CCF Compass Consulting & Financial

05/25/2026

05/02/2026

There’s something about the Kentucky Derby that just feels iconic—fast decisions, bold moves, and a whole lot of anticipation packed into just two minutes.

But here’s the thing: while the race is quick, the strategy behind it isn’t.

The owners, trainers, and jockeys don’t show up guessing. They’ve spent months—years—preparing, studying patterns, managing risk, and positioning for the right moment.

Financial planning should feel a lot more like that… and a lot less like placing a last-minute bet.

It’s not about chasing the “winning horse” or reacting to headlines. It’s about:
• Having a clear strategy
• Knowing your timeline
• Making intentional moves (even when things feel uncertain)
• And trusting a plan that’s built for your life—not someone else’s odds

Because real wealth isn’t built in a sprint.

It’s built in steady, thoughtful steps that compound over time.

So as you’re watching the hats, the horses, and the excitement this weekend—take a moment to ask yourself:

Are you betting on your future… or actually planning for it?

05/01/2026

Birth of the Weekend

Today marks 100 years since Ford Motor Company became one of the first American companies to officially adopt the five-day, 40-hour workweek for factory workers, a decision that reshaped work-life balance.

Henry Ford’s idea to eliminate Saturday from the workweek initially met hesitation from some hourly workers worried about reduced pay. However, his daily wages of $5 to $6—roughly double the industry average—helped to ease concerns. Ford reportedly redirected Saturday wages to hire thousands more people for Monday-through-Friday shifts, reducing unemployment. The move also boosted productivity, reduced turnover, strengthened morale, and gave workers more leisure time, some of which they spent buying and traveling in Ford cars.

The US formally codified the 40-hour workweek in 1940, mandating overtime pay for hourly employees. More recently, momentum has grown around four-day workweeks, with the largest trial yet suggesting they could improve productivity and well-being.

04/28/2026

Right now, more of the economy is being driven by the stock market than most people realize.

When portfolios grow, spending tends to increase.
When markets pull back, spending often follows.

For many households—especially those nearing or in retirement—this creates a real risk:

Your lifestyle can become tied to market performance.

That’s not a place you want to be.

Because a market downturn shouldn’t require you to:
• Cut back on your lifestyle
• Delay plans you’ve been working toward
• Or feel uncertain about your next step

This is why planning matters.

Your spending should be built around reliable cash flow—not market highs.
Your plan should hold up through multiple market cycles—not just strong ones.

If a multi-year downturn would require you to make significant changes, it’s worth revisiting your strategy.

The goal isn’t to limit your life.
It’s to make sure your life isn’t dependent on the market.

So here’s the real question:
If the market dropped tomorrow, would your life have to change?

04/10/2026

Buffett Indicator hits 210% in 2026

The Buffett Indicator, a key market valuation metric, has reached 210% of GDP, signaling potential overvaluation in the U.S. stock market.

Why it matters: This high reading suggests investors are betting heavily on future earnings growth, which may not materialize, posing significant downside risks.

The big picture: The economic landscape has evolved since Warren Buffett introduced this metric, with globalization, tech dominance, and structural changes pushing the ratio higher.

Yes, but: The Buffett Indicator has limitations, such as not accounting for overseas revenues, private markets, or the Federal Reserve's balance sheet, which can skew its readings.

By the numbers: The current reading is more than double the historical average of 86% and about 2.4 standard deviations above the norm.

The Buffett Indicator sits at 210% of GDP — near an all-time high. Here's what the market cap-to-GDP ratio means, what it doesn't, and how it affects you.

04/08/2026

Sometimes, we all need a reminder about the reasons behind our work.

Sometimes, we take for granted the clients we serve only occasionally, often called courtesy clients.

I worked with a couple who owned an old annuity set up by the advisor from whom I bought part of my practice.

They didn’t need the income and wanted to cash it out, but doing so would have led to a big tax bill.

I approached the situation from a planning perspective and explained the value of the death benefit for the spouse.

They decided to keep the annuity.

Sadly, his health declined quickly and he passed away.

When I met with his widow to handle the estate, she was surprised to learn about the death benefit, since she thought she would only receive the contract value.

Once again, I took a planning approach with her.

This time, she became involved in financial planning and now has a solid nest egg to live on, with the option to gift some to her children or grandchildren.

That’s what she wanted to do anyway, but now she can do it without losing so much to taxes.

Planning is important for everyone, no matter how much money they have.

Good planning considers taxes, fees, legacy goals, and both current and future needs and wants.