One and Done? – October 2024 Monthly Commentary

One and Done? | Steve Henderly, CFA | Nvest Wealth Strategies®

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Twenty years ago, an influx of dominant high school basketball players caused controversy among the NBA and its players union, and in 2005 the “one-and-done” rule was implemented.  The rule stipulated players coming out of high school must spend at last one year at the collegiate level or alternate organization to better prepare for the physical and mental demands of the NBA.  While “one-and-done” is generally associated with athletes fixated on going pro, a dramatic reversal higher in interest rates last month leaves some already questioning whether the Fed’s recent pivot to rate cuts will be “one-and-done” after the FOMC meeting this week.

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Turbulent Ascent Continues – Nvest Nsights Q3 ’24 Newsletter

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Turbulent Ascent Continues | Steve Henderly, CFA

Despite a bumpy journey, investors experienced attractive growth during the 3Q with the S&P 500 rising by 5.9% to reach a new all-time high.  Client portfolios benefited strongly with both stocks and bonds enjoying price appreciation.  This coincided with the Federal Reserve implementing its first rate cut after a year-long pause.Continue reading

Air Pockets – September 2024 Commentary

Air Pockets | Steve Henderly, CFA | Nvest Wealth Strategies®

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One of the biggest thrills for roller coaster aficionados is the sensation of free-fall in their stomach as the train makes its way over the edge of the first drop.  Perhaps you’ve experienced a similar sensation during a flight where there was turbulence or an air pocket.  If it was unexpected, it probably caused brief anxiety.  Earlier this year, a flight from London to Singapore was going smoothly until the plane experienced a sudden and dramatic change in altitude, dropping nearly 200 feet in less than 5 seconds.  Panic probably best describes what passengers felt.  A drop like that can throw anyone not securely in a seat belt into the  ceiling and then quickly crash back down; more than half of the flight’s passengers required medical treatment as a result of this unexpected air pocket.

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Signs of Life – August 2024 Commentary

Signs of Life | Steve Henderly, CFA | Nvest Wealth Strategies®

Printer Friendly PDF: August 2024 Commentary

Ever feel confused by highway signs?  “Slow Children at Play”, or “Caution Pedestrians Slippery When Wet.”  A traffic sign in England says, “Right Lane Must Turn Left.”  Or how about “Entrance Only.  Do Not Enter”.  And if you see a large sign announcing, “Welcome to Accident,” you’re probably entering the town of Accident, Maryland.  I’m sure you can think of similar perplexing signs in your travels.  The world is giving us a lot of confusing signs right now, and sometimes we hardly know where we’re headed or what we’re doing.  The same is often true with investing; for example, good economic news is sometimes viewed as bad by the markets.  Or in the case of the last several years when inflation was running too hot, weak economic news is often viewed favorably.

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Game point! – Nvest Nsights Q2 ’24 Newsletter

Click here for a Printer Friendly PDF which also includes benchmarking and data on investments widely utilized in our current tactical strategies.

Game Point! | Steve Henderly, CFA

Tennis great Roger Federer won nearly 80% of the 1,526 singles matches he played over his career.  Yet you might be surprised to learn that he won just 54% of the points in those matches!  Even top-ranked tennis players win barely half of the points they play… which also means they lose almost half of the points they play.  Interesting.  In Charles Ellis’ book, the “Loser’s Game”, stock market investing is likened to the game of tennis.  In that book, he explains that success is determined by avoiding big mistakes and keeping the ball in play rather than by attempting aggressive hits.  We can’t help but feel the analogy aptly applies to the deceptive allure of the S&P 500’s performance YTD – where performance is being driven by the spectacular gains of a few mega-sized tech companies.

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Declaration of Financial Independence

Declaration of Financial Independence | Jordan Ranly, MBA

Happy Independence Day – a day synonymous with our nation’s freedom from foreign rule. Might this be an opportune moment to declare your financial independence? Similar to how our nation’s founders envisioned a future of opportunity to better control our own destiny, LIVING LIFE financial planning empowers one to shape long-term dreams.

Begin by envisioning your future. Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, or even 20 years? Perhaps it’s traveling the world, owning a second home, funding children’s (or grandchildren’s) education, retiring comfortably, or leaving a significant legacy for your loved ones or charitable causes. Our LIVING LIFE goals worksheet can help guide you and loved ones through this process. Visualizing these goals provides direction and motivation for your financial planning journey.

