Menlo Asset Management

Market volatility around the 2024 election is inevitable. Our Research Team has shared insights for "investing in the fog of the 2024 election season." Check out this brief research article for clarity in a time of uncertainty. Please let us know how our team may be of service to you, your family, friends, and business. Contact us at 650-321-6068 or info@menloasset.com to schedule a conversation today.

The 2024 Midyear Outlook has been released! This piece offers valuable commentary and insights into what may be on the horizon in the financial markets. With all the uncertainty and possible changes upcoming, this couldn't come at a better time. Please let us know how our team may be of service to you, your family, friends, and business. Contact us at 650-321-6068 or info@menloasset.com to schedule a conversation today.

We’re thankful to be nominated for Best of the Bay Area for the categories of Financial Advisor, Financial Planner, and Investment Services. Please voice your support by voting for Menlo Asset Management here: https://lnkd.in/ggiE252B

When was the last time you spring cleaned your house? Many of us do some form of spring cleaning in our homes regularly. But what about our financial "homes"? It can be easy to forget about the clutter and red tape that builds up in our finances. When we do, we can end up with some serious clutter. And that can have very real consequences. In fact, it won't just take up space. Clutter can also waste our energy, time, and even money. So, how can we deal with the financial clutter so it doesn't get in our way? Let's find out by checking out some simple and painless financial spring cleaning tips. 4 SPRING CLEANING TIPS TO ORGANIZE YOUR FINANCIAL HOUSE #1 PURGE THE PAPER Go paperless for recurring bills and monthly financial statements. Also, go through the financial documents you have on hand and shred the old paperwork you don't need any more. If there are papers you need to keep, make a digital version by scanning them. #2 AUDIT YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS Review ALL of your subscriptions and cancel any you no longer use or need. That includes subscriptions for streaming services, software, magazines and newspapers, gaming, and even product deliveries. #3 CONSOLIDATE ACCOUNTS How many bank accounts, retirement accounts, and brokerage accounts do you have? Are they at different financial institutions? This type of account sprawl can get complicated fast. It can also mean paying lots of maintenance fees. Take a careful look at your accounts and try to consolidate them. Look at both reducing the number of accounts you have and consolidating your accounts at fewer institutions. Pro Tip: Check out account fees and requirements as you decide which ones to keep versus shut down. And don't forget to look at transfer fees too, especially if you're moving money around to streamline your accounts. #4 CHECK IN WITH YOUR BIGGER FINANCIAL GOALS How are you doing on your financial goals, big and small? What progress have you made and where are you falling short? Reviewing where you're at, how far you've come, and where you want to be can help you figure out when and how to adjust course, so you stay on track. Pro Tip: Turn this step into a conversation so you can get feedback and a fresh perspective. Talking about your bigger financial goals can motivate you to stick with them. Interested in having a conversation? Contact us at 650-321-6068 or info@menloasset.com

Election years come with increased uncertainty, worrisome headlines, and potential market turbulence. How are you feeling about this year’s elections? Here are a handful of facts about the markets in and around presidential election years from the last 100 years. Trend 1: Most election years see positive returns in the stock market. Over the last century, we’ve had 24 presidential elections. In 82% of those elections, the stock market has seen positive returns. That means only 18% have had negative results. Trend 2: Most positive market returns tend to appear in the 3rd year of a presidential term. Year three after a presidential election tends to be associated with the strongest market performance. In fact, about 91% of the time, year 3 in a presidency has positive market returns. That may be tied to the fact that year 3 is when early years’ work, like newly written legislation, is finally passed. It can also be when a president starts thinking about reelection and setting the stage for campaign strategy. Trend 3: S&P returns tend to be lower with a Democrat elected to the Presidency versus a Republican. Average returns tend to be higher with Republican electees. Trend 4: Republican or Democratic President, the economy continues to grow. Political passions and parties aside, the U.S. economy has grown over the last century, regardless of whether a Republican or Democrat is sitting in the White House. That’s meant trillions in economic growth, making the U.S. economy the largest in the world—despite party affiliations and political divides. Trend 5: Nothing’s 100% certain. In elections and the markets, there are no absolutes or certainties. Several diverse and highly complex factors from inflation and recessions to conflict abroad, unrest at home, and more can affect market activity and how elections unfold. As helpful as trends and forecasting may be, remember, nothing’s set in stone until it actually happens. So when it comes to both elections and the markets––your choices matter. We’d be happy to discuss this topic more and share some helpful advice. Give our office a call at (650) 321-6068 or send us an email at info@menloasset.com

