This short, informative article teaches the basics of the FIRE movement.

If the idea of retiring in your early 50s, 40s, 30s, or even late 20s appeals to you, you may be interested in joining the FIRE retirement movement. Designed for those who have the discipline and cash flow to save diligently, FIRE can be an effective path toward living a work-optional lifestyle. In this article, we will discuss what FIRE is and whether or not it may be right for you.

What is FIRE?

FIRE stands for “Financial Independence, Retire Early.” This program, inspired by Vicki Robin’s book “Your Money or Your Life,” is built on the premise of saving more money month-to-month than traditional retirement approaches and utilizing low-fee investment choices to be able to afford retirement earlier than the traditional age.1

The “financial independence” portion of FIRE is considered to be about 25 times your yearly expenses. For example, if you decided you’d need $50,000 a year to live off of in retirement, you would need to save 50,000 x 25, or $1.25 million to be considered financially independent. Once that number has been met, you’d be able to retire and enjoy a life of financial freedom, withdrawing about three or four percent from your nest egg each year.

Top Considerations Before Joining the FIRE Movement

Retiring in your 30s may sound too good to be true. In fact, the whole FIRE movement and premise of retiring early can sound like more of a daydream than reality. And for some, it may be just that. But for others who are able or willing to embrace the lifestyle, financial independence early in life can be possible. Here are a few important considerations to make before deciding if the FIRE program may be right for you.

Consideration #1: You’ll Need to Spend Wisely

The big factors of the FIRE program are income, expenses, and time. The idea being, the bigger the gap between income and expenses, the less time it will take you to reach financial independence. And while it may sound extreme, depending on your timeline and desired income level in retirement, you could be looking to save more than half of your income to put toward early retirement. This is something that would need to be calculated individually, as it is based on your income level and current expenses.

However, living a frugal lifestyle now is almost always a universal requirement of the FIRE program and other early retirement seekers.

Consideration #2: FIRE Followers Don’t Embrace Traditional Retirement

For those looking to retire early using the FIRE method, “retirement” doesn’t mean sitting around and doing nothing. FIRE followers are typically more focused on the first part of the acronym, “financial independence,” than they are on retiring early. That means that they’re likely to still work in retirement or pursue a passion project they were previously unable to due to the confines of a full-time job.

Consideration #3: You’ll Want a “Why”

Like many financial goals, it can be hard to find the motivation to skip dinners out or splurging on a new outfit. When you have a nondescript idea of retiring early, there’s little motivation to skip out on some enjoyment today for the possibility of an early retirement a decade down the line. Instead, those who have embraced the FIRE method often put a “why” to their savings programs, and it’s important to get as specific as possible. Define your “why” and let it guide you in making positive progress toward your financial independence.

The FIRE program is an appealing method of reaching retirement early on in life and allows for its followers to find the flexibility in doing what they love. It does, however, take self-discipline and the ability to spend less today in order to save for tomorrow. If you’re considering the FIRE method, it may be wise to work with a financial professional who can help you understand your current spending habits and what you’ll need in order to find financial independence for an early retirement.

1. Vickirobin.com, 2023
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

See how starting early—not saving more—can be the most powerful move you make for your long-term future.

In 1964, The Rolling Stones released the hit single, “Time Is on My Side.” Who knew they were talking about personal finance? What does it mean to put time on your side? To The Rolling Stones, it was a song about confidence and patience with love. To investors, it’s about confidence and patience when investing for long-term goals, such as retirement.

As a young investor, you have a powerful ally on your side: time. The earlier you start saving, the more opportunity your investments have to increase in value.

The power of compounding. Many people underestimate it, so it is worth illustrating. Let’s take a look at the long-term performance of an investment account using a hypothetical 5 percent rate of return.

How does it work?

