FINANCIaL
FIELd NOTES
How Being Present Increases Happiness in Retirement
A few weeks ago, the last major golf championship of the year was played - The Open Championship. During the opening round, Rory McIlroy's tee shot found the rough near spectators. If you don’t watch much golf, this can be extremely frustrating for the players but very exciting for the fans, as they get to watch a shot up close.
As you might expect in this day and age, just about every fan pulled out their phone to capture the moment. Everyone, except for an elderly couple, who were standing side-by-side, fully taking in the moment…
The Surprising Impact of Working 1 More Year
One of the most common tweaks I make to financial projections is the projected retirement date. Sometimes, we move retirement forward due to changing work circumstances, and sometimes we move it back to try to maximize earning potential at the tail end of a career.
I advise clients who are financially prepared to retire not to delay it too long. The early years of retirement are among the most exciting, and missing out on them by working unnecessarily longer can lead to regret…
Average Returns Following a Stock Market Rally
Following the Tariff-related sell-off in March and early April, the stock market had one of its best rebounds on record, with the S&P 500 up over 25% from April 4th-July 10th. It’s normal for this kind of momentum to feel unsustainable. But that isn’t what history shows us.
When the market posts strong short-term gains, it often doesn’t fizzle out…
Gifting to Adult Children During Your Lifetime
I recently met with a couple who had done everything right: saved diligently, invested well, and earned pensions that would more than cover their retirement lifestyle. After running the numbers, it was clear they could live comfortably without touching a large portion of their investments. Based on projected growth, their estate could reach several million dollars in the coming decades.
Their daughters would likely inherit a substantial amount of money in their 60s, likely as they neared retirement themselves. Right now, their daughters are in their late 30s, starting families and buying houses.
I encouraged them to consider gifting some to them now while they are in the thick of starting their adult lives.
They asked, “What would that look like?”
Popular Fraud Tactics in 2025
Every year, scams get more sophisticated. It seems like just when people figure out how to avoid one trick, scammers come up with another. And increasingly, we’re seeing scams that are disturbingly convincing.
Here are some of the major scams we’ve been seeing so far in 2025—and what you can do to avoid falling victim…
Historical Declines in a Balanced Portfolio
I was recently meeting with a new client discussing the investment implementation part of their financial plan. They were financially secure but understandably anxious about market volatility. We had run the numbers and determined that a balanced portfolio, consisting of roughly 70% stocks and 30% bonds, was an appropriate mix for their retirement spending goals.
But identifying the correct allocation also should include your risk tolerance, or how much risk you’re emotionally and mentally prepared to take on…