NEED ADVICE ABOUT YOUR RETIREMENT? Book a FREE Retirement Success Session! Facing a big financial decision? The good news is that you’ve got options — the bad news is that you might not feel confident about which path to take. During your FREE Retirement Success Session, we will: • Determine whether you’re on track for the retirement you want (and what you need to do) • Highlight any ways you could lower your taxes now and in retirement • Assess whether you qualify for any advanced strategies to create income • Analyze your current portfolio to determine whether you need to make changes Contact us to request your FREE Retirement Success Session! https://lnkd.in/gTfEkASU

How are you lying to yourself about money? Do you think you’re telling yourself the truth about money? We may think we know the facts about our finances. But our beliefs can often overshadow the facts. Our wishes, hopes, and fears can tip the scales away from the truth. This makes it easier for us to believe what we want to about money — and it can happen without us even realizing it. The money lies we tell ourselves can change the way we think and act when it comes to finances. And since most of us rarely talk about money with our friends and family, the money lies we tell ourselves stick around. That can lock us into destructive beliefs and reinforce poor financial habits. But no matter what money lies we tell ourselves, it’s never too late to set the record straight. Let’s look at some of the most common money lies we all buy into at some point — and the truth behind them.   I'LL BE HAPPIER WHEN I HAVE $_____. "With $___ (whatever amount you think is ideal), many of my problems would go away, and I'd be happier." Does this sound familiar? Goals and target numbers for earnings, savings, and budgets are great. But if you make the mistake of thinking some magic number will flip a happiness switch for you, think again. When we tell ourselves this money lie, we put too much emotion into a single number. And we may be setting ourselves up for disappointment — both if we never get $__, and if we do get $__ and realize it doesn't make us as happy as we thought it should. The good news? Studies show that making progress toward our goals can be incredibly satisfying, regardless of whether we hit the target.   I HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO PLAN FOR MY FINANCIAL FUTURE (& I DON'T NEED TO THINK ABOUT IT YET). The future can seem really far away when we're looking 10, 20, or even more years out. When we feel like we have a lot of room between now and then, it's easy to make excuses to not plan or save for it. This money lie is an excuse for procrastination. It's the rationale we use when we have a hard time managing our negative feelings or uncertainties about our financial futures. And it makes us turn a blind eye to the years of interest that we lose out on when we don't plan. Benjamin Franklin may have spoken best about the truth behind this money lie when he wisely said, "by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." When we recognize the money lies that we believe, we can reset our thinking, change our mindset, and start taking action. And that sets us up to make better choices and make more progress toward our big financial goals. Interested in having a conversation? https://lnkd.in/gTfEkASU

📍 Where someone chooses to live when they retire – matters. Location can affect everything from day-to-day expenses and accessibility to relationships and quality of life. And all of that can cost you or pay off in a BIG way, depending on where someone chooses to live. 📊 Here’s how long $1 million in retirement savings lasts in every state – and where it runs out the fastest: https://lnkd.in/g2PAxxUZ 7 factors that need to be considered when choosing a location for retirement: * Cost of living * Climate * Where loved ones are * Ability to stay active * Access to healthcare * Tax responsibilities and opportunities * Inflation Interested in having a conversation? https://lnkd.in/gTfEkASU

As we step into 2024, LPL Research's Outlook reveals a pivotal moment in the financial landscape, marked by a shift towards familiar economic patterns and a steadier environment. Join us in exploring the insights and strategies necessary to navigate this turning point and effectively work towards long-term financial goals. #Finance2024 #EconomicOutlook

Retire with purpose! 🌍💙 Dive into the world of strategic giving as we embark on this exciting phase of life. Drawing inspiration from a recent WSJ article, uncover Karen and Steve Kreider Yoder's insightful journey, and let's collectively make a positive impact today. 💬🤝 #RetirementPurpose #ReflectAndGive #JoinTheDialogue https://lnkd.in/gZhtRxNR