Prosperity Pathways

Thoughtful Thursday.

In almost every couple, one person is more interested in finances than the other.

One spouse wants spreadsheets.

The other spouse wants absolutely nothing to do with spreadsheets.

The funny part?

Neither person is usually wrong.

One wants confidence.

The other wants simplicity.

The best financial plans create both.

Quick poll:

Are you the "spreadsheet spouse"?

Or the "we'll be fine" spouse?

Drop your answer below.

(And if you're reading this together, be honest.)

Visit us at: https://www.prosperityp.com/

Christina Copobianco and I will be hosting NexGen Coffee socials every first thursday of the month. Our first one in next Thursday July 2nd, see details within the image. If you are an under 40 financial planner swing by for a coffee before heading in for your day. Special thank you to Brad Smelstor with First Trust in helping sponsor these events moving forward! We hope to see everyone there! :)

Wacky Wednesday.

There was a time when excitement meant concerts, late nights, and spontaneous road trips.

Now?

A lower insurance premium feels like winning the lottery.

What's something that would've sounded incredibly boring to your 25-year-old self but excites you today?

I'll start:

Getting home early and having no plans.

Visit us at: https://www.prosperityp.com/

What do you know about net unrealized appreciation (NUA) and how it can affect your tax responsibility? When selling company stocks in your retirement account, it could prove essential.

Understanding Equity Compensation Net Unrealized Appreciation and how it affects tax responsibilities.

I met with a couple recently who are hoping to retire in the next few years.

As we reviewed their investments, one thing immediately stood out:

Nearly 99% of their portfolio was invested in U.S. large growth stocks.

What's even more surprising?

They hadn't made any meaningful changes to their allocation in almost 10 years.

Now, to be fair, the portfolio had performed very well. That's exactly how they ended up here.

When one area of the market leads for an extended period of time, portfolios can gradually become much more concentrated than investors realize.

The concern wasn't that they owned U.S. large growth stocks.

The concern was that they were approaching retirement with virtually all of their investment risk tied to one segment of the market.

That's why periodic reviews matter.

Not because you need to constantly change investments.

But because markets change, allocations drift, and a portfolio that made sense 10 years ago may not be the portfolio you want heading into retirement.

A mid-year review can help answer questions like:

• Has my allocation drifted from my original strategy?
• Am I taking more risk than I realize?
• Is my portfolio properly diversified?
• Does my investment mix still align with my retirement goals?

Sometimes the biggest risk isn't poor performance.

It's allowing yesterday's allocation to become tomorrow's retirement plan.

If it's been a while since you've reviewed your investments, now may be a great time to take a fresh look.

Visit us at: https://www.prosperityp.com/

Tax Tuesday.

Nobody has ever called me and said:

"Joe, I was really hoping to send more money to the IRS this year."

Yet every year, people are surprised when they owe more than expected.

Some common reasons:

• A large bonus
• Stock compensation
• Retirement distributions
• Investment gains
• Side income
• Changes to withholding

The problem isn't necessarily the tax bill.

The problem is being surprised by it.

What's worse:

A surprise tax bill or a surprise dentist appointment?

Let me know in the comments.

Visit us at: https://www.prosperityp.com/

We've all done it.

Check the 401(k).

Check it again.

Maybe one more time just to make sure it didn't change in the last 15 minutes.

But the account balance is only one piece of the retirement puzzle.

The questions that matter most are often the ones we put off:

• When can I realistically retire?
• Will I have enough income?
• How much should I actually be spending?
• What will taxes look like?
• Are my spouse and I even on the same page?

No judgment. Most people don't have answers to all of these.

What's the retirement question you've been putting off?

Drop it in the comments or send me a message.

Visit us at: https://www.prosperityp.com/

Preparation can sometimes be all you need to make the impossible, possible.

Preparation is the Key to Retirement The simplest ideas can sometimes make a massive difference over time. Enjoy this brief video to learn more.

Check out this informative video on bull and bear markets to better understand how the stock market works!

Bull and Bear Go To Market Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!

Blog #25: A mid-year financial reset can help create clarity before the rest of the year gets away from you. Review 7 key areas including investments, taxes, retirement savings, cash flow, insurance, and retirement planning.

The Mid-Year Financial Reset: 7 Areas Worth Reviewing Before the Second Half of the Year Mid-year is the perfect time to revisit investments, taxes, retirement savings, cash flow, insurance, and long-term planning before the second half of the year.