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

Life Planning

Simplify Your Stuff For a Better ROL

Simplify Your Stuff For a Better ROL

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication," proclaimed an Apple Computer marketing brochure back in 1977. In the ensuing decades, Steve Jobs' commitment to this ideal resulted in technology products that were as beautiful as they were easy to use, and resulted in Apple becoming one of the most valuable companies in the world.

The clutter that we accumulate in our life often prevents us from getting as much value as we can from our time and money. Think about how pairing down to the essentials in these four areas could improve your Return on Life (ROL).

Help Your Kids Set Goals this New School Year

Help Your Kids Set Goals this New School Year

Parents often judge their child's success by the letters they see on their report card. But helping kids develop strong habits and a can-do mindset can set them up for success inside and outside of the classroom for the rest of their lives.

Talk to your kids about these three techniques for setting and achieving goals this school year, and encourage them to improve their mind, health, outlook, and their Return on Life.

How Does Your View of Independence Affect Your ROL?

How Does Your View of Independence Affect Your ROL?

Independence is an important value to all Americans. It's also a value that's central to how we feel about and use our money. When we feel financially free, we can make a wider variety of choices, pursue our passions, and find our ideal version of work-life balance. As we move past the 4th of July and head into the second half of the year, ask yourself how these three areas of financial independence are affecting your planning and how to get more Return on Life going forward.

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Managing a Family Retreat Across Generations

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Managing a Family Retreat Across Generations

A family might spend decades working and saving towards the goal of owning a vacation home. The memories made are priceless, but the personal, emotional, and financial costs of keeping that house in your family for generations can be very high and very painful without thorough planning.

Prepare a family retreat into your legacy plan and make sure you discuss these three points with your heirs, your attorney, your CPA, and your financial advisor.

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Manage Your Time Wisely in Retirement

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Manage Your Time Wisely in Retirement

When you're a new retiree, staring at that blank page where your work schedule used to be, time might seem so abundant that you forget just how valuable it really is. But if you treat retirement like an endless weekend, you might be surprised to look up in a month, a year, or a couple years, and realize you don't feel as fulfilled as you thought you'd be. All those hours puttering around the house might suddenly feel like a precious resource you've wasted.

Being a good steward of your time is a skill that will only become more important as you progress in retirement. Here are some ideas to help you manage your days with a sense of purpose and contentment that will improve your Return on Life.

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What Should You Consider Before Relocating for Your Career?

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What Should You Consider Before Relocating for Your Career?

According to a report published by Bloomberg, only 1.6% of job seekers relocated to take a new job in Q1 2023, an all-time low. More folks than ever value the freedom to work when, how, and where they want. Compromising on that freedom isn't just about what's best for your career, it's a question of how relocating will affect your Return on Life in three important areas.

Express Gratitude as a Family This Thanksgiving

Express Gratitude as a Family This Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving, many families will pause their feasts so that everyone gathered around the table can share something that they are thankful for - and many probably won't.

Maybe sharing gratitude has never been a part of your family’s Thanksgiving traditions. Or maybe the practice sounds a little corny or old fashioned. But expressing gratitude to loved ones and to ourselves can have a positive impact on your Return on Life.

Here are three reasons why your family should make gratitude a part of your holiday celebrations.

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Legacy Planning is Much More Than Estate Planning

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Legacy Planning is Much More Than Estate Planning

Your legacy is bigger than your balance sheet. An effective estate plan, which protects and distributes your assets, is only one part of your larger legacy plan. Taking a Life-Centered approach using your intangible assets as a guide for transferring wealth will provide your heirs with life lessons. 

Try this three-step process to start memorializing more than just your money and maximize your Return on Life (ROL).

Can AI Help Improve Your ROL?

Can AI Help Improve Your ROL?

There's been so much chatter about potential drawbacks of AI like ChatGPT and Google Bard that many people are overlooking how AI can improve Return on Life. From automating mundane tasks to performing more efficient internet searches, there are almost limitless applications for these services -- if you know how to get the most out of them.

This brief guide to AI will give you a better understanding of what AI can and can't do, as well as prompts you can try to free up some valuable time at work and at home.

Taking a Sabbatical as a Physician

Taking a Sabbatical as a Physician

While some doctors don't think they can afford to step away from their practices, it might be better to ask yourself if you can afford not to.

The demands and stress of the last few years have caused a major spike in physician burnout, which can have serious life-or-death consequences for doctors and their patients. You might need more than just a long weekend or an extended vacation to get your Return on Life back in order.

A physician's sabbatical can give doctors an opportunity to step back from their routines, engage in different activities, learn more about medicine and themselves, and return to work with renewed energy. Work through this three-step process to design a sabbatical that could get you back in touch with why you became a doctor in the first place.