You Have to Invest-So What is Your Risk Tolerance? Dr. Nicole B. Simpson CFP®, CEO and President of Harvest Wealth Financial, delivers a powerful and necessary final conversation on retirement investing for individuals earning a W-2 income. In this episode, she moves beyond contributions and explains the most misunderstood step in retirement planning, how to actually invest the money you are setting aside on the job.
Dr. Simpson opens by reminding viewers that standing on business also means minding your own financial foundation. She invites the community to engage directly with her work, ask real questions, and seek clear answers rooted in strategy, not speculation. As she continues her nationwide tour, her message remains focused on equipping people with practical tools they can use right now.
This episode centers on the investment portion of employer sponsored retirement plans such as 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth contributions. Dr. Simpson explains that every company plan is managed by professionals and that workers have the right and responsibility to ask questions, speak to advisors, and understand where their money is being invested. Retirement is not passive. Your money must work for you.
She introduces the concept of risk tolerance and explains it in plain language. Risk tolerance is not about chasing returns. It is about understanding what level of market movement you can handle emotionally and financially while still sleeping well at night. She emphasizes that managing money in alignment with your risk tolerance is essential for long term success.
For younger workers, Dr. Simpson explains why growth focused strategies matter. She addresses a common fear among younger professionals, the desire to avoid all risk. She clarifies that avoiding market risk entirely creates another danger, inflation. Using real world examples like rising food prices and rent, she explains how money that does not grow loses purchasing power over time. Protecting your money without allowing it to grow still exposes you to risk.
Dr. Simpson urges viewers to understand that inflation is real and ongoing. A dollar today will not buy the same goods and services ten, twenty, or thirty years from now. Your retirement investments must at least keep pace with the cost of living if you want long term stability.
She then speaks directly to Black and Brown communities, emphasizing ownership, education, and intentional participation in financial systems. She explains that many people jump into the market too late and exit too early because they do not fully understand how investing works. This leads to frustration and mistrust of the market rather than informed decision making.
Dr. Simpson walks through different portfolio types including conservative, balanced, growth and income, growth, and aggressive growth portfolios. She explains how age, time horizon, and retirement goals influence where someone may fall within that mix. If retirement is decades away, long term investing matters. Long term does not mean three to five years. Long term means five years and beyond, often much longer depending on when you started working.
She emphasizes that retirement timelines are personal. If you cannot access retirement funds until at least age 59 and a half, then your investment horizon must reflect that reality. The earlier you start, the more flexibility and opportunity you have.
Dr. Simpson encourages every worker to complete a risk tolerance assessment by contacting their retirement plan provider and speaking with a qualified advisor. A good advisor helps align your goals, dreams, timeline, and comfort level with the appropriate investment strategy. Whether you need more growth or more protection depends on how much time you have and how much volatility you can manage.
This episode is foundational for anyone who says they want to be financially free. Dr. Simpson makes it clear that financial freedom is not accidental. It is built through clarity, education, and informed action. Standing on business means taking responsibility for how your money is invested and why.
This conversation is essential viewing for anyone serious about retirement planning, wealth building, and long term financial empowerment.
