Financial Wellness
THE
essenger
October 2026
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Wednesday, October 28, 2026
The Messenger/Fort Dodge, Iowa www.messengernews.net
www.messengernews.net
The Messenger/Fort Dodge, Iowa
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Conserving fuel as prices rise Fuel is a necessity for millions of drivers on the country’s roadways. According to a recent report from Experian Automotive, approximately 1.4 percent of the 292.3 million cars and trucks on the road in the United States in 2024 were electric. Even though the number of EVs is rising, there are still plenty of people behind the wheels of gas-powered vehicles that require routine fill-ups. As of late March 2026, Canadian gas prices surged to an average of roughly $1.68-$1.86 per liter (there are roughly 3.785 liters in a gallon). The national average gas price in the United States at the same time was $3.98 per gallon. When gas prices rise due to various factors, drivers are increasingly interested in ways to conserve fuel and stretch their dollars further. Here are some ways to mitigate rising gas prices. • Reduce your speed. Driving at moderate speeds increases efficient consumption of fuel. Some vehicles may feature an “ECO” mode that optimizes fuel consumption by restricting engine power, among other changes, or notifies the driver when they are driving in a manner that is using fuel wisely. Driving above 50 miles per hour reduces fuel economy considerably. • Practice smooth driving. Drivers should avoid aggressive starts (gunning it) and hard braking, which can eat into fuel efficiency. Letting off the accelerator early and coasting to red lights or stop signs helps. • Rely on cruise control. Cruise control helps maintain a steady speed, which can save fuel on highway travel.
• Keep tires inflated. Properly inflating tires to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI can improve fuel economy by roughly 0.6 percent to 3 percent for most drivers, offers the U.S. Department of Energy. Driving on tires that are 20 percent under-inflated can reduce fuel economy by as much as 10 percent. Removing unnecessary heavy items from the vehicle also can help to reduce drag. • Limit idling and combine trips. Turn off the vehicle when stopped for more than a few minutes. When running errands, combine short trips to keep the engine warm, which is more efficient. • Skip the premium fuel. Unless a vehicle owner’s manual specifically recommends filling up with premium fuel, drivers will not see an increase in performance by choosing this more expensive option, offers Progressive Insurance. A person will just be paying more for premium, which is always more expensive than standard 87-octane fuel. Drivers can use various strategies to conserve fuel when gas becomes more expensive.
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Wednesday, October 28, 2026
The Messenger/Fort Dodge, Iowa www.messengernews.net
How parents can save on everyday expenses A high cost of living has been a point of public and private discussion for some time. The cost of everything from housing to food to entertainment has seemingly risen dramatically in recent years, and some areas are feeling the pinch more than others. For example, the Cost of Living Index from the World Population Review indicates that Californians’ cost of living is 42 percent higher than the national average, while Oklahomans’ cost of living is 14 percent below the national average. Even residents living in places with a lower-than-average cost of living are not immune to concerns about how to pay for daily expenditures like food, gasoline and utilities that in many instances have become considerably more expensive in recent years. As parents navigate the rising cost of living, they can keep these pointers in mind in an attempt to save money on daily expenses. • Bundle entertainment-related expenses. A 2025 report in Adwave noted that the cable television penetration rate dropped from 88 percent in 2010 to 35 percent in 2025. By 2025, 77 million households had already cut the cord with cable TV. While families may have cut costs to reduce what they spent to watch their favorite shows, the explosion of television streaming platforms, which now number more than 200 across the globe, has made it possible that some families are spending even more on TV now than they were when they had cable years ago. Parents paying for multiple streaming subscriptions each month may be able to cut back on that spending by bundling subscriptions. If bundling isn’t possible, look for deals through mobile service providers, or consider canceling subscriptions to seldom-used platforms. • Make a list before going to the grocery store. Shoppers know how easy it can be to make impulse buys when visiting a modern grocery store with dozens of displays and as many as 20 aisles of merchandise. Without a shopping list in hand, it
can be easy to succumb to temptation and spend more at the store. Parents can make a list prior to leaving for the grocery store and only purchase the items that make the cut. Over time, making a list and sticking to it could save parents a considerable amount of money. • Make use of cash back offers. Some credit cards feature cash back offers where users earn cash back on all purchases. (Note: Some cards limit cash back to certain categories, such as gas.) Even a cash back offer of 2 percent can save parents a considerable amount of money over time, but only if cardholders pay the balances in full before interest accrues each month. A 2 percent cash back card used to make $10,000 worth of purchases can earn cardholders $200 in cash back rewards. • Be more efficient when driving. Gas is a big monthly expense for families. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average driver spent $201 per month on gasoline in 2024, the most recent year with full consumer spending data. Families might spend even more driving kids to and from practices, games, dance recitals, birthday parties, and other activities. Parents may be able to reduce their gasoline consumption by resolving to be more efficient when doing things like running errands. The fewer short trips drivers make, the more efficiently their vehicles consume fuel. Cost of living is a burden for many families. But parents can implement various strategies to cut back on daily expenses.
