Articles

Following the July 4th weekend, we’ve moved past the peak homebuying season, which typically is thought to span from April through the end of June in the U.S. Over the holiday weekend, the housing market came up in conversation often, with one key theme emerging: affordability. Whether from personal experience or through family and friends, many agree—buying a home today feels increasingly out of reach.

The digital world has brought incredible convenience to our lives—from online banking to real-time investment tracking. But with these advancements come new and evolving cybersecurity threats, many of which specifically target retirees and high-net-worth individuals. Scammers are no longer just sending poorly written emails riddled with typos; they’re using cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to create exceptionally convincing frauds.

Australian Field Marshal William Slim, who commanded troops in World Wars I and II, said, “In battle, nothing is ever as good or as bad as the first reports of excited men would have it.” As a young Army officer, I learned a simpler version: “The first report is always wrong.” This is generally true and something I was guilty of many times. When an event like an enemy attack occurs, subordinates report up the chain of command, but initial reports are often inaccurate.