Retirement marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. While financial security is a key foundation, a fulfilling retirement is about more than just having enough money. It’s about purpose, connection, and a sense of excitement for what comes next.
The financial markets are dynamic and unpredictable by nature, and they can be fascinating to watch. But how important are their gyrations to you, really? Rather than zero in on the markets’ last few months (or how they might fare in the next few), take a step back and consider what truly matters: your personal goals and the life you want to create.
Watching your portfolio take a hit can be unsettling, but staying focused on the long game is crucial. Even in uncertain times, a long-term strategy helps you navigate market ups and downs more effectively. Here, we’ll explore why market corrections are normal.
When are you going to retire? How did you make that decision? Many of us look at finances and health when we’re deciding when to retire. Whether or not we realize it, we’re also considering our emotions and what we imagine for the future — we compare how we feel in our current circumstances to how we expect to feel in our anticipated retirement.
What financial habits have helped you most in life? Which ones have held you back? No matter how you answer those questions, your money habits have a lot to do with how you grew up. They also can be shaped by when you grew up. That’s because each generation can have a distinct perspective and different experiences shaping their approach to money and financial choices.
After a historic campaign, Donald Trump has won the 2024 presidential election and Republicans have won control of the Senate. For half the country, this is a cause for celebration, while for the other half, this is a disappointing result that will require time to process. This reflects the divisions in our country on both social and economic matters that we hope will heal in time.
Well, it finally happened. After months of will-they-or-won’t-they speculation, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates in September. And it was a relatively big one: The half-percentage-point decrease was the biggest the Fed has made since its emergency rate reductions in March 2020 at the onset of the pandemic. Before that, the country hadn’t seen a half a point decrease since the global financial crisis in 2008.
As we begin the final quarter of the year, financial markets and the economy have defied the expectations of many investors. Rather than falling into recession, the economy has grown steadily, albeit at a slower pace, and inflation rates have fallen toward the Fed’s target. As a result, the macroeconomic environment has shifted to a monetary easing cycle, propelling the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average to new all-time highs and boosting bond returns. The first three quarters of the year are a reminder that it’s often best to focus on the longer-term trends rather than events in the rearview mirror.
Can you relate to any of the following? “I should have bought that stock before the company went public!” “What a shame — I wish I had invested in that new tech before it went mainstream!” What’s the next “unicorn” that will make a fortune?” It’s common to feel this way. Many of us experience “fear of missing out” — or FOMO — in our financial lives. 1 When we do, it can cloud our...
As a long-term investor, you’re always thinking about what factors drive your investment returns. Unfortunately, many investors focus on things that cause short-term changes and actually have no impact on long-term market returns. It’s not their fault – these myths are so commonly believed that many so-called “savvy investors” would preach to you of their importance. To help you make informed investment decisions, let’s look at three investment factors that, contrary to popular belief, don’t...
Fear and FOMO may seem like opposites. But taken to extremes, either can wreak similar havoc on an investor. Which is why, as we enter the second half of another exciting year, now seems like an excellent time to review the lessons history offers us on investing long-term and remind you why we build your portfolios as we do.
Lee McGowan, CFA, CFP® recently discussed Trusts with Deborah Yao of Kiplinger.