Stillwater Investing

Is Your Business Ready for Inflation’s Next Wave? Inflation remains sticky: The CPI rose 2.7% year-over-year in November. Core inflation? Stuck at 3.3%. Here’s the deal: 1️⃣ Rising costs (fuel, materials, wages) are squeezing margins. 2️⃣ Volatile pricing adds complexity to planning. How do you stay ahead? Revisit pricing models: Are you accounting for rising input costs? Focus on cash flow: Ensure you know where every dollar is going. Plan for flexibility: Build a financial buffer to handle the unexpected. At Stillwater Investing, we help businesses stay financially antifragile—positioning them to thrive during uncertainty.* Questions or thoughts? Please comment below Investing always involves risk of loss. See our form ADV for more info regarding the risks of investing.

Let’s cut to the chase — you want to grow wealth, but what’s the smartest way? The "Rate of Return on Everything" 🌍 study looked at 150 years of data, and here’s what you should know: Equities: ~7.44% annual return. High volatility, high reward. Housing: 7.25% return — steady, less volatile than stocks, and a great long-term asset. Bonds: ~2.61% return. Safer, but don’t count on them to build serious wealth. Bills: 1.13% return. Safe, stable, but low growth. Bottom line: High long term returns come with volatility. I recommend viewing each as a tool 🔨, useful for different situations. If you need our help managing assets click here: https://lnkd.in/ep2rGFFV *Investing always involves risks. Learn more on our website and form ADV(available on our website) if you wish. Chart is just artwork.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by too much information? It’s natural. We crave certainty. But more information doesn’t equal better decisions. Paul Slovic proved this with horse-racing experts—they had more data but made worse decisions. Confidence surged, but their results? Not so much. In investing, we do the same thing. We abandon a solid plan, thinking more data will give us control. It doesn’t. What works is clarity and consistency. When you’re bombarded with noise, the key is knowing what to focus on. Need help cutting through the clutter? https://lnkd.in/gbkhpdXs *Investing always involves risks.

You’ve seen it happen—an economic report drops, and suddenly the market is in freefall. But why? Let us break it down: 1.     Stocks are all about expected earnings: When the economy shows signs of slowing down, the first thing to take a hit is future earnings. And that’s what stocks are really priced on—what's coming, not what’s happening now. 2.     Speed is key: In the market, the early bird catches the worm. The faster you react, the better you can position yourself. That’s why you see sharp sell-offs—everyone’s racing to adjust before it’s too late. 3.     Models matter more than you think: Pros aren't just thinking about the next quarter. Their models go out for years. When the economy falters, those long-term earnings projections start looking a lot worse, which makes stock prices drop even more. 4.     Small changes, big impact: Even minor tweaks in earnings growth can lead to massive price moves when you stretch them over several years. It’s not just about today’s numbers—it’s the compound effect over time. The next time you see a sharp market move on an economic report, remember it’s all about what those numbers mean for the future, a recalibration of future expectations. Any questions? Want help getting started investing? https://lnkd.in/ep2rGFFV *Please remember, investing always involves risk.

🎂 Happy Birthday, Warren Buffett! 🎂 Here are 5 actionable pieces of wisdom from Warren’s annual letters that can help you become a better business owner: 1. Practice Patience: How? Don't rush into investments. Take your time to analyze opportunities and wait for the right moment. The stock market is a tool for transferring wealth from the impatient to the patient. 2. Prioritize Quality: How? Focus on companies with strong fundamentals, even if their stocks are priced higher. Analyze their financials and business model to ensure long-term sustainability. 3. Stay Informed: How? Educate yourself continuously. Warren reads 500 pages a day. Begin with annual reports and business news to sharpen your knowledge. 4. Build Discipline: How? Create and stick to a well-thought-out investment strategy. Avoid emotional decisions and rely on data-driven insights. 5. Think Long-Term: How? Set goals that extend beyond the immediate future. Plan for a business that can endure and thrive for decades. I started reading Warren's letters in the 8th grade, and no one has guided me more. Think about how much better he has made the world a better place for all of us. Thank you, Warren, for everything. Wishing you a very happy birthday! -Dale

