The financial planning textbook says you should never hold a big single-stock position. No Matter What? Really?

We disagree - some lives and balance sheets are not average.

Unless you have enough money to live off just the interest of your portfolio, you will need to choose between a systematic withdrawal plan and utilizing retirement buckets to provide your retirement income.

Here is why I prefer the retirement buckets strategy:

We all know investing includes ups and downs. Mostly up… but not always. It’s a natural part of investing. But lately, with the recent run in stocks and concerns rising about a pullback, I have been having more conversations about how to plan for a pullback.

To me, the best approach to volatility is to be bipolar: Fiercely protective over any money you will need in the next couple of years and aggressive with investments that you do not need to draw from for some time.

Throughout my 24-year tenure as an advisor, my preference has leaned towards a Goal-Based investment strategy and plan as opposed to an asset allocation model portfolio, and this inclination is grounded in several reasons.

While Goal-Based investing and Model Portfolios both prove to be valid and successful investment strategies, they distinctly differ in their approaches and intended purposes.