It’s a fair question and one we’ve heard a lot lately with the DOW and S&P continuing to push into record territory. Our little bull market has grown up and is about to start third grade. We’re due for a correction right?
Maybe. Maybe not.
Our crystal ball is broken, and as our friends in the compliance department like to remind us, past performance is not indicative of future results. Looking out at the world today gives me plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the market. Combine this positive perspective with a steady approach to investing, a healthy understanding of volatility, and our belief continues to be one of consistent habits and a calm attitude.
https://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-05-22-03.19.18-pm.png559993Steve Boorenhttps://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/whitelogosized.pngSteve Booren2017-04-10 15:13:232017-05-22 16:03:35With Markets at All-Time Highs, is Now a Good Time to Invest?
Today I want to address what I believe is the very core for successful financial behavior – an optimistic disposition.
2016 is a great example of why it is so important to have an optimistic perspective. The optimists “won” and pessimists “lost”… again. Whether attempting to follow financial folklore such as, “as the first week of January goes, so goes the market for the year”, or that saying “sell in May and go away”… speculators who believe in superstition and let it influence their actions are bound to fail. This pessimism is bad behavior, and it happens far too often. The constant belief that the world is about to end isn’t good for your finances, and I imagine takes a toll on your health as well.
If 2016 has taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected. So as we wrap up a rollercoaster of a year, I find myself looking back to three surprises and the lessons they taught us. In the same way the bottom of a cup is revealed only when the liquid is quickly stirred, sometimes it takes a whirlwind of the unexpected to remind us of a few simple truths.
https://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016_Taught_Us_screenshot.png477852Steve Boorenhttps://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/whitelogosized.pngSteve Booren2016-12-15 19:15:162017-03-10 13:21:272016 Taught Us These 3 Lessons
On November 29th, the oldest living person in the world, Emma Morano will turn 117. Based on my research she is the last living person to have been born in the 1800s. While some people might marvel at all she’s seen and been through, I ‘m curious about what she did during her more than 50 years in retirement.
With life expectancies continuing to grow, from about 69 in 1970 to almost 79 in 2012 here in the U.S., this examples illustrates my point: I think the traditional picture of retirement will look very different in the coming years. Palm trees and Pina Coladas are fun for a little while, but 50 years of it would surely drive many of you insane.
With our dividend strategy we aim to keep checks coming for clients, because we believe in a steady growing income. But there are two other “paychecks” I encourage clients to pursue as well.
https://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/3_Keys_Modern_Retirement.png477850Steve Boorenhttps://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/whitelogosized.pngSteve Booren2016-11-28 19:03:432017-05-22 15:03:56The 3 Paychecks of a Modern Retirement
Introducing Prosperion Planning, the new service from Prosperion Financial Advisors. Learn more at www.prosperionplanning.com
We built Prosperion Planning specifically to help younger families get on the road to financial independence. A service to help them during a time in their lives when making small choices may add up to a big impact. We wanted to make it accessible, valuable, and affordable so it fits within a monthly budget, just like Netflix or a gym membership.
We learn about their needs and priorities and provide advice specifically for their situation. Whether it’s adding to the family, changing jobs, building a business or any number of complicated life decisions, we’re there to help guide them through each turn that life takes.
“Elections have consequences and the impact on U.S. economic policy of last week’s election will be enormous. We’re sure we’ll be writing about all of these issues in much greater depth over the next several months, but, for now, here’s a broad outline of what to expect.
One of the Republicans’ first tasks will be repealing much (but not all) of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. To get that done, they will use the budget reconciliation process in the US Senate, where they don’t need to break a filibuster with 60 votes; instead, they only need a simple majority. The budget process can be used to eliminate (1) penalties for not getting insurance, (2) subsidies for buying government-approved overly-broad insurance packages, and (3) the expansion of Medicaid.”
https://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/whitelogosized.png00Steve Boorenhttps://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/whitelogosized.pngSteve Booren2016-11-16 21:19:022017-03-10 13:25:02"Revolution" by Brian Westbury
With those words FDR accepted the presidency of the United States in 1933 during one of the most turbulent times in American history. Lesser known are the words that surround that key sentence.
