Fundamentals of Finance

Are You Misjudging Risk?

In the book Freakonomics, the author points out that we often misjudge risk—not because we lack information, but because our emotions and personal experiences cloud our thinking. Fear can overtake logic.

The same is true when it comes to investing. Market volatility can feel unsettling, making it seem like standing still is the most dangerous move. But when we zoom out and look at history, we see a different story—just like Dylan shared in last week’s video:

  • On average, the market experiences a 14% drop each year.

  • As of today, April 4th, the S&P 500 is down about 8% for the year—with 5% of that decline happening just yesterday, April 3rd.

 

Despite the noise, market cycles remain consistent:

  • It may feel different this time, but it isn’t.

  • The headlines may change, but history repeats itself.

 

📺 Catch Dylan’s video here if you missed it.

🎥 Click the video above to watch this week’s message.

 

As always, if you have questions or want to talk through your investment strategy, we’re here to help.

Why Market Dips Don’t Mean Disaster

With all the recent market ups and downs, it’s easy to feel uneasy. But before you let the headlines stress you out, let’s put things into perspective.

In this video, we break down why market volatility is normal and why staying invested through the dips is key to long-term success. We’ll walk through a powerful chart that reveals a surprising truth:

📊 Even when the market dropped significantly, it still finished strong most of the time.
📊 Over the last 45 years, despite average intra-year drops of 14%+, the S&P 500 ended positive 3 out of 4 times!

The key takeaways?
✅ Volatility is normal.
✅ Dips are temporary.
✅ Sticking to your plan pays off.

🎥 Watch now & if you have concerns about your investments, we’re here to help—just reach out!

Are You on Track? A Visual Tool for Your Withdrawal Rate

When planning for retirement, two important questions to ask yourself are: Am I taking on too much risk—or not enough? And what is a reasonable withdrawal rate to pull from my investment accounts?

In this video, I walk through a great visual tool that helps you self-analyze your current or future withdrawal rate. It provides a clear picture of how your investment strategy may play out over the next 30 years—helping you see whether you’re on track to have money left over.

Here at Ross Financial, our goal is to help you position your investments according to your long-term goals and risk level—not based on short-term emotions or current events.

This is a great resource to share with friends, family, or colleagues who may also be wondering if they’re striking the right balance between risk and security.

Click above to watch the full video!

And of course, your unique situation may require a conversation—if you’d like help evaluating your withdrawal rate or adjusting your strategy, we’re happy to assist. Just reach out!

Chess vs. Checkers in Investing

Every day in January, Matt’s inbox gets flooded with 2025 market predictions—some insightful, some questionable. But one article in particular stood out, making him think about the difference between playing chess and playing checkers when it comes to investing.

Successful investing isn’t about reacting to every headline or short-term noise—it’s about thinking a few moves ahead. Click the video above to watch, and if you’d like to read the full article, I’ve linked it below.

Article: Playing chess versus checkers

Let us know your thoughts—do you agree with the points in the article, or do you see things differently?

The Power of Playing Devil’s Advocate in Investing

In this video, Matt is sharing insights from a keynote speaker at a recent psychology and investor behavior conference. The term Devil’s Advocate might sound negative, but its true purpose is to challenge assumptions for better decision-making. At Ross Financial, we don’t challenge ideas just to be contrarian—we do it to advocate for YOU! Our goal is to help you see all angles and make the best financial choices.

Click the video above to hear the full message!

An Important Financial Lesson from the Top of Crystal Mountain

In this week’s Matt’s Minutes, Matt and Dylan share a powerful financial lesson from the summit of Crystal Mountain. Just like navigating a foggy ski run, you don’t need to see the entire path ahead—just the next right turn. The same applies to your finances. While no one can predict the future, making thoughtful, strategic decisions today sets you up for success tomorrow.

Click the video above to hear the full message and learn how taking the next best step can keep you on the right financial path.