Helping you achieve your personal vision based upon your individual needs, goals and risk tolerance..

The Stock Market Is Not the Economy

Turn on the news. Every headline screams doom. Recession fears. Market volatility. Political chaos. Global uncertainty.

If you’ve built real wealth—whether you own a business, climbed the corporate ladder, or invested wisely over decades—you’ve heard this soundtrack before. And you know something most people don’t:

The stock market is not the economy. And reacting to today’s headlines is one of the fastest ways to destroy years of wealth building.

Here’s What’s Actually Happening

Let me be direct. The stock market looks forward. The economy looks backward.

Markets price in what’s coming six months, one year, even several years down the road. They’re trying to figure out what the world will look like when things settle. The economy? It just tells you what already happened.

So here’s what I’ve seen work for 40 years: when headlines are scariest, markets are often already pricing in the recovery. When everything feels great, markets are already worried about what’s next.

This is why people who panic-sell during bad headlines and buy back in after good ones consistently get destroyed. They’re always doing the exact opposite of what they should be doing.

Why Is Everything So Negative?

There’s a simple reason: negative news sells.

A study from Nature Human Behaviour looked at over 105,000 news headlines. Know what they found? Every negative word in a headline increased clicks by 2.3%. Positive words? They actually hurt engagement.

Stanford researchers found the same thing. Media platforms algorithmically push negative content because it gets more reactions, more shares, more comments. Your anxiety is literally their business model.

So they’re not lying. They’re just showing you the most profitable version of the truth.

That doesn’t mean the challenges are fake. Every economy has real problems. But constant negativity distorts your perception of reality. And when your perception is wrong, your decisions are wrong. And when your decisions are wrong, your wealth suffers.

The Actual Facts on the Ground

Let me give you the non-headline version of what’s real:

  • Unemployment is near historic lows
  • Corporate profits are strong
  • Innovation is accelerating (AI, biotech, energy)
  • Consumer spending is solid for people with real assets
  • Net worth for investors is near all-time highs
  • America still leads the world in entrepreneurship and technology
  • Productivity improvements are reshaping how business works

Are there also real challenges? Absolutely. Inflation. Interest rates. Geopolitical tension. Government debt. These deserve to be in your plan.

But here’s the thing: you can have real challenges AND strong fundamentals at the same time. That’s actually how it normally works. There’s never a time when everything is perfect and nothing is hard. That’s not how life works.

The Pattern That Repeats Every Time

I’ve been through enough market cycles to see the same pattern over and over: 1987. 1998. 2001. 2008. 2020. COVID. You name it.

Here’s how it always goes:

Markets hit bottom. → People panic. → Headlines stay awful. → Markets start recovering quietly. → Headlines FINALLY get better. → Regular people finally feel safe investing. → Markets have already recovered 30-50%.

The people who won weren’t smarter. Weren’t better stock pickers. Just more disciplined. They stuck to their plan when it felt wrong. That’s the whole difference.

And that discipline is learnable. It’s not a gift. It’s a choice.

If You Own a Business, You Already Know This

Think about how you run your business. You have bad quarters. You face competition. You navigate uncertainty. But you don’t panic-sell the whole thing every time revenue dips, right?

You stick to your strategy. You adjust when it’s actually time to adjust. You don’t flip everything because the economy section of the news made you nervous.

Your investments should work exactly the same way. You build a real plan. You stick to it. You only change course when your actual life situation changes, not when the news cycle does.

But here’s what I see: people who would never abandon their business strategy somehow think it’s normal to abandon their investment strategy every couple years. That’s the disconnect that costs real money.

What Actually Builds Real Wealth

Over 40 years, I’ve worked with hundreds of families who’ve built real wealth. Business owners. Corporate leaders. People who’ve done the work and earned their success.

You know what the wealthiest ones have in common? It’s not that they picked the best stocks. It’s that they built a real plan and actually stuck to it.

A real plan isn’t just “I’m going to invest money and hope it goes up.” A real plan covers all of this:

  • Tax strategy (not just for this year, but for your whole life)
  • What happens to your business—succession, exit, valuation
  • Estate planning that actually works (not just a dusty document)
  • Risk management that matches your actual situation
  • Retirement income strategy (how you actually live on it)
  • Charitable giving if that matters to you
  • How to handle concentrated positions (like company stock)
  • Generational wealth building—what you’re actually leaving behind

Investments? They’re the tool. But the plan is the strategy. Most people only have the tool. No strategy. So when headlines change, they don’t know what to do.

Here’s How to Actually Think About This

You’ve probably learned by now that you can’t predict the future. You can’t predict what your business will face next year. You certainly can’t predict the stock market or the economy.

So stop trying.

Instead, focus on what you CAN control: a solid plan that handles multiple scenarios. Discipline to stick to it. Enough flexibility to adjust when real life changes. That’s it.

When you have that in place, headlines stop mattering. Your plan already accounts for volatility. Your plan already accounts for uncertainty. You’re not reacting to the news. You’re executing a strategy.

The History Is Pretty Clear

America has been through wars. Recessions. Inflation. Political chaos. Market crashes. You name it.

And somehow, innovation kept happening. Progress kept happening. Wealth kept being built. Not for people who reacted to every headline. For people who had a plan and stuck to it.

The media profits from fear. Markets reward discipline. Your life should be guided by a plan that actually reflects what matters to you.

About Carver Financial Services

We manage $3.8 billion for families and business owners who’ve built real wealth and want to protect it. We’re ranked top 100 by Barron’s and Forbes. And our team has over 250 years of combined experience helping people navigate exactly what we’re talking about.

Most importantly: we work with people who get it. Who understand that headlines aren’t strategy. Who’ve built something real and want to build on it smartly.

