Meet Ryan Olson, CFP®, MBA, Your SmartVestor Pro
What Happens Next
We’ve received your request to contact you and will be in touch shortly. If you’re feeling proactive, feel free to email us or call the office to schedule a time to talk.
Here's What to Expect
Our first meeting is a complimentary in person, phone or video conference, in which we will determine if we’re a good fit for each other. Once we’ve determine a path forward, you’ll receive …
The WealthCheck Process:
- Together we clarify your financial priorities and objectives
- With you we will develop your WealthCheck Plan
- We will implement your plan with automated systems
What you need to do before our meeting:
- Gather any and all financial related documents, including the following:
- Bank, Mortgage, Debt, Investment Account, Retirement Account (401k, IRA, Roth IRA, Cash Balance Plan) statements
- Insurance Policies or statements
3 Important Questions
How did you become familiar with Dave Ramsey?
Initially, I was introduced to Dave Ramsey via my church. As we all know, Dave has a reputation that proceeds him, especially in the investment industry. Once we learned there was a way to partner with his organization we jumped on the idea.
What kind of experience do you have?
I started in the industry in summer of 2002, then after completing my Bachelors Degree in Business at Cal Poly - SLO, began full time work in the industry in 2005. In 2008 I completed my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, and in 2017 completed my MBA in Personal Financial Planning through Indiana Wesleyan. The people we learned the business from were top financial planners within the industry.
What will we talk about in our first meeting?
Our first meeting is complimentary. In that meeting we will discuss your financial goals and what you are looking for in a financial advisor. If we’re a good fit for each other, we will determine how we move forward together, how we’re paid to serve you, and what you can expect out of our relationship.
A WealthCheck Plan for Real Life
WealthCheck is our signature financial planning program, designed with you in mind. With decades of real world experience, we’ve developed an easy to follow process that will get your financial life organized and aligned toward your life goals. Then, our team will implement your plan with automated systems that help you get on track toward your goals.
Learn More About Investing
Donald Trump Elected 47th President of the United States of America
The election is behind us and, for investors, removing the cloud of uncertainty is a positive development. The economy is on solid footing and stocks have historically reacted positively to election results regardless of the outcome. We expect this time to be no different. Historically, the S&P 500 has generated an average gain of 6.5% … Continued
Going Beyond the Fed Cuts
Finally! For the first time in more than four years, on September 18, the Federal Reserve (Fed) cut interest rates. While the debate over how big the cut would be was settled (a half point, not a quarter), questions about where the Fed will go from here and what it might mean for the economy … Continued
The U.S. Economy and Financial Markets in September
Kids across the country recently went back to school (with many parents rejoicing). And as my wife and I help our children each night with their homework, and test preparation, I am reminded about a few of the tests the U.S. economy and stock market have passed recently. When the economy and markets are tested, … Continued
Our Perspective on the recent Market Volatility
Stocks must have gotten the memo that August tends to be weak historically. July, the eighth positive month in the past nine, was quickly forgotten as the beginning of August greeted us with a selloff. The primary catalyst was last week’s weaker-than-expected employment report, which ignited concern that the U.S. economy could tip into recession. … Continued
MUSTANG PRIVATE WEALTH HONORED AS ONE OF LPL FINANCIAL’S TOP FINANCIAL ADVISORS
San Luis Obispo, CA — Ryan Olson, independent LPL Financial advisor, and founder of Mustang Private Wealth based in San Luis Obispo, today announced their inclusion in LPL’s Patriot’s Club for the 6th year in a row. This elite award is presented to less than 7% of the firm’s more than 21,000 financial advisors nationwide*. … Continued
Navigating May’s Stock Market Outlook
After a strong first quarter for stocks, some April showers rained down as the S&P 500 fell about 4% last month. And May has been a strong month (so far), despite the widely cited stock market adage, “Sell in May and go away.” There is some merit to this old adage because the S&P 500’s … Continued
Three Ways to Celebrate Financial Literacy Month
April is not just about tax season and springtime. Since 2004, April has also been Financial Literacy Month throughout the U.S. Some states also recognize it, such as Arkansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas.1 This celebratory month began as Youth Financial Literacy Day, an effort to educate young people about key financial concepts that are often … Continued
How can we Prevent the Cornerstones of our Communities from Crumbling? Ways to Support Mom-and-Pop Businesses
Mom-and-pop shops have always been the cornerstone of our economic communities, especially the smaller ones. These entities consist of smaller, commonly family-owned-and-operated businesses focusing on a more personalized approach to customer service, interacting with them and customizing their merchandise or service to fit the community’s needs. Mom-and-pop shops are fixtures in their local regions in … Continued
The Double-Edged Sword of Retirement Planning
