Wealthramp

Here's something I've come to believe after more than 30 years in this industry: most people have never gotten truly great financial advice.

I don't say that to be harsh. I say it because I've spent decades watching this industry operate more like a sales business than a genuine advice profession — and the people paying the price are everyday families who deserve better.

Here's something I hear constantly: "My advisor manages our investments, but we barely hear from him." Sound familiar?

Here's what I want you to know: you don't have to settle for that.

✅ Great advisors help you avoid expensive mistakes before they happen.
✅ They think through tradeoffs with you — retirement income, taxes, insurance, estate plans.
✅ They create clarity. You walk away knowing what to do and why.

That's the bar. And it exists — you just have to know what to look for.

My new piece breaks down exactly what good financial advice looks like, and the warning signs that tell you you're not getting it. Share this with someone you know who's been wondering if their advisor is really working for them.

🔗 to the full piece in the comments below!

Appreciate being included in this USA TODAY article about budgeting apps. The best app in this category isn’t the fanciest one — it’s the one you’ll actually keep using. When your app starts feeling like a punishment instead of progress, it’s time to upgrade.

🔗 to the full piece in the comments!

Raise your hand if you've heard this advice: "Just buy an index fund and forget about it."

For a long time, that worked. But 2025 gave us a reality check — especially if you're in your 50s or 60s and getting close to retirement.

A truly diversified portfolio returned 18.3% last year, beating both the S&P 500 (~17%) and a classic 60/40 portfolio (13.3%).

The assets that drove it?

✅ Gold
✅ Commodities
✅ Emerging markets
✅ REITs
✅ International stocks

Things that a lot of people had pushed to the sidelines for years.

The bigger lesson: if your "diversified" portfolio is really just a heavy bet on a few big tech names, you may be taking on more risk than you realize.

In my latest Count Up piece, I walk through exactly what happened in 2025, what a genuinely diversified portfolio looks like, and what it means for people planning for retirement.

🔗 to the full piece in the comments.