“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.”
But human nature is a funny thing. As a society we tend to be emotional and sensitive to fear. Fear preys on our emotions, which in turn have the power to overrule logic, reason, and even common sense.
Putting aside fear is not an easy thing to do, especially faced with the uncertainties of modern life. But if we can, a different story emerges. Read more →
https://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/the_fear_of_uncertainty.png425760Steve Boorenhttps://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/whitelogosized.pngSteve Booren2016-11-11 21:55:492017-03-10 13:40:39The Fear of Uncertainty and the Uncertainty of Fear
“Donald Trump has completed his landmark quest and will become the nation’s 45th President after a contentious and often divisive campaign. In addition, the Republican Party has retained control of both houses of Congress. This outcome marks a significant reversal from just a few weeks ago when a Hillary Clinton presidency was highly probable and even a Democratic party sweep of Congress was possible.
While this outcome is certainly a shock to many, it is important to remember that the result isn’t a surprise to the plurality of American voters that spoke their collective will at the ballot boxes yesterday. The strength of a democracy is not in whether we like the outcome, but rather in how we accept the result as the voice and will of our republic.
https://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/whitelogosized.png00LPL Financialhttps://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/whitelogosized.pngLPL Financial2016-11-09 17:10:102017-05-22 14:49:07Election Letter from Burt White, Managing Director of LPL Research
As a financial advisor I often see clients with regret. For some investors it’s the regret of missing out on big gains. For others, the regret of taking part in big losses.
Regret is a powerful emotional force that has the potential to shape investing strategies and mentalities. When I think about how regret ties into investing, I believe it really comes down to minimizing regret wherever possible.
But is that a good framework for other decisions in life?
Nearly every decision in life involves some sort of give and take, some sort of risk. And I think it is our human nature to minimize this risk. But there is such a thing as a good risk.
https://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/the_value_of_regret.png424757Steve Boorenhttps://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/whitelogosized.pngSteve Booren2016-11-04 18:54:352017-05-22 15:03:32The Value of Regret
Today we’re going to cover how I choose the companies that end up in your portfolio. Before we get started, keep in mind that there’s a lot that goes into selecting the right mix of stocks, bonds, and other financial products that come together to address your financial needs. Today, we’re going to look at only one, but it is central to potentially creating and protecting a growing stream of income.
https://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/how_we_choose_companies.png425758Dave Andersonhttps://prosperion.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/whitelogosized.pngDave Anderson2016-10-20 19:37:502017-03-10 14:14:25How We Choose the Companies in Your Portfolio
With Markets at All-Time Highs, is Now a Good Time to Invest?April 10, 2017 - 3:13 pm
With Markets at All-Time Highs, is Now a Good Time to Invest?
It’s a fair question and one we’ve heard a lot lately with the DOW and S&P continuing to push into record territory. Our little bull market has grown up and is about to start third grade. We’re due for a correction right?
Maybe. Maybe not.
Our crystal ball is broken, and as our friends in the compliance department like to remind us, past performance is not indicative of future results. Looking out at the world today gives me plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the market. Combine this positive perspective with a steady approach to investing, a healthy understanding of volatility, and our belief continues to be one of consistent habits and a calm attitude.
Read more →
The Right Perspective
Today I want to address what I believe is the very core for successful financial behavior – an optimistic disposition.
2016 is a great example of why it is so important to have an optimistic perspective. The optimists “won” and pessimists “lost”… again. Whether attempting to follow financial folklore such as, “as the first week of January goes, so goes the market for the year”, or that saying “sell in May and go away”… speculators who believe in superstition and let it influence their actions are bound to fail. This pessimism is bad behavior, and it happens far too often. The constant belief that the world is about to end isn’t good for your finances, and I imagine takes a toll on your health as well.
Read more →
2016 Taught Us These 3 Lessons
If 2016 has taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected. So as we wrap up a rollercoaster of a year, I find myself looking back to three surprises and the lessons they taught us. In the same way the bottom of a cup is revealed only when the liquid is quickly stirred, sometimes it takes a whirlwind of the unexpected to remind us of a few simple truths.