Inflation impacts today’s savings rates and tomorrow’s retirement comfort Inflation, the silent force shaping our economic landscape, often creeps into our lives unnoticed until its effects become palpable. Its impact on retirement planning, in particular, underscores its double-edged nature. As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban … Continued
Feeling Bored? Reinvest in Yourself and Refire Your Passion Towards Your Retirement Goals
You are finally retired after a lifetime of hard work, juggling responsibilities, and managing stress. During the pre-retirement phase, you did some planning, excited with the prospect of checking off that long list of all the things you would do once you retired. Then, it arrives, retirement! You initially enter into what new retirees have … Continued
Why Women are More Savvy Investors than Men
While women are sometimes considered to be more reluctant to invest than their male counterparts, when they do invest, they tend to outperform males and often get a greater overall return. Interestingly, this initial perceived reluctance often works in the women investor’s favor. Read on to learn a few of the reasons women are considered … Continued
Global Conditions Are Most Favorable (For Now)
Tips to position yourself to better navigate an evolving financial landscape In the world of investing, the ebb and flow of global financial conditions are critical indicators, often steering the course for savvy investors. Currently, the financial landscape is presenting an intriguing scenario, as conditions are deemed the most favorable since August. The speculative anticipation … Continued
Strategic Spending: Wise Habits for Long-Term Care For High-Net-Worth Individuals
As high-net-worth individuals navigate the complexities of financial planning during their working years, one critical aspect often goes overlooked—long-term care. In 2021, the median monthly cost of a private room in a nursing home facility was more than $9,000 per month. At a rate of close to $100,000 per year, even the most diligent savers … Continued
Retirement Plan Limits for 2024
Many IRA and retirement plan limits are indexed for inflation each year. Several of these key numbers have increased once again for 2024. How much can you save in an IRA? The maximum amount you can contribute to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA in 2024 will be $7,000 (or 100% of your earned … Continued
2023 Year in Review
The Return of “The Magnificent Seven” “The Magnificent Seven,” a cinematic triumph in 1960, mirrored the resonance of audience adoration and critical acclaim. Emerging as one of the year’s highest-grossing films, it solidified its place not just as a commercial success but as a cherished Western classic. The film’s timeless narrative of valor, unity, and … Continued
Key Financial Wellness Metrics for Near-Retirement Individuals
As one approaches retirement, monitoring your financial situation by understanding your net worth and assessing the assets and resources needed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle throughout retirement is vital. This article explores eight key financial wellness metrics individuals must monitor as they approach retirement. 1. Income Replacement RatioOne of the primary financial wellness metrics is … Continued
Independent and Thriving: What to Consider In Your Later Years
While you never know your needs as you age, the first step is thinking about your financial situation and health today so you can plan for your later years. With a one in four chance of making it to our 90th birthday, being independent and thriving as we age is something to pursue. Here are … Continued
Financial Resolutions for Small Business Owners
The new year is fast approaching, and it is a good time for small business owners to make some financial resolutions to help lead them toward a solid financial path. Whether your business is just starting or you have been running it for decades, the new year is the time to review your financial situation … Continued
5 Financial Bad Habits to Cut This Year
When it comes to financial bad habits, the most common are also well known — don’t spend too much, don’t take on unsustainable debt, and avoid living paycheck to paycheck. But what happens once you’ve implemented this advice and still aren’t getting ahead? Here are five overlooked financial bad habits that could be draining your … Continued
6 Business Goals for a Prosperous New Year
The new year is fast approaching, and it is the perfect time to set up resolutions for your business. Whether you want to increase your sales, gather a more extensive customer base, or just accomplish needed business improvements, below are a few goals to help you get started. 1. Beef Up Your Online Presence Your … Continued
Year-End Tax Planning Considerations for Capital Gains
As the end of the year approaches, investors need to focus on tax-related considerations, particularly regarding capital gains. Year-end tax planning can help investors manage their overall tax liability while seeking to manage investments for suitable tax outcomes. In this article, we explore four key tax planning areas for capital gains: what it is, tax … Continued
Why Business Owners Need Financial Planning
If you’re a business owner, you are likely the Chief Everything Officer at work and have many responsibilities. A business owner’s situation is unique since they are asset-rich and cash-poor since their wealth is in their business-literally. Regardless of the income a business generates, the ages of the owners, or how many employees it has, … Continued
YEAR-END PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
The end of the year can be a chaotic time for business owners. It is a time to compile data, review the numbers, evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and determine growth opportunities for the future. A business owner would be keen to review several factors in preparing year-end documents and preparing for the following year. Here … Continued