To effectively map your financial future, it’s crucial to set SMART goals:

  • Specific: Define each goal clearly. Instead of “saving for retirement,” partner with Nvest to specify how much to save and by when.
  • Measurable: Set criteria to track progress; an annual savings target and budget.
  • Achievable: Ensure goals are realistic based on your current financial situation and resources. Divide larger goals into smaller, manageable steps to maintain momentum.
  • Relevant: Align your goals with your values and priorities. Consider how achieving these goals might lead to overall well-being.
  • Time-bound: Establish deadlines for achieving each goal. This adds urgency and helps one stay focused on taking consistent and disciplined actions.

For example, if your goal is to retire comfortably at age 65, LIVING LIFE financial planning is here to help.   We can calculate how much to save each month to reach your retirement savings target based on current assets, income, living expenses, and desired lifestyle.

A comprehensive financial plan that integrates savings, investments, and risk management strategies is imperative. Is it appropriate to maximize pre-tax contributions to retirement accounts like IRAs, 401(k)s, or 403(b)s to benefit from potential tax savings and employer contributions? Are you building flexibility into your plan via regular contributions to a Roth and/or personal brokerage account?  Are any other investment ideas (ie: rental property, private equity, etc.) worth considering and how does that impact diversification across asset classes to manage risk and optimize long-term growth potential?  Nvest is happy to study these questions.

We encourage clients to meet periodically with Nvest to review financial plans and consider adjustments as circumstances change. Life events such as marriage, children, career change, or economic shifts may necessitate modifications to your goals or strategies. Periodic reassessment ensures your plan remains relevant and adaptable to evolving needs.

Don’t forget to celebrate milestones along the way! Whether it’s paying off a significant debt, achieving a savings goal, or reaching a milestone in your investment portfolio, acknowledging progress reinforces your commitment to financial independence.  Enjoy that special restaurant you’ve been wanting to try or make plans to visit one of your “bucket list” locations.  This can serve as a great reminder that wealth is simply a tool toward realizing dreams.

By taking deliberate steps to set and pursue financial goals, you’re not only securing your financial future but also embodying the essence of independence by achieving personal freedom and financial peace of mind. This July 4th, commit to declaring your financial independence; where your dreams are within reach, your retirement is secure, and your legacy is preserved for generations to come.

The Cushion of the Sea – June 2024 Commentary

A number of years ago, a submarine being tested was submerged for several hours.  Upon returning to the harbor, the captain was asked, “How did that terrible storm last night affect you?”  Surprised, the captain exclaimed, “Storm?  We didn’t even know there was one!”  The submarine was so far beneath the surface that it reached what sailors refer to as “the cushion of the sea” – a depth in the ocean where the waters below are never stirred despite commotion on the surface.  While not possible to duplicate with investments, we try to “slowdown” the oft-fast paced world of “do-anything, go-everywhere, get-it-done” that creates undue stress in life.  Can we deliver financial peace of mind allowing one to remain calm within “the cushion of the sea?”  The proven way is through a disciplined & repeatable process – “buckets of time” and LIVING LIFE financial planning.  We offer several ideas to highlight important themes for investors to consider approaching the mid-point of 2024 – providing comfort in “the cushion of the sea.”Continue reading

Goldilocks in Trouble? Or Just April Showers? – May 2024 Commentary

What child doesn’t know the story of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”? In the classic fairytale, Goldilocks explores the home of three Bears who are out for a walk. In the story, Goldilocks created some problems for the Bear family; breaking a chair, sampling and eating all of another bears’ breakfast. She is ultimately found asleep in one of the bear’s beds but manages to quickly escape out the window and avoid disciplinary consequences for her trespass. Much like enjoying porridge of a perfect temperature, investors experienced attractive advance in their investments during Q1 of 2024 due to an economic landscape that seemed “just right”: lower inflation and a resilient economy. It was believed these favorable dynamics would permit the Federal Reserve to not only stop raising interest rates but cut them multiple times in 2024, bringing relief to those with elevated debt before any painful “discipline” was experienced.Continue reading