The word RISK, defined by the American Heritage Dictionary…

1. The possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger.

2. A factor, thing, element, or course involving uncertain danger; a hazard

3. The danger or probability of loss (to an insurance company).

Perhaps you define RISK differently in your head, even if you don’t know you’re doing it. How do you picture someone in your head that you consider a “risk-taker”? Do find them brave? Crazy? Out of control?

Happy New Year to our dear readers and clients. It’s a very sad time here in Colorado…tragically sad. The area near Boulder, specifically the towns of Superior/Louisville/Lafayette to the east of Boulder, is devastated. As of this writing, over 500 homes have burned to the ground and 35,000 people had to be evacuated from their homes at a moment’s notice as a grass fire swept across a very densely populated part of our home state. The fire was allegedly started by a downed power line onto an extraordinarily dry field of grass on Thursday, December 30th.

For many of our clients, friends, and family, it’s no surprise that retirement is on their minds. Our conversations on retirement run the gamut- from the young clients that want to retire as early as possible because they’re stressed out and hate their jobs, to the older clients that love their jobs and don’t ever want to leave. Truth is, retirement and financial independence are your own journey, and there is little chance it will happen for you right at the tender age of 65.

Fall also marks Back to School Mania for us parents. As I embark on my 14th consecutive year of sending at least one of my children to school in the fall (my oldest is a senior in high school), it never ceases to amaze me how August and September calendars are absolutely LOADED with extracurricular meetings and events. Homecoming is right around the corner for my two high schoolers, and it’s yet another reminder of this wonderful time of year, busy as it may be.