Guiding Wealth | Financial Planning & Wealth Management’s Post

Financial planning is a great, rewarding career but it can be very tough to break into the profession. To look at the reasons for the difficulty and the industry's need to create more pathways for the next generation of planners, I spoke with Dominique Henderson, CFP®-Financial Planner and Consultant of DJH Capital Management and Jumpstart Coaching Lab, Luis Rosa of the BLX Internship Program and Build a Better Financial Future LLC, Brandon Kawal of Advisor Growth Strategies LLC, Hannah Moore, CFP® of Amplified Planning and Guiding Wealth, Dinon Hughes, AIF® of Nvest Financial, LLC, Julie Genjac of Hartford Funds, Kris Carroll of Wealth Enhancement Group and Nate Lenz of Concurrent. There are signs suggesting wealth management is progressing toward solutions. Still, the sobering raw numbers show how far the industry has to go. Check out the story below. #professionaldevelopment #financialadvisors #careers #wealthmanagement https://lnkd.in/gfzNf_dW

Feeling Pressured to Invest Early? Here Are My Two Cents on Why It’s Okay to Take Your Time! When I landed my first internship at 21, I used that paycheck to start investing. It felt great to take the first step toward financial independence early on. But with today’s constant noise around investing—everywhere you turn, it’s all about "start young," "don't miss out," "secure your future now"—the urgency can be overwhelming. Yes, starting early can give you a significant advantage, but what if you're still figuring things out? Or simply don’t have the money right now? Here's the truth: It's okay to take your time. Investing is not a race. It's about understanding your financial goals, learning the basics, and making thoughtful decisions that fit your personal situation. Don’t let FOMO push you into decisions you're not ready for. It’s better to build a solid foundation first. And one more thing—investing isn’t just about markets and portfolios. Sometimes, the best investment you can make is in yourself. Building your skills, gaining knowledge, and growing your experience will offer returns far greater than any stock or mutual fund. Take your time. Stay consistent. Success will follow. What do you think? #Investing #FinancialIndependence #PersonalGrowth #InvestInYourself #LongTermPlanning

I started investing at the age of 18. I got the money from my 1st internship. Now, with all the Fin-fluencers, the trend and URGENCY of investing are at an all-time high. Everywhere you look, it's "start early," "don’t miss out," "secure your future," and so on. I agree; Starting early does help a lot. BUT what about those who don’t have the money? Or those who are still figuring out where to begin? Here’s the thing—it’s okay to take your time. Investing is about MORE than just jumping in early. It’s about building a foundation first. Learning the basics, your goals, and making informed choices. Don’t let the FOMO get to you. It’s not about rushing; it’s about Consistency. And some gyaan: Sometimes the best investment isn’t in stocks, real estate, or mutual funds—it’s in Yourself. Gaining skills, knowledge, and experience pays dividends far beyond any market returns. What do you think?

A core pillar of the McIntire experience is mentorship, and Josh Novick's journey is a perfect example of how alumni connections shape futures. From a pivotal Fall Forum moment to landing a role at Blackstone, discover how Novick's McIntire education set the stage for his success in finance. #McIntireExperience #Finance #Mentorship https://shorturl.at/qp1tJ

This summer experience working for Teed Capital Management at Raymond James was a great learning experience. I learned a lot working for Raymond James such as effective ways of researching different potential investments or learning to network with other people in the firm. While researching I often looked at major news websites and found weird stuff that wouldn't make sense in our current world environment. Another experience I gained is listening to how in-person investment business meetings went down and what to do to prepare to gain the best information from the meeting. During these meetings, the people presenting treated me as equal to everyone else by handing out to the interns the same presentation papers that all the other employees got. During these meetings, the interns mostly learned about different market trends and how these firms with their custom-made ETFs adapt to these market trends. While I like to say I learned a lot, it wouldn't have been possible without Mark W. Teed who allowed me to learn from the many years of experience he had gained. Furthermore, I would like to thank the team at Teed Capital Management of Raymond James for also sharing valuable insight into different sides of the field of finance. Lastly, I would like to say thanks to my fellow interns at the company to who which we grew together as a team.

