From the Desk (and Dog Walks) of Dane Czaplicki, CEO & CIO of Members’ Wealth

"Life is difficult."
That’s how M. Scott Peck begins The Road Less Traveled. It’s a blunt truth. But one that, once accepted, somehow becomes less oppressive. Because when we stop expecting ease, we start engaging with what matters.

This morning, while walking my dog and listening to an audiobook, I revisited that truth—and it got me thinking not just about life, leadership, and fatherhood, but about the complexities of investing and financial planning.

In a world obsessed with hot takes and headline noise, I often get asked, “What do you think is going to happen next?” The honest answer? No one knows. Not with certainty. Not in the short term. And yet, as CIO, I’m expected to have a pulse on markets, geopolitics, inflation, interest rates, elections, Elon, and whatever else breaks the news cycle by 9:00 a.m.

Early in my career, I read The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. No, it didn’t make me want to stop working (I love what I do). But it did spark a shift. At the time, I was reading the Wall Street Journal cover to cover each morning. Ferriss challenged readers to stop consuming the news entirely—arguing that if something was truly important, you’d hear about it.

So I tried it.
And I replaced headlines with books.

That single shift reshaped how I think and how I lead. It didn’t mean I stopped staying informed. It meant I started filtering. I focused less on the noise and more on the signal. Less on daily drama, more on timeless wisdom.

As CIO of Members’ Wealth, I monitor the impact of news on the markets—but not necessarily the news itself. Why? Because I’ve seen it all before: presidential politics, trade wars, actual wars, interest rate shocks, corporate fraud, social unrest, tech bubbles, and global pandemics. The details change, but the cycles repeat.

The biggest risk isn’t being unaware—it’s overreacting.

That’s why I “gave up” the dream of being a full-time trader, stock picker, or hedge fund manager. It wasn’t the lifestyle I wanted. That constant obsession with every tick and headline? It’s a recipe for burnout. And more importantly, it rarely delivers better outcomes.

What I’ve found instead is a deeper calling:
To build a service-first firm that helps families preserve and grow wealth through disciplined planning—not short-term speculation.

Yes, I may not always know what Elon tweeted or what the latest CPI whisper number is. But I do know how to:

✅ Build tax-efficient portfolios
✅ Manage risk through structure, not guesswork
✅ Help families align money with their values
✅ Stay steady when others are panicking
✅ Zoom out when the world tells you to zoom in

That’s our job. And we take it seriously.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the headlines—or worried that you’re missing something—know this:

The goal isn’t to predict the future.
The goal is to prepare for it.

📩 Let’s talk about how to align your portfolio with your life—not the news cycle.

Investment strategies, including rebalancing, do not guarantee improved performance and involve risk, including potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. 
All information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy, reliability or completeness of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information and it should not be relied on as such.

About the Author

Dane Czaplicki, CFA®

Dane Czaplicki is CEO of Members’ Wealth, a boutique wealth management firm that offers a comprehensive approach to serving individuals, families, business owners, and institutions. The firm’s goal is to preserve and grow its clients’ wealth to endure over time, while thoughtfully evolving its strategy to suit an ever-changing world. With over 20 years of wealth management experience, Dane and the Members' Wealth team thrive on bringing clarity and confidence to clients' unique situations. He believes everyone needs sound financial advice from someone whose interests are aligned with theirs, and is determined to put service before all else.

Dane received his MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and his bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University. Outside work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, hiking and camping, reading, running, and playing with his dog. To learn more about Dane, connect with him on LinkedIn.

To get in touch with the Members’ Wealth team today, I invite you to email info@memberswealthllc.com or call (267) 367-5453. 

You can learn more about how we serve our clients by tapping the button below.

Investment advisory services are offered through Members’ Wealth, LLC., a Registered Investment Advisory Firm.

Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. We are an independent advisory firm helping individuals achieve their financial needs and goals

Members’ Wealth does not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisors before taking any action that may have tax consequences.

This commentary reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints and analyses of the Members’ Wealth, LLC employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by Members’ Wealth, LLC or performance returns of any Members’ Wealth, LLC client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice. Nothing in this commentary constitutes investment advice, performance data or any recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Members’ Wealth, LLC manages its clients’ accounts using a variety of investment techniques and strategies, which are not necessarily discussed in the commentary. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results

Copyright © 2023 Members' Wealth LLC