What’s ahead

Reimagining Financial Literacy Month
Tariffs explained
Jargon buster: market edition
Making the most of your tax refund
Introducing: Visionary Ventures
A note from Trevor

Reimagining Financial Literacy Month

April is National Financial Literacy Month — but at Stackwell, we think it’s time to change the conversation.

Financial literacy can feel like a test you’re failing or a subject you never got to study. Financial wellness is different. It’s not a skill that you have or don’t — it’s a journey, and it looks different for everyone. It’s about building healthy habits that support your goals and giving yourself room to learn and grow.

The U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission organizes financial literacy around five key areas: Earn, Save & Invest, Protect, Spend, and Borrow. At Stackwell, we know these pillars aren’t just boxes to check — they’re opportunities to build confidence and clarity in your financial life.

Here are a few ways to begin exploring these areas:

Get to know your pay stub. Understanding your income, taxes, and deductions can help you feel more in control of your cash flow.
Set small, realistic savings goals and explore automatic investing. You don’t need a ton of cash to get started — you just need a plan that fits your income.
We recommend an emergency fund with six months of living expenses — we know that’s not feasible to put together overnight. But making this a priority will lead to peace of mind later. Whatever you can set aside today is a great place to start.
Instead of a strict budget, try a spending plan. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s awareness and intention.
Use tools like this Bankrate Credit Card Payoff Calculator to help you understand how your high-interest debt might grow over time. This will help you make a payment plan that makes sense for you.

Even though April shines a spotlight on financial wellness, this is a 365-days-a-year kind of thing for us. And just by reading this, you’ve already taken a meaningful step.

Let’s keep going — together.

Tariffs explained

Lately, there’s been one word dominating the financial headlines: tariffs.

So, what exactly are tariffs—and why should you care?

A tariff is a tax placed on imported goods. When tariffs are introduced or increased, the cost of those imports goes up — and so do prices for consumers.

And the ripple effects can be big. This month, we’ve seen cascading tariff announcements introduce uncertainty into global trade and shake up the stock market.

The markets dislike uncertainty, and all the back-and-forth has introduced a bit of chaos. When some investors pull out to stay liquid, stock prices drop, and panic starts to spread.

But here’s the truth: this kind of volatility is part of the investing journey. Tariffs are just one factor in a complex, interconnected economy — but they can trigger fast-moving changes that rattle even seasoned investors.

So what should you do?

If you’ve seen your portfolio dip, take a breath. It can be tempting to react quickly, but long-term investing is about consistency, not knee-jerk decisions. Big market drops feel jarring in the moment — but selling during a downturn can lock in losses and make it harder to benefit from the recovery later.

Think of your portfolio like a team. Just like a coach builds a team with different strengths to weather any game, a diversified portfolio spreads out risk. That helps cushion the blow during market turbulence — and gives you more runway when markets bounce back.

Markets move. That’s normal. What matters most is having a strategy built for the long haul — and sticking with it, even when the headlines feel loud.

Jargon buster: Market edition

Here are a few buzzwords you’ve probably heard recently—and what they actually mean.

Bear Market: A bear market happens when stock prices drop 20% or more from a recent high. It usually signals that investors are feeling pessimistic about the economy. Bear markets can be stressful, but they’re a normal part of the market cycle — and historically, they’ve always been followed by recoveries.
Recession: A recession is a period of economic decline, often defined by two consecutive quarters of shrinking GDP (gross domestic product). That indicates the economy is slowing down, and that can look like job losses, reduced consumer spending, and uncertainty — but it doesn’t last forever. Recessions are part of the economic cycle, too.
Volatility: Volatility refers to how much and how quickly the price of something — like a stock— changes. When markets are volatile, prices swing up and down more dramatically. This can be unsettling, but it’s not always bad. Long-term investors can often ride out short-term volatility and come out ahead.

Don’t let headlines shake your confidence. Market ups and downs are part of the journey — and with the right plan, you can keep building toward your financial goals no matter what the news says.

Making the most of your tax refund

Tax season might be stressful, but getting a refund? That part feels good. With a little intention, you can turn that refund into something powerful: a step toward long-term financial wellness.

Here’s how to make the most of your refund:

Pay down high-interest debt. That refund can help you get ahead on credit cards or personal loans. Target balances with the highest interest rates first — paying those down now means saving on interest over time.
Build or boost your emergency fund. If you don’t already have one, this is the place to start. Life is unpredictable, and having 6 months’ worth of living expenses saved in a high-yield savings account can be a game-changer when the unexpected hits.
Invest in your future. Once your essentials are covered, consider using part of your refund to grow your wealth. Whether it’s through a retirement account, a personal investment portfolio, or a platform like Stackwell, investing even a small portion can set you up for long-term gains.

Your refund is your money—already earned. Using it with purpose helps you build the kind of financial foundation that lasts. Future you will thank you.

Introducing Visionary Ventures

This month, we’re so excited to introduce another new program alongside our partners at Social Change Fund United (SCFU) — a non-profit founded by Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Paul — and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

Together, we’re launching SCFU’s Visionary Ventures Program, powered by Stackwell designed to support and uplift small business owners in Los Angeles.

This initiative, designed with Stackwell’s unique program-building playbook, will provide participants with $7,500 funded investment accounts and access to Stackwell’s suite of financial education resources.

At Stackwell, we believe that wealth-building has a ripple effect. When our small business owners enjoy stability and financial freedom, the impact will extend beyond them — helping to uplift the community around them.

“This is a critical moment for LA. When we show up for LA small business owners, they can show up for their community. That’s why we’ve teamed up with SCFU to launch Visionary Ventures,” said Trevor Rozier-Byrd, Stackwell CEO & Founder. “We’ve built this program with Stackwell’s program-building playbook that’s proven to drive incredible results. We’re so excited to work with SCFU and the NBPA because they share our passion for supporting communities through the power of investing.”

Now more than ever, it’s important to support the L.A. community. This program is an exciting step forward, and we can’t wait to share its progress.

Applications are open now until May 11th. Download the Stackwell app to apply today.

A note from Trevor

Right now, a lot feels uncertain — from the economy to the job market to the day-to-day cost of living. Feeling anxiety about your financial goals is inevitable.

In moments like this, it’s important to ground ourselves in why we believe in the power of investing in the first place.

I started Stackwell to help our communities build financial resilience and feel confident in their financial futures. To us, investing isn’t about chasing quick wins — it’s about building the knowledge and habits that put you in control of your financial future.

It’s not about perfection, it’s about persistence. Every step you take — no matter how small — moves you closer to a version of financial wellness that’s rooted in confidence. We’re here with you, every step of the way.

Rainy days & fresh starts