Over the course of your investing life, you’ll encounter market lows and highs. Headlines often spotlight the extremes, especially when markets reach record levels. Take, for example: “Stocks Hit Record Highs. What’s Behind the Rally.”¹

All-time highs have an interesting effect on investor behavior and psychology.

Many investors can feel a nagging voice that whispers "wait for a better entry point" when markets are climbing. It's human nature to want to buy low and sell high, but decades of market data reveal a counterintuitive truth: waiting for the "perfect" moment often costs more than it saves.

The Myth of Market Timing

Many investors hesitate to invest when markets hit new records. After all, who wants to be the person who bought at the peak? But this thinking overlooks an important fact: market highs aren't rare events. They're regular milestones.

Since 1950, the S&P 500 has reached over 1,250 all-time highs—roughly 16 new records per year on average.² If investors avoided the market every time it hit a new peak, they'd spend most of their time on the sidelines while missing potential growth opportunities.

Technology has changed nearly everything about the way we live, work, and connect including how scammers operate.

Once upon a time, scams came in the form of clunky emails riddled with typos or too-good-to-be-true lottery wins. These days? The tactics are smoother, the impersonations more believable, and the emotional pressure far more calculated.

Why the shift?

Two letters: AI.

Artificial intelligence has supercharged scammers' abilities. Now they can use AI to copy voices with just seconds of audio, write messages pretending to be people you trust, and create fake websites that look exactly like real ones.¹

Even smart, cautious people can be fooled.

But here's the good news: understanding these tactics is your first line of defense. While scammers may have new tools, awareness and education are powerful countermeasures. With a few simple strategies, you can significantly reduce your risk and navigate the digital world with more confidence.

What Do These New Scams Look Like?

Here are a few examples that have become increasingly common:

Tax season might not spark joy, but a refund sure can.

In 2025, the IRS estimates the average federal income tax refund will top $3,170.¹ That means a lot of folks are suddenly asking the same question: What should I do with it?

Splurge? Save? Invest?