"What if?" Now, there's a loaded question! What if you had all the money you ever needed to do all the things you want to do? What would you do differently? Maybe take that Mediterranean cruise? How about buying an RV and touring America to see how many National Parks you could visit in a year's time? Take a cooking class at a chateau in France or play golf at every British Open course? Think about what it would look like if you were able to live out your dreams. In the song, What If, Matthew West sings, "I've heard them say before, to live just like you're dying. Wish I could say that's how I am, but I'd be lying. My biggest fear is waking up to find what matters is miles away from what I spent my life chasing after. Is my story going to have the same two words in every chapter? What if?"
Carolanne's Corner
Helping our clients turn "hoped for" into "successfully achieved" is part of our company's mission and an important statement that we at Prosperity Wealth Planning take to heart. Last year, we held firm to our mission and are excited to introduce some new benefits to help you achieve your goals in 2025.
In this New Year, and during your Spring Prosperity Planning Session, we will be doing something different. We'll be asking you to provide us with your own unique 'What If' scenarios and, with some financial guidance, determine if we can turn those goals into a reality. So, start thinking about the following questions - what if you had the means to live your dreams? What would you do differently? I wrote these questions down and came up with a list of about five things, most of which involved increasing travel adventures and outdoor activities. What will be on your list?
Jordan's Journal
As we kick off 2025, markets are reflecting on a stellar performance in 2024. The S&P 500 rose 28% last year, marking its best two-year run since the late 1990s. This rally was fueled by a combination of a "soft landing" for the U.S. economy, optimism around advancements in artificial intelligence, and significant Federal Reserve rate cuts. However, a late-year pullback highlighted some challenges. Rising Treasury yields and concerns about high stock valuations tempered the momentum, reminding investors that the path forward may not be without bumps.
The new year has started with cautious optimism. Global economic data shows uneven growth across sectors, with manufacturing recovering slower than expected while services and technology continue to drive activity. For the S&P 500 to maintain its rally, markets need stability in Treasury yields and economic data that supports high earnings expectations. Investors will closely monitor the alignment of strong fundamentals with key economic events to determine whether 2025 can build on the successes of 2024. As always, staying diversified and focusing on long-term objectives remain critical strategies for navigating these dynamic times.
Retirement should be about more than simply having a sense of financial security—it's also about crafting a life that brings joy, purpose, and fulfillment. While it is certainly understandable that people tend to focus on the dollars and cents, building your "imagination capital" is just as critical as growing your financial capital. Taking time to envision your dreams and aspirations will help you plan for a life that feels truly satisfying, both emotionally and financially.
It's always a fun exercise to imagine your ideal life. Would you retire sooner? Explore ancient ruins in Greece? Dedicate time to long-lost hobbies? Volunteer or deepen relationships with friends and family? We only get one shot—so let's look at 2025 as a new chapter where you get to decide who you want to be and what you want to do. By envisioning the life you want, you can align your financial plan with your personal goals, making your future a time of fulfillment rather than uncertainty.
Happiness in life typically depends on three key pillars: relationships, financial security, and health. Strong connections matter most, with a close relationship with your spouse offering the greatest satisfaction, followed by friendships and family ties. Developing a sense of purpose through pursuing hobbies, passions, or social groups can help maintain meaningful connections.
For our retired clients, when it comes to money, remember that once you've retired, your retirement savings are meant to be spent! You worked hard and sacrificed during your employment years, so don't limit yourself unnecessarily in retirement. Allow yourself to shift from a saving to a spending mindset and consider what experiences or legacies are worth your hard-earned dollars. Realize that good habits will help extend your healthy years, those precious years when you're most able to travel, explore, and enjoy life. Like my dad used to say, "Get out and see the world before you're too old to get off the bus."
Experience has taught us that life can also bring forth some significant and perhaps unfortunate "What If" scenarios—forced retirement, unexpected health issues, or financial market dips. By setting up contingencies and planning for the unexpected, it is possible to approach the future with confidence, knowing you're prepared for whatever comes your way. It allows you to shift your focus to the more enjoyable type of "what if" possibilities. Why not use your savings for meaningful travel, hobbies, or family experiences? Why not start focusing on building memories instead of wealth? With the years passing by so quickly, it's a great time to ask and answer this question: "What do I do?" From volunteering to gardening to exploring new passions, your year ahead is a blank slate. How will you fill it?
News and Upcoming Events
2025 Prosperity Wealth Planning Calendar
2025 is already here, and it is shaping up to be another busy year for all of us. To help you plan for the year ahead, we are sharing our 2025 calendar. Note that the highlighted dates indicate both the Spring and Fall Prosperity Planning Sessions (PPS), our scheduled trips to Texas (TX), a block of dates for our Tax Planning Sessions (TPS), Client Appreciation Events (CE), and firm holidays (HLD). 
Spring Prosperity Planning Sessions
This year, our Spring Prosperity Planning Sessions begin in February and run through May. It will once again be a time to revisit goals and set priorities for the year ahead. We have included a block of time during these meetings to discuss your own unique "What Ifs," so let's get creative! We'll be sending out scheduling reminders soon, but you can get a head start by scheduling your session here.
Our agenda for the Spring includes:
- Monthly Expenses and Goals Review
- Cash Flow and Contribution/Distribution Check-in
- What If Scenario Planning
- Annual Risk Assessment
- Review and Rebalance Investments
- Insurance Needs Analysis
*NEW* Legacy Planning Program!
The results are in (from our recent Voice of the Client Survey), and by popular demand, we are excited to introduce a new service to our clients – Prosperity Wealth Planning's Legacy Planning Program. Creating a successful Legacy Plan is more than just having an Estate Plan in place; it's about preparing the next generation to be successful with the legacy they will receive. Many of you have expressed an interest in helping your children prepare – so we have developed a program with several options, including Financial Literacy, Family Legacy Planning Sessions, and Legacy Investment Guidance. 
Stay tuned for more information on this new service!
Articles of Interest
A successful life plan is achieved through both preparation and imagination. By combining smart financial planning with a vision for your future, you can ensure not only a secure retirement but also a deeply fulfilling one. We're here to help you balance the numbers with your dreams. Let's make it a New Year's resolution to come up with some answers to the question "What If?" by exploring what this year, next year, and ten years from now could look like.
Here's to the year ahead!
Carolanne