Mothers are notorious multitaskers known for their ability to juggle a million things at once. Yet when it comes to money matters, multitasking might not be the best approach. In fact, it could be holding you back. Just like multitasking can lead to stress and burnout, trying to manage yourinvestments without a clear strategy can lead to confusion and missed opportunities. Instead, seek out an Advisor with an actual strategy. By that, I mean an investment portfolio with mathematical parameters that deliver specific results ... otherwise, it's all a guess. For a new mindset this Mother’s Day, check out the article "The Lies We Tell Ourselves About Multitasking" below, along with other financial news filled with information and inspiration for you this week. Feel free to share with friends and family. And remember, I’m here for you! As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or updates to your plans. Success in all your efforts, John

Have you noticed: Our lives are constantly bombarded with drama. if we allow it to be. Whether it makes headlines like the collapse of First Republic Bank earlier this week or is portrayed in TV dramas like the ultra-high net worth thriller “Succession,” these stories grab our attention and can potentially throw us into a world of worry or what-if's. But keep all the drama where it belongs – out of your finances. We have managed client's "hard earned money" for almost 4 decades with success. The truth is, few theatrics (if any) are needed in the consistent work of paying down debt, saving for future goals, and protecting the ones you love. It’s really all about building upon good habits that help you make calm, rational decisions with your money. As always, I’m here to help and answer any questions you may have about how the news of the day affects you. And the articles below can help keep the drama to a minimum as well. Enjoy! Success in all your efforts, John

If you’re feeling fatigued from the grind and the seemingly never-ending decisions that pop up each day, you’re not alone. This time of year especially, decision fatigue can start to rattle your wellbeing. Decision fatigue is the theory that in a stressful season, a person’s capacity to make choices over the course of a day becomes worse. That’s why grabbing some fast food off a drive-thru menu after a long day at work sounds better than making yourself dinner, and why mindlessly scrolling through social media at bedtime is so tempting. If you relate, first of all, cut yourself some slack. It’s not just you. It’s possible all you need is a decision-making process that won’t leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Our Covered Call Strategy does the heavy lifting for you in markets up, down, and sideways. And that’s where I can help, along with the articles below. Working together, we can combat decision fatigue with simple strategies like clarifying priorities, introducing automation where possible, and simplifying options. This reduces your overall stress and enables you to feel more confident and at ease, ready to cruise through the remainder of 2023. Let me know what you think. Enjoy! Success in all your efforts, John

Living in these uncertain times may fill you with frequent questions about the state of your finances and wellness — seemingly by the minute depending on the news of the day. Thankfully this week, calm has settled over financial markets after the banking industry's recent volatility. Is this a positive sign for the coming months, or could there be something deeper happening? That’s why I’m passing along these articles this week that can help answer some of the pressing questions you may be pondering, such as: What’s all this I hear about a recession? Should I just be putting my cash under a mattress right now? Can I buy a house? Or a Tesla? Asking questions about financial matters is crucial for making informed decisions and achieving your financial goals. Financial literacy is a skill that everyone should strive to develop — and what better time to focus on financial literacy than April, which is financial literacy month in America. So please, enjoy the articles, and let’s build your financial acumen. What are you curious about? I’d love to discuss any questions you have about opportunities for you in this wild new world. Success in all your efforts, John

It’s not just the title of the Oscar-winning movie, it’s an apt description of how it feels to live right now. The movie deals with the ‘multiverse’, where anything and everything is possible, and takes place at the same time. These days, the rise of A.I. tools to inflation, interest rate increases, recent bank failures, and central bank policy changes may have you feeling overwhelmed. At the risk of spoiling the movie, if you haven’t seen it, the central message of focusing on love and family to find joy regardless of the possibilities of the multiverse is a great parallel of what to do when faced with sweeping change. The key is to focus on what creates meaning for you, in other words, your long-term goals, and to act intentionally instead of being reactionary. The New York Times article below says it perfectly: your goals probably haven’t changed, so there’s no need to do anything. It is challenging to live in complex times but talking it over with a trusted advisor can help. That’s where I come in. I’m here to answer your questions and listen to your concerns. Don’t hesitate to contact me. Success in all your efforts, John

