I love being part of the financial planning process and partnering with people through all phases of life. One of the most valuable parts of my role is having a front-row seat to help craft and monitor how financial decisions actually play out over time.
Not in theory. Not in a spreadsheet. In real life.
I’ve seen clients with very similar portfolios end up in very different places. And more often than not, the difference had very little to do with the market — and a lot to do with the decisions they made along the way.
That’s what makes this interesting. Because when people think about improving their financial situation, the focus almost always goes to the same place:
- What should I invest in right now?
- Is this the right time to make a move?
- What’s the market going to do next?
Those are the questions that get the most attention. They’re interesting. They feel important. They’re what your friends, family and co-workers are talking about, and the media we consume is ripe with opinions. They also happen to be the least controllable parts of the entire process.
And in most cases, they’re not what moves the needle.
In fact, some of the most common financial reactions — trying to time the market, reacting to headlines, constantly adjusting investments, waiting for the “right” moment — are not just unhelpful… they’re often counterproductive. Both to your sleep cycle and the success of your financial plan.
What actually moves the needle tends to be much less exciting, and much more repeatable. If you strip away the noise, most financial progress comes down to a handful of core decisions — the kind that don’t make headlines (or the watercooler conversation) but quietly compound over time.
- Cash flow and spending habits — having clarity around what’s coming in and going out. This is the foundation everything else sits on. You can’t out-invest poor cash flow decisions, but you can build meaningful wealth with solid ones. The winning formula is always to spend less than you make and then invest the difference.
- Your savings rate — not what you plan to save, but what actually happens consistently. Over time, a steady savings habit tends to do most of the heavy lifting. The adage of “paying yourself first” never goes out of style, but has also never made a “breaking news” headline.
- Tax efficiency over time — decisions made throughout the year around income, investments, and withdrawals compound in meaningful ways. It’s not just what you earn, it’s what you keep.
- Investment behavior — not just what you own, but how you react to it. Staying disciplined through uncertainty is often what separates good outcomes from great ones.
- A plan that evolves with life — not a static document, but a process that adapts as your life changes. Something as important as your financial future should be visited, reviewed, refined and monitored on a regular basis.
On the flip side, many of the things that feel the most important in the moment tend to matter far less than we think — trying to time the market, constantly adjusting investments, reacting to short-term news, or searching for the “perfect” opportunity.
They feel productive. They feel like progress. But more often than not, they just create noise. If there’s one pattern I’ve seen consistently, it’s this:
The clients who make the most meaningful progress aren’t the ones chasing the next idea. They’re the ones who stay focused on what actually matters and stay consistent through all markets.
Financial planning, at its core, is about consistently getting the important decisions right — and having the discipline to stick with them over time.
This is also what shapes how we work with clients at Mercer Partners. Our planning process is built around understanding where you are today, clarifying where you want to go, and building a strategy that evolves with you over time — not just reacting to short-term decisions, but staying focused on what truly matters.
That’s exactly why we take a planning-first approach in our work. If you ever want to take a step back and refocus on what actually matters most in your plan, I’m always happy to have that conversation.
Best,
Chad Faul
This material was created to provide accurate and reliable information on the subjects covered but should not be regarded as a complete analysis of these subjects. It is not intended to provide specific legal, tax or other professional advice. The services of an appropriate professional should be sought regarding your individual situation.
