Financial Advice Is About More Than Money

Since 1957, the S&P 500 has averaged 10.67% annualized returns. Warren Buffett famously advises: Put your money in an index fund and don’t touch it. 

So, why doesn’t everyone see success? Simple: Emotions get in the way. More than logic, fear and greed drive decisions, especially when it comes to money, and both can take you down. 

Markets rise and fall—think the 78% bull run from 2018–2021, the 40% drop in 2008, or the 25% declines in 2020 and 2022. These swings trigger emotional reactions, causing investors to zig when they should zag.

Timing also matters. For retirees, when to start drawing from savings may be more important than returns. Nearly every client I meet is afraid of running out of money. That fear can push people into taking too much risk—or too little. Some chase unrealistic gains; others hoard cash, paralyzed by uncertainty.

That’s why financial advice isn’t just about dollars—it’s about managing emotions, risk, and expectations. The first job of an advisor is to help clients define their situation, long-term needs, and risk tolerance. From there, we can set reasonable expectations and builds a strategy that mitigates fear.

Ultimately, the greatest fear is the unknown. A good advisor strives to remove that by quantifying future needs, building a path to meet them, and walking alongside the client. The result? Confidence—no matter what the market brings.

At Thornwood Financial, our goal is to help you use your finances to achieve the life—and future—you want. 

We design financial strategies based on where you are, and where you want to go, working tirelessly to gain your trust along the way. 

Our seasoned advisors are resourceful and intentional: Years of experience have taught us how to be strategic with your hard-earned dollars while managing any undue risk. 

Whether you have a significant amount of assets or are just starting out, Thornwood Financial is here to help you take control of your financial future. 

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