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Need something fun for your older Lego fan to build this summer break? Want some thing fun to add to the gift closet? This set is so much fun and it is a GREAT price! Check out this deal!

Get on over to Amazon and get LEGO Botanicals Min…Read More

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How Would a Texas Stock Exchange Compete With NYSE and Nasdaq?

Anton Petrus/Getty Images Texas is the 2nd largest economy in the U.S. and 8th largest in the world. TXSE would likely attract many Texas based companies as well as compete with the NYSE and Nasdaq.The race to establish "Y'all Street" as a legitimate competitor to the duopoly of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq on Wall Street has kicked into high gear, with billions in potential listing fees at stake. NYSE Texas opened in Dallas in March 2025, securing Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. (DJT) as its first listing, while the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE) has secured $161 million in backing from giants like BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) for a 2026 launch."Texas's $2.7 trillion economy is very large (second in the U.S., eighth in the world) and rapidly-growing (fastest-growing large state in the U.S.)," Bülent Temel, professor of economics at the University of Texas at San Antonio, noted to Investopedia. "It means more and more companies are growing to reach the scale to go public to accelerate their growth. Getting listed and traded in a local Texas exchange would likely be these companies' first choice as it is good PR for them in a state's common culture that rewards localness."Key TakeawaysThe Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE) is the most significant challenge to the NYSE/Nasdaq duopoly in decades, with unprecedented financial backing and institutional support.NYSE Texas launched in late March 2025, giving it the first-mover advantage, while TXSE plans to begin trading in 2026.The Rise of "Y'all Street"Regional exchanges once operated across America, but by the late 20th century, regulatory changes and technological advances had solidified the NYSE-Nasdaq duopoly, with the last of the five regional exchanges swept away by consolidation from 2006 to 2009.Attempts by others to carve out market share by focusing on high-frequency trading (HFT) largely went nowhere in the 2010s. Backers of the TXSE say this time is different. The state has drawn in hundreds of major companies with its low taxes, looser regulations, and thriving economy, including high-profile relocations by Tesla (TSLA), Oracle Corp. (ORCL), and Chevron Corporation (CVX).Adding to all this, traditional exchanges face fierce competition from alternative trading systems. According to CBOE data, off-exchange trading venues now account for 51% of U.S. equities volume, compared with 18% for NYSE and 14% for Nasdaq—an increase of about 20% since 2020. This shift largely stems from the rise of dark pools, payment-for-order-flow arrangements, and trade matching among large institutional investors.In January 2025, TXSE filed its 4,000-page Form 1 registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, officially beginning the regulatory approval process with $161 million in capital. The exchange plans to launch its trading operations in early 2026, with listings becoming available by the end of that year.The NYSE, recognizing the growing threat, relocated its Chicago operations to avoid the lengthy process of developing a new exchange from scratch, opening NYSE Texas in Dallas in March 2025, giving it the coveted first-mover advantage in the state.Despite regulations for securities being national and trading that's done electronically, Temel said being a local matters. "Arguably more so than other U.S. states, Texas has a common culture that is proud of its differences ... and its business acumen," he said. "This social psychology will likely pave the way for increasing numbers of Texans to invest in stocks using their local exchanges. Coupled with the fact that the average discretionary income has been rising in Texas, these cultural dynamics signal a bright future for the new exchanges in Dallas."NoteDallas now ranks as the second-largest financial hub in the U.S. by number of finance employees. The southeastern U.S., TXSE’s primary market, is home to 1,500 publicly traded companies and more than 5,200 private equity-backed firms, many of which are eyeing public market access.TXSE vs. NYSE TexasNYSE Texas hit the ground running with established regulatory approvals and infrastructure as part of Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE), giving it immediate global recognition and existing relationships with listed companies.TXSE, while backed by major players like BlackRock and Citadel, must build from scratch—a challenge that its backers frame as an opportunity to implement more efficient systems without legacy constraints.Perhaps most striking is their divergent approach to listing standards. NYSE Texas follows its parent company's established criteria, while TXSE said it's going to institute significantly stricter requirements, with TXSE CEO James Lee saying these standards would exclude about 1,700 companies currently listed on NYSE and Nasdaq, a bold strategy that prioritizes quality over quantity.The Bottom LineTXSE represents the most serious challenge to the NYSE/Nasdaq duopoly in decades. Its unprecedented financial backing, Texas's growing economic clout, and the increasing fragmentation of equity markets provide advantages earlier challengers lacked."There is an unsatisfied demand for stock trading, if not a need per se for local exchanges in Texas," Temel said. "Distinct features of Texas ... create opportunities for many private companies to go public, many public ones to also trade their stocks in Texas, and many more citizens and institutional investors to invest in Texas's exchanges."
Are You Prepared to Retain the Boomer Wealth Transfer?

