Making a mistake in claiming Social Security can cost your thousands of dollars in lost benefits. Here are the biggest mistakes to avoid so you can maximize the money you’ll receive in retirement – when you need it most. Learn how to make the best financial decisions for your situation.
It’s time to rethink traditional financial planning. Most financial advisors want you to ride the stock market’s ups and downs because they make money, whether you do or not. Start planning now so you can use today’s money to create lifetime income in retirement.
A perfectly designed home rarely happens by accident. Those kitchens that feel effortless and rooms that seem to tell a story the second you walk in? They’re usually the work of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
It’s knowing which ideas will actually work, which materials will hold up over time, and how to turn a collection of choices into a space that feels intentional. That’s where a professional interior designer comes in.
For the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) California San Diego Chapter, the goal is to help people see interior design as more than just the finished look. Behind every well-designed space is a process built on technical expertise. Designers are educated in everything from professional software and construction details to building codes, space planning, materials, and functionality.
Courtesy of ASID
“People don’t always realize how much goes on behind the scenes,” Kirsten Recce , current president of the ASID California San Diego Chapter, says. “Our designers are not just doing furniture placement and color selection and picking out new fluffy pillows. That’s not what they’re trained for.”
ASID members bring formal education, continued learning, and industry knowledge to their projects, helping create spaces that are not only beautiful, but designed to work. A paint color that changes completely depending on the lighting. A material that looks beautiful in a showroom but doesn’t make sense for everyday life. A layout that photographs well but doesn’t function for the people living there. These are the details where professional guidance can make all the difference.
Still, one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring an interior designer is that it’s reserved for massive renovations, luxury homes, or people who already know exactly what they want. The process can feel intimidating. Where do you begin? Is a designer worth the investment? What if you only need help with one room?
ASID’s answer: start with one hour.
ASID’s Spruce Up events break down one of the biggest barriers between homeowners and professional design: knowing where to begin. Held twice a year, the community program gives homeowners the chance to work directly with an ASID designer through a one-hour, $125 consultation in their own home. Whether you’re looking for advice on furniture placement, window treatments, kitchen and bath updates, remodeling ideas, vacation rentals, color selections or something else entirely, the upcoming September 2026 event offers an approachable way to get expert guidance before committing to a full project. Signups are open through Sept. 7, with consultations taking place Sept. 21 through Oct. 31. Proceeds benefit ASID San Diego’s educational and community programs. Register here!
Courtesy of ASID
“It’s a great opportunity for people who are in that exploratory phase,” Recce says. “Maybe they’re not sure they want to hire an interior designer yet, or they think it sounds daunting or expensive. This gives them a chance to discover what working with a designer is actually like.”
Design is personal. A good designer isn’t just creating a beautiful room; they’re helping create a space that fits the way someone lives.
“We’re a resource to all of San Diego County,” Recce says. “It doesn’t cost anything to pick up the phone and call and ask. We’ll answer.”
Financial Security in Retirement: Are You Prepared for the Unexpected?
Unlock the secrets to a secure financial future with Elisabeth Dawson's insightful exploration of market volatility and its impact on retirement investments. Delve into proactive strategies, real-life scenarios, and empowering insights that go beyond conventional wisdom. Join the journey to financial resilience, and take charge of your 401k and brokerage accounts with knowledge that not only informs but motivates you to shape a prosperous retirement. Your path to financial empowerment begins here.
Picture this: your retirement dreams, meticulously planned and cherished, now facing the crumbling under the weight of unexpected challenges. In the intricate dance of financial markets, the risks are real, and the consequences are tangible. The threat of market volatility and its profound implications on your retirement investments is one that cannot be ignored.
The risks associated with market fluctuations are especially dangerous for those close to retirement or already navigating the golden years. Retirees cannot expect to maintain their lifestyle when the money they depend upon is susceptible to a sudden and steep decline based upon the whims of the stock market. The stakes are high, and the need for proactive financial planning has never been more apparent.
The Stark Reality of Market Volatility
Market volatility is not a distant concern; it’s a pulse that beats through the heart of your investments. Imagine having your 401k and other investments facing the potential of a 50% or more loss. For those nearing retirement, the implications are far-reaching. The financial plan that once seemed robust can crumble in the face of a substantial market downturn.
Reflect on your own situation: Is your current plan equipped to weather such storms? Are you confident that your assets are shielded from the unpredictable turbulence of the market?
