Happy Friday! It’s Casey from Howard Bailey Financial! Each week, I’ll send you my commentary on four financial-related resources that I think will be beneficial for you — plus a preview of my latest podcast episode.

Have questions? Send me a note!

#1

Go for the Gold?

Humble Dollar — Gold holds a certain mystique for many, and recently, that allure has resurfaced. Prices soared past $3,500 per ounce, posting a stunning 30 percent year-to-date gain. With headlines shouting about record highs, it’s easy to wonder: Should I be investing in gold? 

Beyond the Hype: On the surface, gold checks some emotionally compelling boxes—its ancient history as a store of value, its perceived immunity to inflation, and its reputation as a safe haven during market turmoil. But while gold may seem like a shiny solution in times of uncertainty, it lacks one key ingredient that supports long-term financial growth: income. Gold doesn’t pay dividends, interest, or rent—it relies entirely on investor sentiment. And while it may shine during crises, history shows those gains often vanish once calm returns. 

Key Takeaways: As you consider how to protect your peace and wealth in retirement, remember: just because something glitters doesn’t mean it’s golden for your plan. Diversification matters—but so does intention. 

New On the Podcast

🎊 Episode #500 🎉

Freedom After 50: 6 Crucial Signs You're Ready for a New Direction

Do you ever experience those moments when something doesn’t feel quite right? Your body has ways of alerting you when it's time for recalibration, often with persistent whispers that grow louder the longer you ignore them. 

In this episode of the Retire With Purpose Podcast, we discuss:  

📌 Daily actions that can reconnect you to your purpose 

📌 How negativity impacts you physically 

📌 The importance of recognizing simple joys 

#2

The ‘Rule of Four Futures’ in Retirement

Kiplinger — Retirement isn’t a finish line—it’s a winding journey with twists and turns, joys and jolts. The “Rule of Four Futures,” inspired by futurist James Dator, offers a powerful way to prepare not just for the retirement you hope for, but the one life might hand you.  

Here are the four “futures” you might face in retirement: 

📌 Continuation: The expected retirement; smooth sailing, reliable income, and the freedom to enjoy life as planned 

📌 Collapse: The feared retirement; marked by unexpected loss, health struggles, or market downturns 

📌 Discipline: The restrained retirement; cautious spending (perhaps too cautious) driven by fear of running out 

📌 Transformation: The unexpected retirement; not worse, just different, often shaped by surprise opportunities or unforeseen challenges 

Key Takeaways: You can’t control every curveball life throws at you, but you can build a plan that bends without breaking. Whether it’s an emergency fund, flexible income streams, or simply giving yourself permission to live your retirement instead of clinging to a rigid vision, this approach is all about readiness—not perfection.  

#3

'What I Learned About Survivor Benefits

After My Husband Died'

Next Avenue — This heartfelt story isn't just about one widow’s journey; it’s a wake-up call to plan before loss. If you’re retired or approaching retirement, especially as part of a couple, this is the time to understand what will actually happen if one Social Security check disappears and how benefits are transferred. 

Key Takeaways: 

📌 You only receive one Social Security benefit: The higher of your own or your deceased spouse’s, not both 

📌 Timing matters: Claiming survivor benefits before full retirement age reduces the amount 

📌 Advance planning is critical: Ensure names match across documents, beneficiary designations are current, and that both partners know what to expect 

📌 Survivor benefits are often more complicated than regular Social Security: Plus, clerical errors can cause massive delays 

Make Note: As you reflect on your own retirement strategy, let this be a nudge to ensure your plan not only supports your life’s purpose—but protects your loved ones when you’re gone.

#4

When Life's GPS Recalculates:

Six Crucial Signs You're Ready for a New Direction

Howard Bailey Coaching Community — Sometimes, it's not a crisis or a major life event that tells you something needs to change—it’s the quiet, persistent whisper in the back of your mind. Maybe you feel tired even when you're well-rested, or the joy in everyday moments has started to fade. Here, our Chief Purpose Officer Les McDaniel offers powerful signs that may signal it's time to pause, reflect, and gently steer your life in a new direction: 

📌 Listen to your body's subtle cues, like unexplained fatigue or aches that signal something deeper 

📌 Reconnect emotionally and spiritually, even if that means simply sitting with a quiet question over coffee 

📌 Rediscover purpose and wonder by giving your knowledge to others or finding awe in small, everyday moments 

This is Your Reminder: Often, feeling restless or unsatisfied isn't something to fix—it's something to honor. These gentle nudges may be your inner wisdom calling you toward the “Freedom Zone”—a life that balances security and adventure, purpose and peace. 

#5

Bonus Article

The Analog Life:

50 Ways to Unplug and Feel Human Again

InsideHook — We live in a world engineered for distraction. When “infinite scroll” was introduced in 2006, it rewired how we interact with technology, giving us a never-ending stream of digital dopamine. Now, decades later, we’re starting to realize just how much we’ve lost; our attention, our sleep, our peace of mind. For retirees and those approaching retirement, this message is especially timely: you’ve earned the right to slow down and reconnect with life’s simple joys. 

Less is More: In that light, here are some acts that can become a quiet form of rebellion against the “noise.” These ideas aren’t about going backward. They’re about going deeper—into connection, clarity, and calm. 

📌 Revive Daily Rituals: From family dinners to movie nights without “second screening” 

📌 Make Space for Real Connection: 8-minute phone calls, handwritten notes, and mindful walks 

📌 Simplify Your Tools: Use wristwatches, kitchen timers, e-readers, and alarm clocks to replace overbearing apps 

📌 Savor the Moment: Slower media, quiet routines, and less need to “always be on” 

Key Takeaways: As you step into (or deeper into) retirement, consider this a chance to trade information overload for intentional living. You don’t need to adopt all 50 habits. Just start with one—and let it remind you what it feels like to be fully present again. 

Bonus Reading

Ready to seriously start thinking about retirement? My best-selling book, Job Optional*, is a good jump-off point — it will teach you potential strategies designed to safeguard your financial future so you can focus on what matters most to you now.

On November 22, 2024, Howard Bailey Financial was named to Newsweek’s Top Financial Advisory Firms for 2025. No compensation was provided to Newsweek to obtain inclusion on the list, but there is a licensing fee to utilize the Newsweek logo in marketing materials. Criteria may not be directly related to the quality of investment advice provided. If you’re curious, the full methodology can be found on newsweek.com/rankings/americas-top-financial-advisory-firms-2025.

Investment Advisory Services may be offered through Howard Bailey Securities, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Job Optional was a #1 Amazon best seller in Retirement Planning on 7/2/19, and a Wall Street Journal eBook Best Seller on 8/9/19. Working with Howard Bailey Securities, LLC, cannot guarantee investment success or that specific financial goals will be achieved. For more information on professional designations, visit finra.org/investors/professional-designations. 

University of Notre Dame and University of Notre Dame Athletics (“Notre Dame") are not current clients of Howard Bailey Securities, LLC nor Howard Bailey Financial, Inc. Legends / JMI Rights Holders, on behalf of Notre Dame, was compensated for this endorsement, as such term is defined under SEC Rule 206(4)-1. For more information, please visit howardbailey.com/nddisclosure.

This has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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