Wealth Management
Dining out should be more than just sustenance—it should spark joy, feel meaningful, and remain accessible. Yet in recent years, the restaurant experience has often felt heavy, shaped by societal shifts, economic pressures, and global crises.
This year’s standout restaurants embody creativity, community, and a sense of fun. In New Orleans, Acamaya highlights pre-Hispanic Mexican cooking with dishes like smoky huitlacoche arroz negro, served in an elegant, Mexico City-inspired setting. Seattle’s Atoma redefines modern American cuisine with a global twist, offering sourdough crumpets and XO beef tartare in a cozy Craftsman house. Budonoki in Los Angeles blends Thai and Japanese flavors with LA flair, serving playful dishes like pandan-coconut soft serve in a lively neighborhood hub.
In Asheville, Good Hot Fish fries up exceptional fish sandwiches, becoming a community cornerstone. Vermont’s Frankie’s channels farm-to-table charm with family-style meals in a historic venue. Each restaurant offers a unique escape, where exceptional food and hospitality take center stage.
Finsum: The restaurant also bring an atmosphere that can elevate the dining experience
Small-cap stocks in the U.S. have seen significant gains following Donald Trump’s presidential election victory, fueled by optimism over his economic policies. The Russell 2000 index surged about 6% since the election, outperforming major benchmarks, as investors anticipate benefits from tax cuts, deregulation, and increased tariffs that favor domestic businesses.
However, concerns are growing that these same policies could stoke inflation, potentially leading to higher borrowing costs for small-cap companies heavily reliant on debt. Analysts note that the Federal Reserve may adjust its pace of rate cuts, further challenging the sector’s growth prospects.
Despite the Russell 2000’s near 19% gain this year, its valuation—trading at 28.3 times forward earnings—remains high compared to the S&P 500. Experts suggest waiting for market pullbacks before adding small-cap stocks to portfolios.
Finsum: We think when adding small caps to consider the value play in addition to size, lower P/E might have a more long lasting performance.
Winter doesn’t have to mean enduring icy winds and gray skies when warm-weather getaways beckon across the globe. For those looking to escape the chill, a cruise offers an ideal way to explore tropical locales, blending relaxation with adventure as you visit sun-drenched islands and coastal cities.
Shopping enthusiasts can revel in destinations like Dubai or Mexico City, where vibrant markets and luxury boutiques cater to every taste. Newsworthy experiences await in regions like the Panama Highlands, where coffee tours and lush landscapes offer a rejuvenating escape.
Families might opt for the cultural richness of San Juan, Puerto Rico, while couples can unwind in Rangiroa, French Polynesia, surrounded by tranquil lagoons and stunning bungalows. Whether you seek adventure, serenity, or a bit of both, these winter escapes promise to leave the frost behind and warm your soul.
Finsum: Additionally these places all offer very rich cultural histories that provide a change of pace from a typical vacation.
More...
Buying or selling a financial advisory practice involves careful consideration of various deal structures, each offering unique benefits for both parties. The outright purchase is often favored for its simplicity, allowing a single payment or structured financing to complete the transfer and establish clear terms for valuation and handover.
Another common structure, the gradual buyout, lets sellers retain majority ownership while the buyer assumes increasing responsibilities over time, fostering a smoother transition. In contrast, internal succession emphasizes long-term mentorship, preparing a junior advisor for eventual ownership through training and relationship-building with clients.
Advisors nearing retirement often use these strategies to secure their legacy and maximize their practice’s value. For advisors or firms unsure about structuring a sale, industry specialists can assist with valuations and guide the decision-making process.
Finsum: It’s also very important to get an accurate valuation estimate of your practice regardless of which method you settle on.
Focusing on others can be challenging, as our brains are naturally wired to center on self-related thoughts and needs. Research by Shenbing Kuang highlights this tendency, showing that our attention defaults to self-focus, which can hinder effective communication, especially in client interactions for financial advisors.
Self-focus is linked to activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, while focusing on others activates a different brain area, the temporoparietal junction; however, the prefrontal often dominates, drawing us back to self-related concerns.
Advisors can counter this bias through mindful awareness and empathy, training themselves to recognize inward shifts and refocusing on clients' needs. By consciously practicing empathy and active listening, advisors can enhance their client relationships, building trust and understanding.
Finsum: This is a great way to focus on personal growth as an advisor and find a way to form deeper connections with clients.
Succession planning remains a critical yet often overlooked issue in the financial advice sector, with a substantial portion of advisors nearing retirement. A recent Cerulli report highlights that nearly 40% of advisors, representing over $11 trillion in assets, plan to retire within the next decade, underscoring the urgency for succession strategies.
Advisors without a clear plan risk devaluing the business they’ve built, while thoughtful succession planning can help protect and even enhance this value. Cetera has assisted in numerous advisor transitions and acquisitions, providing advisors with resources to prepare for both anticipated and unexpected exits.
Proper succession planning ensures continuity, whether through expected retirement or unexpected events like disability, safeguarding both the advisor's legacy and family’s future.
Finsum: Strategic succession plans prioritize choice, flexibility, timing, and control, helping advisors smoothly transition.