Happy Sunday! Here’s what we’re covering in today’s Clark Smart Investing newsletter:
Is paying for a big family trip worth it?
7 things to consider if you plan to retire before 65
6 things you may not know about target date funds
Q&A with Wes Moss: Since I plan to retire early at age 50, how do I apply "guard-rail" withdrawal strategies to manage sequence of returns risk?
💵 Is Paying for a Big Family Trip Worth It?
A week at the beach for twelve people. Flights for three generations. A cruise where you rent a block of cabins and take over the pool deck. These trips run into the thousands or tens of thousands, and plenty of families can’t make the math work. The ability to fund a big family vacation is a privilege, and for many people, it stays out of reach no matter how carefully they save.
For the families who can afford it, the question changes. It’s no longer “Can we?” Instead, it’s “Should we?” Is a trip like this money well spent, or a splurge you feel in your gut once the statement lands?
When does a massive family vacation cross the line from a "worthwhile investment in memories" to a "financial mistake"? The full article breaks down the one major condition you need to meet before booking, plus smart ways to keep the costs down.
📚 Recommended Reading
Dreaming of saying goodbye to the 9-to-5 before you hit 65? It sounds amazing, but retiring early comes with some serious hidden hurdles that go way beyond just your bank account balance. From the massive "health insurance gap" to the psychological shift, here are the crucial challenges you need to plan for before you hand in your resignation. Read more.
Target date funds are often called the "easy button" of investing—you set it and forget it. But just because they're simple doesn't mean they're foolproof! There are several quirks, fees, and risks built into these funds that most investors completely overlook. Before you trust your entire retirement to one, make sure you know these 6 facts. Read more.
Sponsor
When married couples claim Social Security can have a lasting impact on retirement income. Understanding how spousal benefits, survivor benefits, and timing work together may help maximize lifetime benefits.
💬 Ask an Advisor
✅ Poll: What’s Your Take?
Every week, we'll ask a new question to get your take on the latest financial trends and topics.
Have you ever spent a large amount of money on a multi-generational family vacation?
Last Week’s Poll Results
We asked: “When running your retirement numbers, what average annual return are you assuming you'll get?” Here’s how you answered:
Conservative (6% or under) - (49%)
Moderate (7-9%) - (45%)
Optimistic (10% or more) - (6%)
💸 Money Tip of the Week
Check your savings goals: Six months down, six to go! Halfway through 2026 is the ideal milestone to review your financial roadmap. Take two minutes to plug your numbers into our savings calculator, see if your goals are still on track, and reset your strategy for a successful second half of the year.
☎ Need Money Help?
The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.
This information is provided to you as a resource for informational purposes only and is not to be viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee offered that investment return, yield, or performance will be achieved. This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Any company names shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The views and opinions expressed are for educational purposes only as of the date of production/writing and may change without notice at any time based on numerous factors, such as market or other conditions. Always consult your own legal, tax, or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions.
