Waymaker Wealth Advisors

Retirement can be exciting. But it can also bring a lot of uncertainty.

The good news? Thoughtful planning can help you feel more confident about what comes next.

Avoiding these common retirement planning mistakes can help you start the next chapter on the right foot: https://waymakerwa.com/insights/blog/8-blunders-to-avoid-in-retirement-2/

Now is a good time to take a closer look at your financial picture, including your tax situation.

You may still find opportunities to make strategic moves that could help reduce your tax burden today and support your long-term financial goals.

Check out 10 year-end tax planning strategies we think you should consider: https://waymakerwa.com/insights/blog/10-effective-year-end-tax-planning-strategies-to-consider/

The latest economic data is giving investors a mixed picture. The labor market remains solid, which is encouraging for the economy and markets. At the same time, inflation is proving to be persistent.

What does it mean for investors? Our latest market commentary breaks down what’s happening with jobs, inflation, rate hikes, and the markets: https://waymakerwa.com/insights/blog/market-commentary-stubborn-inflation-problem-meets-a-goldilocks-jobs-report/

Retirement planning isn’t only about picking a date and hoping everything lines up.

How soon you want to retire, what you’re working toward, and how confident you feel about your current plan can all tell you something about where you stand.

See what your answers say about your retirement readiness: https://waymakerwa.com/retirement-planning-quiz/

A low monthly premium can look appealing when you’re comparing Medicare plans. But it’s only one piece of the decision.

The doctors you want to keep seeing, the prescriptions you take, and even where you spend your time can all affect which coverage works better for you.

Here are a few things worth looking at before you choose: https://waymakerwa.com/insights/blog/which-medicare-plan-is-best-for-you/

Medicare timing can sneak up on you.

Your initial enrollment period usually starts three months before the month you turn 65 and continues for three months after. But things like employer coverage can change when you need to sign up.

A little planning now can help you understand which window applies to you: https://waymakerwa.com/insights/blog/when-should-i-sign-up-for-medicare/

Treasury yields shot higher last week. Stocks basically shrugged.

The S&P 500 gained, the Nasdaq hit new highs, and the economic data still looked pretty solid. Consumers are spending, layoffs remain low, and earnings have held up even as inflation and interest rates stay elevated.

Higher yields still matter. But so far, they haven’t been enough to knock stocks off course.

More on what’s holding up and what could change the picture: https://waymakerwa.com/insights/blog/market-commentary-stocks-climb-despite-soaring-yields/

Most of us know what we’d like our investments to do over time.

What’s harder to pin down is how much risk we’re actually comfortable taking to get there.

That’s where this quick quiz can help.

Take the Investment Risk Tolerance Quiz to get a better sense of how you think about long-term growth and risk: https://waymakerwa.com/risk-tolerance-quiz/

Big deficits usually show up when the economy is under stress.

That’s what makes the current situation different.

We’re more than five years into an economic expansion, inflation is still elevated, and the federal deficit has already reached about $1.8 trillion with two months left in the fiscal year.

Add the huge capital needs of the AI buildout, and there’s a lot of competition for money.

See why that combination is putting more pressure on the cost of capital: https://waymakerwa.com/insights/blog/fiscal-deficits-are-exploding-and-thats-a-problem/

The plan with the lowest monthly premium isn’t always the one that saves you the most money.

A plan might look great on paper, but once you add in your doctors, prescriptions, and what you’ll actually pay out of pocket, the numbers can shift fast.

That’s why open enrollment is about more than just comparing monthly premiums.

See five things to look at before choosing your coverage for the year ahead: https://waymakerwa.com/insights/blog/5-tips-for-getting-the-right-medicare-coverage-this-open-enrollment-season/