November 2025

Have you heard? The U.S. Treasury stopped the production of the U.S. Penny earlier than previously announced as the final penny was stamped earlier this month. This marks the end of production of the one-cent coin after more than 230 years in circulation.

It costs 3.7 cents to produce a penny. This decision, driven by the high cost of manufacturing pennies and declining cash use, is projected to save taxpayers approximately $56 million annually.

Pennies will remain legal tender, which is fortunate since more than a billion dollars’ worth are in circulation. Most are rarely used as they gather dust in dresser-top coffee cans, are forgotten in vehicles or discarded in “take a penny, leave a penny” bowls at cash registers.

Hoarding pennies is not necessary. Pennies will not inherently become more valuable after production ends as they will still be worth one-cent.

We will have more information about this important topic when the Federal Reserve announces new regulations early next year.

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged personal savings account for individuals enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) to pay for qualified medical expenses like deductibles, co-pays , prescriptions and such. Funds grow tax-free and withdrawals for eligible medical costs are tax-free -- offering a way to save and pay for healthcare with pre-tax dollars. 

A health savings account is yours, not your employer’s. You control the account. If you switch jobs, no problem as your account remains with you. You operate it with a special HSA debit card/checkbook. BSB offers these accounts. Simply ask about the account today, and how it would benefit you and your family.

An HSA offers a unique blend of tax advantages and flexibility. That’s a game-changer in your financial planning. A few fun facts about its use include:
--The funds are portable and never expire
--You can use it as a retirement fund after age 65
--You can use it for surprisingly common items beyond hospital stays and prescription drugs. Many people are unaware that HSA funds can be used for: Over-the-counter medications, sunscreen, chiropractic care, hygiene products, hearing aids, pill organizer, eyeglasses/contacts, birth control, acupuncture, transportation for medical care, dental services, breast pumps, compression socks, lip balm, air purifiers and more.

New Regulation for 2026: Effective Jan. 1, 2026, you can use your HSA funds to pay for Direct Primary Care memberships.