Sarah Cuddy

Houstonian, daughter, auntie, pack leader, herd leader, equestrian, globetrotter, fine whiskeys drinker, and source of sound financial guidance.

[Sarah Cuddy @SarahFromBaird]

You get what you pay for

[Brett Wysopal, CFP®, EA, ECA @Soaps27]

Recently, I’ve met with several people who were promised “free financial planning.”

But as we dug deeper, they’d already been pitched a product—with large premiums.

Something about this approach feels fundamentally wrong.

It’s easy to be convinced that a single financial product is “the answer.” But here’s the reality:

If someone pushes a product before they understand your entire financial picture, how can it truly serve you?

What a product tries to replace:

➔ “Retirement solution” – Often sold as a one-size-fits-all answer, but without any real planning involved.

➔ “Financial security” – Pitched as peace of mind, but without clarity on your unique needs, it can easily miss the mark.

➔ “Wealth-building plan” – No single product can drive all your goals forward. A product might be a puzzle piece, but it’s not the whole picture.

Real financial planning isn’t a sales pitch disguised as “free advice.”
It dives deep—covering tax strategy, cash flow, and unique equity decisions. Real planning aligns every financial move with your long-term vision.

A whole life policy, annuity, or any other product can contribute to a well-thought-out plan. But when it replaces the plan itself, it becomes a costly distraction.

A true financial plan is built around your goals, not selling a product. If it doesn’t start with a full understanding of your financial picture, it’s just a transaction, not a plan.

[Carl Richards @behaviorgap]

If you’re worried about the stock market, find someone to give you a hug.

Feeling scared is normal at that moment, and the last thing you need is a lecture on the history of long-term stock market returns.

[Michael Antonelli @BullandBaird]

Bookmark this tweet and remember it’s coming from your friendly neighborhood optimist / long term bull on the US

There will be a bear market sometime between Jan 1, 2025 and Jan 1, 2029

Why?

Because every single President back to Hoover had a bear market during their tenure.

[Sarah Cuddy @SarahFromBaird]

@BullandBaird

[Ritholtz @RitholtzWealth]

Presidential Terms, Recessions & Bear Markets

"I’m pretty confident we will have a big correction or bear market at some point over the next four years. The president can’t stop the stock market from going down. It just happens."

https://t.co/IZAD1Ub4Vn

by @awealthofcs

[Michael Antonelli @BullandBaird]

Stocks rose 2.2% the day after Biden was elected in 2020.

Stocks rose 2.5% today after Trump was elected.

Spare me your “the market roots for a specific person” narratives.

[Nick Maggiulli @dollarsanddata]

Don’t trade securities on election news. Even when you know the outcome, predicting the market’s reaction to it is near impossible.

[Sarah Cuddy @SarahFromBaird]

@BullandBaird Indeed! Now I get to walk my dog and ride my young pony in the dark. What could possibly go wrong?

[Sesame Street @sesamestreet]

A small gesture, a kind word, or a moment of understanding can make all the difference.

[Sarah Cuddy @SarahFromBaird]

This is why stock picking is hard and why index funds are so powerful

[Ben Carlson @awealthofcs]

The US stock market this year out of ~2,700 stocks:

-101 stocks up 100% or more
-13 stocks up 300% or more
-5 stocks up 500% or more
-1,000 stocks are down
-137 down 50% or worse
-Median stock is +14%

And the stock market is up ~20% in total

https://t.co/yT9LEtjxW5

[Sarah Cuddy @SarahFromBaird]

@Rawk_FI Mine declined slightly too but I assumed it was just me and just because my car is five years old and less costly to total out. I hope others are enjoying relief from rising premiums too

[Sarah Cuddy @SarahFromBaird]

@BullandBaird I sense that the trolls and doomsayers of X are trying your patience

[Ben Carlson @awealthofcs]

The average annual inflation rate going back to 1950 is 3.5%

We've now been below that level for 12 months in a row (and 14 of the past 16 months)

[Sarah Cuddy @SarahFromBaird]

@Rawk_FI The audacity! Pursuing a balanced and well thought out portfolio that suites your risk tolerance and goals? That’s not how we do things here

(JK obvi)

[Michael Antonelli @BullandBaird]

Little markets / politics tidbit for you:

The top 3 performing sectors were the same under Obama and Trump (Tech / Disc / Health Care)

Hugely different candidates right? Different policies? Different parties?

