“The seasons go round and round, and the painted ponies go up and down.” - J. Mitchell

📈 Stock Quote

“My advice today, to established acts and new-coming acts, is the same advice I’d give to myself: pause for a minute, and really think about ‘What is your goal? Where do you see yourself?’”

📖 — Trent Reznor, American musician and composer.

🧩 Riddle Me

Minnesota State Fair Trivia – Triple Play

Q: How many glasses of milk does the average customer drink at the All You Can Drink Milk booth?

Q: What are the record high and low temperatures during the fair?

Q: In 1902, the St. Paul and Minneapolis school boards pushed the opening day of school back to the Monday after the State Fair. What was their stated reason for doing this?

(answers below)

🔗 Recent Vector Posts & Pods

Discussions from our blog that aim to spark dialogue, enhance retirement readiness, and help make more informed financial choices.

Minnesota Veterans Pantry, Charitable Giving and Financial Planning

🎤 Interview: Tom Lyons—a Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran, M&A advisor, and passionate philanthropist—shares how his military service inspired founding the Minnesota Veterans Pantry. (podcast hosted by Chris Wagner)

Business Valuations and Exit Strategies with Tom Lyons

🎤 Interview: Tom Lyons, founder of Faelon Partners Ltd., is a seasoned M&A advisor and author with over four decades of experience helping business owners maximize valuation, develop exit strategies, and align outcomes with their wealth and retirement goals. (podcast hosted by Sharon Calhoun)

One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What It Means for You

🎤 Your guide to understanding the latest tax law changes. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces new rules for deductions, charitable giving, estate planning, and 529 plans. Learn how these updates could shape your financial strategy in 2025 and beyond. (podcast with Sharon & Joe)

Retiring Wild: National Parks and You

📰 Exploring America’s National Parks can do more than satisfy your sense of adventure—it may also lower stress and improve mental clarity. With a Senior Pass and a little curiosity, retirement in the wild could be just what the doctor ordered. (article)

📈 Learn About ABLE Accounts

People with disabilities can use an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account to help pay qualified disability-related expenses. Here are some things to know about ABLE accounts:

This tax-advantaged savings account doesn't affect their eligibility for government assistance programs.
ABLE account-designated beneficiaries may be eligible to claim the saver's credit for a percentage of their contributions.
Eligible beneficiaries must be 18 years old at the close of the taxable year, not dependent or full-time students, and meet the income requirements.
Families may roll over funds from a 529 plan to another family member's ABLE account.
Disability-related expenses include housing, education, transportation, health, prevention and wellness, employment training and support, assistive technology, and personal support services.

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional. Tip adapted from IRS (7/22/24)

🎓 Back to School – Teens and Money

According to a personal finance survey* students’ (teens) biggest concerns about pursuing education after high school are the cost of post-high school education, followed by taking on student debt (50%), uncertainty about career goals (36%), moving and living away from home (33%), and not knowing if post high school education is worth the time and money (24%).

The types of careers teens reported as interested in pursuing include healthcare (22%), digital influencer (18%), trade/vocational work (10%), government (9%), corporate office job (8%), and nonprofit work (4%).

Especially telling is that nearly two-thirds (61%) would rather start their own business than have a traditional job.

*Wakefield Research conducted a survey of 1,000 teens between the ages of 13 and 18 for the 6th Annual JA Teens & Personal Finance Survey. March 2023.

🔴 Open the Pod Bay Doors, HAL

The biggest percentage increase of AI users in the past year was people 65+!

This Pew Research Center chart shows that 18-29 have embraced ChatGPT (an AI chatbot) faster than any other age group. No surprise. But what caught our attention was the 65+ numbers!

They’ve seen a big increase in users—a 150 percent increase from 4 percent to 10 percent in less than two years.

🍋 Infused Water Recipes

Staying hydrated is essential for your overall health—and it can be delicious, too. These simple, refreshing infused water combinations add a flavorful twist to your daily hydration.

To infuse: Combine your chosen ingredients in a pitcher, fill with water, and refrigerate. For best flavor, remove the fruits, vegetables, or herbs after 24 hours.

Try these delicious combinations:

Honeydew, cucumber, and mint
Watermelon, kiwi, and lime
Mango, raspberries, and ginger root
Blackberries, orange, and ginger root
Grapefruit, pomegranate, and mint
Pineapple, coconut, and lime
Blueberries, lemon, and rosemary
Strawberries, lemon, and basil

💧 Drinking water has never been tastier—or more beautiful.

Tip Adapted from Culinary Hill (3/19/25)

🎡 The Minnesota State Fair

Often referred to as the “Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the annual State Fair is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. Boasting attendance totals of 1,835,826 people over the 12-day event in 2024.

Here is a collection of State Fair articles from our friends at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. From an interview with Sweet Martha and crop art to new foods (soft-serve beer?) and transportation guides, there is something for everyone. Visit: mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/statefair for more.

And, check out the Minnesota State Fair’s website at mnstatefair.org.

🧩 Riddle Answer

A: At the All You Can Drink Milk booth, the average customer drinks between two and three 12-oz. glasses of milk.

A: Record setting temperatures. High: 104 degrees in 1931; Record low: 33 degrees in 1890.

A: St. Paul and Minneapolis school boards stated there was “more to be learned in a single day at the fair than in double the time at school or college.”

Well Balanced Vol. 40