Phoenix Financial Planner: ‘The best thing to do would just be patient’ when investing for retirement

Phoenix financial planner Zach Holly said investors should focus on long-term discipline and avoid reacting to short-term economic noise, emphasizing that patience remains one of the most important factors in building wealth over time.

“The best thing to do would just be patient if you have quality investments and somebody watching over your investments for you,” Holly said on the Phoenix Business Brief Podcast. “The stock market is where patient people go to take money from the impatient.”

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Holly, a certified financial planner and independent operator with Osaic Wealth, said one of the most common mistakes he sees is individuals staying on the sidelines due to political or economic uncertainty rather than consistently investing over time.

“It’s letting political pressure and other economic pressures keep you on the sideline and waiting, trying to time the market,” Holly said. “There’s no way to time the market. It’s all about the time your money spends in the market.”

He said starting early can significantly reduce the amount individuals need to save each month to reach long-term goals, citing the impact of compound growth over decades. For younger investors, Holly said even modest, consistent contributions can make a substantial difference later in life.

Holly also highlighted the importance of tailoring financial strategies to different life stages, helping younger clients focus on growth while assisting older clients in balancing growth with income replacement in retirement. He works with retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs, including plans for small business owners who may not have employer-sponsored options.

On tax strategy, Holly said diversification across taxable and tax-advantaged accounts can provide flexibility in retirement, depending on an individual’s current income and future expectations.

“Diversifying your tax situation now and diversifying it later on in retirement is a great way to do things,” he said.

Holly cautioned against speculative investment trends, including certain high-risk assets and emerging betting-style platforms, noting that disciplined, long-term strategies remain the most reliable path to financial stability.

He also emphasized that it is never too late to begin saving for retirement, even if individuals start later in life.

“If someone has a nest egg come retirement time… it’s still so much better than just trying to live off social security,” Holly said.

Holly has worked in financial planning for more than a decade and recently transitioned to operating independently, which he said allows him to focus solely on client interests as a fiduciary.