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

Life Planning

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Giving More Thoughtful Gifts

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Giving More Thoughtful Gifts

We all want to find that "perfect gift" for everyone on our nice lists. But in the online shopping age, most people swipe and click to whatever they want every day of the year. Teens and children might be disappointed by any present they can't load onto their screens. Clothes might not fit. Food and beverages might not be to everyone’s taste. Older relatives might grumble that you spent money on them at all.

The secret to less stressful gifting is to think outside of the box – literally. Shopping from these three holiday gift categories will make the season a little merrier for your loved ones and for you

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The Pros and Cons of Retiring Early for Medical and Dental Professionals

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The Pros and Cons of Retiring Early for Medical and Dental Professionals

Once your degrees are earned and jobs are secured, many doctors and dentists find themselves on the fast track to some major financial goals -- including, perhaps, early retirement. After all, between those extra years of studying and the daily demands of working in medicine, doctors and dentists might feel like they've worked a full career well before they hit their 60s.

If you're considering adding early retirement as a life goal, discuss these pros and cons with your spouse and your Life-Centered Financial Planner.

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Pursuing Unretirement for a Better Return on Life (ROL)

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Pursuing Unretirement for a Better Return on Life (ROL)

Unretirement is on the rise. According to a recent survey by F&G Annuities & Life, 29% of retirees are considering a return to work. That includes 54% of Gen Xers who retired early.

While many retirees jump back into the workforce because they are worried about running out of money or feel like they're lacking purpose, you can also approach unretirement from a positive perspective. 

Here are three ways that unretiring might help settle some of your money concerns while boosting ROL in the process.

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Navigating the Emotional Side of Retirement

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Navigating the Emotional Side of Retirement

You've been working towards this moment for decades.

But have you really prepared for it?

Once the countdown is over and you've left your retirement party, the reality of retirement is going to set in. And many new retirees are surprised by the waves of emotions they feel, especially in those first few days without work. The initial euphoria and sense of freedom can give way pretty quickly to feelings of loss, aimlessness, anxiety, and even depression.

Getting ready for this emotional side of retirement is every bit as important as preparing financially. Many of the most successful retirees focus their emotional prep on these three areas:

Transitioning Into Fall Intentionally

Transitioning Into Fall Intentionally

While summer 2025 doesn't officially end until September 22nd, the leaves have probably started falling in your neighborhood. Your local big box retailer swapped out its back-to-school corner for Halloween costumes. It's pumpkin spice season at Starbucks and Dunkin'. And your Labor Day party capped off another summer of good times in the backyard.

For many families, planning ahead is the secret to a great summer. We don't always apply the same forethought to the fall. But between school, extra curriculars, working teens, your company's big Q4 push, and holidays on the horizon, it's just as important to make some plans now before your autumn blows by.

Use these three steps to bring your family closer together this fall.

Three Keys to Purposeful Wealth

Three Keys to Purposeful Wealth

What is your money for?

Financial security and comfortable living are very important. But if you aren't making purposeful investments in the things that matter most, you might find yourself surrounded by stuff that doesn't bring you any joy and money that just earns more money.

Consider adding these important investments to your Life-Centered Financial Planning portfolio to boost more than just your bottom line.

Start a Family Tradition

Start a Family Tradition

We tend to think of "family traditions" as things that we do around holidays and celebrations. But the more your family grows, the more it tends to pull itself in different directions. Work, school, sports, and arts can divide the family calendar into individual to-do lists. Sprinkling a few more traditions throughout the year could help your family be more intentional about how you spend your time together and make lasting memories you'll all pass down through generations.

Use this three-step process to create new family traditions that will compound your family's Return on Life (ROL)...

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Pursue Hobbies with Friends and Family in Retirement

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Pursue Hobbies with Friends and Family in Retirement

Retirement can be isolating for some seniors. Even if you're married, your spouse might still be working or going about their own daily schedule. Your adult children are busy raising their own families. Some of your older friends and family might be on different retirement timelines than you are. And as you step away from work you're also stepping away from the camaraderie and teamwork that filled your days with purpose. 

Turning hobbies and interests into more social experiences can help seniors maintain their connections to other people. Here are three reasons why those interactions are important to maintaining a high ROL in retirement:

Three Overlooked Areas of a Solid Financial Plan

Three Overlooked Areas of a Solid Financial Plan

Many nearing retirement focus on investments, but a Life-Centered Financial Plan covers key "What If?" scenarios often missed. Review income sustainability, healthcare costs, and legacy goals with your advisor for complete security.

The next time you meet with your financial advisor, review how your plan handles these three important areas:

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Try a Mini Retirement for ROL

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Try a Mini Retirement for ROL

A mini-retirement is a planned, intentional break from your normal work schedule that can help you recharge and rethink your career trajectory.

Your mini-retirement might mean downshifting to a four-day work week. It could be an extended stay-at-home vacation. Or it could be a longer break from work, like a sabbatical. Older workers who are nearing the "traditional" retirement window might also use mini-retirement to test drive their vision of what life without work will be like. 

Use this three-step process to plan your mini-retirement and make the most of the experience: