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The markets have had a rough first half of 2022, and our natural instinct is to run. But time and time again, we hear that we need to "stay the course."   Why is this so difficult? It's because we are fighting our own brain chemistry!

Behavioral finance takes a look at how our psychology affects how we invest. Key to this is loss aversion - we feel twice as much pain losing $20 as we do pleasure finding $20!  A bad experience can significantly impact a person, a corporation, even a country's ability to take risks going forward.   And the market changes we're experiencing this year are coming on the heels of the volatility we experienced in COVID!

Michael explains that there are three parts of the brain that activate this "loss aversion" phenomenon.  And they relate to fear, anxiety/prediction, and disgust/avoidance.  It's not our fault we want to pull out of the market - we're just wired that way!

Stacey and Mike close by talking about the importance of working with a financial advisor who understands behavioral finance, and the need to put a plan in place that considers market volatility ahead of time.

To receive your free Arc of Life Report, or to talk to Michael, Stacey, and the team at Optivise Advisory Services, give them a call at (855) 378-1806, or visit our website, https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

"Begin with the end in mind." - Stephen Covey

This is good advice for creating your financial plan, according to Michael Wallin.  Mike and Jag talk today about financial plans.  They should start with defining short, medium, and long term goals.  Tragically, too many people either start planning too late in life, don't have a direction to go in - or both!

With the Life Arc plan, Michael and Stacey Andres really get to know their clients, through 10 key areas - investment, social security, retirement income, wealth transfer, tax, healthcare, personal care, education, charitable, and estate planning.  It's important to understand how these areas can interact with each other, so that a plan can be created that's both quantitative AND qualitative, depending on the investor.

Once the plan is created, then it can be adjusted as necessary.

Michael and Stacey can protect you and your family going forward.  They are making the Life Arc plan available to any of our podcast listeners.   To learn more or get in touch with Michael and Stacey, give them a call at (855) 378-1806 or visit them online at https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

The  key to any type of financial planning is knowing your budget.  Today, Michael Wallin and Jag break down the 7 stages of financial freedom, as reported by Acorn/CNBC's Ryan Ermey here: https://grow.acorns.com/self-made-millionaire-grant-sabatier-levels-of-financial-freedom/

1. Financial Clarity
2. Self-Sufficiency
3. Breathing Room
4. Stability
5. Flexibility
6. Financial Independence
7. Abundant Wealth

The key to moving through each of these steps is a budget.  Knowing what it is, and what in it is going to change!  Inflation does not affect all things equally.  And if your advisor is inflating the amount of money you need to retire, because he or she is assuming inflation on everything, you should be questioning that.  The costs of some goods and services will not go up.  So why be so aggressive in your investments if you don't need to hit as high of a target?

If you need help putting together a financial plan - so you can stick to it - feel free to reach out to Michael and Stacey.  You can find them on our website - artofwealthunbroken.com.  Or give them a call at 855-378-1806.

Additionally, for our podcast listeners who visit the website, we are making the LifeArc plan free to you - with no obligation. This will help you get started on taking stock (no pun intended) of your overall financial picture.  Visit the website above.

Today, Stacey Andres and Jag revisit the "Three Bucket Strategy" - investing your money for the short, medium, and long term - and looking at it through the lens of volatility we've seen  so far in 2022.

As mentioned in the 7 Habits of  Highly Effective People, you should begin with the end in mind. Think about how much money you're going to need to live in retirement.   Then, what expenses will you have in the short and medium terms?

Be more conservative in the first, or short-term bucket.  Market volatility like we've seen this year can wipe out that money without having sufficient time for it to recover.

The second, medium-term bucket can be more aggressive, but not too aggressive.  Think about things like home-repairs, new vehicles, expenses that may be a few years out.

You can be most aggressive (and growth-focused) in the third, long-term bucket.  That money has plenty of time to recover from market swings, and if planned well, can result in you having more money at the end of your retirement than in the beginning!

Stacey also briefly touches on a "two bucket strategy" - conservative and growth.  When the market is volatile, pull from the conservative bucket. When the market is doing well, pull from the growth.  Stacey and Jag explain why.

Want to know more, or have Stacey help you plan your financial future?

Visit our website: https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

Or give Stacey a call at 855-378-1806.

What is success when it comes to your financial future?  While most people see that as a destination,  a better way to look at it is as a direction.  And that all starts with a plan.  Too often, folks meet with Michael Wallin and Stacey Andres and they have pieces of their financial future figured out, but not a cohesive plan.

Today we look at the InfoRight Process and the six pillars of financial planning - Investment, Tax, Income Planning, HealthCare, Wealth Transfer, and Estate Planning.  We also have a special offer for podcast listeners.   They can, for free, sign up for the LifeArc program, which allows you to input all of your information and get a projection about your financial future.

To take advantage of this plan, visit https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/  

You can also call Michael and Stacey at 855-378-1806.

Today, Michael Wallin and Stacey Andres break down 3 of the most common mistakes that investors make regarding their retirement.  They are:

1. Not having a plan
2. Quitting their job too early
3. Not investing with a purpose

We discuss each of these points, and our hosts also explain the Life Art plan that they use.  It uses hard numbers to determine our investors' ideal rate of return for a successful retirement.

If you need help putting together a financial plan - so you can stick to it - feel free to reach out to Michael and Stacey.  You can find them on our website - artofwealthunbroken.com.  Or give them a call at 855-378-1806.

Recently, Michael Wallin and Stacey Andres attended a conference called "Redeeming Money," put on by Kingdom Advisors. Kingdom Advisors is an organization that helps teach, educate and resource those who are in the financial planning industry approach helping their clients plan their future from a Biblical, God centered perspective.  This aligns closely with Michael and Stacey's values, and the came away from the conference with a few quotes that illustrate this, including:

"Is your ladder leaning against the wrong wall?"

"I want to steward the much as much as I steward the little."

“Immature people only see things from their point of view.  Lordship issues are resolved when I manage it for Him.”

Throughout today's episode, Michael and Stacey will explain their philosophy as advisors, and how they can help you with your financial future.

To learn more, visit our website: https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

Throughout the beginning of 2022, we have certainly seen our fair share of market volatility.  This can present an opportunity for investors.  Today, Michael Wallin and Stacey Andres explain their five rules around seizing the moment when opportunities present themselves.

1. Offense versus Defense

2. Have a Rules-Based Plan of Action.

3. When a contraction in the market happens, what should you consider to seize the moment?

4. In the spirit of the Olympics and the great Wayne Gretsky, skate to where the puck is going to be.

5.  Work with an experienced professional, preferably one that offers a team of seasoned professionals to build an investment, retirement income, healthcare, tax, and estate plan.

To reach the team at Optivise for help with your financial future, give them a call at 888-302-5559.