Watercolor of Taormina, Sicily by Cass Grange | |
April 2026
Greetings!
Every week, people just like you - smart, careful, and financially responsible - lose thousands of dollars to scams that look completely legitimate. The reality is not that people are careless; it’s that today’s scams are designed to feel urgent, personal, and believable. With new technology, scammers can even use artificial intelligence to mimic the voice of a child or grandchild, making a fake emergency call sound frighteningly real.
Want to know more about how to protect yourself?
| | “We All Say We Won’t Be Like That… Until We Are” | | |
Do you ever hear yourself saying, “If I act that way when I’m old, just slap me!” Or, “I hope I don’t become like that.”
Writer Steven Petrow built an entire narrative around this idea. In his book Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old, he outlined all the habits and tendencies he vowed to avoid as he aged, many inspired by watching his parents. Years later, he’s openly admitted that he’s begun doing some of those very same things.
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The truth is, many of us do become a bit more rigid or less adaptable over time. The better question is: what can we do now to make life easier for our future selves, and for the people who may one day help care for us?
Here are seven practical ideas to start now:
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Purge your home early and often. Downsizing is far easier when it’s your decision, not a necessity during a stressful transition.
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Invest in your physical health. Strength, balance, and mobility are the foundation of independence later in life.
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Address hearing sooner rather than later. Hearing loss is closely tied to isolation and cognitive decline. The earlier you adapt, the better your brain adjusts.
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Write a note to your future self. What do you value? What kind of help would you accept? What boundaries matter? Capture this while you are clear-headed and intentional.
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Explore retirement living options before you need them. Many of the most desirable communities, especially in Austin, have waiting lists that can be years long. Knowing your options now gives you control later.
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Build your “support team.” The people you rely on today like your handyman, housekeeper, hairdresser, therapist, pharmacist, and financial advisor, often become essential later. Having trusted relationships in place matters.
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Get comfortable with transportation alternatives. Rideshare services and other options can preserve independence when driving becomes more difficult.
We would add one more for today: stay connected. Strong relationships with family, friends, and community are one of the most important predictors of both happiness and resilience as we age.
This stage of life can be one of the more challenging transitions our clients face. Thoughtful planning now can make a meaningful difference later, for you and for your family. If you’d like to talk through any of these ideas, or begin putting a plan in place, we’d be honored to help.
What other suggestions do you have? Send us an email at: info@watercolor.com
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EXCITING NEWS...
We are hiring! We are ready to hire an Associate Financial Advisor! If you know of anyone who would be a good fit for us, please share this link with them: WeAreHiring
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Watercolor Wins!
Watercolor Client Joe Barry Earns Master Gardener
After retiring, Joe was looking for a way to stay active, engaged, and connected to his love of the outdoors. He found that balance through the Master Gardener Program.
What began as a 12-week horticulture course turned into volunteering and community involvement.
| | | | Today, Joe spends time supporting plant clinics, working in demonstration gardens, and helping others grow...both their gardens and their confidence. Along the way, he’s built a strong social network and a fulfilling new chapter in retirement. For more on the Master Gardener program, click here for More information | | Access your reports - Visit our web page for links to Fidelity (for access to statements and tax documents) and to the Orion portal (for access to performance reports and billing statements): Watercolor Financial website. | |
Q2 2026: Quarterly Market Guide
Please review this quarter's market guide by clicking on the painting below. We encourage all of our clients to review the market guide written by Rafael Villagran, CIO of Genesia Investments and investment consultant for Watercolor Financial. Click here to view full report.
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Form CRS | ADV Part 2 Brochure | Privacy Policy
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