Improving Investor Behavior: When the dollar buys less, tell me about this news in (https://www.denverpost.com/2026/09/20/improving-investor-behavior-when-the-dollar-buys-less-steve-booren/)

In this commentary from his Improving Investor Behavior series in The Denver Post, financial advisor Steve Booren addresses the erosion of purchasing power caused by inflationwhat happens when the dollar buys less over timeand how investors should adjust their mindset and strategy to combat it.

Key takeaways and themes from the article include:

• The Reality of Inflation and Longevity: As lifespans increase, retirements last longer. If an investor’s income does not grow faster than inflation, they are slowly losing real wealth and purchasing power. The subtle danger of inflation is that prices for essentialssuch as healthcare, housing, and foodcontinue to rise, while flat incomes fail to keep pace.

• The Trap of “Fixed” Income Safety: Investors often shift heavily into cash or fixed-income assets as they age because fixed yields feel safe and stable. However, when fixed returns lag behind inflation, these holdings guarantee a loss in real purchasing power over multi-year horizons.

• Focusing on Growing Income Over Capital Balances: Booren emphasizes looking beyond the emotional fluctuations of total account balances. What ultimately sustains retirement is cash flow. He highlights dividend-growing equities and productive businesses that possess the pricing power to increase earnings and payouts over time, helping income outpace the rising cost of living.

• Behavioral Discipline and Avoiding Market Timing: Trying to time market swings or reacting emotionally to daily headlines often leads to selling quality assets low or sitting on the sidelines in cash. The article advocates adhering to a structured, long-term financial plan designed to generate rising income rather than making reactive decisions based on short-term fear.