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ClearPath Wealth Strategies

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ClearPath Wealth Strategies

ClearPath Wealth Strategies provides quality financial strategies, and offers financial products. We are not licensed in all jurisdictions.

CEO Trevor Houston, President Mark Elder, along with Darnell Johnson are Financial Services Professionals offering securities products and services through NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC), a Licensed Insurance Agency and New York Life Company. They are also licensed to sell insurance through New York Life Insurance Company and may be licensed with various other independent unaffiliated i

nsurance companies. Trevor Houston | CA Insurance License #4115650 Mark Elder | CA Insurance License | Darnell Johnson AR Insurance License #19479700

Neither ClearPath Wealth Strategies LLC, nor New York Life Insurance Company, nor its agents, provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, or accounting professionals before making any decisions. ClearPath Wealth Strategies LLC is not owned or operated by New York Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Any testimonial on this site is based on an individual’s experience and may not be representative of the experience of other customers. These testimonials are no guarantee of future performance or success.

2600 Network Blvd. Ste. 130 Frisco, TX 75034
Office: (972) 377-5222
Cell: (214) 585-1934
Email: [email protected]
Website URL: https://www.clearpathwealthstrategies.com

04/14/2026

“How do I know if I’m missing out?”

That was the question from a 55-year-old with $90K in their 401(k).

It’s a question many people start asking themselves as retirement gets closer.

I was recently featured in an MSN and MarketWatch article, discussing this exact situation, and my answer might surprise you.

Sometimes the most powerful financial moves are the basic ones people overlook.

Before chasing new strategies or opening new accounts, it’s important to focus on the fundamentals:

- Maximize tax-advantaged accounts (especially catch-up contributions)
- Consolidate accounts to simplify your financial picture
- Increase your savings rate where possible
- Plan early for healthcare and Medicare�- Reduce high-interest debt
�
The article also discussed Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

I generally like HSAs. They can be incredibly powerful tools for covering healthcare costs in retirement.

But they don’t replace the basics.

For example, if your employer offers a 401(k) match, that’s usually the first priority. It’s essentially an immediate return on your investment.

Retirement planning isn’t about finding one perfect account.

It’s about looking at your entire financial picture and making smart decisions across all of it.

Sometimes the biggest progress comes from getting the fundamentals right.

If you're wondering whether you're missing something in your retirement plan, start there.

Read the full article here: https://www.marketwatch.com/picks/how-do-i-know-if-im-missing-out-im-55-with-90k-in-my-401-k-do-i-need-an-hsa-too-what-else-09c04719

03/05/2026

I got featured in GOBankingRates, MSN, AOL, Yahoo Finance and Inkl, discussing something retirees rarely hear:

You’re allowed to enjoy your money.

Retirement has a strange tension.

On one side, people are told to cut back, tighten up, and be cautious.

On the other side, retirement is supposed to be the reward for decades of work.

What I see far too often?

Guilt.

Guilt over small purchases. Guilt over travel. Guilt over taking a friend to lunch.

But here’s the shift that needs to happen:

Retirement isn’t just about preservation. It’s about purpose and enjoyment.

When I work with retirees, I remind them that little luxuries are often the most meaningful.

A short road trip to visit family. Coffee with an old friend. A midweek getaway when flights and hotels are cheaper.

It’s not always about luxury resorts or cruises.

It’s about memories.
It’s about connection.
It’s about having the freedom to say yes.

Another overlooked luxury? Outsourcing what drains you.

For many retirees, the real win isn’t a five-star experience.

It’s having more time. Less stress.

Freedom from tasks you no longer enjoy.

Paying for lawn care, cleaning, or maintenance isn’t indulgent.

It’s buying back energy.

Of course, this only works with strategy.

Save first. Plan properly. Understand your cash flow.

Then enjoy what remains, without guilt.

Because retirement isn’t about dying with the largest account balance.

It’s about living well with the years you’ve earned.

Money is a tool.

And in retirement, it should create freedom, not fear.

Read more: https://www.gobankingrates.com/retirement/planning/little-luxuries-retirees-can-still-afford-without-guilt/

02/19/2026

What actually goes wrong in the first year of retirement.

