When an investment "problem" surfaces, wouldn't it be nice to speak with someone about it? When a regulator needs perspective on investor behavior, wouldn't engaging with investors help?

Both interests are being served through the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Office of the Investor Advocate (OIAD), created in 2014 under the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (tinyurl.com/2djam3xx).

The OIAD "is statutorily mandated to assist retail investors, identify problems that investors may have, analyze the potential impacts on investors of rules or regulations, and make proposals to the [Securities and Exchange] Commission (SEC) to promote the interests of investors."

To accomplish those goals, OIAD benefits from the "unique perspectives" of individual investors. "Among those whom OIAD especially seeks to hear from are older investors, new investors, veterans, military, and military spouses, affinity-connected investors, investors from rural and non-metro areas, historically underserved and/or Native American communities, crypto and non-traditional finance investors, investors with disabilities, investors with innovative approaches to investing, and investors with varying levels of exposure to capital markets," states the Fiscal Year 2025 Office of the Investor Advocate Report on Activities (tinyurl.com/mrymb77a).

The report also points out that the OIAD partners with other divisions and agencies "to hear directly from investors regarding the impact that potential rules and regulations have on investors may have with products and services." The goal is "to further institutionalize stakeholder (i.e., investor) input into all stages of the [SEC's] operations."

You can contact the OIAD at 202-551-3302 (tinyurl.com/3dkefyua).

The Investor Advocate also appoints the SEC Ombuds (www.sec.gov/ombuds). The SEC Ombuds, formally known as ombudsman, serves as "an independent, neutral office created to assist retail investors and other members of the public in resolving concerns, questions and complaints about the SEC, self-regulatory organizations (SROs) such as FINRA and the exchanges such as the NYSE that are subject to SEC oversight."

In fiscal 2025, Ombuds "received and processed" nearly 2,500 matters, including requests for "assistance and information regarding fraud," "investor account matters" and questions or complaints about investment products, according to the annual OIAD report.

The Ombuds is not authorized to represent an investor; instead, the Ombuds refers investor inquiries as follows:

-- If there are credible allegations of securities violations, the information is referred to the SEC's Division of Examinations and Enforcement. The public can submit suspected violations at the SEC webpage "Report Possible Securities Law Violations" -- tinyurl.com/m5jz9t72.

-- If there are reports of fraudsters "impersonating the SEC or misappropriating the SEC's seal," the SEC's Office of the General Counsel and Office of Inspector General are notified. Reports can be filed at the SEC OIG Web Submission page -- tinyurl.com/53a6znjz.

-- If an investor seeks help with personal investments or an investment account, he or she is referred to the SEC's Office of Investor Education and Assistance (OIEA). OIEA has a stake in financial literacy education, including maintaining an educational website called Investor.gov for individual investors. The SEC webpage "Report a Problem with an Investment Account or Financial Professional" can be used by investors to file a complaint (tinyurl.com/2f7yh2vk).

What is the Ombuds' goal? "In all cases, we endeavor to make sure the investor receives a clear response from the SEC regarding their concerns and that such concerns are elevated to the attention of the Investor Advocate and other interested parties within the [SEC]." The Ombuds reports to the Investor Advocate, who in turn reports to the chairman of the SEC.

That's a very valuable service. If your investment issue escalates to a lawsuit or arbitration, however, you'll need to retain a lawyer. The Ombuds won't "advocate on behalf of any individual."

What can you expect? The Ombuds team "will listen to your concerns, review the information you provide, and conduct tailored research to identify appropriate procedures, options, and resources available to you."

That's a very good start.

You can contact the Ombuds using the Ombudsman Matter Management System at omms.sec.gov. You also can call (toll-free) 877-732-2001, or write to Ombudsman@sec.gov.

DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

There is no doubt that AI is becoming a factor in financial decision-making. According to a LendingTree survey, the "rise of AI (artificial intelligence) [has] influenced how and where people are getting their financial advice" (tinyurl.com/4c97xrr6).

Still, a Gallup Panel web survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults conducted in April 2025 found that people "are more likely to turn to friends and family (43%) or financial advisers and planners (41%) than any other type of resource" (tinyurl.com/4baybbd2).

The Gallup respondents were asked whether they used each of 10 possible financial information and advice sources. Among those options finishing near the bottom: employer-sponsored financial advice programs (14%) and government consumer resources (12%).

For those ages 18 to 29, 57% chose to rely on friends and family for advice, with 50% of middle-aged adults (30 to 49) saying the same. Closing in on retirement seemed to play a role with older adults (50 to 64), who had professional advice at the top of the list (45%), while seniors (65 and older) also favored financial advisers and planners (51%).

As for online advice, financial websites were used by 36% of respondents overall, while two categories (podcasts and webinars; social media) were each cited by 20%.

Yet the reality is that the "AI boom" has taken off. As noted in a 2023 Reuters technology article, it only took two months after launching in November 2022 for ChatGPT to attract 100 million monthly active users (tinyurl.com/38h8fhcj).

And AI is clearly making an impact. Nearly half of chatbot users say that AI has influenced at least one of their financial decisions, according to the September survey released by LendingTree, an online lending marketplace. Those decisions included budgeting (33%), financial aid or scholarships (32%) and taxes (31%).

