose nearly $1.8 trillion dollars, its highest level in more than five years. The seven largest spending categories are Social Security, Interest on the debt, Medicare, Health programs, National Defense, Income Security, and Veterans Benefits and Services. The overall national debt is now approximately 40 trillion and rising fast. It is wise to plan for a reduction in long-term Social Security benefits, given that the Social Security trust fund is projected to run out of reserves by the end of 2032, just 6 years from now.
5. Financial Media Tactics: Beware of media’s financial tactics during extreme bull and bear markets. They consistently reach out for commentators who agree with whichever way the markets are moving at the time. They have an arsenal of Bull and Bear commentators to pull from to fit the day. These tactics can fool you into believing you are doing something wrong and even make you feel naive, intimidated, or like you’re experiencing FOMO.
Whether this bull market runs another year or turns tomorrow, we remain grounded in the same truth we always have: God is faithful, planning is prudent, and neither fear nor FOMO makes a good financial advisor.
Bob Barber, CWS®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor & President
Matthew Barrovecchio, CFP®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor
Don VandeVanter, CPA
Wealth Advisor