The Master’s Minute

Helpful Tools and Tips

The Master’s Minute – Same Returns, Different Outcomes: Retirement Risk Awareness (Sequence of Returns)

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Retirees talking to their advisor about the sequence of returns risk

Bob and Alice are fictional retirees who will help us explore how market conditions can impact even the best planned retirements. Both retired after working hard and following careful saving strategies for their later years.   Both of them are values driven and both of them are investing in the same things. They even enter retirement with the same amount of money.   However, Bob is facing the results of… Read More

The Master’s Minute – 4 Strategies for Maximizing Tax-Advantaged Accounts

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Investors discuss maximizing tax advantaged accounts at a conference table

Maximizing tax-advantaged accounts means utilizing them to their fullest potential in your portfolio, and that starts with ensuring that you are aware of all your options. Today, investors are fortunate to have access to a wider variety of these tax-advantaged investment accounts than ever before. Once your financial goals are established and sufficient cash reserves are in place, funding these accounts is typically one of the first priorities in any… Read More

The Master’s Minute – Transitioning Your Business: Succession Planning Essentials

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Business owners handing off a baton, symbolizing succession planning.

Every business owner eventually reaches the point where it is time for them to exit their business. Ideally, this exit is a voluntary one that is planned out and in line with the goals of the owner. However, exits can also be forced, either due to health, age, or trouble with the business. The importance of succession planning for business owners, even if they are still years away from their… Read More

The Master’s Minute – Maxed Out Your Retirement Account? Here Is What You Should Do Next!

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High earning professionals talk to their financial planner about their maxed out retirement accounts.

For most high-income professionals, the first step in a long-term savings strategy is to fund an employer-sponsored retirement account (such as a 401K or SIMPLE IRA).  There are several ways that you can position the income you have earmarked for retirement savings, often in accounts that have tax advantages, such as Traditional and Roth IRAs, but there are other options as well.   Each of these options offers unique benefits… Read More

The Master’s Minute – What Are Wealth Advisors?

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Couple discussing what are wealth advisors with a professional.

A wealth advisor is your financial architect—someone who understands your vision, creates a personalized financial “blueprint,” and brings in the right professionals to help you build a strong financial structure.   Think of your financial life like building a custom home. You wouldn’t start pouring concrete or picking out countertops without a blueprint.   In today’s blog, we will clear up a few very common misconceptions about financial advisors, explain… Read More

The Master’s Minute – Regular Investment Analysis and You

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Couple with their financial advisor talking about investment analysis, smiling.

Your portfolio may seem to be running at peak efficiency, but how do you know for sure? Regular investment analysis is an essential piece of the puzzle. Personal financial planning, or business planning, will always be the primary focus of our relationship with you. Does that make our investment management unimportant? Certainly not! Perhaps you can think of it this way: financial planning is “the vehicle” that gets you where… Read More

The Master’s Minute – Cash Reserves: The Reasons for Liquidity

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Master's Wealth Management logo over a stack of 100 dollar bills.

For any business owner, cash flow is always a topic that is top of mind. Between managing inventory, accounts receivable, and lines of credit, the old adage stays true “cash is king!”   One of the challenges faced by business owners is how to balance the cash needs of the business with their personal financial goals, including cash reserves.   A well-run, privately held business is likely the best investment available to… Read More

The Master’s Minute – Understanding Market Corrections: A Normal and Necessary Part of Investing

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image of stock market ticker with red and green characters and the words "market correction" in white.

Between February 19 and March 13 of this year, the S&P 500 index declined by 10%. This was the first 10% pullback since August to October of 2023. When stock markets decline by 10% or more from their recent highs, especially when it has been nearly a year and a half since the last occurrence, many investors become anxious. However, these corrections are not only normal but also a healthy… Read More

The Master’s Minute – It’s Time for a Family Meeting!

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Older adults talk to their adult children during a family meeting regarding financial health.

Several weeks from now, Colleen and I will host our children and their spouses for our inaugural Family Financial Meeting. We feel it is the right time to start this valuable practice!   They are all in the 30-40 age bracket, making wise financial decisions, and living lives consistent with our faith and values. During this time together, we will share our financial story, talk about God’s faithfulness, and the… Read More

Proudly Announcing our Future Home

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We are excited to announce that, following a building renovation, Master’s Wealth Management will be moving to a new location at 1415 Oregon Rd, Leola, PA 17540. Our anticipated move date is late 2025 or early 2026, based on our current timeline for renovations. We have been happy to call Urban Place in Lancaster our home since 2010 but have been searching for a place to make our own. We… Read More