Monon Wealth Management

One of the Most Overlooked Financial Mistakes Isn't Taking Too Much Risk... It's taking too little.

When people think about investing, the conversation often centers around managing risk—and for good reason. Understanding your comfort with market fluctuations is an important part of building a long-term financial strategy.

But there's another side of the equation that's easy to overlook.

Being too conservative can carry risks of its own.

Holding too much in cash or avoiding market exposure altogether may feel safer in the short term, but over time it can make it more difficult to keep pace with inflation, grow purchasing power, or achieve long-term financial goals.

The same principle applies in retirement.

While many retirees naturally become more conservative with their investments, maintaining some exposure to long-term growth can play an important role in helping support income needs over what may be decades of retirement.

The goal isn't to avoid risk entirely.

It's to take the right amount of risk for your unique goals, timeline, and financial circumstances.

Successful investing isn't about eliminating uncertainty—it's about finding the balance that allows you to move forward with confidence.

As you review your financial plan, consider this: Are you taking more risk than you need... or less than you should?

Finding Balance

Nature has a remarkable way of restoring balance.

Recently, scientists observed fin whales returning to Antarctic waters decades after commercial whaling ended. Their return isn't just increasing whale populations—it's helping restore balance throughout the entire ecosystem. As the environment rebalances, countless other species have the opportunity to thrive.

It's a powerful reminder that balance often creates strength.

The same can be true in our own lives.

Over time, priorities shift. Careers evolve. Families grow. Goals change. And the financial strategies that once served us well may no longer reflect where we are today.

Just as portfolios benefit from periodic rebalancing, so can the rest of our financial lives.

Sometimes it's not about making dramatic changes.

It's about making thoughtful adjustments that keep everything working together toward your long-term goals.

As you look ahead, ask yourself:
What in your financial life could benefit from a little rebalancing?

Is working with a financial advisor worth it?

It's a fair question—and one every investor should ask.

For many people, the value of an advisor isn't measured by trying to outperform the market.

It's measured by helping clients make thoughtful decisions through life's biggest financial moments.
• Planning for retirement.
• Navigating tax considerations.
• Coordinating estate strategies.
• Managing concentrated wealth.
• Staying disciplined during periods of market uncertainty.

The accompanying graphic highlights several findings from Charles Schwab's 2025 Modern Wealth Survey, which found that people with a written financial plan are more likely to feel financially comfortable, more confident about reaching their goals, and more optimistic about their financial future.

While no survey can predict individual outcomes, it reinforces an important idea: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Every person's situation is unique, and the right strategy depends on your goals, priorities, and circumstances.

What do you believe creates the most value in an advisor relationship?

Missed Session 2 of the Game Changers Workshop Series?

The recording of The Art of Connection is now available.

In this session, Barry Garapedian of MAG7 Consulting and Darrick Hutchens of Monon Wealth Management explore why the relationships you build—and how you build them—can have a lasting impact on your personal and professional success.

Meaningful connections don't just happen. They are built through intentional communication, genuine interest in others, and a commitment to creating value. The stronger your relationships, the more opportunities you'll create throughout your life.

🎥 Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/CLdLAqTOxTg?si=Cou92vOzYwoy_eN0

And don't forget to join us for Session 3 on July 29th at 5:00 PM EST as we explore Creating High-Performance Habits—the daily disciplines and routines that turn goals into lasting success.

250 years ago, our nation's future was anything but certain.

When the Constitution was signed, Benjamin Franklin looked at the half-sun carved into George Washington's chair—a symbol he'd studied throughout the Constitutional Convention.

For months, he couldn't tell whether it represented a rising or setting sun.

At the close of the Convention, he finally knew.

"I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting sun."

The story of America has never been simple. It has been marked by challenges, disagreements, setbacks, and extraordinary resilience.

For 250 years, our nation has continued to move forward—not because the journey has been perfect, but because each generation has worked to build upon the one before it.

As we celebrate Independence Day, we're grateful for the freedoms we enjoy, the opportunities before us, and the enduring spirit that continues to shape our country's future.

From all of us at Monon Wealth Management, we wish you and your family a safe and happy Independence Day.

