Top Financial Planning Mistakes Families Should Avoid
Over time, we have seen a few common financial planning mistakes that can create unnecessary stress or delay retirement. Below are the top financial planning mistakes Kirkland families should avoid.
How to Transition from Work to Retirement
For many people, retirement planning focuses heavily on reaching a savings goal, but the most successful transitions happen when retirees prepare for both the financial and lifestyle realities of leaving the workforce.
Market Update – February 23rd, 2026
Stocks advanced last week despite softer fourth quarter GDP, firm inflation data, and a Supreme Court ruling striking down several executive branch-imposed tariffs, with major indexes finishing the week higher.
Market Update – February 17th, 2026
Stocks declined last week as investors rotated out of risk-on sectors and into defensives, with utilities and real estate leading while financials and technology lagged.
Market Update – February 9, 2026
Financial Markets Markets had a risk-off week as investors rotated out of technology and into more defensive sectors, with a partial recovery on Friday. Value stocks outperformed, led by a 2.5% gain in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, while the S&P 500 finished nearly flat at –0.10% and the Nasdaq Composite declined 1.84%. Market News…
Market Update – January 26th, 2026
Last week’s economic releases showed stable PCE inflation, continued growth in household spending, and a gradual decline in saving rates, while the Leading Economic Index and broader recession indicators shifted toward a more neutral stance.
Market Update – January 20th, 2025
Last week’s market action reflected a balance of cautious optimism and heightened risk awareness. Inflation data remained largely in line with expectations, showing continued progress in disinflation, while retail sales and housing data pointed to stable consumer demand and a quiet real estate market.
Year End Report: Q4 & 2025 Recap
2025 was a broadly positive year for financial markets, marked by resilient economic growth, strong corporate earnings, and moderating inflation. Equities rallied, led by technology, communication services, and industrials, while international markets, particularly in Latin America and Europe, outperformed.
Market Update – January 12th, 2025
This week’s economic releases highlighted a moderating yet resilient U.S. economy, supporting equity gains in the first full trading week of the new year.
Market Cycle Update – December 2025
December saw an improvement in market conditions, with our Tactical Market Cycle returning to a bullish posture as cooling inflation, a Fed rate cut, and resilient earnings supported risk-on assets.
U.S. Strike on Venezuela
If recent developments have prompted any reassessment of your risk tolerance, time horizon, or portfolio objectives, we encourage you to reach out to discuss your current positioning. We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates as conditions evolve.
Market Update – December 22nd, 2025
Indexes were mixed last week, as growth-tilted stocks rebounded following an early selloff driven by a rising unemployment rate but later supported by a tame CPI report. November jobs and October retail data painted a mixed economic picture, while Micron’s strong earnings boosted tech sentiment and helped lift the Nasdaq Composite.
Market Update – December 15th, 2025
Markets were mixed last week as weakness in large technology stocks weighed on broader indexes, while value-oriented sectors supported gains in the Dow.
Market Update – December 8th, 2025
Markets extended their recovery last week on growing optimism for a potential Federal Reserve rate cut, with the Nasdaq leading gains and the Dow and S&P 500 also advancing modestly. Economic data painted a mixed picture.
Market Update – December 1st, 2025
Stocks moved higher during the shortened holiday week as economic data helped ease broader concerns. Inflation continued to present modestly, retail sales were steady, and weekly initial jobless claims remained historically stable, however consumer confidence softened.
Market Update – November 24th, 2025
Markets swung throughout the week as expectations for a potential December rate cut shifted, regaining some ground on Friday after dovish comments from the Federal Reserve, and the latest Leading Economic Index continued to signal a cooling economic backdrop.
Market Update – November 17th, 2025
Stocks drifted lower last week as stretched tech valuations, a choppy AI selloff, uncertainty around depreciation assumptions, and lingering fallout from the record shutdown weighed on sentiment, with Bitcoin also sliding into a bear market.