After years of saving and planning, many people assume the hard part is over once work ends.

I’m grateful to be featured recently in GoBankingRates, AOL, Inkl, and Yahoo Finance discussing a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough:

In reality, the first year of retirement is one of the most financially fragile seasons.

Why?

Because everything changes at once.

No paycheck. More time. More freedom. More spending opportunities.

In my experience working with retirees, that first year feels like stepping into a completely new season of life. And without intention, it’s easy to leak thousands of dollars without realizing it.

Here are three common mistakes I see:

1. Taking withdrawals at the wrong time
- When markets dip and withdrawals happen simultaneously, losses become permanent. Balanced portfolios alone don’t always protect against this. Guaranteed income sources like Social Security, pensions, or income annuities can create breathing room so investments have time to recover.

That breathing room brings clarity.And clarity puts people back in control.

2. Treating year one like a victory lap
- Travel, big purchases, helping adult children, all understandable after decades of work. But celebrating before understanding a sustainable withdrawal rate can quietly accelerate depletion.

3. Forgetting to adjust tax strategy
- Many retirees assume taxes automatically go down. Often, they don’t. Multiple income sources, RMDs, or poorly timed withdrawals can push people into higher brackets without warning.

Here’s the bigger takeaway:

Retirement isn’t just about how much you saved. It’s about how you transition.

The first year sets the tone for everything that follows.

With the right structure, that season can be calm, confident, and intentional.Without it, it can feel stressful, even with a solid nest egg.

Read the full story here: https://www.gobankingrates.com/saving-money/savings-advice/ways-retirees-accidentally-waste-thousands-first-year-out-of-work/

02/10/2026

I got featured in MarketWatch and MSN in an article that tackled a question I hear all the time:

“We’re healthy, active, ready to retire… but where do we go next, and how much can we safely spend?”

The couple in the story was 66, debt-free, adventurous, and stuck between options: Florida no longer felt right, California felt too expensive, and they were unsure how to balance lifestyle, taxes, and long-term security.

This is exactly the moment where retirement planning becomes less about numbers and more about clarity.

When couples come to me at this stage, I don’t start with investment performance or tax codes.

I start with one simple question:

What does a great month actually cost you?

Before deciding where to retire, you have to be honest about how you want to live.

- Outdoor lifestyle.
- Community.
- Rhythm.
- Energy.
- Travel.
- Family.

Everyone’s version of retirement looks different, and that monthly lifestyle number becomes the anchor for everything else:

- Tax planning strategies
- Housing decisions
- Social Security timing
- Investment withdrawals

Even whether a high-tax state is truly “too expensive” or actually workable with the right plan.

The article also highlighted an important truth:

You shouldn’t make relocation decisions based on emotion alone or taxes alone.

You have to model the full picture:

- How withdrawals will be taxed over time
- State income taxes
- Housing costs
- Healthcare

And when it comes to working with an advisor, I always encourage people to ask themselves three questions:

Do you fully understand it?
Do you have the time?
Do you enjoy it?

If the answer is “no” to any of those, it may make sense to work with a professional who helps you think through retirement the same way you would a major health decision with experience, perspective, and a long-term view.

Retirement isn’t about finding the perfect place.

It’s about building a plan that supports the life you actually want to live wherever that ends up being.

Grateful to be part of this conversation and to contribute perspective for people navigating one of the biggest transitions of their lives.

Read the full article here: https://www.marketwatch.com/picks/we-struggle-were-66-active-and-ready-to-retire-but-we-want-out-of-florida-and-california-is-too-expensive-where-should-we-go-and-who-can-help-us-bb29c038

09/19/2025

Be honest: Are you behind on retirement savings?

Here’s the good news: it’s not too late.

How much do you need to save each month to retire a millionaire?

That was the big question I broke down in my recent feature with US News.

And the truth is, it’s not one-size-fits-all.

If you start early, compounding works like magic.

If you start later, you need intensity, focus, and the right tools.

Here’s what the numbers look like in 2025:

Under 50? You can now contribute up to $23,500 to a 401(k).

Age 60–63? You can put away up to $34,750 with catch-up contributions.