🚨 Scams continue to be one of the most common threats facing consumers today, particularly older adults and retirees.
While the topic is serious, awareness remains one of the best defenses.

That's why we're sharing this Scam BINGO card—a simple resource highlighting common phrases and tactics frequently used in scam calls, texts, and emails.

Consider printing it out or keeping it somewhere easily accessible as a quick reference. The card also includes information on where to report scam attempts, helping authorities track fraudulent activity and gather data that may help protect others.

Sometimes recognizing just one warning sign can make all the difference.

If you have a parent, grandparent, friend, or loved one who could benefit from this resource, please consider sharing it with them.

As we kick off summer, many families will spend time at the lake house, beach house, cabin, or vacation property where some of their most cherished memories have been made.

It’s also a good time to think about an important question:
What happens to that property someday?

Many parents assume their children will want to keep the family vacation home because of the memories attached to it. Others plan for it to be sold and the proceeds distributed as part of their estate.

The reality is that every family is different.

Will all of the children want to keep the property?
Can they all afford the ongoing maintenance, taxes, insurance, and upkeep?
Will they use it equally?
What happens if one child lives nearby and enjoys it regularly, while another has little opportunity to visit?

A vacation home can be a wonderful legacy asset and a source of lasting family memories. It can also create difficult decisions if expectations haven't been discussed ahead of time.

Rather than making assumptions, consider having the conversation now.

Sometimes the greatest gift isn't the property itself—it's the clarity that comes from understanding everyone's wishes and creating a plan that works for the entire family.

As we celebrate Father's Day, we're reminded that the greatest acts of fatherhood are often the quietest ones.

For one little girl, it was the "monster" that lived in her closet.

Her dad didn't simply tell her monsters weren't real. He climbed into the closet, battled the beast, stuffed it into a trash bag, dragged it to the curb, and waited with her until the garbage truck hauled it away.

Just like that, the nightmares were gone.

To her, he wasn't just her father.

He was her superhero.

Most dads don't wear capes. They show up in countless other ways—a ride home in the rain, words of encouragement when they're needed most, a reassuring voice during uncertain moments, or simply being there when it matters.

Whether by birth, marriage, or choice, fathers and father figures help shape our confidence, our character, and our sense of security in ways that often last a lifetime.

Today, we celebrate the dads, grandfathers, stepdads, and father figures who have made the world feel a little safer, a little brighter, and a lot more meaningful.

From all of us at Monon Wealth Management, Happy Father's Day.

Juneteenth celebrated the newly emancipated Black Americans and while emancipation didn’t arrive everywhere at once, communities made the most of their moment. People came together, cooked traditional dishes steeped in symbolism and meaning.

You may see the color red throughout emancipation celebrations this year. It has cultural significance and is said to represent the bloodshed, resilience and perseverance of our enslaved ancestors amid bo***ge on their path to freedom.

Red is also a reminder of joy and freedom. In many West African cultures, red is a symbol of spirituality, strength, life, death and celebration. You’ll see red in a strawberry pie, red hot links, red velvet cake, the Juneteenth flag, and so much more!

Today, we honor those who never stopped striving for liberty. There is no single way to commemorate Juneteenth but learning more about the history of the day — and sharing what you’ve learned with others — are great places to start.

Happy Juneteenth!

We all know that providing for your financial security is not something that you leave till you get a “Round Tuit”! Nevertheless, have you found yourself in this situation as it relates to your financial security? How about another member of your family? Have you questioned their future financial preparedness?

Questions may arise when children, grandchildren, or others never get a “Round Tuit” in the formation of their financial plan, wills, investment structure, or just their general retirement planning.

At Monon Wealth Management, we have discovered this truth: Money does indeed grow on trees!—family trees! And in order to protect your family tree, you might want to consider giving a gift of services that can have a profound effect on the future financial security of others.

Of course, when it comes to making important financial decisions, people are likely to continue to say, “I’ll get a ‘Round Tuit’ someday.” But do they? Maybe a gentle nudge is all that is needed. We can help protect the family tree. Give us a call so we can share some ideas as to how this can be accomplished.