Blog

Through September of this year, the S&P 500 had a total return of 8.34%.  From 1926 through 2013, this widely-regarded US large company index has boasted an average annual total return of just north of 10% according to Morningstar data.  CNBC recently highlighted that the S&P posted fourth quarter gains of 2.5%, on average, since 1946 in mid-term election years…which we find ourselves in today. ...

Like most people, I did not enter adulthood with much Wall Street savvy.  I had very limited knowledge of stocks or bonds, let alone more complicated investment vehicles.  What I absorbed from my parents example was: work for what you need, spend less than you make, avoid debt, seek value in everything you buy, give regularly, but don’t lend to others with an expectation of seeing any return (it ruins...

A couple years ago, a friend and leader in our industry,Brent Brodeski, the CEO of Savant Capital Management, suggested I pick up a copy of Simon Sinek’s book, Start with Why.  While I am not an avid reader (though the thought is very appealing!), this is a book I couldn’t put down and over the past 36 months, I have referred to it over and over again.  The...

A question we hear frequently from physicians concerns the details around what are commonly known as “alternative” investments.  Derivatives, options, hedge funds, gold, master limited partnerships, junk bonds, and the list goes on.  Investors are intrigued by the potential reward they believe these investments offer.  The marketing stories for these vehicles seem strong and often suggest “can’t-miss” type opportunities; they play on our greed. Another question that ranks near the top...

Ebola, Ukraine, ISIS, Syria, our dysfunctional Congress, border control, Afghanistan, natural disasters, Iraq, North Korea, China, Russia.  Feeling good about the world we live in today?  Probably not much, if any, better than when we compiled a similar list a few years ago.  Greece, the Fiscal cliff, jobs, China, North Korea, H1N1, Iraq, Sequester, housing crisis, Afghanistan, recession, Iran.  Neither list is all-inclusive, nor would it ever end if we...

The US Supreme Court recently ruled unanimously that INHERITED IRA’s are NOT protected in bankruptcy court!  Time to review your estate plans… https://www.forbes.com/sites/jayadkisson/2014/06/12/inherited-ira-not-exempt-from-creditors-in-bankruptcy-says-sotomayor/  ...

Like most of us, every year at this time I reflect back on the events of September 11, 2001.  I’m sure most of us remember exactly where we were at when we heard the news.  I remember watching hours of TV coverage and the emotions that came with that.  It’s hard to believe that was 13 years ago. Do you happen to remember what the S&P 500 was valued at the...

Job one of your financial advisor is to stand between you and “The Big Mistake”.  In a Morningstar article entitled, “Job One” (click here for the full article) Carl Richards talks about what he calls “The Big Mistake” and how those are all but impossible to recover from. Most investors can afford to make small mistakes, such as using a small portion of their account to try day-trading or investing...

I love the stock market.  I also love biking, running, triathlons, coaching my kids, snow and water skiing, traveling, hanging out with my friends, and coffee.  Four years ago, I had a conversation with a client who was fully convinced the sky was falling and another HUGE correction was imminent!  So, he pulled out of his very-balanced portfolio and put almost 100% of his money in bonds and cash.  My...