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Jerome Powell’s abrupt re-posturing towards inflation sends a resounding message to listening investors: risk matters again. Effective risk management first requires thought and planning. If a pair of winter climbers doesn’t first think about how to survive a whiteout, the probability of separation and disaster escalates when the cloud of wind and snow joins their expedition. Applying sound principles to manage identifiable risks, like carrying a small 15 foot rope to quickly tie to your climbing buddy in a whiteout, can prove critical. What are today’s identifiable risks, and what principles aid in their mitigation?

Accepting the existence of risk enables risk identification. The “fight or flight” response mechanism won’t help you after falling through the ice of a mountain river, or when your tech stocks crash 50% in a week, only forethought will. I perceive the following risks are with us today:

• Powell could be behind the inflation curve, a nightmare scenario for stocks, since inflation and interest rates could rise together.

• Powell’s new inflation posture means the stock bubble suddenly has an enemy with a pin.

• Recent and near-term retirees appear to be facing the dreadful ‘early-retirement bear market’.

• Bonds appear to be in a bigger and more dangerous bubble than stocks.

• Present inflation is eroding the purchasing-power of bank savings at a rate of 50% every 9 years!

• The yield curve may be indicating concerns about the economy.

• Tax hikes are coming.

• Social Security is likely to be ‘means tested’ due to underfunding.

I would liken the present financial landscape to climbing Mount Denali in January, where life-threatening risks are literally everywhere. Consider whether the following strategies may help you navigate your course successfully:

• Increase your emergency savings, and the cash position in your investment accounts.

• Reduce debt, and convert variable rate debt to a fixed interest rate.

• Don’t relinquish earned income without serious consideration.

• Increase your fiscal discipline. Get aggressive and creative in reducing expenses.

• Buy capital-efficient, industry-dominating, dividend-paying, dividend-increasing businesses at a good price.

• Own a chaos hedge or two.

• Establish a long-term mindset towards high quality, high conviction holdings, and reinvest dividends throughout the market cycle.

• Have a clearly-defined exit plan on all ‘non-forever’ holdings and follow it.

• Stay away from the extremes of fear and greed. Don’t hide from inflation in the bank. Avoid making a big bet on a risky position, or doubling down on a losing position. Follow the position sizing rule of 3%-5%.

• Dollar cost average throughout the market cycle.

Think about it, Shaun

“Rule #1 is don’t lose money. Rule #2 is don’t forget Rule #1.” ~Warren Buffet

“He who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more’.” ~Matthew 25:20

“Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and will lead me home.” ~Lyrics from John Newton’s Amazing Grace

The opinions voiced in this material are general, are not intended to provide specific recommendations, and do not necessarily reflect the views of LPL Financial. The economic forecasts set forth in this commentary may not develop as predicted.

All investing involves risk including the possible loss of principle. No strategy insures success or protects against loss. Dividend payments are not guaranteed and may be reduced or eliminated at any time by the company.

Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against loss. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.

Dollar cost averaging involves continuous investment in securities regardless of fluctuation in price levels of such securities. An investor should consider their ability to continue purchasing through fluctuating price levels. Such a plan does not assure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets.

https://www.fivestarprofessional.com/spotlights/90982

Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2012/2022 Five Star Wealth Managers.

  Following an un-roped ascent of the final 400 feet on the Mountaineer’s Route of Mt. Whitney in 2010, a 60-degree pitch involving mixed, technical climbing, I became disturbed by the amount of risk I had just willingly assumed to my life. Months later I inquired of Rick Wilcox, a highly accomplished mountaineer from North Conway, NH, of his opinion of risking a fall on such treacherous terrain, to which he calmly replied, “that’s climbing; if you’re not willing to assume the risk of a fall, don’t climb”. Investing and planning your family’s financial future requires a degree of risk-taking; consider the following insurance principles to avoid allocating a counter-productive number of your investable dollars towards the insurance of unavoidable risks.

• Consider insuring catastrophic risks only. Why waste precious capital on negligible and improbable risks? That’s like setting a fixed rope to ascend a 30 degree hill. Interestingly, a bunch of climbers died on K2 in 2008 after making that very mistake, later lacking the ropes required on the much steeper terrain above. Your investable capital is like a climber’s rope in that you only have so much of it. If you have ample emergency savings, for example, and are willing to drive defensively, why not skip the collision coverage on your auto insurance policy, especially if your vehicle is older, and invest those dollars instead? Scrutinize every risk with these questions: what is the financial risk? What is the adverse probability? What is the opportunity cost to insure the risk? 

