We often make assumptions daily, such as “the grass is always greener on the other side” or “if you ignore a problem, it will go away.” We know the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and that ignoring a problem won’t make it disappear. There are also common financial assumptions you might be [...]
Is Your Portfolio Highly Correlated with the Market? – Part 1
Stock Portfolio by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images The more closely your investment portfolio resembles the stock market, the more likely your portfolio will produce results similar to the market. In finance, this concept is known as correlation, which is a measure of how a group of investments moves in value compared [...]
Cash Reserve in Retirement
Do you keep a spare tire in your car? You hope you will never have to use it, but it is good to know it is there in case you have an emergency with a flat tire. The same can be said of a cash reserve in retirement – you would rather not dip into [...]
Long Term Investment Truths Part 2
In Long-Term Investment Truths Part 2, we aim to highlight some of the strategic aspects long-term investors should consider. While there are several aspects to consider when investing for the long-term, we’ve limited the scope of this letter to some of the most common items we’ve seen investors overlook. Long-Term Investment Truths: Part II • [...]
Long Term Investment Truths Part 1
We believe a long-term investment philosophy is key to creating and preserving wealth. While many investors claim to be “long-term” oriented, many of these self-proclaimed long-term investors act as anything but when things get tough. After all, it’s human nature to doubt ourselves; especially when things don’t go as smoothly as anticipated. Endless warnings from [...]
Pension Lump-Sum vs. Annuity: Which to Choose?
One of the questions we often get from our clients is, “Should we take the lump-sum option or the annual payments when receiving distributions from our company pension plan?” Just like deciding whether to “buy or rent”, there are several factors in play in determining the best course of action. Let’s first go over these [...]
Inflation and Retirement
Inflation – even minor inflation – reduces purchasing power over time. Like the famed economist Milton Friedman once said, it's the hidden tax that creeps up on us because it is not legislated. Inflation slowly reduces the dollar's value, meaning each dollar will buy less and less. Many people look to the Bureau of Labor [...]
How To Select A Financial Advisor
Types of Financial Advisors (and which ones you should avoid) Types of Advisors Before beginning your search, it is essential to understand the difference between financial professionals, many of which may be called "financial advisors." We've all gone to the doctor's office, but just because they are in the business of medically healing patients, not [...]
Sequence of Returns Risk
When buying a home, you probably know many potential risks, such as the risk your home will go down in value over time or the risk that your home will require a lot of maintenance after purchase. In the same way, knowledgeable investors are aware that investing in the capital markets presents any number of [...]
Learning from Biases and How They Affect Our Financial Choices
“Men willingly believe what they wish.” – Julius Caesar The Roman Emperor Julius Caesar was alluding to bias, which happens when individuals process information around them and then stick to their preconceived ideas. Bias can happen in financial matters too, and even the most seasoned investors are subject to them. When dealing with emotions, investors are [...]









