Hello friends!

This week, we’ll update you on the supply chain issues we’ve discussed in the past. Then, we’ll talk about listening to audiobooks to boost motivation.

It’s only October, but companies like Nike and Costco are warning shoppers to buy winter holiday gifts now, as supply chain problems continue to disrupt product availability. Costco is struggling to find trucks, drivers, and shipping containers to get products like toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies to the stores — meaning it’s reimposing limits on how much people can buy.

Nike is also experiencing issues thanks to the global supply chain problems and has cut its inventory and revenue forecast for the foreseeable future. Most of their factories are in Vietnam, where lockdowns have closed 80% of its shoe plants and nearly half of its apparel plants. So getting your hands on Nike gear is going to become much more challenging going forward.

For a large number of companies, shipping is slowed down by congestion at ports and railways in Asia and North America. So even products that can be made are taking much longer to reach their destinations.

The bottom line is: plan ahead and don’t panic-buy large quantities of items, which only makes the situation worse.

For gifts for yourself or others that don’t have to be shipped, audiobooks are great! We found a terrific list of audiobooks that will motivate you to clean up, feel better, and make your dreams happen. Some of our favorites from this list include Glennon Doyle’s Untamed, which helps you chart a path to living authentically; Nine Lies About Work, which inspires us to think differently about, well, work; and Atomic Habits, which is all about how to develop good habits and ditch the bad ones.

If you don’t have a subscription to Audible or something similar, remember that with your public library membership, you can get the Libby app from Overdrive for free and listen to audiobooks you virtually “check out” from your library.

What are you listening to these days? We love recommendations!

Here’s to hoping everyone has a great weekend — we’ll be back with you next week.

How We Help

We work with a married couple who worked with us on developing a financial plan three years ago. Their circumstances changed, including purchasing more investment property. Now, we’re looking at all of the changing factors involved and at their short and middle-term goals to see if they can still reach their ideal retirement goals. The couple is staggering their retirements starting in three years, so we’re taking a look at whether owning more investment properties during retirement will be beneficial for them. If you’re interested in how we can help you plan for your own retirement as things in your life change, give us a call.

Advisory Services offered through Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions, LLC. Securities are offered through Triad Advisors, member FINRA/SIPC. Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions, LLC, and Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions, Inc, are not affiliated with Triad Advisors.