🌐 Understanding Key Asset Classes in Investment 📈📊 During my virtual internship at an asset management company, I've gained valuable insights into different asset classes. Here’s a quick rundown on the primary asset classes we focus on, along with some real-life examples: 1. Domestic Equities: These are stocks of companies located within your own country. They offer the potential for high returns but come with higher risk. For example, investing in companies like Apple and Tesla allows you to participate in their growth and success. 2. Overseas Equities: These are stocks of companies located outside your home country. They provide diversification benefits and exposure to international markets. Think of investing in global giants like Nestle or Toyota, which gives you a stake in their worldwide operations. 3. Fixed-Income Nominal Bonds: These are debt securities issued by governments or corporations that pay a fixed interest rate over time. They are considered lower risk compared to equities. For instance, U.S. Treasury bonds or corporate bonds from blue-chip companies provide steady income with relatively low risk. 4. Inflation-Linked Bonds: These are bonds where the principal and interest payments are adjusted for inflation, protecting investors from the eroding effects of rising prices. U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are a prime example, offering a hedge against inflation. 5. Real Estate: This asset class includes investments in physical properties or real estate investment trusts (REITs). Real estate can provide rental income and potential for appreciation. Investing in commercial properties or residential real estate can diversify your portfolio and offer tangible asset value. 6. Cash and Cash Equivalent: These are highly liquid assets that can be quickly converted to cash. They include savings accounts, money market funds, and short-term government bonds. They provide stability and liquidity but typically offer lower returns. Keeping a portion of your portfolio in cash equivalents ensures you have funds available for emergencies or opportunities. Understanding these asset classes and their roles in a diversified portfolio is crucial for effective investment management. Each asset class has its unique characteristics, risk levels, and return potential, helping you build a well-rounded investment strategy. #Investing #AssetManagement #PortfolioDiversification #Equities #Bonds #RealEstate #CashEquivalents #FinancialEducation #InvestmentStrategy #WealthManagement

I recently pursued an internship in wealth management under Ascendence Wealth Management (AWM), diving deep into the world of personal finances. As I stepped into the world of wealth management, my initial scepticism about the financial advisory industry being stigmatised as a "pyramid scheme", mass recruitments and pushy advisors was met with a pleasantly surprising reality. During my time at AWM, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the dedicated and client-centric approach of Brian, a competent financial advisor. His advisory process wasn't about pushing unnecessary products; instead, he empowered clients to visualise and own their financial goals, fostering a genuine understanding of their needs. It was a refreshing departure from the stereotypes that often plague this industry. A touching story by my mentor, Vanessa, left a lasting impact on me. She recounted an encounter with an elderly lady who, despite working tirelessly throughout her life on a meagre income, faced challenges in retirement. Vanessa's sincerity and commitment to assisting the lady with her financial issues allowed me to see the compassionate side of wealth management, which is often overshadowed by these misconceptions. My internship experience at Ascendence shattered preconceived notions about financial advisors merely being product pushers. It revealed a noble pursuit of assisting individuals in taking charge of their financial destinies. Beyond the advisory process, it became evident that genuine care for clients' well-being should be the core of an Advisor’s philosophy. My biggest takeaway from my time at Ascendence goes beyond the technicalities of risk planning, tax planning, and investment diversification. Learning from those who achieved success in this industry, understanding their motivations and witnessing their work ethic has left an indelible mark on my approach to everyday life. All in all, AWM provided me with a unique and objective perspective on the financial advisory industry. It's a profession that goes beyond the stereotypes, requiring not just financial acumen but also empathy, dedication, and a genuine commitment to helping others achieve their financial goals. Here’s a shout out to mentors Pearlyn Chong, Brendan Perng, Brian Chok, Daniel Heng (AEPP®, IBFQ, COT), and Vanessa Loh for the guidance in the past weeks. Cheers 🍻