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5 reasons to
The Messenger/Fort Dodge, Iowa
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
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draw up a will It is easy to put off estate planning for another day. But having a legally binding will drawn up is one of the most important financial and personal decisions a person can make. A will is not merely a document for the wealthy who have significant portfolios and real estate holdings. A will is a vital tool that honors a person’s wishes, protects their assets and spares their loved ones unnecessary hardships during a time of profound grief.
Here are the five reasons why drawing up a will is important. 1. Control asset distribution
Without a will, a person will die intestate. According to MetLife, state intestacy laws dictate who inherits a person’s property, regardless of the decedent’s actual relationships or verbal promises. A will gives an individual sole authority to decide exactly who receives their real estate, savings, family heirlooms, and investments, preventing potential disputes among surviving relatives.
2. Appoint a guardian for minor children
For parents, this is often the most critical function of a will. If both parents pass away unexpectedly without naming a legal guardian for their minor children, a court will decide who raises them, indicates Snyder Law. A will allows people to choose a trusted individual who shares their values, ensuring children are cared for by someone who parents and children know and trust.
3. Streamline the probate process
All estates must go through probate in the United States. Investopedia says probate is the court-supervised process of distributing assets. Dying without a will complicates and prolongs this process, requiring the court to appoint an administrator and trace legal heirs. A valid will accelerates probate, minimizes legal fees, and allows beneficiaries to access their inheritance much faster.
4. Designate an executor
An executor manages the decedent’s estate — paying off final debts, closing accounts, and distributing assets according to instructions, indicates TIAA. By drawing up a will, one can select a reliable, highly capable individual to handle these complex duties, rather than leaving them to the court.
5. Minimize estate taxes
A will can be structured to reduce the tax burden on heirs, says Empower. Through strategic asset distribution, establishing trusts or making charitable bequests, a person can shield a larger portion of their estate from inheritance or estate taxes. Taking the time to draw up a will is a final act of care and responsibility that protects one’s legacy and provides peace of mind for family.
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Wednesday, October 28, 2026
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Financial mistakes anyone can avoid Earnings go a long way toward determining an individual’s financial security. However, high wages do not guarantee longterm financial security any more than lower wages ensure a future marked by a lack of financial flexibility. Individuals are a unique variable in any financial equation, and those who can exercise and maintain some fiscal discipline are more likely to secure long-term security than those who cannot. One way anyone can improve their chances at a secure and flexible financial future is to identify and avoid some common mistakes. Avoiding the following mistakes can increase the chances individuals at various income levels enjoy a secure financial future. • Delay saving for retirement: Conventional wisdom says it’s never too early to begin saving for retirement. Despite that, surveys indicate many adults are behind on saving. A 2022 survey from Bankrate found that 55 percent of respondents indicated they were behind on their retirement savings, while 35 percent reported being “significantly behind.” Though laws governing retirement contributions have made it easier
for people to catch up, it’s still better to begin saving once you enter the professional arena, which for most people is some time in their early to mid-twenties. The longer you delay saving for retirement, the more precarious your financial future becomes. • Spending beyond your means: The post-pandemic increase in cost-of-living has garnered considerable attention in recent years, when inflation has driven up the cost of just about everything. There’s little consumers can do about the rising cost of living, but making a concerted effort to curtail spending is one way to combat the spike. However, surveys indicate many people earning significant salaries are living paycheck-to-paycheck. For example, a 2021 report from LendingClub Corporation found that nearly 40 percent of individuals with annual incomes greater than $100,000 live paycheck to paycheck, with 12 percent reporting they are struggling to pay their bills. An assortment of variables undoubtedly contribute to that stark reality, and one might be a tendency for consumers to spend beyond their means. Individuals who are struggling to curtail their spending are urged to seek the help of a certified financial planner who can help them devise a budget and alleviate some of the stress and pressure associated with overspending or living paycheck to paycheck. • Poor use of credit: Credit cards can be a financial safety blanket, but that blanket can soon smother consumers who don’t know how and when to utilize credit. Reserve credit
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The Messenger/Fort Dodge, Iowa
cards for emergency situations and resist the temptation to use them for daily expenses, such as groceries and gas. Credit card interest rates tend to be in the double digits, so unless card holders can pay their balances in full each month, they’re only exacerbating the already high cost of living by using credit for daily expenses.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
• Buying too much house: Overspending on housing is another financial mistake, and arguably the one that’s the most difficult to avoid. It can be hard to walk away from a dream home, but such a decision could secure your financial future. Unfortunately, data indicates far too many individuals are spending more on housing than conventional financial wisdom recommends. The most recent Consumer Expenditure Survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that spending on housing accounted for 33 percent of the average household’s monthly expenses and that the average household spent 88 percent of its after-tax income each month. That latter figure is especially troubling, as conventional financial wisdom recommends a saving rate of 20 percent. Overspending on housing greatly affects a person’s ability to save and invest, so resisting the temptation to buy that expensive dream home could be the difference between a secure or scary financial future. Avoiding some common mistakes can help individuals be more financially flexible and secure over the long haul.
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Wednesday, October 28, 2026
The Messenger/Fort Dodge, Iowa www.messengernews.net