March 2025 – Groundhog Day?
Does watching the recent ups and downs of the stock market have you quoting Bill Murray’s Phil Connors in Groundhog Day? – “It’s always (the same day) and there’s nothing I can do about it. Or do you recall the late Yogi Berra? “It's déjà vu all over again.”
We have been here before, but that doesn’t make the rollercoaster market fluctuations on repeat any easier to handle when so much is at stake.
But what if we told you that there is a better way to adapt to the changing markets? And that there are things you can do TODAY to help avoid agonizing over the whiplash of this Groundhog Day cycle?
We at Waypoint Wealth Management believe that there is no time like NOW to protect yourself. This is a time for opportunity. For many, now is NOT the time to retreat and be a seller. It may be a time to buy and potentially take advantage of the market, which may help reap financial rewards in the future.
- For instance, have you diversified your portfolio to meet the changing needs and circumstances of our time?
- Do you have in your portfolio fixed income investments, such as CDs and Money Market funds, which are now paying competitive rates?
- Have you considered investing in other fixed income investments, such as municipal bonds, corporate bonds, or guaranteed income investments such as fixed annuities1?
- For those of you that are in pre-retirement, this could be a potential buying opportunity. We are reaching out to many of you that have cash reserves to let you know about the opportunities created by this volatility.
- For those in retirement and in the market of selling, we have planned for the income you need in the near term, and those funds are set aside for you to access when needed. But now is the time to consider strategies for growing the funds you will need over the next 15-30 years.
Also, know we have tax strategies to assist with your goals.
Reach out to us for our specific recommendations for your portfolio and to discuss ways to protect your investment before the next Groundhog Day cycle.
We can help you meet these times with confidence, even during unexpected financial blizzards.
October 2024 – Safeguard Strategies
With the election coming up, the financial landscape might seem more unpredictable than ever. At Waypoint, we understand that in times like these, clarity is key. Our clients have shared some pressing concerns that may be on your mind as well:
- Market Volatility
- Tax Policy Changes
- Regulation and Compliance
- Economic Policy
Navigating these uncertainties doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Here’s how Waypoint can help you build a resilient financial strategy:
- Strategic Portfolio Review and Rebalancing: Is your investment portfolio primed to handle market volatility? Just like a well-coached sports team, your assets need to be balanced and in top shape.
- Tax-Efficient Strategies and Regulatory Awareness: Tax laws and regulations are like the rules of a game—they change. Let’s fine-tune your strategy to help avoid any curveballs and score tax efficiency.
- Stabilize with Non-Market Correlated Insurance Products: The stock market is ever-changing, but adding stability through non-market correlated financial strategies, such as whole life insurance, may be beneficial. Whole life insurance provides death benefit protection while also offering the potential to accumulate cash value over time, which is a long-term component of your overall asset portfolio. Keep in mind, the accumulated cash value builds gradually, is not immediately accessible, and using it will reduce the death benefit and may affect other aspects of the policy. With its low volatility, whole life insurance can help you feel more secure about your long-term financial wellness.
- Review of Assets Held Elsewhere: Are your assets outside of Waypoint working as hard as those we manage for you? We’ll review your full asset picture to help ensure everything is optimized for the election season's volatility.
- Future Retirement Planning: What does your dream retirement look like? We can help build a financial plan tailored to your goals. After all, preparation isn’t just about the present; it’s about securing your future.
April 2024 – An old tool for new times
Your professionals at Waypoint Wealth Management are here to help you find ways to provide balance and diversity in your investment portfolio and discuss whether a whole life policy - or other non-market correlated tools - are good additions to your financial strategy.
There are several investment options that add diversity to a portfolio without the ups and downs as the market fluctuates. Basic investment tools such as whole life insurance and CDs can provide stability to a diversified portfolio in uncertain times. In addition to the death benefit, a whole life policy may also offer tax advantages and a cash value that provides income in retirement.
Your professionals at Waypoint Wealth Management are here to help you find ways to provide balance and diversity in your investment portfolio and discuss whether a whole life policy- or other non-market correlated tools - are good additions to your financial strategy.
Forbes Best-in-State Top Financial Security Professionals list (July 2022, July 2023), based upon data as of December 31st of the preceding year. Research and rankings provided by SHOOK Research. Northwestern Mutual and its advisors do not pay for placement on 3rd party rating lists but do pay marketing fees to these organizations to promote the rating(s). Rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success.
August 2023 – Are you leaving money on the table?
How much interest are you earning on the cash in your savings account? If you don’t have a certificate of deposit in your savings strategy, you may be missing out on an opportunity to maximize your interest earnings.
Certificates of Deposits, or CDs, are a type of FDIC insured savings account that currently offer a higher interest rate -- hovering around 5% --than standard savings accounts. However, CDs require that funds invested in them remain in place for a contracted amount of time. The best rates are offered on short-term CDs ranging from three months to one year. CDs may be purchased in increments of $1,000. You are charged a penalty if you access your funds before the end of the contracted period.
Some investors ladder their CDs to take advantage of the locked-in rates. An example of this cycling technique is investing in CDs that mature at three different time periods, such as three months, six months and one year.
Like traditional bank savings accounts, CDs are insured for up to $250,000 and are a highly safe investment. Your advisers at Waypoint Financial have access to CDs with the highest current rates at banks and savings institutions across the country, while they last. Northwestern Mutual offers several CD options including interest bearing fixed1, interest bearing variable, inflation-indexed, and Zero Coupon1, so you can find the one that works with your financial plan. Keep in mind, CDs are interest rate-sensitive, they don't come without risk (credit, liquidity, and call risks, for example) and you could lose money if you do not hold them until maturity.
1These investments are sold in the secondary market. The secondary market for long-term CDs may be limited. You should not rely on the possible existence of a secondary market for any benefits, including achieving trading profits, limiting trading or other losses, realizing income prior to maturity or avoiding early withdrawal penalties. If sold prior to the maturity or call date, they are subject to price fluctuations and may be worth less than their original cost.