Your Money

Every year the IRS publishes a list it calls the “Dirty Dozen.” It is not a list of tax law changes. It is a warning about the twelve most common scams currently targeting taxpayers.

The 2026 list includes some familiar tactics. Phishing emails and text messages continue to be used to steal personal information. Fake charities still appear after disasters or major news events. Fraudulent promoters continue to push schemes that promise large refunds or dramatic tax reductions that do not actually exist.

A newer concern involves artificial intelligence. Scammers are now using robocalls, voice mimicry, and fake caller IDs to make it appear the IRS is calling. The agency reminds taxpayers that it normally contacts people by mail first and does not leave threatening recorded messages demanding immediate payment.

The common thread is urgency and complexity. Many of these schemes are designed to pressure people into acting quickly before there is time to verify the claim. Situations often start with a confusing email, phone call, or document that appears legitimate. One quiet benefit of having an advisor involved in your financial life is having a place to run those questions before responding. When something unexpected appears related to taxes, investments, or charitable gifts, it is usually worth pausing and getting a second opinion before acting.

Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2026: IRS reminds taxpayers to watch out for dangerous threats
source: IRS

Your Life

A “microadventure” is exactly what it sounds like: a small adventure that fits into everyday life. The idea has gained momentum in recent years because even small changes in routine can benefit mental health. Novel experiences engage attention, interrupt autopilot, and help the brain reset from the repetition of daily routines.

Instead of requiring travel, money, or extensive planning, microadventures simply encourage breaking routine in small ways. It might be watching a sunrise you normally sleep through, trying a new trail for a walk, exploring a nearby town, or doing something outdoors that you do not normally make time for.

The article highlights ten easy microadventures you can try this week. Most are simple and close to home. The point is not the scale of the activity but the willingness to step slightly outside the ordinary.

10 Wellness Microadventures for 2026
by Ethan Boldt

Complexity Simplified

Have you ever noticed that unfinished tasks tend to linger in your mind? Psychologists call this the Zeigarnik Effect. Our brains are wired to hold onto incomplete tasks because they represent unresolved goals. Until a task is finished, the mind keeps it active in the background.

One simple way to quiet that mental loop is to write the task down and define the next step. Research shows that once the brain knows there is a plan, the mental tension often fades. In other words, the mind is not just looking for completion. It is looking for closure.

The Zeigarnik Effect: Why Unfinished Tasks Linger and How to Master Productivity
by Paul Deretskiy

Trivia