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

Building Momentum for ROL

Building Momentum for ROL

Unless you win the lottery, no financial plan is going to deliver massive overnight results that change your life. Even windfall events like getting a major promotion, or achieving a big exit from the company you started are all the end result of smaller achievements that gather and sustain momentum towards your ultimate goal.

Whether you want to save more, improve your health, or spend more quality time with your family, this simple three-step process can help you build momentum that will improve your Return on Life in the areas that matter the most to you.

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.

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Should You Buy or Build Your Dream Home?

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Should You Buy or Build Your Dream Home?

The choice between buying and building a house hasn't become much easier in 2024. While the housing market has cooled off a bit this year, high building costs and interest rates are helping to support high home sale prices. According to Forbes, the average cost to build a new house is around $329,000 - not including the cost of land.

We can help you run some numbers on the money part. There’s a lot more that goes into a true "dream home" other than money, especially if you're thinking about living there through retirement. Discussing these three questions with your family can clarify what a home really means to you, and how the journey to your next home could impact your Return on Life (ROL).

Are You Following the Financial Herd?

Are You Following the Financial Herd?

Herd mentality is the tendency to follow the actions of a larger group, even when those actions might not be in one's best interest. When it comes to finances, herd mentality can have significant implications for your investments and retirement planning. The first step to avoiding this common bias is understanding its prevalence. Second, is identifying specific ways to curb the behavior. 

So why do we follow the herd and how can we avoid it?

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.