• Insure all catastrophic risks. Failing to insure a catastrophic risk is synonymous with playing roulette with your family’s financial future; don’t do it. I think of insurance as existing solely to cover catastrophic risks, just like my climbing rope, and I look to identify and insure those risks. Examples include: making sure dependent children are provided for in the case of your early death, protecting a spouse before your retirement is fully funded (especially when in debt), protecting against high costs of future care, protecting the family business from estate taxes, and covering liability risk in a wrongful car accident.

• Buy the right type of insurance. Of all the life insurance policies clients have asked me to review over 34 years, I’m guessing close to half were the wrong type of policy, given the nature of the risk. Buy temporary (term) life insurance to cover temporary risks, and permanent life insurance to cover permanent risks. Understand the risk, and the solution will emerge more clearly.

• Buy the right amount of insurance. Never trust an insurance company’s assessment of your financial risk; do your own assessment, or have a fiduciary assess it for you.

• Use an independent insurance agent, and shop around. Always consider multiple providers and policy solutions. Never pay more than you have to for insurance. Do this by making companies compete for your business through an independent agency or exchange.

• Watch your rates. My auto insurer low-balled the quote on my Jeep, but at renewal raised my premium by twice the inflation rate! When I confronted them, they brought the rate back down. Always play hard ball when dealing with insurance companies; that’s what they’re doing with you. Always be ready to replace a policy to save money.

I hope these principles are a blessing to you. Think about it, Shaun.  

“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it”. ~Proverbs 22:3

The opinions voiced in this material are general, are not intended to provide specific recommendations, and do not necessarily reflect the views of LPL Financial.

All investing involves risk including the possible loss of principle. No strategy insures success or protects against loss.

Please keep in mind that insurance companies alone determine insurability and some people may be deemed uninsurable because of health reasons, occupation, and lifestyle choices. Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the insurance company.

https://www.fivestarprofessional.com/spotlights/90982

Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2012/2022 Five Star Wealth Managers.

Forty percent (40%) of company stocks listed on the NASDAQ are down by 50% or more,¹ market breadth in the NASDAQ, Russell Micro Cap Index, and all Asia Indexes are negative and falling,² and credible and accomplished investors are starting to warn of an impending bear market. What factors suggest the stock party may not end just yet, what are the risks to this outlook, and what are prudent investors doing right now to protect both their returns and capital? 

The stock market is one of the greatest wealth building tools in the world, but it is also ruthlessly counter-intuitive, inflicting the maximum amount of pain possible on the maximum number of investors. The following issues suggest the stock market may overcome rising headwinds for now:

• Stocks have not historically peaked at the beginning of a Fed tightening schedule, and rates have not even begun to rise yet; but stay alert, for the Fed has never been smart enough to avoid raising rates too far in an inflation-fighting series of hikes.

• Long bull markets generally end in euphoria with potential investors “all in”, but today market pessimism remains, particularly with institutional money managers and wealthy individual investors. History suggests both will go all in before the music stops.

• Policy, as of now, remains wildly favorable towards owning stocks, and wildly unfavorable towards owning fixed income investments; in fact, though the Fed speaks, nothing in this equation has changed as of yet.

• Since 2008, every time stocks throw a tantrum the Fed quickly decides re-inflating the stock bubble is top priority. Now that the solvency of the U.S. government is a global question, the Fed is highly reluctant to raise rates much, and equally likely to accept a higher rate of inflation. Jerome Powell is not Paul Volcker!

• Major bear markets have always been accompanied by economic recessions, and right now the U.S. economy is growing.

• Recessions are preceded by an inverted yield curve, and save the 20Year and 30Year Treasury Bonds, this has yet to occur.

Risks to this outlook are numerous. The Fed may be behind the inflation curve, which means rate hikes may be accompanied by still rising inflation, a worst case scenario for stocks. The Fed is now panicking, a recipe for policy error. Threat of war with China is rising. The pandemic isn’t over, nor the possibility of additional lockdowns. Any of these could swiftly terminate the ongoing bull market in stocks.