📉 April 2024 Median Home Prices: Impact on Businesses and Employees New data from the National Association of Realtors reveals the national median existing-home price has risen by 2.6% year-over-year to $388,800. This shift is not just a number; it significantly impacts business owners and their employees. 💼 For Business Owners: 1. Recruitment & Retention: Higher home prices make it challenging for employees to afford housing, leading to higher turnover rates. 2. Salary Demands: Employees may demand higher salaries to keep up with rising living costs, increasing operational expenses. 3. Productivity: Financial stress can reduce employee productivity and morale. 🏠 For Employees: 1. Financial Strain: Rising home prices mean higher mortgage payments, reducing disposable income. 2. Commuting Costs: Employees might move further away to find affordable housing, increasing commute times and costs. 3. Savings & Investment: High housing costs limit the ability to save and invest for the future. Our Advice: Business Owners: Consider offering housing assistance programs or remote work options to ease the burden on employees. Employees: Look for opportunities to reduce other expenses and focus on long-term financial planning to navigate high housing costs. Sources: National Association of Realtors

💡 How to Know the Difference Between Investing and Speculating 💡 Ever wondered if your financial decisions are truly investments or just speculation? Benjamin Graham, the father of value investing and Warren Buffett's mentor, shed light on this crucial distinction in his timeless book, The Intelligent Investor. 🔍 Key Insights: Investment vs. Speculation: •Investment: Thorough analysis, safety of principal, and an adequate return. •Speculation: Focus on price movements, often with inadequate analysis. Graham’s Actionable Advice: •Know Your Facts: Base your decisions on thorough research and analysis. •Margin of Safety: Invest with a buffer to protect against errors. •Discipline Over Emotion: Stick to your strategy, avoid market whims. Why It Matters: Investments build wealth steadily over time. Speculation can lead to quick gains but often results in significant losses. 🛡️ At Stillwater Investing, we embrace Graham’s principles to help you make sound financial decisions that stand the test of time. 🌟 Your Next Step: Reflect on your financial choices: Are you investing or speculating? Adopt Graham’s principles to ensure a safer, more profitable financial journey. 📈 Ready to start investing wisely? Visit us at StillwaterInvesting.com and join our mission to build sustainable wealth. *Investing always involves risk.

What’s the price of happiness? 🌟 Research by Deaton and Kahneman shows happiness doesn’t increase with income beyond $75,000 per year. 🚫 Their results clearly demonstrate this financial threshold for emotional health. Time to focus on what truly enriches us beyond mere earnings. #StrategicLiving P.S. Charts from the study below.

🔍 March's Jobs Report: What It Means for Your Business 🔍 While the job market shows a steady number of openings, the dip in quits suggests a shift in worker confidence. This could signal a more cautious consumer spend — something retail and luxury good businesses should note. Sector-wise, construction and finance show signs of strain. However, stability in public education sector jobs might offer new avenues 📊 Use this opportunity to analyze your business model. With consumer spending becoming more cautious, tailor your communications to highlight the long-term value and reliability of your services, ensuring your messaging resonates with a more conservative consumer mindset. 🔄 Curious to hear your thoughts on this data—comment your experiences and strategies! ______________________________________________________________________________ If the challenge seems daunting, remember, Stillwater Investing is here to assist. Together, we can craft a future that’s not just survived, but thrived. Check us out: StillwaterInvesting.com Share with anyone who needs help. ♻️❤️ *All investments involve risk.

Embrace the Samurai's Resolve in Investing 🥋💸 Bruce Lee once said, 'Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.' This wisdom echoes in the world of investing. Your portfolio is your katana—honed through discipline and strategic choices, it carves the path to financial liberation.🗡️📈 Join me, and together we'll apply wisdom to action, transforming knowledge into a portfolio that's as formidable as a samurai's resolve. 🛡️⛩️