Behind the news – They keep running headlines about a failing market, but the actual corporate and economic data shows the exact opposite. 75% of companies reporting earnings are beating expectations. Wages are rising. Inflation is sitting at pre-war levels.

Everything is moving in the right direction. But headlines can still affect markets.

The U.S. national debt has passed $40 trillion. And after weeks of shrugging off the headlines, that number finally got the markets’ attention. The bond market reacted first. Yields climbed back to levels we last saw at the end of July. That put pressure on stocks, which had rallied for three straight weeks. Last week was rough overall for markets, although we did see a decent rebound on Friday, which has continued all week.

In The News

Underspending in Retirement: Why You Should Take That Trip

The US News article highlights:

• The article says many retirees have a hard time spending money even when they can afford to.
• It describes underspending in retirement as a quiet but widespread problem.
• Many people spend their working years building financial discipline, which can make spending in retirement feel uncomfortable.
• The same habits that helped people save money can make it emotionally hard to switch from saving to spending.
• The article says this problem can happen whether someone has $1 million or $20 million saved.
• It says the challenge is often more psychological than financial.
• A good retirement plan can help people balance protecting their savings with enjoying their money.
• The article recommends understanding where retirement income comes from and the effect of taxes
• It suggests building things like travel, family visits, and meaningful experiences into a retirement plan.
• The article warns that overspending is still a real risk, so retirees need balance rather than extremes.
• It says people should revisit their spending plan regularly and adjust as life changes.
• Some retirees feel better about spending after talking through their plans with a financial professional.
• The article says a predictable income floor can reduce anxiety about spending.
• One expert says people should start with the design of their income, not just a withdrawal formula. (Your income plan should start with YOU, not a formula or rule of thumb!)
• A major risk of underspending is waiting so long that health or energy no longer allow retirees to enjoy the experiences they wanted.
• The article encourages retirees to think about their bucket list while they are still active enough to enjoy it.
• It says that if healthcare costs, emergency savings, and long-term plans are already covered, retirees may be able to spend more comfortably than they think.
• The main message is that retirement spending should reflect a person’s goals, values, and lifestyle—not just fear of running out.

Live Your Dream! That is what our process is all about – you in the center of your retirement, doing what you want to do with confidence (not hope) in your plan, true financial security. Confidence comes when you know you have a team on your side, protecting your retirement!

So – where do you want to go? What is on your bucket list? Hit reply and let us know!

Just for Fun

Dad Joke of the Week:

I just found out I’m colorblind. The news came out of the purple!

This Week in History

1928- Penicillin discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming

1964- First Japanese player makes MLB debut

1997- Princess Diana dies in a car crash

2014- Comedy legend Joan Rivers dies

What Did it Cost? (Candy)

1985- $0.40

1995- $0.70

2005- $1.10

2015- $1.30

2020-$1.50