The following actions should prove helpful in successfully navigating today’s dangerous investing landscape:

• Stay well diversified, and obey the position sizing rule of 3%-5% for individual stocks.

• Maintain a well-defined “exit plan” on all non-forever stock holdings, and stick to it.

• Avoid over concentration by maintaining a well-diversified portfolio.

• Build a strong cash position to weather the potential storm, and to have investable cash when great companies are dirt cheap.

• Focus on high quality companies with present streams of income.

• Own a chaos hedge or two.

Happy New Year! Please think about it, Shaun.  

“It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price, than a fair company at a wonderful price.”

~Warren Buffet

“Give a portion to seven, and even eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.” ~Ecclesiastes 11:2 

1 Bloomberg.com, “Number of NASDAQ Stocks Down 50% or More Almost at a Record”, January 6, 2022

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-06/number-of-nasdaq-stocks-down-50-or-more-is-almost-at-a-record

2 MarketInOut Stock Screener, January 7, 2022

https://www.marketinout.com/chart/market.php?breadth=advance-decline-line

The opinions voiced in this material are general, are not intended to provide specific recommendations, and do not necessarily reflect the views of LPL Financial. The economic forecasts set forth in this commentary may not develop as predicted.

All investing involves risk including the possible loss of principle. No strategy insures success or protects against loss. 

Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against loss. 

There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.

Dividend payments are not guaranteed and may be reduced or eliminated at any time by the company. 

All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly. 

Though our culture encourages, in many cases financially supports, and as seen in the cozy relationship between the U.S. government and the Federal Reserve Bank (“the Fed”), actually glorifies debt, debt is indeed potentially dangerous and must at all times be shrewdly managed. Consider the following three principles in your quest to manage debt well.

The most certain way to manage debt effectively is to not have debt. In many cases the most efficient use of your God-given capital is to accelerate the repayment of your debt. You will never accumulate wealth as surely, and seldom as effectively, as when you are debt free. There is a freedom and a peace that visits those free of debt that is never experienced by the perpetually indebted. Be certain you have a clear path to debt-free living before investing, and make sure it is part of your family’s long-term financial plan. Teach your children to manage debt wittedly, leading them by example. Never relinquish your earned income while in debt.

The above statements do not mean debt is a universally bad or evil thing. Debt can enable a student to obtain the specialized education required to sooner engage a fruitful career, provide the owner of a multi-tenement home a rent-free apartment with additional net income, or furnish a small business with enough scale to grow exponentially faster. The issue which distinguishes prudent from imprudent debt has everything to do with that which one does with the borrowed money. All issues considered, is the net financial effect over the life of the loan positive or negative? Prudent loans generally involve investing in assets which produce income and appreciate, the sum of which exceeds all interest paid, and considering the time value of money. Retirement income expert, Doc Eifrig, of Stansberry Research, recommends avoiding the “cardinal sin of borrowing a large amount of money to buy a new car, a highly depreciating asset which loses 5-20% instantaneously”.¹ I suggest you begin to view every temptation to borrow through the “productivity lens”.

Most importantly, keep a strict family budget, run a net positive monthly cash flow, and save and invest wisely. Make sure the acquisition of a new loan does not cause your monthly cash flow to turn negative, even in unfavorable circumstances, and never let your cumulative debt exceed your liquid net worth. If you’re already in the predicament, develop a specific plan to bring it in line expediently, then bring cumulative debt under 10% of net worth, then 5%, then never let it exceed 5% again.

May God bless you in the strict management of your debt, and Happy New Year! Shaun

“The borrower is slave of the lender.” ~Proverbs 22:7

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other.” ~Romans 13:8

1 Dr. Eifrig’s Health & Wealth Bulletin, “Avoid This Cardinal Sin of Personal Finance”, December 22, 2021

The opinions voiced in this material are general, are not intended to provide specific recommendations, and do not necessarily reflect the views of LPL Financial. The economic forecasts set forth in this commentary may not develop as predicted.

Christmas has its wonders, as seas their rolling waves,

To cast in awe the softened heart, of God for whom it craves,

His plan of salvation, to seek and save the lost,

He takes them in their fallen state, he surely bears their cost,

Can God become a man? The Ruler of the Skies,

Forsake his glory and his throne, lost souls the humble prize?