Carver Financial Services manages more than $3.6 Billion in assets as of April 2026 for clients globally. You can contact Randy Carver personally at randy.carver@raymondjames.com or (440) 974-0808.

Any opinions are those of Randy Carver and not necessarily those of Raymond James. This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation.

Money Is a Tool — A Meaningful Life Is the Goal

For decades, the financial industry has trained investors to view money as a scoreboard. The focus has often been on accumulation—more assets, higher returns, outperforming benchmarks.

After more than 36 years of working closely with individuals, families, and business owners, a different truth becomes clear: money was never meant to be the destination. It is a tool. When that distinction is lost, it is entirely possible to succeed financially while falling short in the areas of life that matter most.

The Real Purpose of Wealth

When Carver Financial Services was founded, it was grounded in a simple yet enduring belief: wealth should serve your life—not define it.

Each person’s vision is unique. For some, it is the ability to spend meaningful time with family. For others, it is the freedom to explore the world, give generously, or create experiences that leave a lasting impact. Many simply want confidence and clarity about the future.

Money, when managed with intention, enables all of this. Without thoughtful planning, it often becomes disconnected from the life it was meant to support.

What You Can Control

The world will always produce noise—economic headlines, political shifts, and market volatility. These forces are constant and, ultimately, beyond your control.

What remains within your control are the decisions that truly shape long-term outcomes:

  • Tax strategy
  • Asset allocation
  • Costs and efficiency
  • Behavior and discipline

These are not just technical considerations. They form the foundation of a well-structured financial life. Each should be aligned with your personal goals, values, and long-term vision rather than a standardized approach.

Periods of volatility often create uncertainty for investors. From our perspective, they also create opportunity. A disciplined approach allows portfolios to be positioned thoughtfully, risks to be managed proactively, and opportunities to be identified when others are reacting emotionally.

Beyond Investments: Building a Life

Financial planning that focuses solely on returns is incomplete.

Our work has always extended beyond portfolios. Investment management is essential, yet it is only one part of a much broader picture—helping clients build lives that are rich in experience, connection, and meaning.

This philosophy is reflected in the experiences we intentionally create:

  • Signature events such as Wings & Wheels and curated social gatherings
  • Exceptional travel opportunities, ranging from luxury escapes to once-in-a-lifetime journeys
  • Educational and inspirational programs designed to inform and enrich

These are not peripheral offerings. They are an extension of our belief that wealth should be lived, not simply accumulated.

A Different Kind of Relationship

A financial plan should never exist in isolation. It should reflect the full context of your life:

  • Your priorities
  • Your family
  • Your values
  • Your long-term vision

When planning is approached this way, the relationship evolves beyond transactions. It becomes a partnership, and over time, a community.

The Bottom Line

The most important question is not, “How much do I have?”

It is, “Am I living the life I want?”

Money provides the ability to answer that question with confidence. Purposeful management is what makes that possible.

For more than three decades, we have had the privilege of helping clients not only grow their wealth, but use it to create meaningful and fulfilling lives. That remains the standard we hold ourselves to every day.

We’re Here for You

For our clients, our commitment remains unchanged. We are here to guide, to plan, and to help you make the most of what you have built.

For those exploring how to better align their financial resources with their life goals, we welcome the conversation. Many people begin with questions about their portfolio and discover that the more important discussion is about their vision.

There is no cost and no obligation—only an opportunity to gain clarity.

Our mission is straightforward: simplify your life while making it better.

Carver Financial Services manages more than $3.6 Billion in assets as of April 2026 for clients globally. You can contact Randy Carver personally at randy.carver@raymondjames.com or (440) 974-0808.

Any opinions are those of Randy Carver and not necessarily those of Raymond James. This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation.

Amid Global Headlines, A More Personal Risk to Your Wealth

There is certainly no shortage of headlines right now. From ongoing tariff debates and political uncertainty to tensions involving Iran and the broader Middle East, the news cycle can easily feel overwhelming.

While these global events can certainly create market volatility, one of the most immediate and serious threats to your wealth today is happening much closer to home: a sharp and deeply troubling rise in highly targeted, predatory marketing aimed directly at seniors and retirees. This is not a theoretical threat; it is happening every day, specifically designed to reach individuals who have worked diligently to build meaningful wealth.

In my more than 40 years in this business, I have seen many financial sales trends come and go. What we are witnessing right now, however, deserves your immediate attention.

How You Are Being Targeted

Firms across the country are actively purchasing detailed contact lists from data brokers to zero in on individuals over the age of 65 who have accumulated assets of $500,000 or more. If you have saved diligently, you are likely on one of these lists.

These campaigns are carefully orchestrated and sophisticated. They typically include:

  • Unsolicited Books: You may receive financial books in the mail from these individuals, which is an attempt to establish themselves as authorities and build false trust before they call you.
  • Dinner Seminars: You might receive invitations to “exclusive,” free dinner events at high-end local restaurants. These are actually high-pressure sales pitches disguised as educational seminars, and they notably do not allow you to bring children or other guests with you.
  • “Educational” Radio Shows: Many broadcasts posing as objective talk shows or financial advice are actually hour-long paid advertisements. These hosts aggressively push listeners to move their funds into annuities using highly misleading and incomplete information. They lure listeners with the impossible promise of making money when markets go up while never losing a dime when they go down, simultaneously claiming there are “no fees”.
    • The Reality: These products—often Fixed Indexed Annuities—typically yield incredibly low returns, frequently performing worse than a standard bank CD. Worse, they lock up your money with exceedingly long surrender periods and bury you in high penalty fees if you ever need to access your own cash. Because of these predatory tactics, there has been a significant surge in class-action lawsuits and intensified government enforcement actions targeting the misleading sales of these exact annuities to seniors.
  • Overpriced, Generic Plans: These salespeople often charge fees for what amounts to a boilerplate, basic financial plan that completely ignores the complex realities of your specific goals and life.

