Jeff Snell

9 Non-Toxic Kitchen Tools, Recommended by a Former Chef

Lifestyle

Before I started a career in food media, I was a chef for just under 10 years. I worked at a variety of places, including brunch, fine dining, all-vegan, and classic Italian restaurants. In my near-decade of time behind the line, I’ve used thousands of pieces of cookware and kitchen equipment. So naturally, I have some serious opinions on what actually works.

In the past few years, the focus on non-toxic kitchen gear has grown. Many tools meant for professional kitchens

Source: 9 Non-Toxic Kitchen Tools, Recommended by a Former Chef

9 Non-Toxic Kitchen Tools, Recommended by a Former Chef Read Post »

Our Two Cents: Automotive Products We Regret Purchasing – Hagerty Media

Lifestyle

Regret comes in several forms, and when it comes to cars it can be something you did or did not purchase. For this installment of Our Two Cents, we are focusing on the purchases that ultimately led to disappointment. Rest assured, this isn’t about a specific brand or model. This is more about generalized products that we didn’t get enough utility out of in the first place.

So let’s see what the team at Hagerty Media came up with, and we look

Source: Our Two Cents: Automotive Products We Regret Purchasing – Hagerty Media

Our Two Cents: Automotive Products We Regret Purchasing – Hagerty Media Read Post »

Correction or Bear Market? | Zacks Investment Management Blog

Markets

Market volatility continues apace, as news headlines, and even simple statements or policy hints, have shown the ability to move markets quickly in both directions. This kind of short-term volatility can feel like it carries greater meaning in the moment. But it doesn’t always tell us much about what is happening beneath the surface. In fact, it often gives investors the wrong message.1

My case-in-point this week: the growing gap between the market’s largest growth stocks and the broader index. As shown below, the once-heralded names in Technology and the “Magnificent Seven” have declined significantly more than the S&P 500 overall in 2026, with drawdowns approaching three times the magnitude of the broader market.

Source: Correction or Bear Market? | Zacks Investment Management Blog

Correction or Bear Market? | Zacks Investment Management Blog Read Post »

Spending shock

How spending shocks affect retirement planning

Lifestyle, Markets, Retirement

Market performance tends to dominate the conversation about risks to a retirement plan. But spending shocks can also curb a retirement portfolio’s longevity. In Morningstar’s research, we examined the implications of two major types of spending shocks: unanticipated early retirement and uninsured long-term care expenses at the end of life. The former may necessitate spending over a longer period, often with higher healthcare costs in the pre-Medicare years, while the latter can translate into an effective “balloon payment” toward the end of life.

Early retirement — before the standard age of 65 — is an increasingly common scenario.

Source: How spending shocks affect retirement planning

How spending shocks affect retirement planning Read Post »

These Underrated Midwest Cities Are Among the Best Places to Retire Thanks to Affordability and High Quality of Life

Lifestyle, Retirement, Travel

As more current and future retirees see their budgets squeezed by rising housing and living costs, the Midwest has become a popular destination for older adults looking for affordability. In its annual report, Investopedia highlighted the 25 best retirement cities in the Midwest, which the publication explains offer lower everyday expenses than those in coastal areas.

And while the region encompasses 12 states, this year’s ranking is dominated by five: Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Investopedia prioritized several factors in determining the winners, with affordability and cost of living carrying the most weight,

Source: These Underrated Midwest Cities Are Among the Best Places to Retire Thanks to Affordability and High Quality of Life

These Underrated Midwest Cities Are Among the Best Places to Retire Thanks to Affordability and High Quality of Life Read Post »

cars on road during daytime

10 Best European Road Trips Every Traveler Should Take Once

Lifestyle, Travel

A European road trip is a traveler’s rite of passage. Not only does it allow you to explore villages, mountains, lakes, and ancient ruins you might not get a chance to see when taking public transportation, but it also challenges you a bit. You may have to drive on the other side of the road, figure out how to pump gas in another country, or navigate the route via signs that aren’t in your first language.