I started in the financial advisory business 32 years ago. I've learned many things during that time. There are two lessons specifically that came through the challenge of fluctuating customer principal. The first lesson is that our clients are " REAL people, that we are dealing with REAL money, and that our client's have REAL dreams! Second lesson is that every investment account that distributes money to sustain retirement should have a defensive mechanism to "play defense" for that portfolio. Our mechanism is our covered call strategy. Call me to find out how you can add a defensive mechanism to your existing investment portfolio at (239) 653-9672 or john@naplesmoneymanagers.com. Success in all your efforts, John

This morning the CPI (Consumer Price Index) for January was released and was "higher" than expected. Most of us would think, "well, the economy is humming and is certainly not in a recession." While, the economy is in decent shape, inflation is still persisting at varying levels ... housing prices, food, energy, and labor with the Inflation Rate simmering around 6.4% year-over-year. So, the risk for 2023 is still the Federal Reserve's control of interest rates as it tries to finish off inflation. So, your stock market risk will be directly proportionate to the strategy that you've deployed. This may sound trite but it is the main reason investors are not happy with their portfolios ... an actual strategy is absent. Simply put a strategy is a plan, method, or series of maneuvers for obtaining a specific goal or result. "Buy and Hope" is not a strategy in retirement. Our Enhanced Dividend Portfolio (Covered Call strategy) demands specific results from the common stocks it overlays ... high income and low volatility. Success in all your efforts, John

Paper chains are a fun holiday decoration you’ll begin to see everywhere this time of year. Swinging from doorways and wrapped around trees, each time I see one, I can’t help but notice their simplicity and aesthetic variety. This may surprise you, but the idea behind them can help you meet your financial goals. It boils down to this phrase: Don’t break the chain. That’s the concept Jerry Seinfeld used to reach celebrity and entrepreneurial success, and it’s something for you to keep in mind each time you save or invest for your future, you’re building a link in the chain. Over time, those links can add up to build some impressive size and momentum. Read how it worked for Seinfeld in the Entrepreneur article below. It’s interesting to consider as we watch holiday decorations go up in our neighborhoods this season. And when you spot a paper chain, visualize the links you're adding – whether it be for retirement, savings, family or your education. These additional articles I’ve hand-picked from the news this week can help build your knowledge base as well. If you’d like ideas about how to make your chain stronger, more diversified or even more uniquely you, let’s talk about it. Success in all your efforts, John

As Thanksgiving ushers in a joyful time of family road trips and travel, remember amid all the busy-ness as you’re reconnecting with loved ones far and wide, that oftentimes the longest journey you’ll take is the 12 or so inches from your head to your heart. In other words, it’s the difference between what you know is beneficial for you and what you actually do. This Thanksgiving, as you express gratitude for the good things and people in your life, it’s also a perfect time to have those all-important conversations you know are needed — including discussing your investment risks and objectives. If you need any assistance, or ideas on how to broach these conversations, just reach out. I’m here to help. The articles below are great conversation starters as well. Give them a read and share, if you like. And let’s keep in touch. Wishing you a warm and happy Thanksgiving. Success in all your efforts, John

Are you planning on sleeping away the extra hour you gain during daylight saving time this weekend? If so, you’ve made a fantastic choice. Getting enough sleep is a key principle to enjoying good mental and physical health. And according to the New York Times article below, more than a third of Americans are sleep-deprived, which can have detrimental effects on mood, memory, and health. Quite often, it's the little things that we do that can make the biggest impact in our lives — particularly when it comes to our health. Success with investment management is no different. Most portfolios are managed by allocation meaning "put some money in each category of the market and cross your fingers." Ask about our Income and Growth portfolio that outperforms in down markets. Have a great weekend! Success in all your efforts, John