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The LynnLeigh JournalLife. Investing. And Everything in BetweenMuch has been written about saving for retirement, and we adhere tothe principle that financial security is a key component of asuccessful retirement. Many of you are on that road right now, whileothers are accessing the savings accumulated over a lifetime.Knowing how much money you can withdraw each month fromsavings is important. Ask anyone who has retired, and they will tellyou that. But if you dig a little bit deeper, you’ll find that’s only halfthe equation. Money is important, but money doesn’t guarantee ahappy retirement.Consider the Stories of Thomas and JonathanThomas is married. He is retired, and his wife works part-time. Heseems busier today than when he worked for a mid-sized company.7 DICIPLINES THAT LEAD TO HAPPYRETIREMENTBy Kelly L. Olczak, CFP® NewsletterHighlightsM A Y 2 0 2 4V O L U M E 5Summer Reading List:Must-Read Books for theSeasonThe Fed’s Recipe forStability: AnalyzingCurrent Market TrendsThe Importance ofFinancial Security inRetirementThe Role of Purpose andEngagement inRetirementThe Significance of SocialConnections andActivitiesRetirement HappinessChallenges with InterestRatesCurrent EconomicIndicators and InflationTrendsLong-Term InvestmentStrategy Amid MarketVolatility

M A Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 5He enjoys golf and plays often, but that’s the story of most golfers, right? He volunteers at thelocal blood bank and regularly visits the children's hospital with his dog, lifting the spirits ofyoung patients. He travels to visit his mother in another state, vacations with his wife, and theyvisit their kids often.Jonathan is retired and financially stable, too. He hosts an Airbnb and even has a third sidehustle. But at times he regrets leaving his corporate job, as he sometimes feels isolated andstruggles to keep busy.Some of us love what we do and willwork well into our 70s or 80s. Othersyearn for the day when they will awakeon a Monday morning without anyobligations. But how do we fill our time?You are entering a new phase of life, anda successful and fulfilling retirementmust have purpose.Some of us love what we do and will work well into our 70s or 80s. Others yearn for the day whenthey will awake on a Monday morning without any obligations. But how do we fill our time? Youare entering a new phase of life, and a successful and fulfilling retirement must have purpose.Every year, the U.N., the Gallup organization, and a consortium of groups produce what’s calledthe World Happiness Report. (Yes, there is such a thing.) For those over the age of 60, the U.S.ranked 10th out of 143 nations in happiness. Canada edged out the U.S., grabbing 8th place. Incase you are wondering, Denmark topped the list.Yet, according to Psychology Today, almost one-third of retirees feel depressed at times. Formany, it's the absence of time in the office, and the loss of structure, identity, and purpose.

Can you ease into retirement? If youare able, consider cutting back fromfull-time to part-time. It’s not only away to stretch out your savings, butyou are testing the waters of full-timeretirement while keeping activeprofessionally. Consider this option abridge to retirement.Keep in contact with your work friends. Stay active socially. You’ve spent years with many ofthese folks, and they have become a part of your life. For some, they are extended family.Participating in social events at your local community center, house of worship, or library canbe a great way to stay connected. Do you enjoy museums, game nights, bowling, hiking,walking, book clubs, or volunteering? Your interests will direct your activities. Volunteeringideas include:The libraryYour house of worshipCommunity arts centerHospital or medical centerSchool districtAnimal shelterFood bankSenior centerOutdoor parks and recreationIsolation will take a toll on your health and mental attitude.M A Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 5Making the Best of Retirement: 7 Disciplines21

Set goals. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” feels like a worn-out cliché. In reality, muchwisdom is packed into these nine words. Setting goals allows you to gain some control overyour future. It helps put you in charge as you chart a new course in life.What are your priorities in retirement?Would you like to downsize and relocate? Where might you want to live in retirement?What’s important in a new location?Would you like to take up a new hobby such as learning a musical instrument, dancing,painting, winemaking, cooking, geocaching, or even skydiving?What new activities would you like to tackle?What do you like to do for fun?M A Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 53Equally as important, set joint goals with yourspouse. Be specific about your goals. Make themrealistic and achievable, and measure yourprogress with deadlines. It goes without sayingbut be sure your goals align with your values.Health and happiness—prioritize wellness and health. We cannot choose your goals foryou, but we want to stress the importance of maintaining fitness. Consistent exercise canimprove your overall health and well-being while also boosting your self-esteem. But beforestarting any physical activity, please check with your physician. He or she can recommend aroutine, help improve on what you’re already doing, and suggest ways to stay motivated.4Count your blessings. It’s easy to gravitate to the negative. Don’t! What did you accomplishtoday? Did you exercise, meet with a friend, cook a new dish, find a new recipe, work inyour garden, or plan a trip? Studies suggest that writing down your positive feelings—just afew minutes each day—provides overall mental and physical benefits.5

You were once a student in school, and you continued to learn and innovate at work.Maintain that posture in retirement! You exercise for physical health. Well, exercise yourbrain, too! According to Harvard Medical School’s HealthBeat newsletter, studies haveshown that you can help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia withsome good health habits:Stay physically activeGet enough sleepQuit smokingMaintain good social connectionsLimit alcohol to on drink a dayEat a Mediterranean-style dietM A Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 56Structure. “When I retire, I’ll do whatever I want when I want” has a certain appeal. Butlack of structure can get you into trouble. Like a rudderless boat, you’ll begin to drift. Youhave 40 hours each week that are no longer occupied with familiar tasks. What do you donow? You could consider a morning walk or a trip to your health club. What about arelaxing mid-morning coffee break? Can you volunteer and help others? What time do youlike to shop or run errands?Schedule your new hobbies. A schedule allows you to focus, gives you clarity and purpose,and forces you to engage. It doesn’t have to be rigid. You are not on the clock. You areretired. You have time. But as many of us have often found, if we have too much time, timejust seems to slip away. Little is accomplished.Did that happen to you today? If so, start making changes tomorrow.7