Metals: Market Outlook
The metals sector has meaningfully outperformed the major equity indexes this year and has demonstrated resilience during periods of volatility, including April’s tariff-related selloff.
Understanding Required Minimum Distributions: What You Need to Know
Planning ahead can help ensure your retirement income strategy remains on track. Download Understanding Required Minimum Distributions today to gain valuable insights into how RMDs work — and how they fit into your broader financial picture.
Market Update – November 3rd, 2025
Markets ended October on a positive note, even as the government shutdown delayed key economic data releases. The Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points and signaled the end of balance sheet tightening, while mixed reactions to mega-cap earnings highlighted growing tension between AI-driven growth opportunities and rising capital expenditures.
Plan With Confidence: Why Working With SPG Makes a Difference
We believe retirement should be a time to enjoy what matters most. Our mission is to help you prepare for the years ahead with confidence and peace of mind. As a fiduciary financial services firm, we always act in your best interest—putting your goals, values, and well-being first.
Market Update – October 27, 2025
Equity markets rallied last week, with indexes reaching new highs as investors reacted positively to contained inflation data and growing expectations for additional rate cuts.
Q3 Bulls and Bears
Every quarter, our team analyzes a list of qualitative and quantitative factors of the economy, as we assess what part of the cycle, we find ourselves in. This process allows us to adopt longer-term views on the economy and markets.
What the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Could Mean for Your Financial Plan
Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)—a sweeping piece of tax legislation that permanently extends many provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) while introducing several new tax rules.
Market Update – October 20, 2025
Markets ended the week higher despite Federal shutdown uncertainty, mid-week volatility, and renewed credit-risk headlines. A late-week rebound in risk appetite reflected improved trade sentiment, resilient early earnings, and expectations of policy easing into year-end.
Market Update – October 13, 2025
Markets ended the week lower amid limited economic data and heightened sensitivity to headline risk. A sharp Friday sell-off, driven by renewed U.S.–China trade tensions, underscored the market’s fragility.
Market Update – September 29, 2025
Markets slipped last week as investors weighed steady but rising inflation against signs of resilience in other parts of the economy. New home sales surged in August, while existing home sales posted only modest gains, underscoring a unique split in housing momentum.
Market Update: September 22nd, 2025
Markets made new highs last week after the Fed’s first rate cut in nine months, helped by strong retail sales and a tech-led rally.
Market Update: September 15th, 2025
Economic data this week painted a mixed picture, with inflation showing pockets of strength but remaining relatively tame. Despite soft employment and sentiment data, stocks advanced last week, largely driven by expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in the coming days.
Market Update: September 8th, 2025
Financial Markets It was an important week for jobs data, with signs of continued softening in the labor market. Even so, stocks held firm as investors looked ahead to a likely rate cut later this month. In the shortened week, two of the three major U.S. indexes advanced, with the Nasdaq Composite leading the way…
Retirement Workbook: A Blueprint for Planning Your Retirement
This workbook is designed for individuals nearing retirement or already retired who want clarity, confidence, and control over their financial future.
Market Update: September 2, 2025
Equities touched record highs last week as economic data pointed to economic stability. Second-quarter GDP was revised higher, while July’s personal income and spending data showed healthy demand alongside an expected rise in PCE prices.
Market Update: August 25th, 2025
Stocks were choppy through midweek but surged Friday after Fed Chair Jerome Powell struck a dovish tone at the Jackson Hole Symposium, signaling that rate cuts could be approaching. Economic data painted a mixed picture, with leading indicators still pointing to slower growth while existing home sales showed improving supply conditions.
The Value of an Objective Opinion
Not all financial professionals operate the same way. Some are employees of financial institutions and may only recommend proprietary products. In contrast, independent financial advisors—like those at Sound Planning Group—work with a variety of financial solutions and are not bound to any one provider.