Read more →
The 3 Paychecks of a Modern Retirement
On November 29th, the oldest living person in the world, Emma Morano will turn 117. Based on my research she is the last living person to have been born in the 1800s. While some people might marvel at all she’s seen and been through, I ‘m curious about what she did during her more than 50 years in retirement.
With life expectancies continuing to grow, from about 69 in 1970 to almost 79 in 2012 here in the U.S., this examples illustrates my point: I think the traditional picture of retirement will look very different in the coming years. Palm trees and Pina Coladas are fun for a little while, but 50 years of it would surely drive many of you insane.
With our dividend strategy we aim to keep checks coming for clients, because we believe in a steady growing income. But there are two other “paychecks” I encourage clients to pursue as well.
Read more →
Introducing Prosperion Planning
Introducing Prosperion Planning, the new service from Prosperion Financial Advisors. Learn more at www.prosperionplanning.com
We built Prosperion Planning specifically to help younger families get on the road to financial independence. A service to help them during a time in their lives when making small choices may add up to a big impact. We wanted to make it accessible, valuable, and affordable so it fits within a monthly budget, just like Netflix or a gym membership.
We learn about their needs and priorities and provide advice specifically for their situation. Whether it’s adding to the family, changing jobs, building a business or any number of complicated life decisions, we’re there to help guide them through each turn that life takes.
“Revolution” by Brian Westbury
“Elections have consequences and the impact on U.S. economic policy of last week’s election will be enormous. We’re sure we’ll be writing about all of these issues in much greater depth over the next several months, but, for now, here’s a broad outline of what to expect.
One of the Republicans’ first tasks will be repealing much (but not all) of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. To get that done, they will use the budget reconciliation process in the US Senate, where they don’t need to break a filibuster with 60 votes; instead, they only need a simple majority. The budget process can be used to eliminate (1) penalties for not getting insurance, (2) subsidies for buying government-approved overly-broad insurance packages, and (3) the expansion of Medicaid.”
The Fear of Uncertainty and the Uncertainty of Fear
“We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.”
With those words FDR accepted the presidency of the United States in 1933 during one of the most turbulent times in American history. Lesser known are the words that surround that key sentence.
“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.”
But human nature is a funny thing. As a society we tend to be emotional and sensitive to fear. Fear preys on our emotions, which in turn have the power to overrule logic, reason, and even common sense.
Putting aside fear is not an easy thing to do, especially faced with the uncertainties of modern life. But if we can, a different story emerges. Read more →
Election Letter from Burt White, Managing Director of LPL Research
“Donald Trump has completed his landmark quest and will become the nation’s 45th President after a contentious and often divisive campaign. In addition, the Republican Party has retained control of both houses of Congress. This outcome marks a significant reversal from just a few weeks ago when a Hillary Clinton presidency was highly probable and even a Democratic party sweep of Congress was possible.
While this outcome is certainly a shock to many, it is important to remember that the result isn’t a surprise to the plurality of American voters that spoke their collective will at the ballot boxes yesterday. The strength of a democracy is not in whether we like the outcome, but rather in how we accept the result as the voice and will of our republic.
The Value of Regret
As a financial advisor I often see clients with regret. For some investors it’s the regret of missing out on big gains. For others, the regret of taking part in big losses.
Regret is a powerful emotional force that has the potential to shape investing strategies and mentalities. When I think about how regret ties into investing, I believe it really comes down to minimizing regret wherever possible.
But is that a good framework for other decisions in life?
Nearly every decision in life involves some sort of give and take, some sort of risk. And I think it is our human nature to minimize this risk. But there is such a thing as a good risk.
Read more →
How We Choose the Companies in Your Portfolio
Today we’re going to cover how I choose the companies that end up in your portfolio. Before we get started, keep in mind that there’s a lot that goes into selecting the right mix of stocks, bonds, and other financial products that come together to address your financial needs. Today, we’re going to look at only one, but it is central to potentially creating and protecting a growing stream of income.
Read more →