A simplified example goes like this: If you were to start with a $1,000 principal in an account that earns 5 percent interest per year, and contribute $1,000 a year to the account, you would end up with $69,671 after thirty years, with $16,511 earned in compound interest from $30,000 in contributions. That compounding continues, even if you stop making deposits.1

The 30-Year Snowball Effect
$1,000/year · 5% annual return · No starting balance

The Power of Starting Early: Let Time Do the Heavy Lifting

When it comes to building wealth, most people focus on how much they can save and the kinds of returns they can earn. While those are important, there is a third factor that is often much more powerful: Time.

The math of compound interest rewards those who start early, even if they save less in total than someone who starts later. To illustrate this, let’s look at two hypothetical investors:1

The Early Starter

Contributes $10,000 a year for just 10 years, then stops entirely.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTED $100,000
ENDING BALANCE $850,608

The Late Starter

Waits 10 years, then contributes $10,000 a year for 30 years straight.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTED $300,000
ENDING BALANCE $888,298

Investor Balance Over Time
Hypothetical 6% annual rate of return

The visualization above highlights a startling reality of the financial world: effort does not always equal results. Investor 1 put in a total of $100,000 over a single decade and then let the market do the rest. Meanwhile, Investor 2 contributed $300,000—three times as much capital—over 30 years.

As you can see from the trajectories, Investor 2 spends their entire career playing “catch-up.” Even though their total balance eventually edges out Investor 1 by a small margin at age 62 ($888,298 vs $850,608), the “efficiency” of their money is far lower. Investor 1 essentially bought themselves a 30-year head start, proving that in the world of compounding, a small amount of money plus a long time is often superior to a large amount of money plus a short time.

1 This is a hypothetical example used for illustrative purposes only. It is not representative of any specific investment or combination of investments.
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

Do you have intellectual property? Consider how you might include your IP into your estate strategy in this detailed article.

Among the many considerations to ponder when forming your estate strategy, intellectual property (IP) is among the more important and misunderstood. The phrase itself may be somewhat confusing, as people may not know whether it applies to them or their assets. To clear things up, let’s start by defining what exactly is meant by intellectual property.

IP embraces four distinct areas of consideration: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Let’s look at each of these in a little more detail:

  • Patents are any property rights registered through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for an original invention, such as a process or machine. When the office deems an invention to be patentable, inventors are awarded a patent that helps to protect their investment. These include design patents (think of the distinct shape of a sports car or Coca-Cola bottle), utility patents (for things such as software, applications, and pharmaceuticals), and patents for new varieties of plants (e.g., a new variety of rose or a fruit tree with unique properties).1
  • Trademarks cover many of the items used to identify a product or service, including service marks and trade dress. Trademark owners may assign their ownership or bequeath the rights. What counts as a trademark? Think of McDonald’s Golden Arches or the symbols associated with Amazon, Netflix, Disney, and other media companies. Trademarks can also extend to colors, fonts, and even specific words associated with a product or service.1(Companies are mentioned for illustrative purposes only and not as a solicitation for the purchase or sale of their securities. Any investment should be consistent with your objectives, time frame, and risk tolerance.)
  • Copyrights as defined by copyright law protect and guard the rights of creators of original works. This does not cover your idea for a mystery novel, but, if you write that novel, you automatically have copyright to your work. A copyright extends to poetry, works of fiction and nonfiction, music, the visual arts, podcasts, and most tangible works of expression. Creators hold what is called the original work of authorship, which entitles them to the copyright, and they have the option to register it with the U.S. Copyright Office. While registration is not required, it can strengthen the author’s rights. Copyright assets can be transferred under an estate strategy, but the protection doesn’t last forever (see below).1
  • Trade secrets belong to a company and may be defined as confidential business information that provides a competitive edge; this nonpublic knowledge has monetary value and provides information. You can probably think of a few famous trade secrets, such as the formula for Coca-Cola or Colonel Sanders’ eleven herbs and spices for KFC. The company that owns a trade secret must take steps to maintain it, because it’s no longer protected once it becomes publicly known. Unlike copyrights, trade secrets can be tangible or intangible. For programmers, for instance, the biggest secret in the tech business is probably Google’s search algorithm. If you own a company, your trade secrets will need to be factored into your estate strategy. You can require beneficiaries to sign confidentiality agreements and make provisions for the continued preservation of trade secrets.1(It bears repeating that the mention of any company is for illustrative purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of its securities.)