Conceived by the Spirit, and born of virgin bride,

His Christmas birth brings life and hope, to those unqualified,

Gentleness his manner, though power is his frame,

He crushes not despairing ones, but bows them at his name,

Forbearing the wand’rer, the rod of grace restores,

There are no turns on Straight the Road, this side of heaven’s shores,

What quenches God’s fierce wrath? A holy judge is he!

To cover all their grievous sins, his blood spilled on a tree,

His motive for suff’ring, deep love for them he knows,

To bring them near the heart of God, whom they did fore oppose!

Many other marvels, revealed by Christmas light,

Christ shall return, judge all the earth, and win the bloody fight!

One issue remaineth, the matter of YOUR soul,

Have you this hope, deep in your heart, and whom do you extoll?

~Written by Shaun T. Scott, December, 2021

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” ~John 3:17

Have a blessed Christmas!

Shaun & Deb Scott, Susan Ambrosino, Jenn Carreiro

Old Forge Financial Services

In recent years, the economic backdrop driving America’s investing environment has consisted of slow economic growth, easy-money policies, high asset prices, and disinflation. This theme drove prices for risky assets, many of which had no earnings, paid no dividends, and had no clear path to profitability, to valuations never before seen. Returns on “Hyper-growth” stocks, crypto currencies, and other speculative investments lured many workers out of work and into day-trading. Credible economists, like Lacy Hunt, of Hoisington Investment Management, suggested the excessive debt load would keep America’s economy in slow growth long-term, which would continue to dampen loan growth, which would allow the Fed to continue to suppress rates and print money, which would continue to elevate asset prices. While this narrative is very logical, and for a dozen years remarkably accurate, those supporting it understood that, should a sufficient amount of the Fed’s arbitrarily-created currency units fall into the hands of middle America, as opposed to staying concentrated in the hands of financial interests closest to the Fed’s “trough”, noticeably rising prices would unseat the narrative and change the investing environment. The hubris of government, to think it could shut down national supply chains and then turn them back on like a light switch, coupled with the historically reckless Fed decision to “do whatever it takes” to create inflation north of 2% annually (as if stealing 2% of your income each year wasn’t enough!), have in tandem lit the fuse on inflation, dislodged the old economic narrative, and ushered-in a new investment environment. In regards to the dangers of high inflation, who is most at risk, how might you be exposed, and what basic measures should be taken?

High inflation renders present streams of income more valuable today, and future streams of income less valuable today. This is why the NASDAQ, consisting primarily of growth stocks which pay no dividends, is under pressure, while the DOW JONES, consisting primarily of established dividend payers, is outperforming. The two groups of citizens most damaged by periods of sustainable high inflation are cash savers, or people who keep a substantial portion of their wealth in bank accounts, or similar, low interest vehicles, and pensioners, or people on a fixed income. Savings, after an ample emergency fund is established, must not habitat low interest cash accounts for long. Those on a fixed income should think of ways to diversify income sources, and should consider earning some income on at least a part-time basis. The following should also prove helpful navigating the new landscape:

• Maximize positive cash flow by running a tight family budget, then save & invest more to pay for tomorrow’s higher prices

• Consider The Alpha Strategy for all purchases (contact the office for a free e-copy)

• Don’t relinquish earned income without serious consideration

• Avoid big positions in low or non-income producing investments, like cash and speculative growth stocks

• Focus on income and dividend investments, especially those able to raise prices with inflation, and are capital efficient

• Own some inflation hedges (REIT’s, MLP’s, commodities, gold) 

• Consider utilizing the Charter Economy

Think about it, Shaun.

 The opinions voiced in this material are general, are not intended to provide specific recommendations, and do not necessarily reflect the views of LPL Financial. The economic forecasts set forth in this commentary may not develop as predicted.

 All investing involves risk including the possible loss of principle. No strategy insures success or protects against loss.

 Dividend payments are not guaranteed and may be reduced or eliminated at any time by the company.