No matter where you choose to go for your road trip, there are a few things to keep in mind, starting with when to go. “The best months are almost always April through June or September through early November, when

Source: 10 Best European Road Trips Every Traveler Should Take Once

10 Best European Road Trips Every Traveler Should Take Once Read Post »

brown wooden bench under green tree during daytime

Nobody talks about why so many retired people suddenly care deeply about things that seem trivial – the garden, the bird feeder, the perfect sourdough – but psychologists say these aren’t hobbies, they’re the first projects in decades where the only metric of success is personal satisfaction – VegOut

Lifestyle, Retirement

After decades of being measured by test scores, performance reviews, and others’ expectations, retirees are discovering the radical freedom of caring deeply about things—garden stones, bird feeders, sourdough starters—that matter to absolutely no one but themselves.

Source: Nobody talks about why so many retired people suddenly care deeply about things that seem trivial – the garden, the bird feeder, the perfect sourdough – but psychologists say these aren’t hobbies, they’re the first projects in decades where the only metric of success is personal satisfaction – VegOut

Nobody talks about why so many retired people suddenly care deeply about things that seem trivial – the garden, the bird feeder, the perfect sourdough – but psychologists say these aren’t hobbies, they’re the first projects in decades where the only metric of success is personal satisfaction – VegOut Read Post »

black chevrolet camaro on road during daytime

The Classic Cars Quiet Buyers Are Securing Before The Crowd Arrives

Lifestyle

The smartest collector move almost never begins with applause. It begins with a longer look than everyone else gave the car, a phone call made before the next person catches on, and the feeling that something beautiful, important, and still slightly underappreciated is starting to shift. That is the real romance of the collector market. The obvious trophy cars get the noise, but the more revealing action often happens a little offstage, where taste, patience, and timing matter more than spectacle.

Right now, that quieter corner of the hobby looks especially interesting. Hagerty’s recent market work and Hemmings’ investment guide

Source: The Classic Cars Quiet Buyers Are Securing Before The Crowd Arrives

The Classic Cars Quiet Buyers Are Securing Before The Crowd Arrives Read Post »

Markets Are Volatile—But Here’s Why That Doesn’t Mean Trouble | Zacks Investment Management Blog

Markets

Market Volatility Doesn’t Always Signal Economic Weakness

Market volatility has been on the rise. The conflict involving Iran has injected fresh uncertainty into the outlook, particularly through its potential impact on energy markets. And just as quickly as oil spiked and stocks wobbled on fears of escalation, markets reversed course early this week after reports of possible diplomatic progress—sending Brent crude sharply lower and stocks higher.1

This kind of day-by-day price action is a useful reminder that headlines can move markets in the short run. But investors should be careful not to confuse short-term volatility with a lasting change in the underlying economic picture.

Source: Markets Are Volatile—But Here’s Why That Doesn’t Mean Trouble | Zacks Investment Management Blog

Markets Are Volatile—But Here’s Why That Doesn’t Mean Trouble | Zacks Investment Management Blog Read Post »

A large group of people walking around a building

9 Most Confiscated Items by TSA and What to Pack Instead

Travel

As a frequent flier traveling two or three times a month, I’m often asked how I handle the stress. The truth is, travel is like anything else—the more you do it, the easier it gets. That applies to everything from packing to navigating a new city, and of course, breezing through TSA.

In all my years as a travel writer, I’ve only had one item confiscated—a corkscrew with a hidden blade. It turns out that’s a commonly seized item, according to former TSA agent Caleb Harmon-Marshall,

Source: 9 Most Confiscated Items by TSA and What to Pack Instead

9 Most Confiscated Items by TSA and What to Pack Instead Read Post »

Retirement Is a Glide Path, Not a Cliff | Morningstar

Behavioral Finance, Financial Planning, Retirement

Why Financial Independence Is a Tonic Against Career Burnout

Christine Benz: I wanted to talk about the news that you were financially independent. It sounds like it was anticlimactic, but you also said that it was a great tonic against career burnout because you are continuing to work. It sounds like you really like your work as a physician, but can you talk about that, how crossing that threshold and hearing that you were financially independent was kind of

Source: Retirement Is a Glide Path, Not a Cliff | Morningstar

Retirement Is a Glide Path, Not a Cliff | Morningstar Read Post »

Want to live a longer, healthier human life? Dog brains might hold key information for longevity. – CBS News

Health & Fitness, Lifestyle

It was personal when Pat Schultz enrolled her German shepherd-poodle mix in the Dog Aging Project. Her husband was suffering from Alzheimer’s at the time, and the project her dog was participating in aimed to advance research into both canine and human aging.