Your Traditional 401(k) Year-End Review Checklist
A 401(k) plan is one of the most popular and effective techniques for saving for your retirement. A company will automatically withdraw and contribute money from each paycheck to your 401(k) plan. Some employers will even match a percentage of the contribution. Are you maximizing these contributions? There are also limits on how much you … Continued
Creating Your Perfect Retirement Recipe
Although achieving your financial goals is more challenging than following a step-by-step recipe, a few common ingredients and preparation methods may help improve your ability to manage financial resources. Here is one recipe for a tasty Financial Dish. Ingredients One cup of clear financial goals Two cups of smart budgeting 3/4 cup of consistent saving … Continued
Tax Planning for the Self-Employed
What is it? According to the IRS, you are self-employed if you carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor, as an independent contractor, as a member of a partnership, or if you are otherwise in business for yourself. You can be a full-time employee and still have self-employment income from a side … Continued
Offering Thanks
We’re officially in the season to thanksgiving and while economic and geopolitical uncertainty can overshadow the positives, there are always things to be grateful for. Here is just some of what we’re thankful for, now that we’re in the second to last month of the year. A resilient U.S. economy. Coming into 2023, the dreaded … Continued
High Net-Worth Individuals: Are You Missing Opportunities in Your Financial Planning?
High Net-Worth executives and those that have been self-employed, can experience common problems in their financial planning journey. Often, they have missed opportunities in their financial planning because they haven’t planned adequately for their retirement even though they make a high income. It’s easy to think that everything will work out with their retirement plan, … Continued
5 Ways a Financial Professional Can Be Your Financial Planning Superhero
If you find yourself wavering back and forth on whether it’s worth involving a financial professional for tax, retirement, or investment advice, consider this: A financial professional may be able to help defend you against crime and fraud (like Batman). What’s more, they may also help you heal from financial mistakes more quickly (like Wolverine) … Continued
Working With A Financial Professional – Your Interestes Come First
In these uncertain times, the value of objective financial guidance cannot be overestimated. The importance of the financial profession has never been more apparent. Regulatory changes initiated well before any of us had even heard the phrase “social distancing” are now in effect, establishing a new landscape that governs the relationship between those who seek … Continued
October is National Financial Planning Month
Tips to help you find a financial professional and financial planning firm The financial professional and financial planning firm you pick to manage your assets and advise you on key financial decisions can affect your retirement and other major financial goals more, maybe, than even you. So it’s imperative that you make an appropriate choice … Continued
4 Reasons Working with a Financial Professional Is Not as Scary as You Think
For some people, the thought of using financial services is a scary experience. It involves planning for a future where you may not know how the economy may be, how your health may be, or what your financial needs might be. One of the reasons that many people find planning out their finances intimidating is … Continued
Staying Invested in a Tricky Market Environment
Making economic forecasts and stock market predictions can be humbling. It’s especially tough when you expect stocks to go higher and get a big drop instead. The environment today is the opposite, but still tricky, as recession hasn’t followed the chorus of predictions. In some ways, figuring out what to do now that stocks have … Continued
Better-Than-Expected First Half
Looking back on the first half of 2023, it’s probably fair to say the outcome has been a bit better-than-expected for the stock and bond markets, especially compared to 2022’s tumult. Here are the major points have we learned through the first half of the year: Inflation’s path is not endlessly higher. The return to … Continued
Debt Ceiling Drama Is Behind Us
Every so often Washington likes to remind us how hard it can be to get things accomplished. The most recent example is the debt ceiling—the amount Congress can borrow to pay its bills. It seems like we have this debate every few years and in the end a deal is made, which is just what … Continued
Happy Spring
Spring is often thought of as an uplifting time, marked by growth and renewed hope as we emerge from the long months of winter and look ahead to the rest of year. Investors saw signs of such renewed hope in recent weeks, especially on the inflation front as several inflation measures showed signs of improvement. … Continued
A Resilient March
The financial markets’ resilient performance during March was striking, despite pockets of uncertainty surrounding the strength of the economy—and not to mention concerns over the durability of the banking system. The ability of the market to navigate nearly two weeks of headline-related risk tested the underlying resolve of the market’s capacity to look ahead. Moreover, … Continued
Waiting for New Heights
Have you ever been worried to do something, so fearful that you lose sleep, that your stomach hurts? You know, like give a presentation or get on a rollercoaster. Then, you do the thing, and that thing you were so scared of really bad, wasn’t terrible at all? Well, we’re kind of in one of … Continued