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Tag: Financial Peace

How to MAXIMIZE your Social Security benefit.

by Dave Conley on May 12, 2023.

As a financial planner, I know that Social Security benefits are (or will be) a critical source of retirement income for many of our clients (and most Americans), particularly those who are 55 or older. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), in 2021, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for a retired worker is $1,557. Over the next 3 weeks I will cover strategies you can take to maximize your potential Social Security benefit.

What we need today is economic & financial perspective

by Dave Conley on May 6, 2023.

As a financial planner with 25 years of experience, I understand that investing can be daunting, especially in uncertain times. With recent news of bank financial distress, it's natural for many clients to feel anxious about the safety of their investments. However, I'm here to assure you that the US economy, markets, and financial system are resilient, and there's no need to panic.

Budgeting equals $$ Awareness

by Dave Conley on April 28, 2023.

“Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.” Thich Nhan Hanh Becoming aware of our spending is one of the most powerful tools we have. Why? In examining our spending we become aware of ourselves. Budgeting is simply being aware of our spending. Why is this keeping track of how...

We have been here before.

by Dave Conley on April 7, 2023.

As a professional investor for almost 30 years, I rely on my own experiences to help guide my investment approach.  Every crisis is different, but they often have things in common. The financial crisis of 2007-2008 was a difficult time for many investors, with stocks and bonds experiencing significant losses. While it’s impossible to predict...

Good (successful) investor vs Poor (unsuccessful)

by Dave Conley on March 17, 2023.

Although there is no foolproof formula for investing success or failure there are traits that those who do well over the long term possess. As a financial planner with 25 years of experience, I have seen many investors succeed and others struggle. Through my experience, I have identified three primary characteristics or habits of a good investor and three characteristics or habits of poor investors.

Retirement Spending

by Dave Conley on March 3, 2023.

Retirement is a stage of life that everyone looks forward to, after years of hard work and saving. However, the key to a happy retirement is having enough money to sustain you during this phase of your life. One of the most important decisions you will make during your retirement is how much of your savings you can safely spend each year. In this blog post, we will outline the top 5 retirement spending strategies that retirees can use to plan their retirement spending.

It’s not just about the money.

by Dave Conley on February 24, 2023.

I ask potential clients to describe their version of financial freedom (or financial peace) and how we can help them achieve this goal. It’s extremely common for the answers to center on some sort of financial/investment success metric. Stuff like:• Increase my investment returns to 10% a year consistently with minimal risk.• Pay off all...

How investing is like following a treasure map

by Dave Conley on February 9, 2023.

Investing can often feel like a daunting task, especially for those just starting out. But with the right approach, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling journey. One way to think about investing is to see it as following a treasure map. With every step along the way, you'll encounter challenges and obstacles, but if you keep your eye on the prize, you'll eventually reach the reward at the end.

Five retirement planning priorities if you plan to retire in the next 5 years

by Dave Conley on January 27, 2023.

Retirement is a time when many investors shift their focus from accumulating wealth to preserving and generating income from their existing assets. As an investor nearing retirement, there are several key considerations to keep in mind to ensure a successful transition into retirement. Here are the five most important things an investor within five years...

I am just trying to get ahead… (of who)?

by Dave Conley on January 13, 2023.

Just for a minute, imagine what it might feel like to be satisfied with simply having “Enough.” How might that change your priorities? Your daily schedule? It’s important you actually sit down and think about it because only you can define “Enough.” What might happen if you were to make this shift? Would you work less? Would you spend less? Would you sleep more? Would you quit your job and start something new? Would you give more to charity? Maybe nothing new would happen. But what I can tell you is this: If you can’t find a way to be satisfied with enough, you may never be satisfied with anything.