Her dog, 12-year-old Murphy,…

Source: Want to live a longer, healthier human life? Dog brains might hold key information for longevity. – CBS News

Want to live a longer, healthier human life? Dog brains might hold key information for longevity. – CBS News Read Post »

Investors are turning bearish—that could be good for stocks | Zacks Investment Management Blog

Industry, Markets

Why Rising Pessimism May Ultimately Be Good for Stocks

Uncertainty is running high at the moment, and it’s making investors more skittish about economic growth and the direction of markets. I think that’s a good thing.

Investors are not wrong to be cautious. The war in Iran has pushed oil prices sharply higher and raised fresh questions about inflation. Software stocks have stumbled as investors reassess just how much future growth is already priced in.

And the latest

Source: Investors are turning bearish—that could be good for stocks | Zacks Investment Management Blog

Investors are turning bearish—that could be good for stocks | Zacks Investment Management Blog Read Post »

March 13, 2026: Market News & Financial Planning Tips

Authored by Jeff, Financial Planning, Markets

This Week’s Market

The war in Iran continues to elevate volatility in the stock markets. Market participants can’t decide if oil price spikes and crashes might cause real harm to worldwide economies, or whether Iran is just shooting itself in the foot. Considering that the U.S. is now the world’s largest exporter of oil and natural gas, reactions seemed to be muted to date.

Volatility remains and has given the market an overall downward ’tilt’ this week because more than anything, the markets do not like uncertainty. Following a “manic Monday” that saw the S&P 500 flip from a 1.5% loss to a 0.8% gain, markets remained sensitive to shifting oil prices and revised GDP figures.

By Friday morning at 11 am, the S&P 500 rose 0.34%, the Dow gained 0.36%, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.34%. While the ride is bumpy, the late-week rally highlights the market’s resilient ability to find its footing [1, 2].

Trending Topics This Week

A primary discussion on social media and news outlets involves the “Spring Cleaning” of financial lives. With tax season in full swing, there is a significant focus on making last-minute 2025 IRA or HSA contributions to lower tax bills.

Additionally, the recent dip in mortgage rates below 6% has reignited conversations about the “K-shaped” divide, as affluent households leverage rising home equity while others navigate persistent inflation pressures [3, 4].

This Week’s Ideas

For those within the “retirement red zone,” a fresh personal finance hack is the “Senior Deduction Double-Dip.” Under current 2026 rules, if you are 65 or older, you may qualify for a new $6,000 senior deduction in addition to the standard deduction, provided your income stays below certain thresholds. A savvy workaround for those with slightly higher incomes is to use “Qualified Charitable Distributions” (QCDs) to lower your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). By reducing your AGI through direct-to-charity transfers, you may “unlock” the eligibility for this extra $6,000 deduction, effectively shielding more of your remaining income from taxes [5, 6].

If you have any questions about these strategies or your own plan, please reach out to us by replying directly to this email, or by calling or texting our office at 480-575-7688. I personally read and respond to every message.

If you are not yet a client and want to see how we can help you navigate these trends, please book a quick financial ‘triage’ call.

1. Las Vegas Sun, “How major US stock indexes fared Monday 3/9/2026,” March 9, 2026. 2. 24/7 Wall St, “Stock Market Live March 13, 2026: S&P 500 Rallies on Easing Oil Prices,” March 13, 2026. 3. Davis Capital Management, “Smart Financial Planning Moves for March 2026,” March 12, 2026. 4. Experian, “The Latest Personal Finance News for March 2026,” March 1, 2026. 5. Fidelity Investments, “7 Smart Money Moves for 2026 Retirement Planning,” Dec 31, 2025. 6. SmartAsset, “9 Retirement Planning Tips for 2026,” Jan 22, 2026.

The information on our website and this blog is for information purposes only. It is believed to be reliable, but JR Snell Capital Management does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The information on our website and in this newsletter or blog is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase of stock or any financial instrument.

March 13, 2026: Market News & Financial Planning Tips Read Post »

Scroll to Top