“Hit-and-Run” Sales, Not Advice

These interactions are often “hit-and-run” sales. The compensation structure heavily rewards large upfront commissions, not ongoing advice, estate coordination, tax strategy, or long-term service. Once the paperwork is signed, the relationship frequently ends.

That is a transaction, not advice. Moreover, most of these individuals are not licensed to work with securities, nor do they hold a recognized credential such as the CFP® designation. They simply do not have the capacity, knowledge, or desire to provide comprehensive planning and ongoing support.

What You Should Do

If you receive a pitch for a “revolutionary” financial product, an invitation to a dinner seminar, or a book in the mail, please approach it with extreme caution. You do not owe anyone your financial information, your trust, or your time simply because they asked.

If you, your family, or your friends receive a solicitation that raises questions, or if a particular strategy genuinely interests you, please reach out to us first. We are always willing to look under the hood of any product, explain exactly how it works, and provide a clear, objective assessment of how it would truly impact your situation.

Our mission over the last 40+ years has always been simple: to make your life better. That means helping you grow your wealth, but it also means standing between you and practices that could harm it.

Guarding your hard-earned wealth is just as important as growing it.  We want you to feel completely confident and secure in every financial decision you make. As always, we are here to stand by your side, providing the ongoing partnership, thoughtful guidance, and peace of mind you deserve. If a pitch, a book, or an invitation leaves you with questions, take action and let us be your sounding board. Contact our office today—there is absolutely no cost and no obligation to reach out.

You can contact us at randy.carver@raymondjames.com or (440) 974-0808.

Any opinions are those of Randy Carver and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Why This May Be the Best Time in History to Be Alive

If you turn on the news, scroll social media, or listen too closely to the loudest voices in the room, you could easily believe that the world is falling apart—and that everything used to be better “back then.”

But I want to challenge that story.

Not with blind optimism. Not with wishful thinking. With facts.

Because when you step back from the noise and look at the data, something remarkable appears:

By many of the most important measures of human well-being, this may be the best time in history to be alive.

We Are Safer Than We Think

Let’s start with something basic: safety.

In the 1970s, property crime in the United States was nearly twice as high as it is today. Violent crime followed a similar pattern—rising through the 1970s and 80s, peaking in the early 1990s, and then declining meaningfully over time.

Even today, despite periodic spikes that dominate headlines, overall violent crime rates are lower than what many Americans experienced decades ago, including homicide rates—despite a much larger population.

Crime still exists. But statistically, your odds of being a victim are lower than during many years we now look back on as “the good old days.”

We Live Longer—and Better

In 1970, life expectancy in the United States was about 71 years. Today, it’s about 78 years.

That’s nearly eight additional years of life, on average.

Eight more years of experiences.
Eight more years of relationships.
Eight more years of purpose.

And perhaps the most profound improvement of all—one we rarely think about anymore—is infant mortality.

In 1970, nearly 20 out of every 1,000 babies born in the U.S. did not survive their first year. Today, that number is about 5.5 per 1,000.

That’s a reduction of more than 70%.

Millions of families are raising children who statistically would not have survived in earlier generations. That is not abstract progress. That is human progress.

Medicine Has Quietly Changed the Odds

In the 1970s, a heart attack was often a death sentence.

Today, age-adjusted death rates from heart disease have fallen by more than 60% since 1970. Deaths from heart attacks specifically are down nearly 90%.

Cancer survival rates have improved.
Diseases are detected earlier.
Emergency medicine saves lives every day that once would have been lost.

People today routinely survive conditions that would have been fatal just one or two generations ago.

The World Is More Connected—and More Capable

In the 1970s, information moved slowly. Knowledge was locked in libraries, offices, and institutions.

Today, over 5.5 billion people worldwide are connected to the internet. In the U.S., roughly 96% of adults use it.

That means:

  • A student can learn advanced skills from anywhere
  • A business owner can reach global customers
  • A patient can consult a doctor from home
  • A family can manage finances, healthcare, and planning with unprecedented transparency

You are carrying more computing power in your pocket than existed in entire buildings 50 years ago.

That power can be misused—but it is still power. Power to learn, connect, create, and solve problems faster than ever before.

Progress Isn’t the Absence of Problems

Let me be clear.

This is not a claim that everything is perfect.
It is not a denial of climate risk, inequality, mental health challenges, or uncertainty.

Progress is not the absence of problems.
Progress is better tools to face them.

And that leads to the most important point of all:

We are not living at the end of history.
We are living in the middle of it.

Every generation inherits a world that is unfinished.

The question is not whether the past felt simpler or the future feels uncertain.
The question is whether we recognize the extraordinary advantages we’ve been given—and choose to use them wisely.

Where This Connects to Your Financial Life

At Carver Financial Services, we believe the purpose of financial planning is not simply to accumulate numbers on a statement.

Technology can build portfolios.
Algorithms can rebalance accounts.
AI can analyze data faster than any human ever could.

But what technology cannot replace is the human work of helping people lead their best lives.

Our role is to help you:

  • Gain clarity around what truly matters to you
  • Align your wealth with your values, goals, and vision
  • Reduce stress and complexity in your financial life
  • Navigate life’s transitions with confidence
  • Make decisions that support not just financial success—but fulfillment

We call this Personal Vision Planning—because money is a tool, not the destination.

The Opportunity of Our Time

We are safer than before.
We live longer than before.
More children survive.
More knowledge is available.
More people have a chance.

