Chris Perme

One easy way to spot AI in writing is through something called contrastive framing: it’s not x, it’s y. For example, “It’s not me, it’s you.” That formula can force ideas into opposition, and lately it mirrors the way many people are discussing world events. More and more, topics are...

For all the headlines telling us people are burned out, overspending, under-saving, distracted, anxious, and financially behind… there’s actually some good news emerging underneath the surface. Last week, reports showed that the number of Americans with “super prime” credit scores — generally considered 780 and above — is growing, especially...

We’re living longer than any previous generation. The real measure, though, has never been the length of a life but the quality of it. And that raises a question that doesn’t get asked often enough: is your financial life structured to support the kind of life you actually want...

It sounds like a page out of Dr. Seuss: Oh, to know what you don’t know. But playful as that sounds, it captures a familiar impulse for investors in both the U.S. and Canada right now. If we could anticipate every policy shift, market reaction, trade impact, or economic...

“Money is like gas in the car — you need to pay attention or you’ll end up on the side of the road — but a well-lived life is not a tour of gas stations.” Author Tim O’Reilly’s observation feels especially relevant this week as inflation and conflict with...

April is both National Stress Awareness Month and Financial Literacy Month, which feels like a contradiction, since for many people, finances are the stress right now. We’re just days past the April 15 tax deadline, AI FOMO is everywhere (because apparently we should all have digital agents running our lives...

April has a way of encouraging magical thinking. Some are convinced there’s still plenty of time before the April 15th tax deadline. Others imagine a refund check or a raise will solve more than it actually will. And according to a new survey, Americans now believe they’ll need $1.46...

Every year during March Madness, billions of dollars are wagered. A younger generation watches closely, absorbing lessons about prediction, risk, and reward that extend well beyond the brackets. Meanwhile, AI is reshaping industries, global conflicts continue shifting markets, and real questions persist about where disruption begins and opportunity is...

What if the most valuable meeting on your calendar this week is the one you’re least looking forward to? It’s mid-March, and there’s no shortage of things competing for your attention. Spring arrived last week. Tax deadlines are approaching. And the world beyond our windows remains restless—markets reacting to an...

A bold-faced phrase from a New York Times article last week got my attention. It consists of only two words, yet it speaks volumes about facing the future: And yet. These two words introduce a life-changing perspective, especially in times of uncertainty. Financial professionals see a distinct pattern repeat itself more...

The month of March traditionally carries a good deal of tension within its 31 days. There’s a reason people say, “in like a lion, out like a lamb.” And so far, 2026 fits the pattern. Between escalating tensions following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran; the Supreme Court’s...

Your future isn’t waiting — it’s being built here and now. Latest reports show Americans over 65 own a significant share of economic activity. So where does that leave everyone else? Millennials and Gen Z are rethinking careers designed for lifespans that stretch past 100. Gen Alpha is learning about...

Some seasons announce themselves gently. Others arrive with unexpected surprises. So far, 2026 feels like the latter — filled with news that makes us think more carefully about security, stability, and the people we care about most. Surprises can act as a spotlight. They draw our attention to what we...

With Valentine’s Day last weekend, it feels fitting to reflect on our relationship with money—and how it supports the life we want to live. In retirement planning, there’s a common paradox: while money is essential, it is not the same as wealth. True wealth includes health, relationships, purpose, time, and...

Earlier this week, the groundhog saw his shadow — six more weeks of winter, or so tradition says. It’s a familiar ritual that always seems to prompt a moment of reflection: how easily life can settle into patterns that feel repetitive. Same season. Same story. Same headlines. And yet...

A curious inflation story from the past year: the Cost of Living Extremely Well Index—which tracks billionaire spending—rose 5.5% in 2025, roughly twice the inflation most households experienced. Yachts, private jets, designer fashion, and trophy homes—status-heavy purchases—climbed faster than everyday costs. When spending is tied to visibility and signaling success,...

If it feels like every week brings a new plot twist—geopolitical shifts, emerging tech, policy changes, breaking news—you’re not imagining it. The world’s moving fast, and the forecasts keep coming. But the most honest prediction of all? Nobody knows exactly what’s next. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s expected. Uncertainty...

January brings twelve fresh months and a quiet challenge to make them count. And though many resolutions this time of year focus on getting fit, true fitness strengthens every aspect of your life—physical, emotional, and financial—keeping them in balance. To highlight that, a recent Empower survey called “Money on the...

Some gifts don’t come wrapped. They arrive when you surprise a neighbor with food, check in on a friend, or give without expecting anything in return. Those generous moments shape this season, and though all types of giving count, I hope you’re finding time for the kind that matters...

As the days grow shorter and air turns colder, many of us find ourselves slowing down before the full rush of the holidays begins. This quieter season offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and consider where we stand, both personally and financially. Much of the conversation in financial circles lately...

With holiday season ahead of us, thoughts turn to giving —or getting—that perfect gift. The one that earns a big smile or a spark of surprise. But research and real life keep showing the same truth: price doesn’t equal meaning, and thoughtful doesn’t have to mean extravagant. This year, with...

Please pass the pumpkin pie—and that paperwork you’ve been putting off. Thanksgiving is about good food, friends, family, and gratitude. But it’s also a rare pause in our busy year, a moment when everyone finally ends up in the same room. Between the laughter and the leftovers, it might be...

Now that the air’s turning crisp and the days feel shorter, it’s clear that nature has its own way of reminding us to slow down and get ready for what’s ahead. This year’s market activity has had a similar vibe—progress hasn’t moved in a straight line, and there’s been...

With the recent time change, many of us have been resetting clocks and routines for the season ahead. It’s a good reminder that even small shifts can make a real difference—especially in how we think about money. Most financial conversations focus on performance—returns, market swings, retirement timing. Important topics, but...

Halloween may come once a year, but for many people, anxiety around money and the future lasts far longer. Debt, stretched budgets, or savings goals that never seem to stick can feel intimidating—and easy to avoid. This year, many Americans are confronting a tough mix of financial realities: higher living...

Federal government shutdowns tend to sound more alarming than they usually are. While headlines spark anxiety, history shows these episodes rarely leave lasting scars on the economy or markets. Did you know that since 1976, the U.S. has experienced 20 funding gaps, resulting in 10 shutdowns with most only...

Economic headlines and uncertainty can make even the most capable people freeze. Experts call it money paralysis—the feeling that the stakes are so high you’re better off doing nothing at all. But doing nothing has a cost, too. Inaction quietly eats away at progress. This fall, a new idea has...

This month, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by a quarter point. While modest, the move is significant — it marks a turn after a long stretch of holding rates steady at elevated levels. For households and businesses alike, this adjustment is a reminder that financial conditions are always...

How often have you started an important task, only to end up scrolling instead? Experts say our attention spans are shrinking, and economists now view attention as a scarce resource—every bit as valuable as time or capital. We’re only beginning to calculate the real cost of distraction. When focus slips,...

Among last week’s headlines, two very different stories stood out. The first was impossible to miss: a nearly $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot finally found winners in Texas and Missouri. Big lottery wins always dominate attention—after all, who doesn’t like to imagine what they’d do with a billion dollars?  The second...