M A Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 5B R I E F M A R K E T U P D A T EDoes the Fed have the right recipe?Have you ever baked a cake? Nothing fancy, nothing complicated. You obtain a recipe, follow theinstructions, bake, and out pops a cake ready to enjoy. Simple, right?The cake recipe includes specific instructions on the required baking time and temperature.Well, the Federal Reserve has an anti-inflation recipe it has been following. It consists of oneprimary ingredient: interest rates.However, the Fed’s recipe for interest rates is not as straightforward.The Fed must use its knowledge and know-how, making aneducated guess at the appropriate interest rate level (temperature)and how long it should maintain that rate (how long in the oven) sothat it may achieve its goal of price stability without throwing theeconomy into a recession. It’s a tall order.Too low a temperature and not enough time in the oven, or too higha temperature and too long in the oven, will not produce the desiredresults.Despite a lackluster Q1 GDP, most metrics suggest the economy continues to expand at a solidclip.Job growth is strong, layoffs, as measured by first-time claims for unemployment benefits, arelow, and consumers aren’t shy about spending on items they desire.But last year’s remarkable progress on inflation has stalled.

M A Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 5Last year, the Fed often talked about keeping rates “higher for longer.” As inflation improved,chatter about rate cuts increased.But inflation is no longer following the Fed’s script. Progress has stalled. And in some cases,we’re witnessing an acceleration.Consequently, expected rate cuts have been delayed, and market volatility has risen in response.What’s going on with inflation? Well, it’s the tale of two cities. On the one hand, price hikes forconsumer goods have ended, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which releases themonthly Consumer Price Index.Higher for longer is dead. Long live higher and longer.In fact, prices have actually fallen, asmucked-up supply chains have rightedthemselves.But services are what economists call“sticky.” In fact, price hikes have started toaccelerate.And here lies a problem, as services such asinsurance and health care are moreresistant to Fed policy.It’s possible that the recent uptick ininflation is temporary, and the road toprice stability is just bumpier than many had anticipated. Come August or September, we may behaving a different conversation.Economic growth is solid, and that’s reflected in stronger corporate profits, which limited thedownside in April.

M A Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 5Stocks have an excellent long-term track record, but they don’t rise in a straight line. We expectdetours over the shorter and medium term.April’s peak-to-trough pullback was extremely modest—barely over 5% for the broad-based S&P500 Index per Yahoo Finance.As we cautioned last month, taking a more aggressive stance simply based on market action canlead you down a road that may be too risky for your tastes. But we are also mindful that whenstocks hit turbulence, we don’t want to shift to a more cautious stance simply based onvolatility.Market timing is rarely a profitable strategy. Simply put, you must know when to sell near a top,and when to buy near a bottom. We know of no one who has mastered that concept.For investors with a long-term time horizon, it’s not about timing the market; it’s time in themarket that has historically produced long-term results.Final thoughts

M A Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 5Summer Reading List: Must-ReadBooks for the SeasonSummer is the perfect time to get lost in a goodbook. Here are some must-reads across variousgenres to keep you entertained. Grab a cooldrink, find a comfy spot, and dive in!Fiction"The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett Twin sisters choose to live in different worlds, one black and one white. Acompelling exploration of race and identity."The Midnight Library" by Matt HaigNora Seed explores the lives she could have lived in a magical library. A meditationon choices and paths.Romance "Beach Read" by Emily HenryWriters January and Gus challenge each other during a summer as neighbors. Adelightful romance."People We Meet on Vacation" by Emily Henry** Best friends Poppy and Alex take one last trip to repair their friendship and findlove.

Non-Fiction"Educated" by Tara WestoverA memoir about escaping a strict, abusive household in Idaho through education."Atomic Habits" by James ClearA guide to building good habits and breaking bad ones with small, incremental changes.Fantasy"Circe" by Madeline MillerA retelling of Circe, the enchantress from Greek mythology. Beautifully written and captivating."The House in the Cerulean Sea" by TJ KluneLinus Baker investigates an orphanage for magical children. A heartwarming, whimsical story.M A Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 5Thriller“The Guest List" by Lucy FoleyA wedding on a remote island turns deadly assecrets and tensions rise."The Last House on Needless Street" by Catriona WardA chilling thriller about a family with dark secretsat the edge of a forest.Lastly...Thank you for joining us in this month’s newsletter journey! We hope you found our insights,tips, and fun ideas both informative and entertaining. As you dive into your summer readinglist, tackle exciting DIY projects, or explore new outdoor adventures, remember that we're hereto support and inspire you every step of the way.

We are incredibly grateful for your continued trust and partnership. Your enthusiasm andengagement make our work rewarding and enjoyable. Here’s to a fantastic summer filled with joy,relaxation, and new experiences!If you have any questions, need more recommendations, or just want to share your summeradventures with us, don’t hesitate to reach out. We love hearing from you!Wishing you sunny days and happy reading,M A Y 2 0 2 4LynnLeigh & Company - A Registered Investment AdvisorThis information is provided by LynnLeigh & Co. for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable – LynnLeigh& Co. advisors cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. To the extent that thismaterial concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayershould seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice. Pastperformance is not a guarantee of future returns. V O L U M E 5