With all that in mind, it’s clear that IP represents a considerable amount of work on the part of you or the company that you run. For that reason, it’s important to incorporate it into your estate strategy in a way that continues to create value and meet your personal expectations.

IP can be one of the more valuable assets in an estate, but it can also be difficult to value and manage. Your estate professionals should take an inventory of IP assets and consider having IP counsel assess their scope. It’s also important to consider creators’ personal preferences for the ongoing treatment of their IP to ensure it’s managed according to their wishes. For instance, they might not want a song they wrote to be used to sell products.

Before including IP in an estate strategy, it’s important to confirm ownership, as the original inventor or creator may not be the sole owner of the rights to the invention or creative work. Joint inventors or creators may have agreed on various percentages of ownership. Additionally, the IP may have been assigned to another person or entity, transferring some or all rights. Employment agreements should also be reviewed to determine which rights can be passed on to beneficiaries.1

The value of IP also depends on the remaining life of the asset. Patents have a fixed term of either twenty years (for utility patents) or fourteen to fifteen years (for design patents). Copyright protection lasts for the author’s lifetime plus seventy years, but, for older copyrights, there is a different cutoff. In 2024, all works from 1928 and earlier entered the public domain. Trademarks and trade secrets can last indefinitely if they continue to be used or have commercial value. Keep in mind that IP rules change constantly, and there is no guarantee that they will remain the same in the years ahead.1

While the value of IP may be in flux, certain benchmarks can be considered. Past licensing agreements can provide insight into the value of the IP as well as whether the rights granted were exclusive or nonexclusive. Non-exclusive rights allow for potential expansion of licensing opportunities, whereas exclusive rights have a fixed value and timeline. Other valuations for IP assets, such as for sale, taxes, or business transactions, should also be reviewed. The absence of a valuation can negatively impact the value of the IP assets.1

Certain types of IP, such as copyrights, are valued based on potential future revenue. Hiring a professional expert or appraiser in the specific field of the IP can determine present and future value. Descendants of copyright owners can terminate assignments of copyrights to regain bargaining power for creative works. Also, court decisions can render patents invalid, making them financially worthless. It’s important for your estate professionals to consult with IP counsel to assess the risk of invalidation for patent assets.1

Overall, protecting creators’ personal legacies requires careful consideration of their wishes for their IP rights. By including specific instructions in the estate strategy, you can ensure that their work is handled in a way that aligns with their personal preferences and helps preserve their legacy.

When factoring your IP into your estate strategy, you must carefully consider a number of factors to pass this legacy on to your heirs. Working with your financial team, you’ll be able to determine how best to incorporate your IP into that strategy so as to continue providing for your beneficiaries.

1. TrustandWill.com, November 12, 2025
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

Determining the value of your estate, or for someone who has passed away, can be a complex undertaking.

Determining the value of an estate is a fundamental first step in estate management and a critical requirement for settling a decedent’s estate.1

How to Assess the Value of an Estate

  1. Select the date of calculation. Because values move up and down, you need to set a specific date for a valuation. For a living person, you are free to pick any date. If you’re assessing the value of a decedent’s estate, you may choose either the date of death or the date six months after their death (the “Alternate Valuation Date”). If you use the Alternate Valuation Date, any asset sold or distributed during the first six months following the death must be valued as of the date of sale or distribution.2
  2. Determine the assets comprising the estate. This asset list should include everything an individual owns or has ownership interests in.
  3. Gather all financial statements as of the date of calculation. If an account is owned individually, the entire value should be calculated in the estate. If owned jointly with a spouse who has rights of survivorship, then 50 percent of the value should be included.
    Remember to:
    -Deduct any outstanding mortgage balance.
    -Include life insurance when the policy owner is the deceased individual or the beneficiary is the decedent’s estate.3
  4. Calculate deductions. Subtract any debts from the total value of assets. For the decedent, this may also include any regular bills that may be due (e.g., utilities, medical expenses, etc.), charitable gifts, and state tax obligations.

