Dear Mr. Market:

This morning I had the pleasure of speaking at the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Beach House … a room full of business owners, community leaders, and friends. For those who don’t know me, I’m Matt Pixa, founder of My Portfolio Guide, LLC, an independent fee-only wealth management firm. I’ve been honored to serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors in the past, and was named 2021 Businessperson of the Year. While my schedule doesn’t allow me to attend as often as I’d like, it’s always a privilege to come back, reconnect, and hopefully provide a few takeaways that help people make smarter financial decisions.

Instead of giving a 15-minute “commercial” about my firm, I wanted to do something more interactive. So I asked everyone to take one of my business cards, flip it over, and write down the word RETIRE. Each letter became a conversation point for one of the six key areas of financial planning every person should be thinking about — no matter their age or stage of life.

These are the pillars that determine whether your financial plan can withstand market volatility, economic uncertainty, and life’s inevitable curveballs. If you missed the breakfast, here’s a recap of the discussion (and yes, you can watch the full 18-minute video below).

Read more: RETIRE Right: Six Keys to a Stronger Financial Plan

Click here to see the full 18 minute video presentation.

R – Risk

Start by understanding the risks you face… market risk, inflation risk, longevity risk, and personal risks like disability or illness. This also ties into insurance as your first line of defense against life’s “what-ifs.”

E – Expenses

Know what you spend now and what you expect to spend in retirement. This is the foundation for determining how much you’ll need to save and invest.

“Small leaks sink big ships” – Benjamin Franklin

T – Taxes

Tax planning isn’t just for April … it’s year-round. Think about the timing of withdrawals, Roth conversions, capital gains, and the order in which you tap accounts. (We’re literally coming into “Tax Harvesting season” right now)

I – Investments

Make sure your portfolio is properly diversified and aligned with your goals. We offer complimentary portfolio reviews to help identify gaps and opportunities. (click here for a link on 100 reasons to not own a mutual fund and click here to read why you should “fire” your mutual fund)

R – Rebalance

Your portfolio naturally drifts over time. Regular rebalancing keeps you aligned with your risk tolerance and investment strategy… especially important in volatile markets. Right NOW is exactly such a time…

E – Estate Planning

Ensure your assets go where you want them to, with minimal tax impact. Wills, trusts, and updated beneficiary designations are essential, no matter your net worth. (Click here to read about a Letter to My Family)

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, my role is to help you cut through the noise, stay disciplined, and make decisions grounded in strategy…not headlines. If recent market swings have you questioning your plan, now’s the time to take a fresh look at your allocation, risk exposure, and overall financial strategy.

Lastly, I’ll also share the link again here to the short video version of this presentation in case you’d rather watch than read, or want to forward it to someone who might benefit. Cheers to your optimally planned RETIREment and these six main areas where we all likely have a blind spot or something that needs attention.