That doesn’t guarantee a great future. But it makes one possible.

And possibility—paired with thoughtful planning and intentional action—is how progress continues.

This may be the best time in history to be alive not because life is easy,
but because never before have so many people had so much capacity to shape what comes next.

Our mission is simple: To help you use that opportunity to live your best life.

You can contact us at randy.carver@raymondjames.com or (440) 974-0808.

Any opinions are those of Randy Carver and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

What Investors Should Watch in 2026: Midterm Elections, Market History & What It Means for Your Portfolio

As we look ahead toward 2026, the coming midterm elections will draw significant attention — and likely a fair amount of market speculation. History shows that while midterms often introduce volatility, they have also been followed by some of the strongest 12‑month returns in market history.

As we enter a new election cycle, many investors understandably begin to feel the familiar rhythm of speculation. Midterm years have historically introduced more volatility, and we expect 2026 to follow that pattern. Even so, the underlying economy remains strong, and any possible correction is something we view not as a threat, but as an opportunity to rebalance, tax-loss harvest, and strengthen portfolios for the next leg forward.

 Why Midterms Matter — But Maybe Not in the Way You Think

  • Midterm elections — when Congress (House and part or all of the Senate) is on the ballot — often lead to changes in legislative control. That means potential shifts in fiscal policy, taxation, regulation, and spending priorities. (U.S. Bank)
  • With control up for grabs, policy uncertainty often rises leading into midterms — and that uncertainty tends to translate into market volatility. (Raymond James)
  • That volatility isn’t just noise: according to some studies, the pre-midterm period tends to underperform. (U.S. Bank)

But while the run-up can be rocky, the period immediately after midterms—and the ensuing 12-month window—has historically favored investors.

Below is a chart illustrating S&P 500 performance during the 12 months before and after the last several midterm elections. This visual underscores a historical trend: pre‑midterm uncertainty often gives way to strong post‑election recoveries. (source S&P.com)

Looking back across decades of midterm cycles reveals a fairly consistent “tug-of-war + recovery” pattern:

Period Historical Pattern (Post-Adjustment)
12–18 months before midterms Elevated volatility, often a market pullback — drawn-out uncertainty over fiscal/regulatory direction. (MarketWatch)
Intra-year during midterm years On average, deeper intra-year declines than non-midterm years. (Baird Wealth)
0–12 months after midterms Historically strong rebound and outperformance: markets tend to “breathe easy” once uncertainty resolves. (U.S. Bank)

In fact, over many midterm cycles, once who controls Congress becomes known and policy clarity improves, equities tend to rally — regardless of which party wins.   The market historically dislikes uncertainty, but once results clarify the political landscape, markets often rebound as businesses and investors gain greater clarity.

Periods of discomfort often precede renewed strength:

  • 2018 (midterm year) : S&P 500 declined ~6.2%
  • 2019: Rebounded with a 31.5% gain
  • 2022 (midterm year) Fell 19.4% amid inflation and rate hikes
  • 2023: Surged 24.2% as inflation cooled and earnings held firm

Over many cycles, the months following midterms have delivered strong, consistent returns.  Politics may shift, but a well-constructed plan endures.

Our commitment remains the same: staying disciplined, viewing volatility as opportunity, and positioning our clients beyond any short-term noise.

So What Should Investors Do Going Into 2026?

At Carver Financial, as we think about 2026 and how to position portfolios, here’s our playbook — rooted in history, but grounded in what we know today:

  • Expect elevated volatility between now and election day. With Congress on the line, policy uncertainty will likely drive short-term swings.
  • View dips as potential entry points, not reasons to panic. Historically, many of the sharper pre-midterm declines turned into attractive buying opportunities once volatility settled.
  • Stay diversified. Because midterms can affect sectors differently (depending on who wins, which House flips, policy shifts), a well-balanced portfolio can help guard against undue sector-specific swings.
  • Don’t bet on which party wins. Markets historically have performed well regardless of whether a single party dominates or there’s a divided government. (Investopedia)
  • Align investing decisions with long-term goals, not short-term noise. Use the “Personal Vision” lens: focus on what your clients want to accomplish over 5, 10, 20 years — not just what the political headlines say this month.

 The Bottom Line: Midterms Bring Uncertainty — but Also Opportunity

Yes — midterm election years tend to come with more volatility, potentially deeper drawdowns, and a lot of media noise. That’s reality. But history also depicts a strong underlying tendency: once the votes are counted and Congress’s shape is known, markets have repeatedly rebounded and posted healthy returns over the following 6–12 months.

2026 will almost certainly prove no different. The key is to remain disciplined, diversified, and forward-looking. If you build portfolios around fundamentals — not headlines — you give yourself the best chance to benefit from the cycle rather than get derailed by it.

At Carver Financial, that’s our anchor. And we believe strongly: politics may change, but a well-constructed plan endures.

Randy and his team manage $3.5 Billion in assets for clients globally.  Randy has more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry.  You can reach Randy at (440) 974-0808 or randy.carver@raymondjames.com.

Any opinions are those of Randy Carver and not necessarily those of Raymond James. This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.

Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Future investment performance cannot be guaranteed, investment yields will fluctuate with market conditions.

Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected.

You can contact us at randy.carver@raymondjames.com or (440) 974-0808.

Any opinions are those of Randy Carver and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

6.15.26 29th Annual Tim Groves Memorial Charity Golf Outing

Monday, June 15, 2026

Join us for our 29th Annual Tim Groves Memorial Golf Outing on Monday, June 15th at Little Mountain Country Club in Painesville, Ohio.

