A five-year window can make or break a lifetime of saving, and that’s exactly where we focus with fiduciary advisor Colby McFadden of Quiver Financial. When your 30-year investing horizon suddenly compresses to five, the playbook must change—growth still matters, but risk, sequence of returns, and reliable income matter even more. Colby breaks down the “retirement red zone,” the period when market losses sting the hardest, and shares how to build a portfolio that protects cash flow without abandoning upside.

We explore two stubborn myths that derail investors: the “get rich quick” fantasy that tempts younger savers and the “all cash, no risk” reflex that can harm older investors facing longer lifespans and rising medical costs. Colby’s journey—from selling ads and learning from a grandmother’s simple stock tip to being mentored into the advisory world—grounds the conversation in real-life lessons about discipline, goals, and outcomes. He also pulls back the curtain on modern marketing for financial advisors, explaining why scale dominates digital channels and why substance beats slick production when choosing a guide.

Using a surfing analogy, Colby explains how to match tools to conditions: assess the environment, define your needs, then pick the right “board” from a quiver of strategies—dividend stocks, quality bonds, cash buckets, buffered ETFs, and rules-based rebalancing. The goal is simple: retire with confidence, fund your lifestyle, and sleep well through market storms. If you’re five years from retirement—or already there—this conversation offers practical steps to protect against downturns while staying invested for the growth you still need.

For more information regarding Wealth Management and Retirement Planning please visit quiverfinancial.com