Wealth Management Best Practices for Every Age Group.
Wealth management is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each stage of life brings different priorities, risks and responsibilities. But the core principles that drive long-term financial success – discipline, consistency and adaptability – apply at every age. At Fratarcangeli Wealth Management, we see that the most resilient financial plans are built on strong habits, clear structures and a long-term view.
Below is a high-level framework our team uses when helping individuals and families think about their finances across different life stages.
Under 18: Build a Financial Foundation Early
Good financial habits start long before the first paycheck. We encourage families to introduce basic money concepts early and to connect money with effort and accountability.
When children are responsible for small financial decisions, they begin to understand that money is earned, not given. That mindset creates discipline from the start.
Where appropriate, we also see value in involving children in age-appropriate financial conversations. Tools such as custodial investment accounts can serve as live learning opportunities, giving kids a chance to see how saving, investing and compounding work over time.
In this stage, the goal is not just accumulating dollars. Building behaviors like responsibility and patience, along with an understanding of trade-offs, helps create a stronger foundation for adulthood.
Ages 18–70: Use Discipline to Create Stability
For working adults, the core focus is straightforward: save consistently and live below your means.
One practical framework we emphasize is to always set aside a portion of every paycheck. Building the habit of saving a meaningful percentage of income creates structure and helps reduce the risk of going into debt when unexpected expenses arise.
Too many adults lack adequate emergency funds, leaving them vulnerable. Even a relatively small unexpected bill can push people into debt if they are not saving enough. A disciplined savings structure is designed to prevent that.
During these working years, emotional decision-making is another major risk. Market volatility, headlines and short-term noise can tempt investors to make reactive moves that undermine long-term plans. When the financial “house” is in order with a clear savings structure, adequate liquidity and a long-term strategy, it becomes easier to stay patient and avoid decisions driven by fear or excitement.
Ages 70–90+: Protect What You Built
In retirement, the focus shifts from accumulation to preservation, but the need for growth remains. Rising healthcare costs and inflation can significantly erode purchasing power over time, even for those who have saved well.
At this stage, it is important to strike a balance between liquidity and long-term growth. Holding too much in cash can quietly reduce real wealth as prices rise, while ignoring inflation risk can undermine decades of disciplined planning.
We often see retirees fall into two broad categories:
Those who have more than enough but risk harming their heirs’ outcomes through poor planning.
Those who need to stay invested to sustain their lifestyles and keep pace with rising costs.
In both cases, the objective is the same: remain intentional and disciplined. Decisions around portfolio structure, spending and risk tolerance should all be anchored to clear goals and an understanding of the full financial picture.
Maintaining a strong network of financial, legal and tax professionals also becomes especially important later in life. This is not the stage for guesswork. Coordinated advice can help ensure that investment strategies, estate plans and tax planning remain aligned.
Wealth Management Is a Continuous Process
Across every generation, one theme holds: wealth management is not a single event. It is a continuous process.
Real wealth is not built or protected through one big move, investment, inheritance or market rally. It is the result of many disciplined decisions over time, beginning with early financial education, continuing through consistent saving and measured risk-taking during working years, and extending into thoughtful preservation and planning in retirement.
At Fratarcangeli Wealth Management, our team takes a 360-degree approach to each client’s financial portfolio. That means looking beyond investments to consider insurance, estate planning, tax strategies and liquidity needs, and ensuring all of those pieces work together in support of clients’ long-term objectives.
The stages of life may change, but the fundamentals do not: clear habits, disciplined structures and a long-term mindset remain the backbone of successful wealth management at every age.
Jeffrey Fratarcangeli and Fratarcangeli Wealth Management do not provide tax or legal advice.
Securities offered through Thurston Springer Financial, a registered Broker-Dealer (Member FINRA & SIPC). Investment advisory services offered through Thurston Springer Advisors, a SEC-Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance products offered through Thurston Springer Financial, an Indiana Insurance Agency.
The information contained herein constitutes general information and is not directed to, designed for, or individually tailored to, any particular investor or potential investor. This is not intended to be a client-specific suitability or best interest analysis or recommendation, an offer to participate in any investment, or a recommendation to buy, hold or sell securities.