Cory Sims, an advisor in Cincinnati, talks with Deep Dive host Jay Hummel about how he’s setting the stage to be the advisor that his clients’ beneficiaries know and trust. Cory Sims: Cory Sims is the managing member and investment advisory representative for Sims Investment Management. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a double major in finance and real estate and resides in greater Cincinnati.
Want an Emergency Fund But Don't Know Where to Begin? Here Are 5 Tips to Get You Started

Fact checked by Suzanne KvilhaugFiordaliso/InvestopediaAn emergency fund isn’t just for major disasters. It’s for life’s everyday surprises: a flat tire, an unexpected medical bill, or a layoff you didn’t see coming. And while the idea of saving up months of expenses might sound overwhelming, getting started is easier than you think.“An emergency fund is what stands between you and high-interest debt when things inevitably go wrong with your home, car, health, or life in general,” says Jeremy Zuke, a financial planner at Abundo Wealth. As a result, having some savings tucked away can help keep that surprise expense from becoming a shockingly big one.Here are five practical tips for getting your emergency fund off the ground—no big budget overhaul required.Key TakeawaysEven $50 is enough to kick off an emergency fund—consistency matters more than the amount.Automating savings makes it easier to stick with your plan and avoid temptation.Try to build toward saving three to six months of expenses—it’s OK if it takes a while to work up to your goal.Keeping a portion of savings in your own name—even in a joint household—is one potential safeguard for your funds.If your budget is tight, look for side gigs and small ways to boost your income.1. Set a Realistic Goal for Your Emergency FundYes, the gold standard for emergency funds is saving enough to cover three to six months of expenses. But that’s not where you need to begin.“An emergency fund of a few thousand dollars is an amazing start,” says Zuke. That alone can cover unexpected car or home repairs, medical bills, or emergency travel.Rather than fixating on a massive number, break it into milestones: $500, then $1,000, then a month of expenses. This makes the process feel doable and gives you quick wins to stay motivated. From there, build toward the longer-term goal of weathering a job loss or other major disruption.2. Start Small—It’s About Consistency, Not AmountYou don’t need hundreds of dollars a month to build an emergency fund—you just need to begin.“Setting up an emergency fund is simple—don’t overthink it,” says Zuke. “Most high-yield savings accounts have no minimum, so you could start with as little as $50 or $100.”Start with whatever you can afford—even if it’s $10 or $25 a week. Consistent progress adds up quickly. And if you get a bonus, refund, or cash gift, consider setting aside a chunk toward your fund before spending the rest.3. Automate Your ContributionsAutomating your savings can help ensure you stay on track with your goals. “I strongly recommend automating your monthly contribution because when you never see the money, it’s easier to avoid accidentally spending it,” Zuke says.Set up recurring transfers to a dedicated high-yield savings account so your savings can keep working for you. Better yet, Zuke suggests routing part of your paycheck directly into savings via your employer’s direct deposit system. "That way, you truly never see the money as available to spend," he notes.ImportantA high-yield savings account can help your emergency fund grow over time.4. Consider Keeping Some Savings in Your Own NameJoint accounts make sense for many shared expenses, but your emergency fund shouldn’t be entirely communal.“Each partner or spouse in a relationship should have a little bit of savings in their own name,” says Zuke. “If for any reason someone needed to leave a relationship, having all the funds in a joint account is risky because any joint owner could take all the money.”Having individual access to at least a portion of your savings ensures personal security in case of relationship changes, urgent needs, or any other unexpected emergency.5. Having Trouble? Find Small Ways to Boost IncomeIf your current budget is stretched too thin, consider small, manageable ways to earn extra cash, just enough to funnel into your savings.This could be as simple as tutoring, pet sitting, or freelancing a skill you already have. Side income doesn’t need to be permanent or time-consuming. Even $100 per month from a few quick jobs can snowball into a $1,200 cushion by year’s end.TipTry using a separate checking account just for side hustle income, and set up an automatic transfer from there into your emergency savings.The Bottom LineYou don’t have to be wealthy to build a financial safety net. Set a small, manageable goal that you can work up to over time. Automate your savings, and direct them into a separate high-yield account where they can grow quietly in the background.The most important part is getting started—because the next emergency isn't a question of if, but when.