Western States Financial

08/31/2026

As you get closer to retirement, you may start to wonder what you should be doing with the assets you’ve saved up. Do you leave them where they are, or try out different financial vehicles? Let’s take a look at some options in this week’s blog.

As you get closer to retirement, you may start to wonder what you should be doing with the assets you’ve saved up. You’ve probably accumulated a significant sum for retirement, but how do you put that sum

08/25/2026

Toss aside those crusty old finance books (though some are tried and true and worth the read!). Let’s check out some newer books to add to your TBR list!

Toss aside those crusty old finance books (though some are tried and true and worth the read!). Let’s check out some newer books to add to your TBR list! Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life

08/17/2026

Market volatility is a natural part of the financial ecosystem, but its impact varies depending on your specific stage of life. Gen X-ers and Baby Boomers are going to approach shifting markets with different investment management strategies. Let’s take a look at both.

Market volatility is a natural part of the financial ecosystem, but its impact varies depending on your specific stage of life. For members of Gen X who are currently in their peak earning years

08/10/2026

Planning for retirement requires many considerations, but perhaps none is as subtle or pervasive as the influence of inflation. Let’s take a look at how inflation can affect your retirement plan in this week’s blog.

Planning for retirement requires many considerations, but perhaps none is as subtle or pervasive as the influence of inflation. While market volatility often captures the headlines, the gradual rise in the cost of goods and services acts as a constant force that can erode

08/04/2026

August is National Investors Month and a great time to review financial habits and look closely at your long-term retirement plans. Check out our blog for ideas to consider as you evaluate your investment plans and retirement portfolios.

August marks National Investors Month, with August 14, 2026, being National Financial Awareness Day. This is an important time to review financial habits and look closely at long-term retirement plans. If you’re one of the millions of

07/27/2026

Does your retirement plan include healthcare and long-term care costs? The earlier you make a plan for it, the better!

For many Americans approaching retirement, the focus is often on investment balances, Social Security timing, and creating reliable income streams. And those things are important! But there is a financial retirement risk that can

07/23/2026

Confused about the best time on when you should take your Social Security? There are over 1,000 ways to take it.
Come join us at the Norco Library on Thursday, July 30, 2026 to learn what the best way is for you. You don’t want to miss out! RSVP today!

07/20/2026

Can real estate help you meet your retirement goals? Check out this week’s blog to learn more about the challenges and opportunities real estate presents in retirement.

For many Americans, the American Dream concludes with a paid-off home and a sense of financial independence. However, as retirees enter their golden years, a common financial paradox often emerges: being house-rich and cash-poor. While a

07/13/2026

The “gold standard” is more than just an idiomatic expression. Take a little dive into history with us this week as we explore how the US went from a gold to a fiat-driven monetary system and why it matters in your retirement.

For centuries, the concept of money was inextricably linked to something tangible. Whether it was silver coins in ancient Rome or the British pound sterling, the value of currency was anchored to the physical world. Perhaps the most famous of these anchors was the “gold standard,”

07/06/2026

Do you need a million dollars to retire? Or do you have another number in your head to reach before you feel confident about leaving the workplace? This week, we take a look at how much we should be saving for retirement and whether we’re asking ourselves the right questions about retirement readiness.

If you search for retirement advice online, you’ll often find that $1,000,000 seems to be a recurring target number. But is that a goal you should be saving for, or is it outdated advice? Q: Where did the $1 million retirement benchmark come from? A: Historically, $1 million became