Alex Barnes, CFP - Savvy Wealth

07/17/2026

Quarter just wrapped, and the numbers are out.

Q2 was one of the best quarters for U.S. stocks in the last 75 years. A few numbers that stood out, which I review further in my monthly market email.

📈 Best quarter since 2020 — top 15 quarters like this have historically been followed by a +16% year

🏆 Only 1 of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks is beating the S&P 500 so far in 2026 (down from all 7 in 2023)

⚖️ The top 10 stocks now make up 36% of the S&P 500 — the highest concentration in decades

🔄 Stocks and bonds are starting to move in opposite directions again, after 3 years of moving together

Leadership is shifting under the surface, even while the index keeps climbing — and that matters for how you're positioned, especially if you've got concentrated holdings in a handful of big names.

I break all of this down (and what history says happens next) in this month's market update. Want a copy? Comment "SEND" or shoot me a message and I'll get it your way.

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸

As we celebrate Independence Day, I just wanted to say thank you.

To my clients, thank you for the trust you've placed in me. It's a privilege to help you plan for your future, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to be part of your journey.

I'm also grateful for the professionals, friends, and community partners I have the chance to work with throughout the year. Your support means a great deal.

And to everyone who follows along and supports my business, even if we haven't worked together, thank you. I hope you and your family have a safe, relaxing, and memorable Fourth of July! 🎆

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible dads and father figures out there. Thank you for all you do. Enjoy your day with family and those you love most.

06/18/2026

Halfway through 2026 — and a lot can change in six months. 📅

A new job 💼. A home purchase 🏡. A kid heading to college 🎓. Aging parents ❤️. A business that’s grown 📈. Any one of these can shift your financial picture in ways that are easy to overlook when life gets busy.

I just sent out my mid-year planning newsletter covering exactly that — what to revisit, what planning windows are open right now, and what to be thinking about before December 31st. ⏰

If you’re not on my list yet and want a copy, drop a comment below or send me a message — I’m happy to share it with you! 👇✉️

06/12/2026

🚀 Today was finally the day. SpaceX went public in what is being called the largest IPO ever. 🚀

The stock jumped right out of the gate, but just because it's up today doesn't mean that's how the story ends.

I'm not here to talk anyone into or out of buying SpaceX. I just think it's important to remember that IPOs often come with a lot of excitement, media attention, and investor enthusiasm. It can take time for a company to find its footing as a publicly traded stock.

The chart below from Truist looks at how other large IPOs performed after going public. What stands out isn't necessarily the long term returns, but the volatility along the way. The average maximum drawdown during the first year was -55%, and the median was -54%. Even many companies that finished their first year with positive returns experienced significant declines before getting there.

The lesson? A great company doesn't always mean a smooth ride for the stock. Whether you're considering SpaceX or any other IPO, it's worth understanding the potential volatility before making a decision.

06/08/2026

👀 Here's something I see all the time. Most people aren't getting the tax planning they think they are.

📆 It usually looks like a year-end conversation, a few tweaks, and that's it. Meanwhile, thousands of dollars in savings go uncaptured because no one was watching closely enough throughout the year.

⏰ Tax strategy isn't a once-a-year event. It's knowing which accounts to fund and when, how to manage your income, and having someone who reviews your return with a strategic eye, not just a compliance one.

This post from a fellow advisor gets into exactly why the traditional model falls short. Check it out.

🔗👇

Clients believe they receive proactive tax planning, but a hidden gap exists. Integrating tax expertise into financial planning closes this gap and saves money.

06/04/2026

Have you ever noticed that the market seems to do the exact opposite of what everyone expects?

April was a great example of that. Consumer sentiment fell to record lows, investors poured billions into bonds, and it felt like there was no shortage of reasons to be nervous. Yet while all of that was happening, the S&P 500 posted its best month since November 2020, gaining 10.5%.

A few things that stood out to me from this month's market update:

🧭 U.S. stocks had one of their strongest months in decades

🌎 International and emerging markets continue to outperform U.S. stocks so far in 2026

⚖️ Investors moved significantly more money into bonds than stocks, a sign that caution remains high

📊 Historically, periods of extreme pessimism have often been followed by stronger-than-average market returns

None of this means the rest of the year will be smooth sailing. Markets will continue to have ups and downs, and there will always be another headline competing for our attention.

What it does reinforce is the importance of having a plan and sticking with it, especially when emotions are running high.

If you'd like a copy of my latest Monthly Market Update or have questions about how any of this applies to your situation, send me a message. I'm always happy to chat.

Source of all information is the BlackRock’s May 2026 Student of the Market report.

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 Today is about more than a long weekend or the unofficial start of summer.

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country and the freedoms we enjoy every day because of their sacrifice.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/20/2026

Last chance I had to help at Field day at Gold Hill Elementary School, hard to believe next year I won’t have any kids in elementary school anymore.

Can’t wait to see this girl continue to crush it in Middle school though!

05/15/2026

May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month, and I want to take a moment to talk about something most people genuinely don't think about until it's too late. 👇

Your ability to earn income is probably your most valuable financial asset. Not your house. Not your retirement account. Your paycheck and your ability to keep earning it.

So here's the question: what happens to your finances if an illness or injury keeps you out of work for months?

A lot of people assume their employer has them covered. But most work-based disability plans have real limitations:

❌ Benefits are often capped and could be taxable
❌ Coverage disappears when you change jobs
❌ The definition of "disabled" may be stricter than you think

The good news? You can own a policy outside of your employer that's portable, customizable, and pays benefits tax-free. It's one of the most overlooked tools in personal financial planning.

This month, I put together a full breakdown in my newsletter, covering what disability insurance actually is, where workplace plans fall short, and what to look for in an individual policy. No jargon, no pressure. Just clear, useful information.

Want a copy of the May newsletter?

Drop a comment below or send me a message and I'll get it to you directly.

And if you're not on my monthly list yet, it's a quick sign-up. I send one email a month with straightforward financial insights. No spam, no sales pitches.