November 2025

As the year 2025 is quickly coming to its last chapter, we want to wish you all a wonderful end to the year.

2025 has seen inflation, rate cuts, tariffs, and a K shaped economy. For the most part, markets have been behaving themselves.  The S&P starting value on January 1, 2025, was 5,979.52.  If the S&P ends the year at 6,577.472, or better, that would be a 10% return, which would double your money every 7 years (The Rule of 72). 

The normal cycle of markets is like breathing in and out. Sometimes we need to catch our breath, sometimes we need a deep sigh.

The best way to keep your portfolios healthy is to work with someone who knows you, understands planning with you, and understands the breathing in and out of markets.

The techniques below are tried and true methods for good portfolio health:

• Know what you own and why (or work with someone who does).
• Don’t follow the herd, if everyone is doing it and talking about it that ship has sailed.
  
• Keep a “bucket of money” in a safe position to meet your cash flow needs for 18 months.
  
• Take the least amount of risk for the most amount of reward.
  
• Never sell off in down markets.
  
• Keep your eye on your goals, not on your balance day-to-day.

Life Thoughts

There continues to be political unrest which I hope doesn’t translate to discord at family and friend gatherings this year. We are still a country politically divided and held together by the love we share for each other.  Change starts with each of us individually hearing with our hearts and finding similarities rather than differences and then acting with kindness.

I promise at the end of our lives no one cares what political party anyone belonged to any more than anyone will care about the stuff they left behind. The things we care about at the end of our lives are the relationships we build.

Advice 

Our advice today is hold those you love close. Let go of the things we don’t agree on and focus on building relationships. Now is the time to act, to do the things you want to do, don’t want until someday...for what if someday never comes?

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay happy, laugh, hold hands, have yummy snacks, sing, dance, play with children, be silly, and enjoy the journey.