Investing, Student of the Market
Ryan Weiser
Student of the Market - May 2025

Stay ahead of the markets with timely insights by uncovering the latest on the global economy, geopolitics and retirement, among other timely investment ideas - Student of the Market - May 2025

Student of the Market - May 2025

Lessons in Buyer’s Remorse

Lessons in Buyer’s Remorse

We’ve all been there—you make a purchase, and then, almost immediately, doubt starts creeping in. Maybe you spent more than you intended, or perhaps the item doesn’t live up to your expectations. That sinking feeling? It’s called buyer’s remorse, and there are a variety of reasons why we experience it:

  • Impulse Purchases: Buying something on a whim without thinking it through.

  • Overspending: Stretching your budget more than expected.

  • Comparison Regret: Finding a better deal after making the purchase.

  • Emotional Spending: Stress, excitement, or boredom led to a poor choice.

  • Unmet Expectations: A product or service that didn’t live up to expectations.

The truth is, buyer’s remorse isn’t all negative—it can be a powerful learning tool and help you make better decisions in the future. Here are some time-tested strategies to consider.

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When Adult Children Move Back Home

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When Adult Children Move Back Home

School is out, and perhaps your college graduate is trading in the dorms for their old room - back at mom and dad’s house. The rising trend of adult children moving back in with their parents—often called “boomerang children”—is reshaping family life and financial dynamics. Driven by high housing costs, inflation, and mounting student debt, this arrangement can provide a much-needed safety net for the child, but it can also create challenges for the household. The following tips can help you support your children while maintaining healthy boundaries.

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Graduation Gifts for Long-Term Return on Life (ROL)

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Graduation Gifts for Long-Term Return on Life (ROL)

As your college graduate prepares to move into a new phase of their adult life, one thing they probably don't need is more stuff to move. Parents can still commemorate their child's achievements with less-traditional gifts that won't take up space in the moving van.

Including, of course, cash.

But before you stick a check in a greeting card, consider some alternative ways to celebrate your grad and also set them up for success.

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What is Enough to Live Your Best ROL?

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What is Enough to Live Your Best ROL?

According to one popular rule of thumb, retirees should be able to withdraw 4% from their retirement accounts every year to live comfortably and not run out of money.

Another number you might have seen floating around social media is $75,000, which, according to some experts, is where annual income and peak happiness intersect.

Many other retirees have their own number in their head that they want to "hit" before they stop working. But do any of these figures really equal "enough" in retirement?

More than any dollar amount, having "enough" to retire is about feeling confident that every piece of your financial plan is aligned to sustain your Return on Life (ROL) for decades to come. Start making your own calculations by thinking about these four key categories.

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The Importance of Balancing Saving and Spending for Doctors and Dentists

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The Importance of Balancing Saving and Spending for Doctors and Dentists

Doctors and dentists often find themselves on very different $Lifeline trajectories than friends and family members who don't work in health care. While many folks in their early 20s might be earning real money at their first jobs or getting married, you might still be in school. Your friends might be buying houses while you're still working through a low-paying residency. And once you're an M.D. or D.D.S., it can be very tempting to treat that high salary you've worked so hard for like it's a jackpot.

Use these three tips to balance responsible spending and saving so that you can earn more Return on Life throughout your career…

Tariffs - The What, Why, and Potential Impacts

Tariffs - The What, Why, and Potential Impacts

What are Tariffs?

Tariffs are taxes or duties imposed on imported goods by a government.

Why are they Used?

Their intent is to protect domestic industries, encourage local production, generate government revenue, reduce reliance on foreign goods or respond to trade policies of other nations.

What is Their Potential Impact?

Tariffs raise prices for consumers, affect trade relationships with other countries, and influence economic growth.

For more details and information check out the Client Resource Kit on Tariffs from First Trust Portfolios.

Focus On What You Can Control

Focus On What You Can Control

In his classic business book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," Stephen Covey encourage folks to draw strong distinctions between "Circles of Concern," "Circles of Influence,” and "Circles of Control."

You might be feeling like 2025 is already filling up your "Circle of Concern." From changes in Washington to wildfires, from global conflicts to bumpy markets, we've all experienced some significant ups and downs that could affect our lives, work, and finances for the rest of the year.

But while none of us can prevent a natural disaster or stabilize tech stocks, we can use Covey's system to reframe our perspective, refocus our energy, and improve our Return on Life.

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Spring Cleaning for Retirement

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Spring Cleaning for Retirement

Much like the arrival of spring, retirement can be a time of fresh starts and new beginnings. Navigating this major $Lifeline transition can also give retirees an opportunity to "spring clean" more than just our overstuffed closets and garages. Retirees can clean out the things in life that no longer bring them joy and make room for more growth, more fulfillment, more memories, and more Return on Life.

Start by looking back on your career and identifying what you liked most about your job. Then, think about how you can clear away the things that made work feel like work, such as: