Smith Wealth Management

09/02/2026

This Monthly Recap summarizes market performance, major events and news from August 2026. Read more here:

U.S. stocks returned to gains in August after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both ended negative the prior two months while the Dow Industrials capped a…

09/02/2026

08/31/2026

What will this week's economic data mean for rate hike odds?
Join Chief Market Strategist Brian Klimke on this week's episode of as he breaks down key reports on manufacturing, services, employment, and Friday's closely watched jobs report. With the Fed meeting just two weeks away, markets will be looking to see whether the data strengthens or weakens the case for another hike.

“Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms...

08/30/2026

No character build stays the same forever.

At Level 1, survival might be the whole goal. A few sessions later, the party has better gear, new abilities, stronger opinions, and at least one questionable side quest no one saw coming.

Real life works that way, too.

A financial strategy that made sense during one chapter may need a fresh look after a career change, a growing family, a move, a new business, caregiving responsibilities, or a major shift in priorities.

Leveling up is not about becoming a completely different character.

It is about asking whether the current build still fits the campaign.

New stats. New gear. New stakes. Same character, bigger story.

What kind of level-up are you choosing next: new proficiency, better gear, or higher HP?

08/29/2026

There is a big roll coming.

The room goes quiet. Everyone suddenly has opinions.

“Wait, do we have guidance?”
“Can anyone help?”
“Did we check the room first?”
“Are we sure this is the best idea?”

That pause can matter.

Big financial decisions deserve the same kind of table check.

Before making a major move, it can help to consider the timing, trade-offs, risks, alternatives, and what happens if the roll does not go as you hoped.

Sometimes the smartest move is not rolling faster.

It is gathering enough information to roll with advantage.

What is your pre-roll ritual: ask questions, check the room, call for backup, or trust the next roll?

08/28/2026

Every party has this moment.

The quest is underway. The road is getting weird. Someone asks what supplies everyone brought.

And that is when we discover three mystery potions, no rope, one cursed-looking dagger, and a shocking number of snacks.

Financial life has inventory checks, too.

It helps to know what is available, what is already spoken for, and what might be harder to access when things get messy.

That can include accounts, cash flow, recurring expenses, debt, important documents, emergency savings, and the “where did we put that?” details nobody wants to search for during a stressful moment.

The goal is not to carry everything.

It is important to know what is in the pack before the next encounter.

What is your most chaotic inventory item: mystery potion, extra dagger, 50 feet of rope, or snacks for the whole party?

08/27/2026

The party came in for ale and left with six possible quests. Classic.
A missing heirloom. A suspicious cave. A merchant who needs escorting. A rumor about treasure in the old ruins. And, somehow, a deeply urgent goat situation.
The party cannot chase every quest at once.
Money goals can feel like that, too.
Saving more, paying down debt, buying a home, helping family, traveling, changing careers, preparing for the future—and all of it matters.
But not every goal gets main quest energy at the same time.
Sometimes the smartest move is deciding what deserves focus now, what can wait, and what is just a very distracting goat.
What are you picking from the board: main quest, side quest, or “fine, we’ll check on the goats”?

08/26/2026

Before any tabletop role-playing campaign starts, there is Session Zero.

That is where the table talks through the characters, backstories, tone, boundaries, and the kind of story everyone is actually trying to build together.

The same idea can make financial conversations more useful.

Before getting into numbers, accounts, deadlines, or decisions, it helps to start with context.

🧙 Who is part of the story?
📖 What shaped the backstory?
🗺️ What kind of future are we building toward?
🎭 What tone fits this season of life?
✋ What limits need to be respected?
🤝 How do we work together when things get complicated?

A good Session Zero does not solve the whole campaign in one sitting.

It helps everyone understand the quest before making the next move.

What is your Session Zero priority: backstory, boundaries, goals, or party dynamics?