I’ve seen clients in their 50s rebuild big financial gaps in less than a decade, simply by leaning into those limits, staying consistent, and refusing to believe it was “too late.”

The lesson?

You’re never too late to take control.

The only mistake is waiting longer.

If you’re serious about retiring comfortably, remember:

- Max out what you can.
- Don’t leave employer match money on the table.
- Use catch-up contributions when available.
- Define what “enough” looks like for you.

Because retirement success isn’t about a number.

It’s about a plan.

[Link to the article: https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/how-much-do-i-need-to-contribute-to-my-retirement-accounts-per-month-to-become-a-millionaire]

08/27/2025

Many retirees are losing money every single month without even realizing it.

Recently, I was featured in GOBankingRates, Yahoo Finance, AOL, and MSN, where I shared an important message for retirees about the impact of the new Big Beautiful Bill (BBB).

Here’s what’s changed:

The BBB introduced one of the largest tax cuts in history for middle- and working-class Americans.

For retirees age 65+, that means an additional $6,000 Senior Bonus Deduction ($12,000 for couples).

In simple terms: many retirees will no longer owe federal taxes on their Social Security benefits.

But here’s the catch:

Even though you don’t owe those taxes anymore, the IRS may still be withholding money from your checks.

That’s why retirees need to act. Here are 3 smart money moves experts recommend:

1. Update Your Tax Withholding (my tip)

If you’re still having taxes withheld from your Social Security payments, you could be giving away part of your benefit unnecessarily.

- Review your Social Security benefit statements.
- Check if taxes are being withheld even though you no longer owe them.
- Submit Form W-4V to the Social Security Administration and update withholding elections with your pension providers if needed.

This one adjustment alone could put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket each month money you worked hard for.

…

2. Consider a Roth Conversion

According to experts, the BBB made current income tax rates permanent for individuals, trusts, and estates. That opens up a unique planning opportunity.

- Moving money from a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA locks in today’s low tax rates.
- Unlike traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs aren’t subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) during your lifetime.
- Roth assets can also be passed to heirs income-tax-free.

For retirees in their early 70s, this extra window before RMDs kick in at 75 can be a powerful time to strategically move funds.

…

3. Be Strategic With Your Giving

The BBB also introduced a new above-the-line charitable deduction.

Retirees can now deduct up to $2,000 in charitable donations without having to itemize.

This creates an opportunity to support causes you care about while lowering your taxable income.

With estate and gift tax exemptions also expanded, many high-net-worth retirees may choose to give more during their lifetime rather than waiting until their estate passes.

In other words, generosity just became a smart tax strategy too.

…

Bottom line: These provisions mean more breathing room for retirees, but only if you take action.

So let me ask you:

Have you checked your Social Security withholding yet?

(Link to the full article: https://www.gobankingrates.com/retirement/planning/smart-money-moves-retirees-trumps-big-beautiful-bill/)

08/14/2025

I’ll never forget how it felt launching a career during the Great Recession.

There were no welcome mats. Just uncertainty.

Then came the pandemic, right in the middle of our so-called “prime years.”

Two economic punches.

Same generation, same timeline.

When Fortune asked about it, I said what I’ve heard from countless clients and friends:

“That stole a lot of momentum and stability.”

And yet, I don’t see defeat.

I see resilience.

Adaptability.

A generation is learning how to define success on their terms.

For a lot of us, financial success isn't always about big numbers.

Sometimes it looks like:

- Breathing room
- The ability to say no
- Not living in constant survival mode

This is a conversation we need to keep having because success today looks different, and that’s not a flaw.

It’s progress.

What does financial success mean to you? Share your thoughts.

[Read the full article here: https://www.investopedia.com/this-generation-feels-financial-success-is-hardest-to-achieve-11764908]

08/12/2025

Gen Z has regrets: 1 in 4 say they wish they hadn’t gone to college or would’ve picked a higher-paying industry

“I thought college would guarantee stability. It didn’t.”

That’s a sentence I’ve heard more than once from Gen Z professionals.

I talked about this in a recent Fortune article:

“Parents are waking up. College doesn’t carry the same [return on investment] it once did because the cost is outrageous, and the outcome is uncertain.”