If you are anything like me, you dread manual, old-economy shopping. Between the back going into seizure from standing motionless for hours on a hard floor, and the ‘Type A’ blood pressure spike from congested traffic and standing in long checkout lines, I can honestly say I prefer an equivalent time in hard labor to traditional shopping. While online shopping removes the annoyances of manual shopping, multiplies product options, saves time and gas, allows for better cost comparison, and provides greater quality assurance through product reviews, it can also introduce you to a genuine financial hardship with a single breach of your security. Adopt these online shopping habits to safeguard your security.

• Use trusted sites ONLY. Whenever you enter your credit-card number, always look for the letter “s” at the end of the URL’s “http.” It should say “https://” before the rest of the site’s address.

• Use encrypted sites ONLY. An icon of a closed padlock will appear at the bottom of the page in most browsers; without encryption hackers can more easily access your information.

• Check the spelling. Make sure the URL you are about to access is the intended URL. The term “Official website” often accompanies a search for retail sites, and the URL of many scam-based websites resembles the real thing.

• Shield your shopping devices. Invest in a good malware-removal program and a good antivirus program for your computer. For your handheld device, use programs like Malwarebytes (for Android phones) and Avast SecureLine (for Apple).

• Avoid “free public Wi-Fi” like the plague. Never enter your personally identifiable information (PII) or financial information on an unsecured network!

• Lock your device, guard your password, and use “two-factor authentication”, which you can learn about here.  

• Use resell sites and gift cards cautiously. An online purchase requiring an activation code requires additional precaution, and we often don’t know if the full value remains on a gift card. I try to avoid both of these.

• Check for a receipt. Save a digital or hard copy of all receipts, and check your credit card statement to verify the charge. ¹

Establish these safe online shopping disciplines, and enjoy the extra time online shopping will afford you with your family! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration this year. Shaun

“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”  ~Proverbs 27:12

1 Doc Eifrig’s Health & Wealth Bulletin, “Seven Ways to Stay Safe While Shopping Online”, November 22, 2021

Opinions voiced in this material are general, are not intended to provide specific recommendations, and do not necessarily reflect the views of LPL Financial. The economic forecasts set forth in this commentary may not develop as predicted.

It’s rare in our distractively-busy culture for the common American to engage macroeconomic issues, but rapidly rising prices driven by highly inflationary policy are a present and notable exception. Engaging the public discourse on inflation, and knowing how to effectively overcome it, however, seldom marry, so let’s investigate why that is.

It’s fascinating to ask people what causes inflation because the answer is super simple, and no one knows the answer. No one knows the answer because the definition has been changed to hide the cause. Inflation is properly defined as “an arbitrary increase in currency units without a corresponding increase in the supply of goods and services”. As you might expect, more dollars chasing the same goods causes prices to rise, a primary effect. Today’s money conjurers have people believing inflation is defined as “rising prices”, so that the cause can be blamed on other things. Properly defined, we’re ready to consider inflation’s rotten fruit.

The arbitrary creation of currency units, or inflation:

• Steals from the lower and middle classes by devaluing the currency they heavily depend on, always rendering them poorer.

• Enriches the wealthy by causing the risk assets they own to rise, which is disproportionate to their cost of living, which is comparatively small.

• Taxes all users of the currency dishonestly, since the government never has to say it’s raising taxes (on everyone).

• Results in divergently rising prices.

• Invigorates speculation and risk-taking leading to widespread malinvestment and asset bubbles, which are followed by systemic crashes; then it rinses and repeats.

• Causes fixed income and cash savings vehicles to lose purchasing power.

• Threatens the society in which the compromised currency prevails.

Many people understand the above, and yet fail to reflect it in their financial lives. I believe this is the result of a) financial illiteracy, since Americans are not educated on financial matters at home or in school, and b) fear is stronger than greed, and they try to hide in all the wrong places. Astute responses to a highly inflationary environment are:

• Make more money. Whether this means working longer, harder or smarter, extra income is very helpful in maintaining a net positive cash flow in your home.

• Spend less money. It has the same effect as more income (but on the other side of the ledger).

• Invest in quality assets. Focus on capital efficient companies with consistently high free cash flow and strong pricing power.

• Place a high priority on investments paying dividends and rents, especially those able to consistently increase the payouts. Income your investments earn is income you won’t have to.