OUTING FORMAT

  • (18) hole 4-person scramble
  • Registration 9:00 – 10:00 AM
  • Shotgun Start at 10:00 AM
  • Brown Bag Lunch
  • Dinner & Awards at 3:00 PM

OUTING CONTESTS

  • Hole-In-One Contest
  • Prizes for champions & runner-up teams, plus longest drive and closest to the pin contests
  • 50/50 Raffle Drawing

Proceeds of the outing will be split between the Mentor Rotary Be the Match Foundation and the New Beginning Initiative.

Cost:

Individual Golfer $135

Foursome $500

REGISTER HERE

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please reach out to Paige Courtot at Paige.Courtot@RaymondJames.com.

SPONSOR FLYER

Carver Cares and the charities featured are independent of Raymond James.

How to Make 2026 Your Best Year Ever—Financially and Personally

Start with Your Personal Vision, Not Just Your Numbers

Most people begin the year with resolutions about money—spend less, save more, invest better. Those are important, but they’re not the starting point.

Instead, begin with your Personal Vision Planning (PVP). Ask yourself:

– What experiences do I want to have in 2026?

– What relationships do I want to nurture?

– What lifestyle do I want to create?

– What do I want more of—or less of?

The numbers are the tools. Your vision is the destination.

Quick Wins: The 2026 Financial Tune-Up

The beginning of the year is a perfect time for a light-touch financial health check.

  • Review your investment strategy (midterm election years bring volatility and opportunity)
  • Update beneficiaries and estate documents
  • Review equity compensation, pensions, or Social Security
  • Revisit tax strategies (QCDs, donor-advised funds, Roth conversions, etc.)

Automate What You Can So You Can Focus on What Matters

One of the best ways to “win” financially in 2026 is automating the important things:

– Savings and investing

– Bill payments

– Charitable giving

– Portfolio rebalancing (we handle this!)

Protect Yourself: Cybersecurity Is the New Seatbelt

Digital crime is the fastest-growing global threat. In 2026, commit to:

– Freezing your credit

– Using two-factor authentication

– Reviewing bank and credit activity weekly

– Calling us before responding to suspicious messages

Invest in Experiences, Not Just Accounts

Experiences—not things—create the memories people cherish. Whether it’s travel, family time, or exclusive events like Carver Fest at the Rock Hall, plan something that excites you in 2026.

Strengthen Your Personal Balance Sheet

Your financial balance sheet is important, but so is your personal one:

– Health

– Relationships

– Purpose

– Learning

– Community

– Joy

Schedule Your 2026 Planning Review Now

A proactive review helps you:

– Update your Personal Vision Plan

– Review your portfolio strategy

– Explore tax opportunities

– Discuss major life changes

– Strengthen security measures

– Identify opportunities you may not have considered

Final Thought: Your Best Year Ever Starts with a Conversation

2026 has the makings of a remarkable year—not because of what happens in the markets or election cycle, but because of the choices you make and the vision you set.

Our mission at Carver Financial Services remains the same: to help you achieve the life you want with confidence and clarity.

Let’s make 2026 unforgettable—together.

You can contact us at randy.carver@raymondjames.com or (440) 974-0808.

Any opinions are those of Randy Carver and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Before You Sell: How to Maximize Value and Protect Wealth in a Business Exit

For many business owners, the great achievement of building a company often raises the next question: “When and how do I get out?” Exiting your business can be one of the most consequential financial decisions you’ll ever make. It touches not only the company you built, but your personal financial future, tax liabilities, estate considerations and legacy.

In this article we’ll explore the essential steps an owner should take before selling their business, how working with a financial advisor (and broader advisory team) makes a meaningful difference, and how to structure the sale in a way that both maximizes value and protects wealth.

1. Begin with clarity: Define your exit goals & timeline

Too many business owners drift into a sale opportunity rather than planning the exit proactively. According to the guide from SVA Certified Public Accountants, exit-planning should begin ideally 5–7 years before the desired exit date. SVA Certified Public Accountants+1

Ask yourself:

  • When do you realistically want to leave? Is it tied to performance of the business, market conditions or personal goals?
  • What do you want the sale to achieve — full liquidity, partial liquidity, handing over to family or key employees, or simply reducing your role?
  • What will you do after you sell? Retirement, new venture, philanthropy, passive investment? Your post-sale lifestyle must shape your strategy.

When you define your goals and timeline early, you give yourself the runway to shape the business, prepare your personal finances, and avoid being forced into a sub‐optimal deal. As one advisory article notes: businesses that planned their exit 3–5 years in advance often realise 20–40% higher valuations than those who waited until a surprise or urgency. Mesirow

2. Build your advisory team & coordinate across business + wealth

A successful exit isn’t just a business transaction — it’s a personal wealth event. As you near the transition, you’ll want to assemble a team that may include:

  • A valuation specialist to assess business worth and identify value drivers. SVA Certified Public Accountants+1
  • A tax advisor experienced in transaction structures (asset sale vs stock sale, corporate form, etc.)
  • A financial advisor or wealth manager who understands how the proceeds will fit into your broader personal plan (investment, lifestyle, legacy)
  • An estate/trust attorney (if passing wealth or business interest to family)
  • A business attorney for deal structure, buyer negotiation and transition agreements

The guide from SVA emphasizes that without this team aligned, you may damage value, incur unexpected taxes, or find yourself with a liquidity event you’re not ready to manage. SVA Certified Public Accountants

As you speak with your financial advisor, you’ll want to address not just how much you might get for the business, but how much you’ll keep after taxes, how that money fuels your next chapter, and how to protect it from avoidable risks.