Curious huh?

1/2

[Max Pashman CFP® 🌱 @maxpashman]

Here are the retirement limits for 2024 compared to the new limits in 2025:

Traditional IRA Contribution:
- 2024 Limit: $7,000
- 2025 Limit: $7,000
- Change: $0

Traditional IRA Catch-Up Contribution:
- 2024 Limit: $1,000
- 2025 Limit: $1,000
- Change: $0

Roth IRA Contribution:
- 2024 Limit: $7,000
- 2025 Limit: $7,000
- Change: $0

Roth IRA Catch-Up Contribution:
- 2024 Limit: $1,000
- 2025 Limit: $1,000
- Change: $0

401(k)/403(b) Employee Contribution:
- 2024 Limit: $23,000
- 2025 Limit: $23,500
- Change: $500

401(k)/403(b) Catch-Up Contribution:
- 2024 Limit: $7,500
- 2025 Limit: $7,500
- Change: $0

401(k)/403(b) Catch-Up Contribution (Ages 60-63):
-2024 Limit: $7,500
-2025 Limit: $11,250
-Change: $3,750

401(k)/403(b) Total Contribution (Under Age 50):
- 2024 Limit: $69,000
- 2025 Limit: $70,000
- Change: $1,000

401(k)/403(b) Total Contribution (Age 50+):
- 2024 Limit: $76,500
- 2025 Limit: $77,500
- Change: $1,000

401(k)/403(b) Total Contribution (Ages 60-63):
- 2024 Limit: $76,500
- 2025 Limit: $81,250
- Change: $4,750

457(b) Contribution:
- 2024 Limit: $23,000
- 2025 Limit: $23,500
- Change: $500

SEP-IRA Contribution:
- 2024 Limit: $69,000
- 2025 Limit: $70,000
- Change: $1,000

SIMPLE IRA Contribution:
- 2024 Limit: $16,000
- 2025 Limit: $16,500
- Change: $500

HSA Contribution (Single):
- 2024 Limit: $4,150
- 2025 Limit: $4,300
- Change: $150

HSA Contribution (Family):
- 2024 Limit: $8,300
- 2025 Limit: $8,550
- Change: $250

Healthcare FSA Contribution:
- 2024 Limit: $3,200
- 2025 Limit: $3,300
- Change: $100

[Sarah Cuddy @SarahFromBaird]

@BullandBaird Hi 👋🏻, The South here. We would like to apply to have summer end please? I have cute sweaters that would like to see the light of day.

[Sarah Cuddy @SarahFromBaird]

YES! Every cycle, this is a conversation I have over and over

[Travis Gatzemeier, CFP® @T_Gatzemeier]

Your financial advisor should not be “positioning” your investments prior to the upcoming election.

Your financial plan drives your investments, not the election.

[Sarah Cuddy @SarahFromBaird]

Save. Even if it’s only a small amount. Saving is a habit you build over time like brushing your teeth or making your bed.

I do not make my bed every day BTW…never built the habit 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Rawk @Rawk_FI]

There was a time where I was only able to save about $20 bucks per paycheck.

It kinda felt pointless to save.

But overtime, I was able to start saving more.

Then I started to invest.

Then I started to invest more.

Growing income is important, yes, but cultivating those good money habits is vitally more important.

[Seth Golden @SethCL]

As a permabear, you are truly awaiting "1 shining☀️ moment."

The average duration of a bear mkt is 446 days
The average duration of a bull mkt is 2,069 days.

Average bear market return = -38.4%
Average bull market return = +209%

I'll choose bull, and endure any bear market😍

$SPX $SPY $QQQ $NYA $DIA $IWM $ES_F