Joe Lucey

Greetings to you from the lull between Christmas and New Year’s, the purgatory of the holiday season where, if you’re lucky, you can enjoy a bit of time to recharge and reflect before ringing in the new year.

Let me ask you, are you someone who sets resolutions? Resolutions are a time-honored concept, but personally, I find it difficult to gain much traction with them unless I think of them as goals. And SMART goals are where the real magic happens.

In my mind, here’s how they differ: Resolutions are things you muscle through with sheer willpower for a couple of weeks each January. Goals come with a plan and intention. SMART goals involve planning done with the help of specifics, measurability, achievability, relevance, and time-sensitivity. They’re the kind of goals that transform wishful thinking into real progress.

If you’re trying to better yourself in 2025, I admire you. Change is achievable when you define what success looks like. Change is more likely when you align your goals with your own personal values.

You’re most motivated to achieve goals that naturally jive with what’s most important to you. Maybe that’s why my weight loss goals never make it very far – my values align more with eating good than defining my waistline.

Jokes aside, this time of year is perfect for reflecting on your beliefs and how they shape your priorities.

At our house, we’ve been having a lot of those conversations lately as we weigh college decisions for my son. What’s best for him? What fits with our family’s goals and values? And, of course, what works with our finances?

Planning for the future – for college, retirement, or any personal milestone – requires balancing dreams, realities, and priorities. My two cents? Take some time to define your goals, make them actionable, and ensure they align with the way you see the world.

Looking into 2025, the same approach applies to financial planning. At Secured Retirement, we work to create a roadmap that reflects your values whatever they may be – protecting your family, giving back to your community, or embracing life’s adventures in retirement.

In the space of this season, take some time for consideration. And may your 2025 be filled with wealth, health, and happiness. We’re rooting for you!

Thanksgiving is almost here, and like many of you, I’m preparing for a long weekend full of family, feasting, and football. 

Around the Lucey family table, there are a few essentials that make our Thanksgiving meal OUR Thanksgiving meal: green bean casserole made with cream of chicken soup (hold the mushrooms, PLEASE!), creamed pearl onions (if you’ve not had them, you’re missing out), and, of course, the two varieties of cranberry sauce (canned and homemade). 

We’ll have both an oven-roasted as well as deep-fried turkey with plenty to share and even more for the next day. The leftovers just might be my favorite part of all!

The freshly prepared food is certainly a highlight, but what truly makes this time of year meaningful is the people I get to share it all with.

I’m grateful to be surrounded by great people in my life – by my family who supports me and by my team members who are all committed to helping our clients plan for a secure financial future. 

As we get ready for another year’s Thanksgiving – tidying our homes, setting our places, preparing our food, and welcoming our loved ones – I hope you’re able to find moments for reflection and gratitude. 

Take stock of your blessings, reminisce about the past, and dream for the future. Hold tight to the present while it’s here.

Thank you for being a part of our Secured Retirement family and trusting us to help you secure a future for you and yours.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall’s cool air is winding its way through our cities, the leaves are starting to change, and Halloween is already approaching. Come the 31st, you’ll find my wife and I bundled up, handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters of the neighborhood. 

I always like to see which character is the most popular costume in a given year. Will it be Taylor Swift? Deadpool or Wolverine? Beetlejuice? We’ll see!

While this season brings its share of chills and thrills, visions of goblins and ghouls aren’t likely what’s keeping you up at night. Volatile markets, inflation, and rising interest rates have created a climate of uncertainty capable of sending shivers down anyone’s spine.

Being in the stock market can feel a little too much like being in a haunted house attraction at times – you never quite know what’s lurking around the corner. One moment, everything’s calm, and the next, your stomach drops.

But here’s the thing: while headlines over market turmoil may terrify you in the short term, a well-planned financial strategy can be your long-term protection.

Remember, even during the most volatile times, markets do tend to recover. Corrections are part of normal market gyrations. By focusing on long-term goals, diversifying your investments, and maintaining discipline, you can avoid the tricks and focus on the treats of steady, strategic growth. 

With the right team behind you, you have the opportunity to stay the course or make smart adjustments when the market dips, while others cower in fear.

So, in the wake of a topsy-turvy financial time, know that unsettling market news doesn’t have to haunt your financial future. Putting the right plan in place allows you to face the unknown with confidence and enjoy the sweet rewards of disciplined investing. 

You don’t have to lay awake at night fearing what’s next for you. By working with us you’re building a secure retirement. Schedule your consultation today:  952-460-3290.