3. Value the business, and enhance its attractiveness

Valuation: Know where you stand

Before you entertain offers, you should know what your business is worth and why. Key steps:

  • Engage a professional valuation expert. preferredcfo.com+1
  • Understand the multiples in your industry and what buyers care about (recurring revenue, customer concentration, management depth, growth prospects)
  • Identify and rectify value detractors (over-dependency on you, weak financial controls, legal exposure)

Enhancing value: The “prep” phase

In the years before exit you can take deliberate steps to improve sellability and price:

  • Build a strong management team so that the business isn’t overly dependent on you. SVA Certified Public Accountants+1
  • Diversify customer base and reduce concentration risk.
  • Clean up financial statements, trackable performance metrics, and documented systems.
  • Consider your corporate structure: the business entity type (C-corp vs S-corp vs LLC) can influence tax outcomes and buyer interest. infosysbpm.com+1

The earlier you start these steps, the more options you will have and the better you position yourself for a favorable deal.

4. Timing matters: The market, the business & personal readiness

Timing is a strategic lever in an exit. Even if the business is performing strongly, waiting for the “right window” can make a big difference.

  • Sell when performance is strong and momentum is clear — buyers pay more when future growth is visible.
  • Monitor market factors: interest rates, M&A activity in your sector, buyer appetite and economic cycles.
  • From a personal perspective: ensure you are ready — emotionally and financially — for life post-sale. The transition often surprises owners. preferredcfo.com
  • Don’t hurry: As one firm put it, rushing an exit without proper planning can mean accepting significantly less value or more tax. Mesirow+1

5. Structuring the transaction for tax efficiency

This is where the interplay between business strategy and personal wealth planning comes into full view. The way the deal is structured has enormous impact on what you net and your future flexibility.

Asset sale vs. stock sale

  • A stock sale often means the buyer acquires your shares and you may benefit from more favorable capital-gains treatment. But the buyer may negotiate harder because they assume liability for past operations. Calkins Law Firm+1
  • An asset sale can allow the buyer to pick and choose assets, and the seller might incur higher taxes, but it sometimes is the only feasible structure depending on buyer motivation and jurisdiction. Harness

Installment sales & spreading tax liability

One strategy to reduce your immediate tax burden is to spread the sale proceeds over multiple years via an installment sale. This can keep you in a lower tax bracket and allow more flexible wealth-management post-sale. Calkins Law Firm+1

Specialized structures (e.g., ESOPs, trusts)

For certain business models, alternative exit vehicles may offer tax benefits and philanthropic or legacy advantages:

  • An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is one option for passing ownership to employees while deferring tax. Harness
  • Trust structures (e.g., Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, Family Limited Partnerships) can play a role when you want to transfer value to the next generation. infosysbpm.com

International/tax jurisdiction issues

If you or your business operate across borders, or you are a non-resident owner, then cross-border tax implications, withholding, and jurisdictional risk become critical. Tailor your strategy accordingly.

Bottom line: tax planning isn’t an afterthought. It must be embedded in your exit strategy early — otherwise you lose bargaining power and strategic options.

6. Liquidity, wealth transition & preserving lifestyle

After the deal closes, you still face the challenge of what happens next with the proceeds. A great sale becomes a poor outcome if the funds are mis-managed, Zapped by taxes, or not aligned to your future.

Liquidity planning

  • Avoid letting too much capital stay illiquid or tied up in restricted shares or earn-out agreements without a clear plan.
  • With your financial advisor, map out a post-sale investment strategy: how much you’ll keep “liquid”, how much goes to growth, how much is protected.
  • Consider tax-efficient vehicles for deploying capital — retirement accounts, trusts, charitable giving.

Lifestyle & wealth transition

  • Define your lifestyle post-exit: What do you want? Travel? New ventures? Philanthropy?
  • Align your budget and investment plan accordingly — the business sale proceeds must support your next chapter.
  • If you intend for family or next generation to benefit, consider legacy planning, trusts, education funding, and appropriate governance.

Risk mitigation

  • Even after the sale, you must manage risk: concentrated wealth, market volatility, inflation, tax law changes.
  • Having a robust plan and advisor oversight protects the value you worked decades to build.

7. Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Here are frequent mistakes business owners make when structuring an exit — and what to do instead:

Pitfall: Waiting until an offer triggers action.
Solution: Start the planning process years ahead. SVA Certified Public Accountants

Pitfall: Over-reliance on your business as the only asset for your retirement.
Solution: Work with your financial advisor to diversify — your exit should convert business value into a balanced personal wealth portfolio.

Pitfall: Ignoring tax consequences until it’s too late.
Solution: Make transaction structure and tax planning core components of your exit planning. Mesirow+1

Pitfall: Selling at a sub-par valuation or to the wrong buyer.
Solution: Prioritize buyer fit, business continuity, and value drivers, not only the headline price. preferredcfo.com

Pitfall: Failing to plan for life after the business.
Solution: Build your personal plan in parallel — what happens when you step away? What gives you purpose? What is your financial roadmap?

8. The role of your financial advisor: from “advisor” to strategic partner

A key message we want to emphasize: when you are planning a business exit, you need a financial advisor who is not just managing investments, but is integrated into your business-wealth ecosystem.

Here are ways an advisor adds value:

  • Helping model the post-sale scenario: what you’ll have, what you’ll need, how you’ll invest and spend.
  • Working with your tax advisor, business broker, attorney to ensure alignment of business sale structure with personal wealth goals.
  • Guiding you through wealth-transition decisions: how much to keep, how much to give, how much to invest aggressively vs conservatively.
  • Helping you address emotional/behavioral aspects of a liquidity event — many business owners face a “what now?” gap after the sale.
  • Ensure that the proceeds don’t just sit idle or dissipate — they are actively managed in a plan consistent with your goals, risk tolerance and legacy objectives.