Whether you're 18 and choosing your path, or 38 and helping someone else choose theirs, this hits hard.

Because for years, we were told:

College = Security

But now, the reality feels more like:

College = Uncertain debt, unclear outcome

Here’s the thing, though:

I'm not anti-college.

I’m just pro-informed decisions.

If I had to recommend someone standing at that crossroads today, I'd say:

- Ask yourself: “Is this degree tied to the life I want to build?”
- Don’t pick based on pressure or prestige. Pick based on clarity and fit.
- Explore alternatives: apprenticeships, online programs, or even starting a small business.

The world has changed.

The path to success needs to change as well.

I’m curious:

If you could go back in time, would you still choose the same education path?

What recommendation would you give your younger self (or someone else) today?

[ Read the article here: https://fortune.com/2025/07/20/gen-z-regrets-going-to-college/ ]

07/24/2025

You saved.
You invested.
But did you really prepare for retirement?

You planned for freedom.

Beach days. Slow mornings. Zero financial stress.

But here’s the truth no one likes to talk about:

Even the best retirement plans can get blindsided by 4 common (and costly) surprises:

1. Lost 401(k)s
- Over $1.65 TRILLION is sitting in forgotten accounts - *Capitalize 2023

2. Healthcare gaps
- After employer perks disappear, even Medicare falls short

3. Home repairs & property taxes
- Maintenance doesn’t stop, even in retirement

4. The real cost of aging
- Extended care costs can drain $100K+ per year

I was recently featured in GOBankingRates, Yahoo Finance, MSN, and AOL

And I spoke about a topic more people need to be paying attention to:

How to manage surprise retirement expenses without touching your nest egg?

Enter: Personal loans used wisely.

Here’s why they might make sense for one-time, big-ticket costs:

- They don’t interrupt your compounding portfolio
- They’re cheaper than high-interest credit cards
- They offer breathing room when life throws a curveball

But only if used strategically.

“If the loan interest is lower than your portfolio gains, you’re actually ahead.”

The goal?

Protect your peace and your investments.

07/17/2025

If you’re 50 with no plan, this is your wake-up call.

I recently had the opportunity to be featured in U.S. News & World Report

And I shared something most financial professionals won’t say out loud:

Gen X is behind on retirement.

And many are too overwhelmed to take the first step.

But here’s the truth I want every Gen Xer to hear:

This isn’t the end of your story.

It’s your invitation to rewrite it.

You’re not “too late.”

You’re just getting started the right way this time.

Why?

Because Gen X was handed a broken system:

No pensions. No guidance. Just a DIY 401(k) and a lot of confusion.

In the article, I said this:

“They were the test pilots of the 401(k) era. Thrown into DIY retirement planning with little to no guidance. Many got lost in the shuffle.”

And now you’re juggling ageing parents, college tuition, inflation, and the anxiety of “Will I have enough?”

Let me be clear:

You can still catch up.

But first, you have to let go of perfection and do this instead:

- Get clear on the math (not the fear).
- Let go of guilt or comparison.
- Start where you are and not where you “should” be.

This is not a drill.

It’s your wake-up call.

And your comeback plan starts now.

Let’s rebuild with intention, clarity, and zero shame.

07/15/2025

Gen X: The generation that sacrificed for everyone but themselves.

Now it’s time to put your financial future first.

Featured in Investopedia, I shared this:

“Gen X has challenges that can make retirement much harder for them than for other generations.”

And we’re not just talking about money.

We’re talking about:

Supporting grown kids
Caring for aging parents
Navigating student debt

Facing down retirement without pensions

And rising healthcare costs.

No wonder 40% of Gen X has saved nothing for retirement.

But here’s the shift:

It’s not too late.

You can take control with moves like:

Opening HSAs to protect your future
Automating savings
Getting help

This is your wake-up call.

You don’t need to retire rich.

You just need to retire ready.

Tell me: What’s one smart money move you’re proud of lately?

Address

2600 Network Boulevard, Ste 130
Frisco, TX
75034

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 6pm

Website

https://www.clearpathwealthstrategies.com/

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