I was reading this reflection with a huge smile on my face! The landscape of financial advisory needs a real re-look and change. In other parts of the world, financial advisors are revered similarly to doctors. Many out there are putting in real work, prioritising the right things, and making a true impact. And we want to be recognised and separated amongst the thorns. Goh Wei Jie thank you for sharing your honest thoughts and experience. This is a highly recommended read, especially for those embarking on internships in the financial advisory space. Questions you can/should ask yourself: 1. Am I getting an objective first-hand look at what a true financial advisor should be? 2. Am I learning merely products and content, with little to no exposure to the hard truths and difficulties of this career? 3. Does the team I'm exploring with have the right perspective and vision to impact society, and what are their underlying motivations for this internship? 4. Am I just being recruited for the sake of it? 5. Are there any systems in place to determine my success and hone my character and ethics?

The wealth management industry faces a talent crisis, but RIAs are stepping up to bridge the gap. Dinon Hughes, CFP®, AIF® of Nvest Financial, LLC shares his unique journey from university intern to certified financial planner. By partnering with universities and fostering meaningful career paths, RIAs are drawing in next-gen talent. https://hubs.la/Q02SnPFF0

Making your FIRST INVESTMENT? Not sure, how to get started? Confused with #recommendations from every Tom, Dick & Harry! Here is an attempt to give you a direction from personal experience (long post alert 😊) I made my first investment in 2019 using stipend earned from summer internship. It was a proud moment & I wanted to make best use of the hard earned money. However, it was a loooong journey & took me ~3 months to finalize the #investment instrument That’s insane, too much time, right? Let me break it down & take you through entire journey- Having just the #awareness of options at hand – Stocks, MFs, FDs, I didn't know WHERE to #invest. Before taking any #decision, I seek inner conviction that brings confidence & helps me stay put if things go south. This meant doing #research to make an informed decision. I literally first penned down my #INVESTMENTOBJECTIVE - "I will not want the money for next 3-5 years, can take moderate risk & expect it to become 1.5x-2x". It implied – - Investment horizon - Medium Term - Risk Appetite – Moderate Risk - Returns - 1.5x-2x Conclusion - #Equity was suited option With this clarity, I needed to further decide – MFs vs Direct Stocks. I used tools like #Screener but felt that I wasn't competent enough to invest directly in stocks. So, I was left with only #MUTUALFUNDS To a newbie’s scare, MFs is a universe with never ending categories & fund houses. I, being a very skeptical person, could not trust anyone with my money. As a result, I started reading about #fundhouses and #fundmanagers. To my displeasure, there was no structured place to get such information. I came across a free course by Varun Malhotra - probably the best primer for a no-nothing investor during that time. It introduced me to #indexinvesting & to two highly reputed fund managers – Sankaran Naren & Prashant Jain. This was a great start. Now, my #fear was trusting these fund managers - what-if they move to another fund house tomorrow. Then I chanced upon PPFAS Mutual Fund. I read through the website, interviews & found many #greenflags – - Their philosophy was aligned to mine - SKIN IN THE GAME i.e. their own money was where their mouth was This was comforting enough for me to finalise this fund. However, given it was a small & less famous house, I decided to not put all eggs in one basket & #diversify. I chose Index Investing as second option (wasn't much advocated at that time). During a discussion, I was criticized by a professor for being #conservative despite being young & a #finance student. In hindsight, this was a great decision & yielded healthy monetary gains as well The post is not to boast rather emphasize “Importance of having a thesis & objective clear in mind before investing”. It helps hold your nerve when situations become stormy (ex-COVID) or when you are criticized, believe in your investment thesis & avoid taking hasty decision. Follow me to learn about #moneymanagement #investing #economy - Sidhant Gupta