The “SMART” Way to Navigate Life’s Transitions

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Change in life is inevitable – and so too are the periods of transition which big changes can bring. Whether you’re buying a home, having a child (or grandchild!), getting married, getting divorced, changing careers, or saying goodbye to a loved one – it is truly an understatement to say life is full of moving parts. As planners, we strive each and every day to ensure our clients are set up for success, no matter what changes they face.  So it is our most important responsibility to come alongside them as they navigate all of life’s biggest transitions.

While helping our clients through countless transitions, we have learned a few things about what it takes to successfully navigate a big transition. First and foremost, we know it’s “SMART” to do at a little planning in advance of life’s big events.

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A Different Way to Invest in Our Tumultuous World

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Everyone loves a good story. It’s what keeps you hooked watching a movie or reading a book…it’s also what keeps investors committed to poor investment solutions. Investors like a good story that keeps them engaged, and that story usually involves a savvy manager. But there is a different narrative—written by financial scientists.

Now, academic finance isn’t exactly an engaging story. However, it has changed the face of investing and market analysis for every investor. In the 1960’s, University of Chicago romance-language-scholar-turned-economist Eugene Fama and his protégé’s (namely, Michael Jensen of Jensen’s Alpha performance measurement “fame”)  first used the power of advanced computing and the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) to price securities and study what impacts returns. Their breakthroughs in finance led to an understanding that, on average, mutual fund managers don’t outperform the market, as well as the idea that there are other factors in the marketplace that contribute to investment returns.

Enter: Evidence-based investing Read more

Recession-Proof Your Retirement Portfolio

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Sharon Allen, CEO and Co-Founder of Sterling Wealth Management was recently interviewed by Money Magazine about tips for investors to prepare their portfolios for retirement. Click here to read more: | Money https://swmi.co/moneymag-recession-proof-portfolio

What Makes for Successful Retirement?

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handweightsRetirement can be a challenging and stressful time. But it doesn’t have to be! With a good plan fiscally and physically…and some good coaches to help, you can be very successful. The 21st Show guests Sharon C. Allen, president and
co-Founder of Sterling Wealth Management in Champaign, and Elizabeth Stine-Morrow, professor of educational psychology at the University of Illinois provide advice for financial planning, staying healthy, and thriving throughout your retirement years.

https://swmi.co/the21st-retirement