• Maintain an exit strategy on all trades to protect your capital from the occasional systemic crash, and don’t let these busts deter you from decisively returning to the above assets when prices stabilize.

• Own some classic inflation (hard asset) hedges.

In closing, it’s important to distinguish inflation from hyperinflation, which is the widespread loss of confidence in, followed by the widespread abandonment of, a compromised currency. The former is objective policy action; the latter is a subjective response to that action. The former causes a rise in prices; the latter involves the total breakdown of a society. The former is sin; the latter is judgment on that sin.

Think about it, and I hope this information empowers and blesses your family. I’m sorry for the length this week, after many shortenings, it’s still too long! Shaun .

“The best way to destroy the capitalist (free-enterprise) system is to debauch the currency. By a continuing process of inflation, governments can confiscate, secretly and unobserved, an important part of the wealth of their citizens. By this method they not only confiscate, but they confiscate arbitrarily; and, while the process impoverishes many, it actually enriches some.” ~Vladimir Levin

“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight in his delight.” ~Proverbs 11:1

The opinions voiced in this material are general, are not intended to provide specific recommendations, and do not necessarily reflect the views of LPL Financial. The economic forecasts set forth in this commentary may not develop as predicted.

 All investing involves risk including the possible loss of principle. No strategy insures success or protects against loss. Dividend payments are not guaranteed and may be reduced or eliminated at any time by the company.

Time has shown the common-most ‘top priority’ among elite investors globally has nothing to do with buying securities or building investment portfolios, and everything to do with the protection of capital and knowing when to sell. Mountaineers ascending grades too steep to arrest a ‘slip-n-fall’ often attach to a fixed rope, so when things go wrong they can live to climb another day. While numerous and varied investment strategies prove successful at increasing investment values, retaining capital when things go wrong is the single indispensable factor in surviving to invest another day. Mark Twain went bankrupt late in life by doubling down on failed ventures instead of abandoning them, learning by mistake the critical importance of the ‘exit plan’ to the multi-generational retention of capital wealth.

I was fascinated by a recent webinar in which three profoundly successful investors each shared their very different approaches to investing, the systems being so dissimilar apologies were offered at every exchange to temper strongly held but opposing views! Yet the one commonly practiced principle by the three was to have an ‘exit plan’ for every equity ‘trade’ at the time of purchase. What is an ‘exit plan’, how do the basic strategies work, and which are right for you?

Wall Street promotes the idea “time in the market”, not “timing the market”, is what produces reliable and lasting wealth, but Wall Street profits on the widely-held belief, and offers no comfort to the casualty investor when the delusion recurrently vaporizes. Here are some key practices that will save you from becoming a statistic:

• A ‘Forever Stock’ holding involves the purchase of capital efficient, industry-dominating, dividend-paying, dividend-increasing companies at attractive valuations. All other stock purchases constitute a trade, and all trades must involve an exit plan Day 1.

• Never fall in love with a holding of any kind. If you don’t understand this principle, read the book of Hosea. Nothing in this world is worthy of your confidence but GOD alone.

• Run with your winners and cut your losers. Appreciating stocks tend to continue appreciating, and vice-versa. Give leash to your winners and maintain a cold and distasteful low tolerance for losers.

• Take a ‘free ride’ on every 100% winner by promptly removing the original investment amount. Never make an exception to this rule.

• Investigate and use Stop-loss orders on all equity trades, stocks, ETF’s and mutual funds alike, or make sure the person managing your critical retirement capital is doing so on your behalf, at all times and with strict discipline.

• Never trust your personal insight or instinct to tell you when to sell. The counter-intuitive stock market, coupled with your vulnerable emotions, will betray and punish you ruthlessly.

• Enjoy, and be thankful for the financial freedom these principles will afford you, and teach them to your children.

Think about it, Shaun.

“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty” ~Proverbs 14:23

“The sluggard does not plow in autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.” ~Proverbs 20:4

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” ~Proverbs 21:5

The opinions voiced in this material are general, are not intended to provide specific recommendations, and do not necessarily reflect the views of LPL Financial. The economic forecasts set forth in this commentary may not develop as predicted.

All investing involves risk including the possible loss of principle. No strategy insures success or protects against loss. Dividend payments are not guaranteed and may be reduced or eliminated at any time by the company.