February Market Update

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STOCK MARKET UPS AND DOWNS WITH DOLLAR COST AVERAG  ING

Most people have a retirement date in mind. You’ve had a long career filled with challenges and rewards. And now, the dream of having more time to do whatever is about to come true. Before you send your last email or attend that last meeting, it’s wise to have a solid plan in place to pay the bills when your paycheck stops. What you want to build is a complete retirement income plan. This plan will show you where you’ll be spending your money in retirement. You’ll also learn about available financial resources to help build your new retirement paycheck.Most people have a retirement date in mind. The 4 Parts of a Retirement Income Plan Crafting a tailored retirement income plan is key to a successful retirement journey. Taking the time to consider expenses, savings and income before stepping into retirement will help ensure there's an ample balance for a comfortable life. PERSONAL ACCOUNTS RELIABLE INCOME FLEXIBLE EXPENSES ESSENTIAL EXPENSES Identify all your non-negotiable, essential expenses These are the bills and expenses you must continue to pay long after you’ve stopped working. These expenses can’t be deferred or delayed regardless of the ups and downs of the market. You know the obvious must-have expenses such as food, shelter, health care, utilities and income taxes. But many essential expenses are missed: technology, property taxes, and homeowners or renter’s insurance. In addition, some expenses for enjoying retirement living will be essential expenses. — For some, it will be a club membership. — Others consider travel to see the grandchildren essential. — For those who are retiring to pursue hobbies, start-up costs may be a factor to consider.  It’s up to you to define your essential expenses. The closer you are to retiring, the more accurate your list and estimated costs should be.

This easy-to-use checklist can help you take charge of your money

Turbulent times can bring turbulent markets. Many factors cause chaotic swings in the investing world including housing, political elections, and international instability. Despite the financial queasiness this can have, experts consistently have one piece of advice for investors: stay calm and stay the course. Maintaining a long-term investment strategy can help weather the storm of a volatile stock market, whereas reacting irrationally or panicking is the last thing investors should do. History tends to repeat There are a few ways to keep nerves at bay amidst a sea of daunting headlines. First, a historical review shows that market fluctuations are normal. This should serve as a comforting reminder during unstable conditions. According to Fidelity, “...while market downturns may be unsettling, history shows stocks have recovered and delivered long-term gains.” 1 While no one can predict the stock market with absolute certainty, the significant crashes of the last century all saw periods of recovery. For example, after the 2008 market crash, the recovery began almost immediately and achieved an eventual increase of 178% in 5-year returns. 2 These past events reinforce the importance of focusing on long-term financial strategies and goals, not short-term fluctuations. The markets will have bull and bear runs which need time to play out without trying to anticipate short-term trends. However, past performance is no guarantee of future results. Don’t try to catch a falling knife Another potential mistake that investors can make is to stop saving during a market downturn. A popular way to continue savings momentum when nerves are being tested is dollar-cost averaging , or in other words, investing a fixed amount on a regular schedule (e.g., per pay period) that generally results in buying more shares when prices are low and less shares when they are high. Dollar-cost averaging is a stabilizing approach. It can take away some of the fear of timing risk and become less of a system shock than lump sum investing. However, this strategy does not ensure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets. You need lemons to make lemonade Downturns are a perfect time to consult with a financial professional or investment advisor to review different strategies and also rebalance your portfolio. It might be time to look at investments 1 Fidelity Viewpoints. “6 Tips to Navigate Volatile Markets.” Fidelity. 6 March 2025. 2 Fidelity Viewpoints. “6 Tips to Navigate Volatile Markets.” Fidelity. 6 March 2025. that have lost value, which can potentially help manage risk exposure and provide an opportunity to reposition the portfolio for recovery. Another possibility is to consider a Roth conversion. If your plan allows for a Roth conversion - moving money from pretax dollars to Roth dollars - then a downturn could help. A conversion in a downturn might result in a lower tax bill for the same number of shares sold, and then the individual can experience the benefits of a Roth account, allowing qualified distributions of future growth to be tax free.3 Market downturns are a part of any investing lifecycle so it’s best to keep a steady hand, consult with your advisor and consider all options so you can weather through this market cycle - and the next one. Information provided herein is not, and should not be regarded as, investment advice or as a recommendation. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal. ________________________________________ The Gasaway Team Gasaway Investment Advisors 7110 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo, MI, 49009 Email: info@gasawayinvestments.com Phone: (269) 324-0080 Website: www.gasawayinvestments.com This information is provided as a general guide to educate plan sponsors. It is not intended as authoritative guidance or tax/legal advice. Each plan has unique requirements, and you should consult your attorney or tax advisor for guidance on your specific situation. ©401(k) Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved. Proprietary and confidential. Do not copy or distribute without permission. ________________________________________ Content is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or offer to sell securities or provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Additional information, including management fees and expenses, is provided on our Form ADV Part 2 available upon request or at the SEC’s Investment Advisor Public Disclosure Site https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/123807 . 3 Fidelity Viewpoints. “6 Tips to Navigate Volatile Markets.” Fidelity. 6 March 2025.

Our brief April monthly update on the markets and the economy.

Gasaway Investment Advisors is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

Supercharge your savings at ages 60-63

Our brief March monthly update on the markets and the economy.

Our brief January monthly update on the markets and the economy.