In the spirit of podcasts like BiggerPockets Money Podcast or Your Money – Your Wealth®, your advisor becomes a sounding board for “what I do next” after the business is sold — not just for “what do I invest in”.

9. Final checklist: Your pre-exit readiness

Before you accept an offer, run through this checklist:

☐ Have I defined my personal goals (financial, lifestyle, legacy) for after the sale?

☐ Does my advisory team cover business valuation, tax planning, transaction structuring, personal financial planning and estate/legacy?

☐ Do I know the realistic valuation of my business today, and what value levers I can pull to improve it?

☐ Have I considered the optimal timing for exit — business performance, market conditions, personal readiness?

☐ Have I coordinated tax-efficient deal structure (stock vs asset sale, installment sale, trusts, etc.)?

☐ Do I have a liquidity strategy for the sale proceeds? How much stays liquid, how much is invested, how much is protected?

☐ Do I have a wealth transition plan (for family, charitable giving, legacy)?

☐ Have I prepared my team and business for transition (management, documentation, governance to enable buyer comfort)?

☐ Have I thought about my role (if any) post-sale, and how I’ll engage with new opportunities or move into retirement?

☐ Have I stress-tested “what if” scenarios (market downturn, tax law changes, buyer delays)?

10. Why this matters — not just for the business, but for your wealth

Selling a business is more than handing over the keys. It represents liquidity, freedom, and a new phase of life — but it also poses risk. Without proper preparation, you may end up with less value, more tax, or uncertainty about what comes next.

When you start early, define your goals, build your team, prepare the business and structure the deal with tax-awareness, you move from transaction mode to transformation mode — turning decades of hard work into a meaningful next chapter of personal wealth and purpose.

As the experts say, your business is not your retirement plan — it’s the asset you convert into one. Your next stop isn’t the sale closing—it’s the life you live afterwards. Align those two and you’ll be in a position to exit with confidence, keep more of what you’ve built, and protect the wealth that your business enabled

You can contact us at randy.carver@raymondjames.com or (440) 974-0808.

Any opinions are those of Randy Carver and not necessarily those of Raymond James. This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.

Guarding Your Digital Life: Simple Ways to Protect Your Identity and Finances in 2026 & Beyond

Technology has made our lives more connected, convenient, and efficient than ever before — but it’s also created new risks. Cybercriminals are getting smarter, and scams more sophisticated. Protecting your identity, privacy, and financial information has become a critical part of managing your overall well-being.

According to Experian, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 1.1 million reports of identity theft in 2024, a 9.5% increase from the prior year. These crimes led to an estimated $12.7 billion in losses, with someone in the U.S. falling victim to identity theft every few seconds.

And this isn’t a new trend — fraud has been on the rise for years. In fact, a study by the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies found that individuals aged 65–74 are 54 times more likely to be victims of online scams than physical robberies. In 2020 alone, consumers reported losing over $3.3 billion to fraud, up from $1.8 billion the year before.

Understanding the Threats:

While advanced technology plays a role, many cybercrimes start with social engineering — psychological manipulation that convinces victims to share personal details or transfer money. These scams often look or sound legitimate:

  • An email claiming your bank account was compromised and needs “verification.”
  • A phone call pretending your grandchild is in trouble and needs bail
  • A pop-up message saying your computer is infected and urging you to “call tech ”
  • Or even a message saying you’ve “won” a prize that just requires your banking

These scams are successful because they trigger fear or excitement — emotions that lead to hasty decisions. The best defense is awareness and caution.

Simple Steps to Protect Yourself

You don’t need to be an IT expert to stay safe online. A few simple habits can make a huge difference:

  • Protect your Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
  • Be cautious with emails and links. Don’t click links or download attachments from unknown Look carefully at web addresses — “Faceboook.com” with an extra “o” might be a scam.
  • Don’t share personal Never give out Social Security numbers, account details, or passwords in response to unsolicited emails, calls, or texts.
  • Pause before Scammers often create urgency to make you react quickly. If something feels off, it probably is.
  • Consider additional Services like LifeLock™ or Identity Guard® can alert you if someone tries to open credit in your name.
  • Freeze your This prevents new accounts from being opened in your name without authorization. You can request a freeze from Equifax (1-888-298-0045), Experian (1-888-397-3742), and TransUnion (1-888-909-8872).

Taking these steps now can save you time, stress, and money later.

Our Commitment to You

At Carver Financial Services and Raymond James, protecting your information is not just a promise — it’s part of who we are.

We employ multiple layers of protection, including next-generation firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and 24/7 monitoring to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Raymond James also offers a written guarantee: clients are reimbursed for any losses in their Raymond James accounts caused by unauthorized access through no fault of their own — a policy that makes them the only Wall Street firm to do so.

Join Us for Our Upcoming Cybersecurity Resource Breakfast

We’re dedicated not only to protecting you, but also to empowering you with knowledge. Join us on Saturday, January 10, 2026, for a special Resource Breakfast: Protect Your Identity, featuring top experts Jason Mayor (Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Raymond James) and Brett Colon (Chief Information Security Officer, American Century Investments).

You’ll learn:

  • The latest trends in cyber and identity threats
  • How Raymond James and Carver Financial protect your information
  • What to do if your data is ever compromised
  • Practical steps to safeguard your personal and financial life

Date: January 10, 2026

Time: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast & Registration | 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Presentation

Bring your friends, family, or colleagues — anyone who could benefit from learning how to stay safe in a digital world.

Final Thoughts

Cyber threats may be evolving, but so are our defenses — and with the right awareness, you can stay one step ahead.

At Carver Financial Services, we’re here to help protect what matters most: your assets, your privacy, and your peace of mind.

