Several weeks ago, Pam and I dropped our daughter Channing off at college in Statesboro—and just like that, we’re are officially empty nesters. It is a little surreal for both of us. One day you’re teaching them to ride a bike, and the next you’re loading up a car full of Target bags and dorm supplies. It’s emotional, of course—but it’s also exciting. This transition reminds me just how quickly life moves and how important it is to keep adjusting our plans, rhythms, and focus as seasons change.
Pam and I are already thinking about life without ballgames and cheer competitions. Everyone tells us it’s an adjustment, but one that is really a good one once new routine set in for both of us.
I am looking forward to doing a little more traveling—especially visiting some of the amazing places you, our clients, have shared with us over the years. I will have to convince Pam that we need to travel more as she is more of a homebody. We always say that one of the great privileges of our work is learning from the lives our clients have built, and this next season is a chance for us to take some of that wisdom and live it out ourselves.
Speaking of seasons, fall is almost here! This means a couple of things: college football is here for another season, and the economy is once again dominating the headlines. Turn on the TV and you’ll see endless commentary — predictions, rankings, worries, and opinions. But just like football, the real story isn’t written in the pregame shows. It’s written on the field, one play at a time.
Don’t get swept up in the hype
In football, the noise before the game can get loud — everyone has an opinion on who will win, which players will shine, and what the outcome will be. But once the whistle blows, all that talk means very little. Alabama had a rough weekend and all of a sudden, their outlook on the entire season has changed. In Texas, some folks even claim that Arch Manning isn’t any good anymore after losing one game on the road to the defending national champions. Other schools, like Georgia, got a nice boost of confidence, but the competition wasn’t at the highest level. No matter what happened to your team this weekend, everyone seemed to have an opinion.
The same is true with the economy and the stock market. The media makes a lot of noise, but very little of it impacts your personal retirement plan in the way they make it sound.
Have a game plan that works in any season
The top teams prepare for every scenario. Rain or shine, tough opponents or easy wins — they have a playbook that works. I have always said that retirement is no different. The markets will go up and down, inflation will rise and fall, and headlines will change. But if your plan only works when everything is “winning,” it’s not really a plan. The right strategy gives you confidence no matter what season we’re in.
Stick to the process that gets results
Every team has a process — the habits, the discipline, the routines that make them consistent. That’s what creates long-term success. Your finances are the same way. Our Next Phase process helps you cover all the bases — from income and taxes to healthcare and legacy planning. It’s about keeping your eye on the bigger picture and not getting distracted by the weekly noise.
So, as you cheer on your favorite team this fall, remember: the experts in the booth don’t decide the outcome. The team on the field does. And in retirement, it’s not the headlines that determine your future — it’s the plan you put in place and your commitment to follow it.
As always, thank you for walking this journey with us. We’re honored to serve you and help you through the different phases of life that you will face. We are grateful for the relationships we continue to build and thank you for the trust that you’ve placed in our firm.
Thanks!
Lee