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History Over Headlines

Perspective is in increasingly short supply right now. Business news and market commentary is ever focused on urgency. But good investor behavior requires thinking long-term, staying grounded, and resisting the belief that daily market machinations are important enough to warrant changes.
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We Plan For This

Gut check: How have you been over the past month? When my last column was published a scant four weeks ago, markets were knocking on the door of all-time highs, and the overall feeling was one of cautious optimism. A lot can change in four weeks.
charlie munger
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A Study in Curiosity, Simplicity, and Gratitude

On occasion, someone pursues a deeper understanding of what drives markets and investors. Charlie Munger, the late vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett’s lifelong business partner was one of them.
President Harry S Truman meeting with former president Herbert Hoover, 1946.

An Investment in Efficiency

The Trump administration is set to kick off a series of policy moves focused on, among many things, reducing government waste. It’s not surprising to see a renewed focus on our government’s and politicians’ extravagant spending, especially…
clock on mantle
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We Planned for This

With the holidays rapidly approaching, I find late December is a great time for family, friends, festivities, and a little reflection. The end of 2024 marks an important milestone: The first quarter of this century is now behind us. If you’re…
japanese restaurant

Debt Pulls Your Future Forward (at a Cost)

Japan has 140 businesses that are more than 500 years old — operating around twice as long as the oldest companies in the United States. Nineteen of their businesses claim to have existed since the first millennium. Let that sink in for a…
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Planning for Lasting Inflation

If you’ve been to a grocery store lately, the announcement from the Federal Reserve last week should not have been surprising: inflation seems to be sticky. While some progress has been made in reducing the inflation rate, prices remain elevated…
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Finding Financial Happiness, Part 2

Last month we discussed how Americans are still overwhelmingly dissatisfied with their finances, despite record net worth and increased income. That conversation focused on spending, and how increased inflation in housing, groceries and other…
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Finding Financial Happiness, Part 1

Every three years, the Federal Reserve publishes a report about the finances of US families. Based on data and interviews, the triennial “Survey of Consumer Finances,” “…collects information about family income, net worth, balance sheet…
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Don’t Overthink It

With January behind us, how are your New Year’s resolutions going? Mid-February is typically when gym attendance returns to normal, as people remember how hard it is to maintain healthy habits. But goals aren’t limited to the gym; many make…
Rock Pile

My Four-Initiative Plan for Client Service in 2024

As we traverse into 2024, it's that time of the year again where our fridges get filled with salad, gyms see a spike in memberships, and our savings accounts (we promise this time) will hold more than just dust. Yes, you guessed it right, it's…
coffee and pad of paper
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45 Years, 25 Lessons

A few weeks ago I attended the retirement party of someone I’ve called a dear friend for over 49 years. Long ago, we were both young financial advisors chasing similar career paths. We even migrated to independent businesses around the same…
historic portraits

Learn From the Past; But Don’t Be Bound By It

Understanding our past is akin to peering into a mirror, reflecting not just the events that have transpired, but the choices and the intricacies of human nature that have woven the tapestry of our history. The lessons we glean from our past…
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Hold Strong Beliefs Loosely

In Streetlights and Shadows, Gary Klein posits that while procedures and rules provide structure and predictability, they can also inadvertently undermine expertise by stifling the very spontaneity and intuition that often lead to innovative…
friends in a field

Never Compromise Your Values: A Financial Perspective

"When your values are clear, your decisions are easy." This quote from renowned financial advisor, Bill Bachrach, serves as a cornerstone in the world of personal finance. At first glance, it may seem like another inspirational quote, but its…