Human behavior and feeling is not always driven by numbers and data. This is especially true when we think about consumer sentiment compared to the economy we review in numbers and charts. In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden discuss current economic sentiment, current economic conditions, and why those two things seem to be harder and harder to reconcile.

How are we feeling and what do the numbers show?

• A University of Michigan survey earlier this year showed that consumer sentiment is at its lowest point since 1978 (strong employment, but high inflation and a weak dollar).
• Reasons include fears of new technology (will AI take our jobs?), interest rates/federal reserve, lingering effects of inflation, geopolitical conflict, and domestic political differences.
• BUT:
  • Unemployment is ~4.3% - low historically, but higher than a couple years ago.
    • But job addition numbers are low.
  • S&P 500 is at an all-time high as of mid-April 2026.
  • Almost two thirds of people are investing in stocks.
  • Inflation is about 3%. Very close to average, but we are still feeling the lingering effects of the last couple years.
  • Wages have grown faster than inflation.
• Despite the positive economic data, lots of things can make our “sentiment” more negative, especially if it affects us directly. That can include things like:
  • Feeling like buying a home is no longer affordable.
  • Being stuck in a job you don’t like, because there are limited job opportunities.
  • Experiencing more localized effects of things like decreased tax revenue – cuts in schools for example.

As always, these topics are large and nuanced. We have little to no control over larger economic trends. Try to focus on what you can control, whether that’s your own personal finances or the causes you choose to support. Listen to the full episode to learn more.

For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media! LinkedIn: @CoreyJanoff and @RachelleVanderzanden; Instagram: @CoreyJanoff and @VanderzandenRachelle; and Twitter: @CoreyJanoffCFP and @RachelleFinance

Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.

For a lot of people, the answer to when they would like to retire is “as soon as possible!” For those folks, a lot of resources often need to go toward that goal, because it is challenging! In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden discuss some challenges of early retirement and how to best work toward that goal.

Early Retirement Basics:

• What is early?

• Social Security Full Retirement Age is now Age 67.

• Age 65 is still fairly standard.

• Age 60 is early retirement! If you are thinking about retiring even earlier, the challenges compound.

• Being prepared to quit work earlier means you will have fewer years to save, fewer years for your money to grow, and more years to support yourself without earned income. This is the challenge!

• Every situation is different, but for most people, that means you must save a large percentage of your gross income for retirement.

• This reduces the lifestyle you need to maintain in retirement and helps your savings grow faster.

This is a complicated and nuanced topic with lots more to learn! To learn additional early retirement strategies, listen to the full episode. As always, we encourage folks to focus on what they can control – spending, savings, and potentially earnings.

For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media! LinkedIn: @CoreyJanoff and @RachelleVanderzanden; Instagram: @CoreyJanoff and @VanderzandenRachelle; and Twitter: @CoreyJanoffCFP and @RachelleFinance 

Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Finity Group, LLC and Cambridge are not affiliated. Cambridge does not offer tax or legal advice.

April is Financial Literacy month, and in this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden talk about some basics of teaching kids to save and manage money responsibly. Getting kids to the point where they are financially independent is a huge milestone, and sometimes it feels like that is harder to achieve than it has ever been.

Strategies and ideas for raising financially literate children:

• Model good financial habits and discuss them with your children. This includes:

• Tradeoffs – you can buy this, but then won’t have enough money for that.

• Delayed gratification – saving for the “big” items.

• Retirement – we set aside some of our money, so someday we can quit working.

• College – we set aside money for you, so that someday you can go to college, learn schools, and get a good job to be able live on your own.

• Taxes – some portion of the money we make goes to the government to pay for schools, roads, and other things.

• Start early with the basics and as your children grow, you can incorporate things like savings accounts, investment accounts, and even involving your kids in decision-making with family spending (vacations are a great example!).

There is no perfect way to teach every single kid, but knowledge is key here! You don’t necessarily need to discuss specific numbers like salaries, but involving kids in the household finances at a very basic level is a great way for them to learn.

For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media! LinkedIn: @CoreyJanoff and @RachelleVanderzanden; Instagram: @CoreyJanoff and @VanderzandenRachelle; and Twitter: @CoreyJanoffCFP and @RachelleFinance 

Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Finity Group, LLC and Cambridge are not affiliated. Cambridge does not offer tax or legal advice.