Alternate Futures | Record Highs & Not-so-Cheap Leisure

Modeling Alternate Futures

By Matthew D. Kane | President | Partner

One key benefit we provide clients is the flexibility that comes from modeling alternate futures. This approach allows us to explore income scenarios over 5-, 10-, and 15-year time horizons, leading right up to and through what would typically be their retirement age.

By showing clients alternative plans—ones they might never actually pursue—it frees them to think creatively about how to transition out of their formal income-earning years. We model alternatives like:

• Relocating across states to be closer to children
• Pivoting from a higher-paying job with high stress to a lower-paying job with more joy and purpose
• Increasing giving during your lifetime to children and grandchildren
• Purchasing a multi-generational property for family retreats

The ability to model alternate paths permits us to dream, but in a way that increases the feasibility of implementing those dreams.

Bring your curiosity–we can show you the numbers.

Technology Adoption:  Albert Einstein is credited with once saying, “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” That’s an interesting perspective for someone who lived from 1879 to 1955, especially based on this chart:

What do we learn about ourselves and our world when we pause and consider this rapid change around us? How is this adoption rate impacting what we value most: family, relationships, and quality of life? What technology is coming next?

Record Highs: This week, the S&P 500 hit its 54th all-time high in 2024. We’ve reached the 5th most-ever high (since 1957 when it moved to 500 stocks). With this new high in December, we’ve seen new highs in 10 out of 12 months this year (April and August are the only months that didn’t record a high).

It’s Fun, but not Cheap: With winter upon us, skiing and snowboarding are making their annual debut on the leisure scene. It’s certainly a fun activity for winter, but it’s not cheap!

It’s staggering to see resorts like Park City, Snowbird, and Vail increasing prices since 1979 by +2,300%. Price adjusted inflation is around +340%. Of course, for many of these places, the business model leans towards out-of-state travelers who contribute to lodging, dining, and ski rentals. Even with the significant increases for simply skiing/snowboarding, the contribution margin for lift tickets isn’t substantive.

*The views expressed represent the opinions of Compass Ion Advisors, LLC, as of the date noted and are subject to change. These views are not intended as a forecast, a guarantee of future results, investment recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. The information provided is of a general nature and should not be construed as investment advice or to provide any investment, tax, financial, or legal advice or service to any person. The information contained has been compiled from sources deemed reliable, yet accuracy is not guaranteed.

Additional information, including management fees and expenses, is provided on our Form ADV Part 2 available upon request or at the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.