Assessing the precise value of an estate can be complicated, especially when settling an estate. Please consult a professional with estate expertise regarding your individual situation.

1. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.
2. Investopedia.com, April 19, 2025. The article assumes the deceased has a valid will and has named an executor who is responsible for carrying out the directions of the will. If a person dies intestate, it means that a valid will has not been executed. Without a valid will, a person’s property will be distributed to the heirs as defined by the state law.
3. Several factors will affect the cost and availability of life insurance, including age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. Life insurance policies have expenses, including mortality and other charges. If a policy is surrendered prematurely, the policyholder also may pay surrender charges and have income tax implications. You should consider determining whether you are insurable before implementing a strategy involving life insurance. Any guarantees associated with a policy are dependent on the ability of the issuing insurance company to continue making claim payments.
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

It’s important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.

“If the current annual inflation rate is less than 3 percent, why do my bills seem like they’re 10 percent higher than last year?”1

Many of us ask ourselves that question, and it illustrates the importance of understanding how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.

What Is Inflation?

Inflation is defined as an upward movement in the average level of prices. Each month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases a report called the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to track these fluctuations. It was developed from detailed expenditure information provided by families and individuals on purchases made in the following categories: food and beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, education and communication, and other groups and services.2

How Applicable Is the CPI?

While it’s the commonly used indicator of inflation, the CPI has come under scrutiny. For example, the CPI rose 2.4 percent for the 12 months ending in September 2024. However, a closer look at the report shows movement in prices on a more detailed level. Transportation services prices, for example, rose 8.5 percent during those 12 months. CPI is a basket of goods, and your basket of goods may not reflect the basket of goods represented by the CPI.1

Are Investments Affected by Inflation?

They sure are. As inflation rises and falls, three notable effects are observed.

First, inflation reduces the real rate of return on investments. So, if an investment earned 6 percent for a 12-month period and inflation averaged 1.5 percent over that time, the investment’s real rate of return would have been 4.5 percent. If taxes are considered, the real rate of return may be reduced even further.3

Second, inflation puts purchasing power at risk. When prices rise, a fixed amount of money has the power to purchase fewer and fewer goods.

Third, inflation can influence the actions of the Federal Reserve. If the Fed wants to control inflation, it has various methods for reducing the amount of money in circulation. Hypothetically, a smaller supply of money would lead to less spending, which may lead to lower prices and lower inflation.

Empower Yourself with a Trusted Professional

When inflation is low, it’s easy to overlook how rising prices are affecting a household budget. On the other hand, when inflation is high, it may be tempting to make more sweeping changes in response to increasing prices. The best approach may be to reach out to your financial professional to help you develop a sound investment strategy that takes both possible scenarios into account.

1. USInflationCalculator.com, 2025. As of August 2025.
2. BLS.gov, 2025
3. This is a hypothetical example used for illustrative purposes only. It is not representative of any specific investment or combination of investments. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

A look at what you need to think about when buying a home.

When people talk about the American Dream and what it means to them, buying a house is often near the top of the list. However, the care and responsibilities of owning a home can sometimes be overlooked: You’re not only buying the house but also committing to a new roof every couple of decades, keeping the electrical and plumbing systems in good repair, and replacing the water heater. You may need to take care of landscaping or lawn maintenance, as well. It can quickly become a considerable to-do list! And, this list only becomes more complicated when you’re thinking about a second home.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, here are a few things to think about:

The Money

Whether you’re financially ready or just starting out, most questions about home ownership come down to money. Have you saved enough for a down payment? Can your budget accommodate a monthly mortgage? Is your income seasonal or steady? How’s your credit history? These questions all relate to your ability to “thread” that financial needle and make the purchase happen.

