Investment Insights – The Financial Puzzle Playbook

Behavioral Economics in Investing: Mastering Your Financial Mindset with Matt Sommer (Ep. 26)

By The Financial Puzzle Playbook | May 21, 2025

What happens when the stock market takes a wild ride?

Join Jim Sumpter and special guest Matt Sommer, a seasoned strategist with Janus Henderson Investors, as they unpack market volatility, exploring how emotions and mindsets impact financial decisions and investments.

Listen as they dive into the complexities of investments with a focus on retirement planning and the emotional nuances that come with market fluctuations. Matt shares his insights into how investors can better understand and navigate the ups and downs without losing sight of their long-term goals.

Key Topics Discussed:

Understanding Market Indices: Discover the relevance of the S&P 500 and why it might not be the only index to watch. (00:06:05)
Investment Strategies Across Life Stages: How market volatility affects different life stages from wealth accumulation to distribution. (00:12:37)
Behavioral Economics and Decision Making: Explore how the brain’s decision-making processes influence investing habits. (00:18:58)
The Importance of Comprehensive Financial Planning: Comprehensive planning goes beyond stocks and bonds. (00:27:28)

Resources:

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Connect with Jim Sumpter:

Connect with Matt Sommer:

About Matt Sommer:

Matt Sommer is Head of the Specialist Consulting Group at Janus Henderson Investors. His team is composed of subject matter experts in retirement planning, wealth advisory, practice management, and investment strategy. Together, they deliver practical insights and actionable guidance that advisors can apply to grow their businesses and better serve their clients.

Before stepping into this leadership role in 2023, Matt served as Head of Defined Contribution and Wealth Advisor Services at Janus Henderson. He was also the firm’s lead researcher in behavioral finance and served as a wealth strategist.

Before joining Janus in 2010, Matt spent 17 years at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and its predecessor firms, Citi Global Wealth Management and Smith Barney, where he held leadership positions, including Director of Financial Planning and Director of Retirement Planning.

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The Financial Puzzle Playbook is ONE! (Ep. 24)

By The Financial Puzzle Playbook | April 25, 2025

What does a year of piecing together financial puzzles look like?

Join Jim Sumpter as he marks a milestone—the anniversary of The Financial Puzzle Playbook—by walking us through a year of engaging conversations and relatable insights. Featured guests have contributed rich stories across various financial topics like the emotional impact of investments, essential estate planning, and navigating milestones like weddings with a financial lens. From the emotional side of money management to practical advice on navigating market changes, this episode offers a holistic view on lifetime financial planning, ensuring you’re well-armed for the future.

Jim Sumpter recaps:

[00:01:05] The concept of crafting financial plans as puzzles, the importance of cash flow, and investment strategy.
[00:05:52] Diversifying investment portfolios and understanding financial products.
[00:09:09] Insightful take on life changes and financial implications, from personal anecdotes to expert guests.
[00:18:10] The significance of estate planning and how life events can alter financial strategies.