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2025: A Year of Reckoning for Investors

by Eric Seyboldt 

The financial landscape of 2025 isn’t just evolving—it’s erupting. Investors face a crossroads where ignorance isn’t just costly; it’s catastrophic. Navigating this terrain requires not just knowledge but precision, strategy, and courage. Three critical issues dominate the horizon, each capable of reshaping portfolios and livelihoods alike. These aren’t distant threats—they’re here, they’re immediate, and they demand action.

1. The Debt Crisis: A House Built on Sand

The global debt burden has become a ticking time bomb. In the United States, national debt has ballooned to levels that strain credibility. Central banks are running out of levers as interest rates inch higher, forcing the question: What happens when the cost of borrowing outpaces growth? Bonds, traditionally seen as a sanctuary, could turn treacherous if inflation refuses to stay subdued.

For investors, the message is clear: fortress your portfolio. Inflation-protected securities, high-quality dividend stocks, and tangible assets like real estate and commodities will be the bulwarks in this new era. Standing still is not an option—protection must be active and deliberate.

But debt isn’t just a government issue—it’s a household issue. Rising interest rates will weigh heavily on consumer debt, from mortgages to credit cards. Investors must also assess their own financial leverage. Paying down high-interest debt may offer a better return than chasing market gains in certain cases.

2. The AI Revolution: Risk and Reward at Breakneck Speed

Technology is no longer an investor's wild card—it’s the deck. Artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping every corner of the economy, rewarding disruptors while punishing those who fail to adapt. Yet the frenzy over "the next big thing" has its pitfalls. Markets can inflate valuations far beyond their intrinsic worth, leaving many investors holding the bag when reality sets in.

Success in 2025 hinges on discernment. This is the year to identify companies with real, sustainable advantages—not just flashy marketing. Diversified technology funds and ETFs focused on AI, automation, and sustainable energy offer a smart path forward for those seeking to ride the wave without drowning in speculation. Investors should also look to businesses embracing AI to improve productivity and margins, even in traditional sectors.

3. Geopolitical Fractures: The Silent Portfolio Killer

As global tensions rise, the idea of a "safe haven" is under siege. Trade wars, energy crises, and the splintering of international alliances make the global economy more unpredictable than ever. A portfolio too reliant on any one country, currency, or region risks devastation when the next crisis hits.

The prudent investor will diversify geographically, seeking exposure across continents and industries. Holding hard assets like gold and spreading investments across stable and emerging markets could be the safety net that cushions the inevitable blows. Additionally, geopolitical instability increases the importance of supply chain analysis—knowing where a company’s dependencies lie could spell the difference between profit and loss.

A Turning Point

2025 will separate the prepared from the reckless. It’s not just about riding out volatility—it’s about thriving in the chaos. Investors must adopt a mindset of vigilance and adaptability, recalibrating with each seismic shift. This is the year to abandon old habits and face the storm head-on. Those who do will emerge stronger, wealthier, and ready to shape the future. For everyone else? The clock is ticking.

Reach out to us for a complimentary, 10-minute consultation call. Let's explore together how we can help you protect your assets, ensuring your golden years are as fulfilling and worry-free as you’ve always imagined. Give us a call today at 614-943-2265 to schedule your consultation. Let's make your retirement dreams a reality!

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5 Ways Retirees Are Draining Their Nest Egg

Client: Eric, I keep hearing stories about retirees running out of money or struggling to maintain their lifestyle. What are the biggest traps they fall into that ruin their retirement security?

Eric: It’s a harsh truth, but the retirement you worked decades to secure can unravel because of avoidable mistakes. Let’s expose the five most common money-wasters draining the lifeblood from retirees’ financial plans. These aren’t just bad habits—they’re financial disasters in disguise.

1. Overspending on Housing

Hanging onto the family home might feel comforting, but financially, it’s a luxury many retirees can’t afford. Big homes come with big bills: higher taxes, insurance premiums, utilities, and maintenance costs. That $2,000 in extra monthly housing expenses could be funding travel, healthcare, or bolstering your retirement fund.

Downsizing isn’t a retreat—it’s a strategy. Unlocking home equity by selling a larger house could add hundreds of thousands to your retirement portfolio, money you can invest or use to simplify your life. Housing shouldn’t be an emotional anchor; it should serve your financial independence.

2. Supporting Adult Children

There’s a fine line between generosity and sabotage. Retirees frequently sacrifice their own financial security to help grown children with rent, loans, or business ventures. While the intention is noble, the result can be devastating.

Think about it: even $1,000 a month in "help" adds up to $12,000 a year. Over five years, that’s $60,000—a massive chunk of your retirement savings. Your job in retirement isn’t to bankroll your children’s lives; it’s to protect your financial independence. Don’t mistake their needs for emergencies. Set boundaries and teach them to stand on their own feet.