The Consequences of Inaction
The average American’s plight is not a prophecy but a stark reality. Recent statistics reveal a sobering truth: many find themselves depleting their 401k and retirement savings within a brief span of 7 to 11 years, or sooner, due to market volatility. It’s not merely numbers on a graph; it’s the unraveling of aspirations and the erosion of financial security.
Consider a real-life scenario: a retired couple, envisioning a comfortable and relaxing retirement, now grappling with financial strain due to market downturns. The dreams of travel, leisurely pursuits, and quality time with family are jeopardized by a lack of foresight.
Ask yourself: How would I feel if my retirement dreams slipped through my fingers because the market took an unexpected turn?
Taking Control: Strategies for Financial Security
But here’s the silver lining – you have the power to shape your financial destiny. Here are some key strategies that go beyond mere survival, aiming for a future where your financial well-being is not at the mercy of market fluctuations.
Diversification and Asset Protection: Think of your portfolio as a garden. A variety of plants ensures that if one withers, the others thrive. Similarly, a diverse investment portfolio weathers market storms more effectively.
Strategically Reducing Exposure to Market Risk: Most people don’t understand the extent of the risk within the portfolio and how they will be impacted should the market decline. For this reason, you need to be aware of your risk tolerance and how your current investments align with your comfort level. It’s not about avoiding risk altogether but managing it wisely. Careful calibration of your investments to align with your financial goals is essential.
Educating Investors: In a world where markets are influenced by various factors, being informed is your best defense. Financial literacy illuminates the path to sound decision-making.
At COPIA Wealth Management and Insurance Services, our approach is rooted in pragmatism and foresight. We believe in dynamic planning, adapting to the ever-changing financial landscape, and tailoring solutions to each individual. Your unique circumstances deserve a personalized strategy that stands resilient in the face of market uncertainties.
Taking Action
As we traverse the complexities of financial planning, I invite you to take the first step toward securing your financial future. Click through to the full article for a comprehensive exploration of market volatility risks, strategies for mitigating risks, and empowering insights that could reshape your approach to retirement planning.
Your financial journey is uniquely yours, and the choices you make today will echo in the years to come. Our team is here to guide you, providing expertise and a commitment to your financial well-being.
Envision your financial future: A future where your retirement is not a time of uncertainty but a chapter of fulfillment and peace of mind. Visit www.Elisabethdawson.com to take charge of your financial narrative, and let your journey toward financial empowerment begin.
Investment advice offered through Copia Wealth Management Advisors, Inc.
Copia Wealth Management Advisors, Inc. is a registered investment advisor.
Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice.
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Your feet and ankles probably aren’t something you give much thought to—until something goes wrong. Orthopedic surgeons at Scripps Clinic are on the leading edge of foot and ankle reconstruction, treating patients with sports injuries, deformities, traumatic injuries and other conditions. That includes repairing torn Achilles tendons with a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the incision site to less than a centimeter, and performing advanced ankle replacement on some patients with ankle arthritis. Read more about Scripps’ innovations in foot and ankle care here.
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Mai Vue was just 34 weeks pregnant when she delivered her baby. Her pregnancy had been complicated, and she’d had a recent second trimester pregnancy loss, which led to her receiving specialized care from Sean Daneshmand, MD, a Scripps Clinic perinatologist who oversees high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Daneshmand and his team took care of Mai during her pregnancy, through the birth of her healthy baby girl and beyond. Mai was part of a program Scripps launched to provide support to new moms in the weeks and months after delivery. The postpartum program, known as Scripps Health’s Fourth Trimester Continuum of Care, provides care for women with high-risk pregnancies to optimize their health after childbirth and reduce the risk of complications in future pregnancies. Click here to learn more.
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It’s estimated that one in five people in the U.S. will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. When you factor in living in a sun-soaked city like San Diego and the outdoorsy lifestyle that comes with it, that figure can jump to as high as one in three, which makes early detection and intervention all the more important. Dermatologists at Bighorn Mohs and Dermatology Center are using innovative imaging methods and advanced surgical techniques to diagnose and treat skin cancer. For certain cancers in sensitive spots, like the face, dermatologists perform Mohs surgery, removing skin tissue layer by layer until reaching healthy, cancer-free tissue. They also use a process called immunohistochemistry to view tissue samples taken during Mohs surgery in far greater detail than previous methods. Read more about how Scripps is advancing skin cancer care here.
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