Market Update – August 18th, 2025
U.S. equities reached record highs early last week before pulling back, reflecting mixed economic signals. Retail sales rose 0.5% for the month of July and 3.9% year-over-year, while consumer sentiment weakened and inflation remained elevated.
Five Retirement Planning Missteps
This guide doesn’t promise overnight solutions. But it does help you ask the right questions—and that’s where confident retirement planning begins.
Market Update – August 11th, 2025
Markets rose for the week as investors looked past new tariff measures, buoyed by strong earnings reports and a stable economic backdrop. While trade tensions remain in focus, easing effective tariff pressures and a narrowing trade deficit helped support sentiment.
Market Update – July 28th, 2025
U.S. economic data last week was mixed but resilient, lifting equities to record highs. While leading indicators declined again, current data signals stability. Housing remains pressured by high rates, but rising inventory and softer prices may help buyers.
Market Update – June 23rd, 2025
Last week, markets were mostly flat as the Federal Reserve held rates steady and released a more cautious set of economic projections, signaling slower growth, higher inflation, and a “higher for longer” rate outlook.
U.S & Iran Conflict – Sunday, June 22, 2025
As we assess the events of Saturday, we hold hope that markets will interpret this decisive action as a step toward greater global stability. While geopolitical conflict inevitably brings uncertainty, it can also remove longer-term threats that markets have struggled to price.
Market Update – June 21, 2025
As of Saturday, June 21st at 8 p.m. PST, this represents the most current information available to us. This is a rapidly developing situation, and we expect to have additional data and clarity as events unfold. The United States has confirmed precision airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities—a significant military escalation that introduces a new layer…
Market Update – June 16th, 2025
Financial Markets Stocks declined later in the week as escalating geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran weighed on market sentiment. As of the close on Friday, June 13th, the S&P 500 fell 0.39%, the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.63%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.32%. Source: Y-Charts Market News May CPI. Prices rose less…
Market Update – June 9th, 2025
Markets advanced last week, continuing their recovery from April’s tariff-driven selloff, as a stronger-than-expected May jobs report boosted investor confidence. Economic data painted a mixed picture. Tesla shares slid sharply in the second half of last week based on political tensions.
Market Update – June 2nd, 2025
Financial Markets Stocks climbed in the shortened holiday week as signs of easing inflation from the PCE report, positive Nvidia earnings, and a slight upward revision to first-quarter GDP boosted sentiment. By Friday, May 30th, the Nasdaq rose 2%, the S&P 500 gained 1.9%, the Dow added 1.6%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index rose 0.9% in the week,…
What To Consider Doing In A Down Market
When the news is filled with flashing red arrows and doom-laden headlines, it’s easy to feel the pull toward drastic action. But before you make any sudden moves, we have something to help: our new downloadable guide, “What To Do In a Down Market.” In it, we break down what history tells us, why staying…
Market Update – May 19th, 2025
Equities rose last week, supported by better-than-expected inflation data and limited signs of tariff-driven price pressures. Inflation remains contained, helping lift market sentiment. However, consumer sentiment weakened further, and economists downgraded growth expectations and raised recession odds.
Market Update – April 28th, 2025
Markets rallied last week as optimism around a potential U.S.–China trade agreement lifted stocks and bonds. The Leading Economic Index pointed to continued slowing in economic momentum, but is no longer a recessionary signal.
Market Update – April 21st, 2025
Markets moved lower last week as earnings season picked up and tariff concerns lingered. March retail sales came in stronger than expected, though uncertainty remains around the sustainability of consumer demand.
Market Update – April 14th, 2025
Markets rebounded sharply last week as President Trump’s surprise rollback of most new tariffs and cooler-than-expected inflation data helped ease investor concerns.
Market Update – April 7th, 2025
Markets tumbled last week as newly announced tariffs far exceeded expectations, sparking fears of rising inflation, slowing global growth, and increased recession risk. Economic data painted a mixed picture.
Rather Meet One-on-One?
Schedule a meeting with a member of our team to create your financial strategy today.