"I don't need this job. I'm here because I want to be."

It's a powerful thing to say and actually mean. Most people assume it takes a fortune to have that kind of leverage. It usually doesn't. I’ve heard some version of this from several clients, but one client in particular keeps coming back to me.

“I finally feel free, because I know I don’t need my job anymore.”

I often hear some version of this from clients after we go through their numbers together. Before that conversation, they feel stuck. Why?

What would it take for you to walk away from a paycheck without anxiety? I keep coming back to this question because it's really at the heart of what I mean when I talk about Affordable Freedom.

I once worked with a guy who retired with more than $5 million and was stressed about money. I’ve also worked with a guy who retired with less than a million and had complete peace of mind.

Should you try to beat the stock market, or just match it? I get asked this question all the time, and most financial advisors get it wrong.

Should I wait to invest in the stock market? This is such a great question because it gets at something many of us struggle with. The desire to perfectly time our investments.

The short answer? You can — but it's not ideal. That said, this money isn't actually "locked up" until 59½, despite what the financial industry may lead you to believe.

Basic investment advice will often tell you that owning a broad US index fund — such as one that tracks …

This week’s blog post describes what I believe is the core of an intelligent long-term investment strategy. If you’d like …

Overview of Investment Risks Investing comes with a lot of risks. When you consider the different types of risks that …

First things first: is there a bubble? According to Investopedia, during a bubble, “assets typically trade at a price, or …

Opening Commentary  As you know, the Reflective Wealth Global Growth strategy (RWGG) is designed with a long-term focus on growth. …

Using Debt to Maximize Wellbeing We all want to maximize the quality of our lives, right?   And while money …

What is Values-Based Financial Planning?   Traditionally, financial planning has been centered around maximizing the zeros in a …

Historical stock market returns during election years   Many people think that election years can have a big impact …

The US labor shortage that isn’t going away   I believe the most pressing economic issue our country …

Small businesses are the bedrock of the American economy   In the United States, we’re free to do whatever work …

Our obsession with past performance   I’m not sure there’s an industry that’s been tainted by deception and fraud as …

Record debt just keeps getting higher   There’s a narrative on Wall Street that just won’t go away. It tells …

The Maginficent Seven   If you’ve followed the stock market at all over the past year or two, you know …