Reach your goals
Remove risk from your investment portfolio
Depending on your financial goals and personal preferences, you may have a moderate to high risk investment portfolio. However, if you have recently felt anxious about one of the following situations, you may want to consider reducing your risks.
You’ve reconsidered your tolerance. Recently, investors who thought they could manage occasional market declines have changed their minds. One possible solution: Invest in companies that sell basic everyday household products, including consumer goods and utility stocks. Historically, they have been approximately 20% less volatile than the broad market.
You are approaching retirement. The five years before and after retirement can cause stress, as a market decline during these years can impact your investment portfolio at the same time you planned to begin withdrawals. You might consider reducing risk in the medium-term portion of your portfolio, which may include adding some short- or medium-term bond funds.
Your job may be unsafe. You may be concerned about the possibility of being laid off, especially if it happens to a friend or family member. The best de-risking strategy in this situation is simple. Keep your portfolio allocation the same but focus on putting cash in an emergency fund to cover three to six months of living costs if you find yourself out of work.
These tips are for educational purposes only. Consult your CFP, RIA, or broker before making financial decisions. Or contact your local APM Loan Counselor if you would like a referral.
Source: Kiplinger.com
Mortgage IQ
Savvy shoppers have been bundling coupons for years, combining two or more discounts to maximize their savings. More recently, homebuyers have discovered that bundling two or three housing-related incentives can work just as well. Here are some things you may be able to “stack on” to buy an affordable home.
Ask about a purchase. A buyout is an incentive where the home seller pays to temporarily lower the buyer’s interest rate. This can translate into significantly smaller mortgage payments over the first one to three years.
Look at statewide closing cost balances for 2026. Your state’s housing finance agency, department of community affairs, or housing authority is a great place to start. While you’re there, check out the details of any new down payment assistance programs.
Don’t leave money on the table at tax time. After you move in, visiting IRS.gov can get you tax credits for new and established homebuyers. If you make any energy-efficient improvements to your new home, be sure to take a look at Form 5695.
If you’re planning to buy your first home this spring, Contact your local APM loan advisor. They may be able to help you find more savings.
Source: fanniemae.com
Financial news
March jobs report: More hiring, less worries
The US labor market rebounded in March, with job creation much stronger than expected. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nonfarm payrolls rose by a seasonally adjusted 178,000. This was a reversal from the decline of 133,000 jobs recorded in February. Additionally, the February number was revised down by 41,000 while the January number was revised up by 34,000 to 160,000, leaving the three-month average at around 68,000.
Jobs in health care accounted for most of the growth, with the sector adding 76,000 jobs. The construction sector saw an increase of 26,000, while the transportation and storage sector recorded an increase of 21,000.
On the downside, the federal government saw a loss of $18,000, while financial activities lost $15,000.
Be sure to check out the following article if you would like to learn more about the future job opportunities that data centers will create.
Source: cnbc.com
Did you know?
Forget the corner office. Data centers want business skills.
While concern about AI replacing white-collar jobs continues to make headlines, a less discussed topic — the data center boom — is creating lucrative opportunities for skilled trade workers. That’s because a lot of AI data centers are in the works and can’t build themselves.
Big tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon are funneling billions into these facilities. Amazon recently announced a $12 billion commitment to build a new AI data center in Louisiana. The state will also house Meta’s new Hyperion data center, which is expected to consume more electricity than the city of New Orleans.
With thousands more planned for construction, this translates into additional jobs for tradesmen who install and repair mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. They are no longer described as blue-collar workers. Instead, recruiters called them “new-collar employees” whose skills were considered as valuable as those of executives.
Wages for new-collar workers have actually increased. For example, wages for HVAC engineers have risen about 10% to 15% in the past four years, which is much higher than The 3% increase seen by middle-wage workers holding positionsProduction and transportation jobs from 2019 to 2023. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang even predicted that six-figure salaries are on the horizon for data center employees.
One factor that will continue to drive up new-collar salaries is the shortage of these workers. The National Association of Manufacturers has forecast a potential shortfall of 1.9 million by 2033, while the Related Builders and Contractors Group estimates that nearly half a million new workers will be needed as soon as next year.
Source: Lab recruitment website
Personal finances
Credit report errors are on the rise. Here’s how to fix yours.
A recent report from the nonprofit ProPublica found that massive funding cuts in 2025 have seriously reduced the ability of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to oversee the “big three” credit bureaus Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
To complicate matters further, consumer complaints about credit report errors have increased. In 2023, the CFPB sent nearly 1.3 million credit-related complaints to the appropriate credit bureau. During 2025, consumers filed nearly five million complaints with the CFPB related to credit reporting, According to the National Consumer Law Center.
With the volume of complaints on the rise, it is more important than ever to be vigilant. Credit-related mistakes can jeopardize your ability to get a credit card, car loan, or job. They can also be very expensive if you plan to apply for a mortgage soon, as any credit mistake that lowers your FICO score could result in a higher mortgage interest rate.
According to the CFPB, the most common credit report errors occur when the bureau incorrectly records a consumer’s name, address, date of birth, or Social Security number. Combining your information with someone else who matches your name is another name.
Other common errors:
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Accounts or loans are erroneously listed as unpaid, or in collections
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Individual loans are listed several times
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Fraudulent accounts listed as a result of identity theft
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The current balance or credit limit is incorrect
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Closed accounts are reported as open
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Accounts that list you as the owner only when you’re an authorized user
You can get free weekly credit reports from each of the major credit bureaus by visiting the website annualcreditreport.com.
Source: cnbc.com
food
Grilled gyro bowl
Want to offer something everyone will enjoy customizing? these Grilled gyro bowl They are served with fresh pita bread and plenty of toppings, so everyone can create their own meal. They’re especially delicious with creamy tzatziki sauce.
Around the house
Relax in a bedroom hideaway
It doesn’t matter if you own your home or rent it – we tend to spend more time beautifying the common spaces that visitors see first, like the living room. However, the bedroom is entirely yours, so you are free to customize it as you like.
This year, more interior designers are being asked to help create bedrooms that feel warmer, more authentic and reflective of the lifestyles their residents have chosen.
For those who want a bedroom that protects them from the outside world, consider adding some elements of what is called a “cocoon bedroom.” Features include padded and upholstered headboards, and even upholstered wall panels to create a sense of calm. Fabrics such as silk, mohair and washed linen soften the acoustics and provide a custom finish.
Another way to turn the bedroom into a quiet zone is to go back to the days before Wi-Fi and cell phones. Designers are receiving requests to create analog bedrooms where cell phones and other Wi-Fi devices are banned, even in areas like California’s Silicon Valley. Televisions are removed or hidden behind panels so occupants can unplug, recharge and enjoy a better night’s sleep. If you’re looking for ways to improve your sleep quality, studies have shown this An analog bedroom could be the solution.
Source: elledecor.com
