Timely Topics

Planning for the Big Stuff—and the Churros

We’re coming to you from the “happiest place on earth”… Disneyland! We planned for the big stuff: flights, hotel, park tickets. But what snuck up on us? The $8 churros and last-minute souvenirs.

It reminded me a lot of retirement planning. It’s easy to budget for the obvious—housing, travel, everyday expenses. But it’s the surprise costs (like taxes and inflation) that can really throw things off track.

🎥 Click above to watch. If you have questions about planning for the expected and the unexpected, we’re here to help.

The Power of Fundamentals – Why Basics Matter in Life & Investing

In today’s video, Matt is going back to the basics. Focusing on the fundamentals is key to success—whether in health, sports, building or investing.

It may seem simple, but overlooking the basics can lead to big mistakes.

At Ross Financial, we stay committed to the fundamentals of investing:

* Understanding your goals

* Assessing your risk

* Putting the right investments in place

✅ Our focus is always on helping you get to where you want to go. Hope this message resonates with you!

Our Hands Are on The Wheel

While test driving a car recently, I experienced a feature called lane centering—a system that vibrates the steering wheel and nudges you back into your lane if you drift too far. While some may find it helpful, I found it distracting.

 It reminded me of conversations with clients who ask, “Is there something more I should be doing with my investments?” Our answer? You don’t have to. That’s our job.

At Ross Financial, we are a full-service firm, dedicated to:

  • Keeping you on track with your financial goals
  • Managing risk to help you stay on course
  • Giving you confidence that our hands are on the wheel

✅ You can rely on us to navigate the road ahead.

Click the video above to watch and let us know if you have any questions.

How Financial Scammers Are Targeting Investors

This week, Hayley highlights a serious and growing concern: financial scams are becoming more sophisticated—and more personal. She walks through two real-world examples of individuals who were contacted by scammers posing as federal agents and financial professionals. These criminals convinced their victims to liquidate investment accounts and convert funds into untraceable assets like cryptocurrency and physical gold.

Scams like these prey on fear, urgency, and trust. They often involve pressure tactics and claims that your accounts have been compromised, your identity has been stolen, or a loved one is in danger.

Here at Ross Financial, we take these threats seriously. That’s why, if you ever call to request a withdrawal, you might notice we ask a few extra questions. It’s not to pry—it’s to protect you.

In addition to the examples shared in the video, we’re also seeing a rise in Text Message scams. These come through as text messages claiming you owe a small amount for an unpaid toll or requesting you to take some sort of action by clicking on an external link or “pay now.” It might seem harmless—but clicking that link could expose your personal information or install malware. (We’ve included a screenshot below, so you know what to watch for.) Don’t click on the link and report as junk!

Scammers are getting smarter, stay vigilant. Watch the full video to learn what red flags to look out for—and how we’re working behind the scenes to keep your finances safe.

The articles referenced in Hayley’s video are linked below for your reference:

📄 #1 – Florida Woman “Federal Agent” Request
📄 #2 – Gold Bars Scam

If you ever feel uncertain about a financial request or transaction, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always here to help!

Investing in Knowledge Today, for Your Wealth Tomorrow

We’re excited to share that Matt is beginning a six-month professional development journey to earn a high-level designation in areas like advanced wealth management, estate planning, insurance strategies, and more. This is part of our commitment to delivering the most strategic and comprehensive financial guidance possible.

Over the next few months, Matt will be traveling between our offices and the Raymond James home office in Florida, balancing time on the road with time deep in study. While Matt will still be available, there may be times when he is a bit slower to respond to emails directly. For this, he apologizes in advance.

For a faster response, please reach out to the appropriate team:

Thank you for your continued trust, patience, and support as Matt takes this step to better serve you and your financial future. 

👉 Click the video above to watch the full message!

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.

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