by Sean Sparkman Pathfinders Wealth If you are like most people, you are probably hoping your children will say nice things about you after you're gone. You imagine them gathered around the table, raising a glass and toasting your wisdom, generosity and remarkable financial foresight. Maybe they'll even name a grandkid after you or start [...]
Video: 7 Powerful Trends that are reshaping retirement planning forever. To get the full white paper, contact: “Sean R. Sparkman, AIF® | Pathfinders Wealth.” (248) 487-9148 Mon - Fri 9 AM - 6 PM EST sean@pathfinderswealth.com
by Sean R. Sparkman, AIF® | Pathfinders Wealth If you’re like most people, you’ve been told that if you accumulated enough savings, you could withdraw 4% of your portfolio each year and reasonably expect your money to last throughout retirement. This concept is known as the “4% rule” and it is one of [...]
By Sean R. Sparkman, AIF® | Pathfinders Wealth Since it first hit the financial scene, cryptocurrency has generated strong opinions and more than its share of skepticism. There is one group of investors who view Bitcoin and other digital currencies as the future of money. Others see cryptocurrencies as little more than a speculative gamble [...]
By Sean R. Sparkman, AIF® | Pathfinders Wealth Until recently, inflation was something many Americans rarely thought much about. For the most part, prices tended to move gradually. Fuel costs were relatively manageable, and retirees had more predictable costs around which they could build their financial plans. Then, the world experienced an epic inflation shock [...]
By Sean R. Sparkman, AIF® | Pathfinders Wealth At their core, dividends are distributions of company profits paid to shareholders. These stocks can create a steady income stream, typically paid quarterly, and they can be a valuable part of retirement income. Still, retirees considering dividend stocks, need to understand that dividends are a [...]
by Sean R. Sparkman, AIF® | Pathfinders Wealth For decades, most retirement planning was built on the simple idea of accumulating as much as possible and then leaving the market to do the rest. But in 2026, things have changed in profound, often confusing ways. Many of my clients aren’t just asking, “How much can [...]
by Sean Sparkman You’ve probably heard it before: “Just buy the market and you’ll be diversified.” Sounds simple. Sounds safe. But, there’s a problem. That statement isn’t as true today as it used to be. Right now, a small group of companies that some financial pundits call “The Magnificent Seven” is doing most of the [...]
by Sean Sparkman Pathfinders Wealth Retired and soon-to-retire investors may feel somewhat unsettled by current global instability, especially as the United States has entered a new conflict with Iran. News of conflict, rising tensions, or trade disturbances can prompt concerns about hard-earned savings. After decades of planning, the prospect of global turmoil threatening financial security [...]
by Sean Sparkman Pathfinders Wealth by Sean Sparkman Pathfinders Wealth As investors look ahead to 2026, uncertainty remains the only constant. Interest rates are likely to continue to fluctuate, inflation will probably remain at uncomfortable levels, and market volatility is all but guaranteed. In such an environment, dividend-paying stocks can play an important [...]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWp4VGyaBu8 by Sean Sparkman A charitable gift annuity is a financial contract. In exchange for your irrevocable donation — whether it's cash, appreciated securities, or even real estate in some cases — a qualified nonprofit organization agrees to pay you (or someone you name) a fixed income for life. When you die, or any secondary [...]
The other day, I spotted this headline, “Is Your Diet Keeping You Fat?” Well, if it’s a healthy diet, the answer should be “no.” The article went on to explain when people yo-yo diet, it damages their metabolism and sets them up for failure. You might be able to stick to a stringent diet for [...]