Together, we can ensure that technology works for you, not against you.

You can contact us at randy.carver@raymondjames.com or (440) 974-0808.

Any opinions are those of Randy Carver and not necessarily those of Raymond James. This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.

Government Shutdowns: What They Mean for Markets and Why Perspective Matters

As the current U.S. government shutdown approaches the three-week mark, it’s natural for headlines (and investor nerves) to amplify. At Carver Financial Services, we believe that staying grounded in facts and maintaining a long-term perspective is the best way forward. Below, we provide historical context, evaluate what this shutdown may — and may not — mean for financial markets over the next 6-12 months, and highlight how we’ve supported clients through past events.

1.  How common are government shutdowns — and what’s their track record?

Contrary to what some headlines suggest, government shutdowns are not once-in-a-generation events. They have become a recurring feature of the federal budget process:

  • Since 1980, there have been about 10 funding-lapse shutdowns that resulted in furloughs of federal employees.
  • Depending on how you count (continuing resolutions, partial closures, ), some sources identify as many as 14 since 1980.
  • The durations vary: many last only a few days, though a few stretch into
  • The longest shutdown in S. history ran 35 days (December 2018 to January 2019). So, while the political context always differs, the mechanics (and market reaction patterns) have been fairly consistent.

2.  What is and isn’t impacted during a shutdown

It’s important to draw the distinction between what typically slows or stops — and what continues uninterrupted:

Often curtailed or halted:

  • Many non-essential federal programs and discretionary services: national parks, museums, regulatory or permitting functions.
  • Agencies with discretionary funding (for example portions of Health & Human Services, Education, Interior) may furlough staff or reduce operations.
  • Economic data releases (jobs reports, census surveys) can be delayed or suspended, creating “blind spots” for policy- and market-makers.

Typically unaffected:

  • Mandatory programs funded outside the annual appropriations process: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans’ benefits all continue.
  • Essential life-safety or national security functions: defense operations, air-traffic control, border security remain in operation — though pay may be delayed.
  • The S. Postal Service, funded differently, continues.
  • Importantly, debt servicing (interest and principal payments on S. debt) continues, so a shutdown is not a sovereign default.

In short: a shutdown is disruptive, but it is not a total paralysis of government or economy.

3.  Market and economic impacts in the 6-12 months following shutdowns

Here’s what the historical evidence tells us:

(a)   Market returns tend to recover

  • According to published data, since the mid-1970s the S&P 500 has delivered positive 12- month returns after the vast majority of shutdowns.
  • For example: after the 35-day 2018-19 shutdown, the S&P rose ~24% in the following
  • Other summaries show that 12 months post-shutdown, stocks were higher in 15 out of 16 cases, with an average gain of ~16%.
  • Even 6 months post-shutdown, average gains of ~9.7 % have been observed. This suggests that while headlines may spook markets short-term, equity markets typically resume their longer-term trend once the shutdown ends.

(b)   Economic drag tends to be modest

  • For the 2018-19 shutdown, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated a reduction in GDP of ~0.1% in Q4 2018 and ~0.2% in Q1 2019.
  • Economically, the main cost is often the time lost in operations and data gaps; structurally the economy remains intact.
  • The bigger risk is not the shutdown per se, but if it triggers a broader loss of confidence, delays key policy, or messes up the flow of credit and data.

4.  Putting it in perspective — what we expect, and what we’re watching

At Carver Financial Services, our view is as follows:

  • Short-term volatility and sentiment shocks are possible (and likely) when prominent fiscal events like a shutdown hit the news.
  • But long-term economic and corporate fundamentals — earnings growth, balance sheets, interest rates, productivity — remain the drivers of returns.
  • Historically, once a shutdown is resolved cleanly, markets The greater danger would be prolonged political gridlock, a failure to raise the debt ceiling, or systemic credit disruptions.
  • We continue to monitor broader fiscal and monetary conditions: debt-ceiling negotiations, interest-rate policy, global growth trends, credit flows.
  • Our portfolios remain grounded in fundamentals: strong companies, healthy balance sheets, diversified assets, and flexibility built in to adjust if conditions change.

5.  How Carver Financial Services Has Guided Clients Through Major Events

Since 1990, Carver Financial Services has walked alongside clients through major market and economic events, providing perspective, prudent planning and steady stewardship. These events include:

  • The early-1990s recession and Savings & Loan crisis
  • The 1994 global bond-market crisis (sometimes called the “Great Bond Massacre”).
  • The bursting of the dot-com bubble around 2000-
  • The 2007-2009 Global Financial Crisis (sub-prime mortgage meltdown).
  • The COVID-19 pandemic shock in 2020 and its rapid market collapse and

In each case, we used the event not as a trigger for fear, but as a reminder of the value of long-term planning, diversification and staying invested. Our clients entered these crises with a plan; they exited them with lessons learned and portfolios intact.

6.  Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Government shutdowns are not unprecedented — they happen with some frequency, often lasting days or weeks.
  • While they interrupt discretionary government operations, they do not stop core functions like Social Security or debt payments.
  • Historically, markets have weathered these events reasonably well — equities have shown positive returns in the subsequent 6-12 months.
  • The larger risks lie in how markets and policymakers respond, not the shutdown
  • Periods of volatility can present opportunities to review, rebalance and reaffirm long-term strategy rather than exit in panic.
  • At Carver Financial Services, our focus remains helping you stay informed, steady and focused on long-term-growth — even during short-term political storms.

We remain committed to being your partner — through headline moments and quieter times alike. If you have questions or would like to discuss how this event may affect your portfolio specifically (or how we’re positioned), please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Any opinions are those of Randy Carver and not necessarily those of Raymond James. This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.