The survey of 2,000 people noted:

-- 26% of users turn to chatbots for financial information, with 61% of those users asking about personal finance management, and 42% inquiring about stock market trends and analysis.

-- 74% of Gen Z members (ages 18 to 29) have used a chatbot, compared with 40% of baby boomers (61 to 79).

-- 89% of users think that chatbots are at least "moderately accurate."

LendingTree tested the AI advice by asking 20 personal finance questions for three chatbots: ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini.

According to a LendingTree article about the survey ("49% of AI Chatbot Users Say AI Has Influenced a Financial Decision"), financial advice from chatbots was solid when it came to general personal finance advice, but it often lacked depth when it came to personalized retirement recommendations.

For example, when ChatGPT was asked about a couple who were 50 years old and wanted to retire at age 67, had $100,000 saved for retirement and were seeking to ensure they had enough to retire, it recommended maxing out retirement contributions, meaning the couple would have to invest more than $35,000 per year. The article noted: "Although maxing out tax-advantaged accounts is wise, ChatGPT gave blanket guidance without considering how much of a financial strain this would be for the average person."

From my perspective as both a proponent of financial literacy education and a seasoned investment counsel, even if you approach the exercise as a "skeptical subject matter expert," be alert to how you might use AI.

For information? Sure, as long as you are careful to review the output for accuracy.

For advice? That would be a "no." I doubt that a human can really be replaced given the complexity of a person's financial life -- complexity that is ever-evolving due to changes in taxes, the markets and personal situations.

AI is a vehicle for research, but you don't give it the keys to drive your financial decisions.

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As we look forward to 2026, are you concerned about the future? Financial "awareness" can help turn resolutions into realities.

Inflation remains a top concern for many, as reflected in Fidelity's annual New Year's Financial Resolutions study (tinyurl.com/bdfx32rn). This year's version, released on Dec. 11, surveyed 3,026 adults (18 years of age and older) in early October.

When asked what the top financial concerns were for 2026, 45% cited "rising everyday prices," which finished ahead of "unexpected expenses or financial surprises" (31%) -- last year's top concern -- and "rising health care or insurance costs" (28%). In addition, 55% said they felt overwhelmed by their personal finances, and 31% described their relationship with money as "stressful."

Inflation is not just a U.S. concern. T. Rowe Price's 2025 Global Retirement Savers Study, which conducted an online survey in June and July of 2025 of more than 7,000 respondents from five countries (the U.S., Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia), reported that 42% of retirement savers indicated their top concern was inflation, finishing ahead of geopolitical events (30%), interest rates (27%) and unemployment (20%) (tinyurl.com/28dvphx8).

Among global savers in the T. Rowe Price study, 50% said they expected a recession by mid-2026, including 48% of the 3,000 U.S. respondents surveyed.

While some inflation is now lower based on a recent Department of Labor measure, combating economic challenges remains a priority, and there are reasons for optimism, including signs that financial planning continues to be embraced.

Seventy-one percent of those surveyed by Fidelity said they have a plan to reach their financial goals, and 78% said they plan to build up their emergency savings.

For those considering a 2026 financial resolution (64% in the Fidelity study), the top three concerns remained consistent from previous years: save more money (44%), pay down debt (36%) and spend less money (30%).

The question becomes: How do you make those resolutions become realities?

In the Fidelity survey, the No. 1 motivation for those who make a financial resolution is "The desire for greater peace of mind." That coincides with the T. Rowe Price study, in which the No. 1 ranked answer for financial objectives was "Overall, having financial peace of mind."

Achieving peace of mind -- how does one do that? From my perspective, having worked with hundreds of clients and students over the years, I can share that the exercise starts with a clear desire to avoid future regret -- and it begins with something ever so simple.

No matter how wealthy someone is, the process starts with awareness. Call it "financial awareness," which is the first step to achieving financial literacy.

It can be as simple as getting in the habit of "observing" spending. Keep track one day a week for a while. If you want to do more, increase the number of days.

Don't bother trying to budget unless you feel that will help you. Budgeting apps are available if you want to go that route -- examples include Rocket Money and Monarch Money. Worksheets are offered by Excel (tinyurl.com/4rxcjdus) and the Navy Federal Credit Union (tinyurl.com/3j8k5uf5). Or, see if a calendar might work for you (Charles Schwab offers a "Personal Finance Calendar for 2026," a month-by-month guide, at tinyurl.com/2ypwvf9t).

Something I can't emphasize enough: You don't want to find yourself at an older age regretting that you didn't do enough when you were younger. The future is always right around the corner. I encourage you to give financial awareness a try -- just for a day. How are you consuming your financial assets now? Does that pattern work for you? Or, is there room for improvement?

The T. Rowe Price survey found that only 31% of those surveyed said they would live in retirement "as well as or better than I did when I was working," while 17% said "I will run out of money." In the Fidelity study, 30% said they were more stressed than in previous years when it came to having enough retirement savings to retire as planned.

Achieving financial peace of mind starts with awareness -- a good way to start the new year. We'll touch on other aspects of financial awareness as the year unfolds.

DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION