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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025
Financial Horizons Your Connection for Wealth, Lifestyle & Legacy
McBeathFinancialGroup.com
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In the Middle of It All
Summer already feels like a distant memory. We soaked up every minute we could, with quiet lake mornings, family
deeply about, and the ongoing work of helping people plan their futures.
time, and just enough space to catch our breath. But now, we’re back to the rhythm of real life, and like many of you, I’ve jumped headfirst into a busy fall season.
Some days, it’s a lot to manage. And I know many of you carry your own version of a full plate, whether you’re supporting family, dealing with health issues, or just trying to keep up with everything life throws your way. What makes it all manageable, even meaningful, are the people I get to do life with: my husband, who quietly holds our family together; the team at our office, who not only carry the workload but bring their hearts to this work every day; our church family, who surround us in prayer and community; and most of all, a God who fills me with peace exactly when I need it.
Our daughter, now 12, keeps us on our toes with cheerleading practice, soon to be followed by volleyball. We have games to attend, rides to coordinate, and the daily whirlwind of school activities and church events. This chapter of life brings plenty of joy, but it also carries its share of emotional weight.
Over the past several months, we’ve been walking through a difficult chapter as my father- in-law, Bill, has been battling
cancer. Thankfully, he’s recovering well, but as many of you know from experience, these journeys are never easy, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.
We’re not meant to carry everything alone.
At the same time, my mother continues to be a quiet source of strength and grace. Her joyful smile
While we can’t take away every burden you’re carrying, if we can help ease the weight of just one, your
would never reveal the full extent of her responsibilities as the primary caregiver to her husband, who is living with Parkinson’s. I truly don’t know how she does it — and yet, she just keeps showing up with love, resilience, and faith. This is life in the sandwich generation: balancing caring for children, caring for aging parents, and holding onto everything in between. And somewhere amid it all, I also have a business to run, clients I care
financial worries, then we don’t take that privilege lightly. Helping you bring clarity and confidence to your financial future is one way we hope to make life a little lighter … and maybe even help you rediscover some joy along the way. –Krista McBeath
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Rethinking What Retirement Success Really Looks Like More Than a Number
If you’ve already transitioned into retirement or are getting close, you’ve probably seen others around you make painful missteps. Maybe a friend who tried to handle everything on their own … or someone who stayed locked into a plan that no longer fits their life.
investors and even some financial professionals, who zero in on returns. They track the markets daily, compare portfolios to benchmarks, and celebrate when their picks outperform. But here’s the question: Even if your returns are strong, does that mean your money will last? Has that ever been calculated, with your actual spending, taxes, longevity, and risks factored in? What happens if the market doesn’t cooperate? Focusing only on investment performance can give a false sense of security. True retirement success isn’t about beating the market — it’s about building a plan that works regardless of what the market does. For those who already have a plan aligned with their personal goals, risk tolerance, and retirement timeline, it’s built to bring a sense of stability even during market swings. And for those still evaluating their approach, the key question isn’t whether returns are impressive, but whether the strategy behind those returns is predictable to support the life you want to live over the long run. 3. TRYING TO GO IT ALONE Perhaps the most avoidable mistake of all? Believing you must navigate it solo, or assuming help won’t make a difference. We often meet people who’ve managed their money well for decades. Some are DIY investors. Others have had a “good enough” advisor but haven’t revisited things in years. The idea of handing over the reins, or even just asking for input, can feel unnecessary or uncomfortable. Retirement isn’t just about having a plan. It’s about having perspective, which often comes from working with someone who can see what you can’t. For those already working with a team that provides ongoing guidance, this is a reminder of the value that a relationship brings. And for those still weighing whether they need more support, it may be worth considering whether you have the right people in your corner for the road ahead. You’ve worked hard for what you’ve built. Whether you’re already working with us or still exploring, we’re here to help you make confident, informed decisions and hopefully bring you one step closer to the retirement you’ve imagined.
And maybe you’ve wondered: Am I still on the right track?
The truth is that retirement success rarely hinges on one perfect decision, but a single point of neglect can threaten it. And often, the biggest mistake isn’t one wrong move … It’s believing that success in retirement comes down to just one thing — one plan, one strategy, one number in an account.
In reality, retirement has many moving parts, and missing just one can quietly throw everything off track.
Thankfully, many people we work with have already avoided these common pitfalls, not by chance, but by choosing to plan intentionally and stay engaged. Still, it’s always worth remembering why your planning matters and how easily things can drift when the pieces aren’t aligned.
Here are three common ways that single-focus thinking can become a costly mistake.
1. RELYING ON A ONE-TIME PLAN Most people retire with a plan in place — maybe it’s a
spreadsheet, a binder from a past advisor, or even a mental checklist they’ve refined over time. And while having a starting point is important, life doesn’t follow a static plan.
