Giving Thanks

Like so many aspects of 2020, Thanksgiving will look different.  Health concerns or travel limitations mean the crowds around dinner tables will be smaller than usual at many gatherings.  Many of us will exchange greetings over video conference rather than in person.  While these circumstances present challenges and disappointment, we will still take time to…

Stocks VS Economy

Rising stock prices and atrocious economic statistics might seem like they don’t fit together.  It seems like economic activity should impact company profits.  The truth is economic activity does impact company profits, but stock investors are looking toward future profits and economic stats we see in the news reflect what’s already happened.  To use an…

Staying the Course in a Turbulent Market

We don’t enjoy checking the morning news to hear “stocks will likely open lower this morning (again)”.  We’re invested alongside our clients, so we’re seeing the same impact on our retirement savings.  That being said, market pullbacks are a normal part of stock trading patterns.  There will be stretches where the market trends downward.  Those…

Simplify Your Financial Life: Make a Bucket List

This is the most elegant explanation of prudent investment management I’ve ever heard, and it came from Steve Adell.  It’s called “The Bucket List”. The idea is to categorize your investment money into three simple buckets which are based on intended use: Cash, Fixed Income, and Growth.  You fill the buckets in order. Bucket #1:…

Stay Away from These Troubles in College

Before we begin, let’s start with the general understanding that money itself has a cost.  It sounds strange to those who are not in the financial world, but a dollar borrowed from one source may be more expensive than a dollar borrowed from another source. If you borrow a dollar from a friend (pay them…