Happy Sunday! Here’s what we’re covering in today’s Clark Smart Investing newsletter:
The order you withdraw retirement money matters more than you think
Should you be scared of investing at all-time highs?
Nvidia vs. Coca-Cola: Which type of investor are you?
Q&A with Wes Moss: Is there any real difference between receiving a dividend and simply selling shares for cash?
💵 The Order You Withdraw Retirement Money Matters More Than You Think
Most people spend years building up three types of retirement accounts: a taxable brokerage account, a traditional IRA or 401(k), and a Roth IRA. What they don't always consider is that the order in which they spend those accounts down can be just as important as how much they have saved.
Get the sequence wrong, and you could pay tens of thousands more in taxes over retirement than you needed to.
From Roth conversions to managing RMDs, the right strategy depends on your specific "buckets." Are you diversified enough to have a choice? Find your optimal withdrawal sequence in the full article.
📚 Recommended Reading
The market is hitting heights we’ve never seen before, leaving many to wonder if the best opportunities are already behind us. While it’s tempting to wait for a better entry point, historical trends suggest that record-breaking moments often lead to even greater long-term growth. Read more.
Is your portfolio too heavy on "hype" and not enough on "steady"? While high-flying growth stocks like Tesla and Nvidia get all the headlines, boring "value" stocks (like Coca-Cola) often provide the stability you need when the market gets rocky. Find out which style is winning right now and how to make sure you aren't overpaying for your investments. Read more.
Sponsor
Why does steak night cost 60% more than it did in 2020? The answer reveals something bigger about your retirement. Download this guide to see how inflation quietly reshapes spending power over time and the practical steps that may help keep your savings growing faster than prices.
💬 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.
If you looked at your total retirement nest egg, where is the largest chunk of your money currently sitting?
Last Week’s Poll Results
We asked: “What’s the one price you simply refuse to accept as the ‘New Normal’?” Here’s how you answered:
Real estate - (21%)
Cars - (28%)
Salaries - (5%)
Groceries - (26%)
Airfare/hotels - (8%)
Restaurants - (12%)
💸 Money Tip of the Week
Audit your inbox: Those "limited-time" sales can be a real budget-buster, so we recommend a quick digital declutter to remove any newsletters that tempt you to overspend. Take a moment to audit your inbox and hit unsubscribe on any retail alerts that make it hard to stick to your financial goals. (But please don't kick us to the curb 😆 )
☎ 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.