Tax laws change, markets shift, and health events appear without warning. Your lifestyle and goals may even evolve over time.
What worked at the beginning of retirement may not work five, 10, or 20 years later. That’s why one of the most valuable parts of planning isn’t the binder — it’s the ongoing relationship and the ability to pivot together when life calls for it. 2. FOCUSING ONLY ON INVESTMENTS Ask most retirees what keeps them up at night, and many will say, “I just want to make sure my money lasts.”
That’s an important goal, but it’s easy to confuse it with chasing investment performance. We often see people, including DIY
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There’s something special about getting outdoors and hiking this time of year. The air is crisp, the bugs are (mostly) gone, and the trees show off their fiery red, yellow, and orange leaves. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or just looking to enjoy leaf-peeping and fresh air, fall is the ultimate season to hit the trails. And the U.S. is brimming with stunning places to do just that. ASPEN, COLORADO Come September, the mountainsides come alive with beautiful golden aspen leaves, hence the name! Hikes like the Cathedral Lake Trail or Maroon Bells Scenic Loop offer beautiful views of alpine lakes with gorgeous foliage and snow-dusted peaks. Just be sure to bring layers — mountain weather can be moody! The Ultimate Fall Hiking Bucket List Leaf Lovers Welcome
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ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, MAINE If you want coastal charm mixed with fall colors, Acadia National Park delivers. Right along Maine’s gorgeous coastline, this park is full of color and stunning ocean views — a rare combination! GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS, TENNESSEE AND NORTH CAROLINA The Smoky Mountains are a fall favorite known for their endless ridgelines and misty valleys. Mid-to- late October is peak foliage season, especially along trails like Alum Cave or Clingmans Dome. COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, OREGON If you’re looking for some of the most gorgeous waterfalls you’ve ever seen, the Columbia River Gorge is the spot! Trails like Multnomah Falls or Eagle Creek offer pretty fall colors, mossy cliffs, and cascading waterfalls.
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, VIRGINIA Just a short drive from Washington, D.C.,
Shenandoah National Park is a hidden gem for fall hiking. The Dark Hollow Falls Trail offers a challenging
climb with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For something gentler, the Stony Man Trail is perfect for families and still offers breathtaking scenery. With over 500 miles of trails, Shenandoah is a fall favorite on the East Coast.
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INSIDE
1
Life in the Sandwich Generation
2
What’s the Worst Financial Mistake You Could Make in Retirement?
3
5 Stunning Fall Hikes to Take This Season
4
Beards Were a Victorian Health Hack
SOLUTION
Smog, Soot, and Stubble Advisory services are offered through Landmark Wealth Management Inc, dba McBeath Financial Group, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor firm. Insurance products and services are offered through McBeath Tax and Financial Services, LLC. McBeath Financial Group and McBeath Tax and Financial Services, LLC are affiliated. All content of this newsletter is for informational purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of McBeath Financial Group and our editorial staff. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual financial professional prior to implementation. © 2025 McBeath Financial Group. How Bountiful Beards Became Victorian Air Purifiers
Step aside, antibiotics! In the smog-choked streets of 1850s London, where chimney smoke clung to every surface and a “fog” could linger for months, doctors championed a fuzzy solution. The prescription? Grow a beard. Not just any beard, but big,
noxious air swirling through the city. With coal smoke saturating the sky and mysterious illnesses lurking in every cough, they
saw the beard as a barrier and a natural air purifier, trapping invisible enemies before they reached the throat or lungs. Public speakers were even told their beards would soothe strained vocal cords! Men were reassured that their whiskers could keep sore throats at bay. But here’s the ironic twist in this follicular fairy tale. Modern research paints a less noble picture of the beard. According to dermatologists and ecologists, those bodacious beards trap bacteria, food particles, and even play host to tiny squatters (aka ectoparasites). What the Victorians hailed as a filter functioned more like a germ motel!
bushy, chest-brushing beards that could rival a lion’s mane. Their advice made it seem like thick, woolly beards were a frontline defense against disease. As London’s population surged past the one million mark in the mid-1800s, so did its coal consumption. Residents warmed their homes and powered the city with coal, releasing dense plumes of smoke that clung to the damp air. These weren’t your average winter mists. In 1873, one thick smog event blanketed the city, contributing to hundreds of bronchitis-related deaths. Another hung around for four months in 1879, plunging London into darkness.
So, while the beard boom of the 1800s was well- intentioned, it might be best remembered as a moment when style, “ science ,” and smog collided and the beard won (if only temporarily).
Victorian physicians, caught between outdated theories and the dawn of germ science, believed thick beards could filter the
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