3. Underestimating Healthcare Costs

This is the iceberg that sinks many retirement plans. Medicare doesn’t cover everything, and long-term care costs can be astronomical. A private nursing home can run $100,000 a year, and most people aren’t prepared.

If you don’t have a long-term care plan, you’re gambling with your savings. Protect yourself with supplemental insurance or dedicated health savings. Ignoring this now could force you or your family into impossible decisions later. Healthcare costs are predictable—plan for them like your retirement depends on it because it does.

4. Wasting Money on Subscriptions and Memberships

Unused subscriptions are like leeches on your wallet. Streaming services, gym memberships, apps, magazines—these small costs add up over time. $50 a month might not seem like much, but over 20 years, it’s $12,000.

Audit every recurring charge on your bank statement. Cancel anything you don’t use. Trim the fat from your budget, and let that money stay in your pocket. You didn’t work for decades to see your wealth drained by forgotten subscriptions.

5. Ignoring Investment Fees

Investment fees are a hidden tax on your retirement. A 1% fee might not sound like much, but on a $500,000 portfolio, that’s $5,000 a year—money that could be growing for you instead of enriching someone else.

Switch to low-cost index funds, scrutinize your portfolio, and ask hard questions about every fee. You’re not just losing cash—you’re losing compounded growth. Every fraction of a percent matters in retirement, where time is no longer on your side.

Closing Advice: These aren’t minor missteps—they’re financial threats. Each dollar wasted is a dollar that could have safeguarded your lifestyle, health, or legacy. Retirement isn’t about survival—it’s about living. Don’t let sentimentality or complacency rob you of what you’ve earned.

The decisions you make today will determine the quality of your tomorrow. Cut the waste. Protect your wealth. Own your retirement. It’s not just about numbers—it’s about freedom.

Contact us for a free, brief 10-minute consultation. Together, we can discuss ways to safeguard your wealth and ensure your retirement years are as enjoyable and stress-free as you've envisioned. To arrange a complimentary 10-minute consultation call us today at 614-943-2265. We're here to help turn your retirement aspirations into reality.

Fixed annuities can be an essential component of a well-rounded retirement strategy, offering security, predictability, and efficiency in financial planning.

Here are current fixed annuity rates and their durations from Top A-rated carriers (subject to change at any time, not FDIC insured):

Rates Are Steady This Week! Don’t Wait To Lock These Fixed Annuity Rates In Today!

3-year: 4.85% (under $100k Deposited)

3-year: 5.00% (over $100k Deposited)

5-year: 5.15% (under $100k Deposited)

5-year: 5.35% (over $100k Deposited)

Please feel free to call Eric at 614-943-2265 if you’d like to ask any questions or request information on these fixed annuities or other retirement topics that are on your mind.

REAL ASSETS, Invest Like the Ultra-Wealthy

Have You Thought About Diversifying with ‘Real Assets’ Like Gold or Bourbon?

In times of economic uncertainty, savvy investors are turning to tangible assets to safeguard their wealth. Physical investments such as gold and even aging bourbon barrels are gaining traction as strategic options for protecting retirement savings. These "Real Assets" not only act as a shield against inflation and currency devaluation but also provide unique diversification benefits.

Historically, during periods of market turbulence and economic downturns, physical assets have demonstrated resilience and often outperformed traditional investment classes. Their intrinsic value and stability make them a compelling choice for those seeking to fortify their financial plans against potential risks.

As economic volatility continues, adding tangible assets to your portfolio could strengthen your investment strategy and provide long-term security. Are you ready to explore how assets like gold or bourbon could elevate your financial resilience?

Allocating funds into the asset class known as “Real Assets” may be a strategy that you should consider.

Ask us how to Rollover a portion of Your IRA or 401k To A BOURBON IRA (www.bourbon.fund/how-it-works/) or a GOLD IRA (see link below) and:

• Safeguard your assets from the collapsing dollar

• Incorporate the ‘REAL ASSET’ class into your portfolio like the ultra-wealthy

• Hedge against the current high-inflation conditions

• Protect your retirement assets against economic crises

Just get in touch. We make it easier than ever.

Feedback or Questions?

You’re invited to get in touch with us if you’d like to find out how the Novus Financial Group can help you on your journey to a happy, fulfilling life in Retirement. 

Office: 614-943-2265

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Investment advisory services are offered by duly registered individuals on behalf of CreativeOne Wealth, LLC a Registered Investment Adviser.

The content we provide here isn’t financial advice and cannot be taken as such. Please speak to your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Also, note that every investment comes with its risks and drawbacks. Lastly, we would like to remind you that past results cannot guarantee future returns.

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