  • Did you know that 74 percent of all buyers financed their home purchases in 2024? This is a decline from 80 percent in the previous year.1
  • First-time buyers were more likely to secure financing, with 91 percent doing so compared to 69 percent of repeat buyers. A record-high 26 percent of homebuyers paid in cash in 2024.1
  • Among recent buyers, 49 percent used their savings to fund their home purchases, down from 54 percent in 2024. For first-time buyers, savings were the most common source at 69 percent. In contrast, 25 percent used a gift or loan from a relative or friend for their down payment. Interestingly, 52 percent of first-time buyers opted for a conventional loan whereas 29 percent chose an Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan, and 9 percent used a Veteran Affairs (VA) loan.1
  • Buyers continue to view purchasing a home as a wise financial decision, with 79 percent believing it to be a good investment, and 39 percent of those believing it was better than other investments.1

The Time

People rent for many reasons. Some may not have the money to buy a home, while others might view home ownership as a hassle. The responsibilities of home ownership are considerable, after all, regardless of location. Ultimately, it’s a personal question of, “How much time and energy do I want to spend?”

  • Did you know that the median age of first-time homebuyers increased to 38 years old, up from 35 years of age in the previous year? Meanwhile, the typical age of repeat buyers rose to 61 years young, up from 58.1
  • Among recent buyers, 62 percent were married couples, 20 percent were single females, 8 percent were single males, and 6 percent were unmarried couples.1
  • Notably, 73 percent of recent buyers who did not have children under 18 in their homes represent the highest percentage recorded.1
  • Additionally, 17 percent of homebuyers purchased multigenerational homes for reasons such as cost savings (36 percent), caring for aging parents (25 percent), accommodating children or relatives over 18 returning home (21 percent), and housing children over 18 who never left (20 percent).1
  • Among recent buyers, 16 percent were veterans and 2 percent were active-duty service members.1
  • The primary motivation for purchasing a home was the desire for ownership, cited by 22 percent overall, but rising to 64 percent among first-time buyers.1

The Research

Some of the information a homebuyer may want to gather can be categorized as “money considerations.” You’ll want to ask yourself: Are you pre-qualified or pre-approved by a lender? Remember, pre-qualification doesn’t require as much information and is only based on estimates, while pre-approval is based on more detailed income verification. This may be important as it gives you a measure of what you are able to buy.

When applying for a loan, be certain to understand your options. For example, some may find down payment assistance programs and grants for households with low- to moderate-income attractive.

  • Did you know that 88 percent of home buyers used a real estate agent or broker?1
  • Meanwhile, 5 percent of buyers bought directly from a builder or their agent, and another 5 percent purchased straight from the previous owner.1
  • The primary reasons home buyers used an agent or broker were to find the right home (49 percent), and to negotiate the sale terms (14 percent).1

The Search

The actual house-hunting can begin once the research is out of the way. While this may be the most fun part of the process for many, it can be both exhilarating and exhausting! Since this is such a big commitment, it will help if you clearly understand what you need from your house. For example, are you bringing family members, or will there need to be room for family members to come? How big is the yard, and what do you want to do with it?

  • Did you know buyers spent a median of 10 weeks searching for a home in 2024, typically viewing seven homes, some exclusively online.1
  • Every home buyer utilized the Internet in their search, finding the most valuable information to be photos (41 percent), detailed property information (39 percent), and floor plans (31 percent).1
  • Additionally, 21 percent of buyers contacted a real estate agent as their initial move.1
  • Real estate agents played a pivotal role, with 86 percent of all buyers using their services, making it the most utilized source of information.1

Buying a home may be the largest purchase of your life. It’s a place where you and your loved ones can gather and enjoy your lives. I’m not a real estate expert, but I can speak to how a home fits into your overall personal finances. I encourage you to work closely with qualified professionals who can guide you through the process as you prepare to make one of the biggest purchases of your life.

1. National Association of Realtors, June 23, 2025.
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.
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