Blog
On our blog we will be sharing thoughts on how to better align the use of capital with what is important. This is done in our blog by exploring the Hyperion FORMula pillars: wealth management, risk management, tax planning, legacy planning, cash management, and philanthropy and connecting those pillars to family, occupation and recreation.
Monday: Market Insights - market recaps and economic news in the US and international
Tuesday: Intersection of life and money - behavioral finance topics
Wednesday: Financial Planning topics within the Hyperion FORMula pillar - wealth management, risk management, tax planning, legacy planning, cash management, and philanthropy
Thursday: Investing Principles - through visuals and illustrations
Monday Market Insights September 25th 2023
In the markets: The major U.S. equity benchmarks finished the week in the red as investors reacted to hawkish forecasts from the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting and rising U.S. Treasury yields. The Dow Jones...
Read MoreGrace Extended
Introduction: In our fast-paced and often self-centered world, the concept of "Grace Extended" serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact of grace in our lives. This simple yet powerful graphic, represented as a bar chart,...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights September 18th 2023
In the markets: The major equity indexes finished the week mixed with value stocks leading the market as U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate oil prices rose above $90 per barrel for the first time since November...
Read MoreBetween You and the Big Mistake
Introduction: In the complex world of finance, navigating the path to financial security and success can often feel like tiptoeing through a minefield. The graphic "Between You and the Big Mistake" paints a vivid picture of the...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights September 11th 2023
In the markets: Good news for the economy remains bad news for the stock market as stocks closed lower over the holiday-shortened week. Growth stocks fared better than value shares, and large caps outperformed...
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Monday Market Insights September 4th 2023
In the markets: Positive signs on the inflation front helped the major benchmarks finish the week with solid gains. Smaller-cap stocks outperformed, narrowing their significant year-to-date gap with large-caps. The...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights August 28th 2023
In the markets: The major stock benchmarks ended the week mixed as investors reacted to conflicting signals on the economy and the course of monetary policy. Growth stocks outperformed value, while financial stocks...
Read MoreDecoding Debt Management: Understanding Financial Ratios for Financial Health
While financial ratios offer invaluable insights into debt management, each individual's financial situation is unique. Your needs, goals, and risk tolerance are specific to you. While financial ratios provide a framework, it's crucial to
Read MoreMoving Beyond the Math
The "Moving Beyond the Math" graphic serves as a powerful reminder that financial planning should extend beyond the realm of spreadsheets and monetary goals. It encourages us to place relationships, community, and the true meaning of wealth
Read MoreMonday Market Insights August 21st 2023
In the markets: The major stock benchmarks ended the week broadly lower as sentiment appeared to take a blow from a sharp increase in longer-term bond yields and fears of an economic slowdown in China. The...
Read MoreThe Insightful World of Cash Flow Statements
The Family Cash Flow Statement is a powerful tool that empowers families to make informed financial decisions. By providing a comprehensive view of income sources and tracking expenses, families can optimize their finances, set and achieve
Read More"Goals Plans Investments Repeat": A Simplified Path to Financial Success
The "Goals Plans Investments Repeat" graphic presents a distilled yet powerful framework for financial success. It underscores the importance of clear goal-setting, informed planning, strategic investing, and the iterative nature of
Read MoreMonday Market Insights August 14th 2023
In the markets: The major benchmarks ended the week mixed as investors weighed inflation data against worries over the recent rise in long-term interest rates. Value stocks handily outperformed growth stocks. The...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Statement of Financial Position: A Crucial Tool for Financial Planning
The Statement of Financial Position is a powerful tool that offers a comprehensive overview of an individual's or a company's financial position. Its key components, assets, liabilities, and equity, provide crucial insights into financial h
Read More"Talk vs. Do" in Financial Planning: Taking Action Towards Financial Success
In the realm of financial planning, many individuals find themselves caught in a perpetual loop of discussions and intentions without making tangible progress. They talk about financial goals, dream of achieving prosperity, and discuss pote
Read MoreMonday Market Insights August 7th 2023
In the markets: The major U.S. equity benchmarks started the month in the red after closing out a strong July. Stocks declined amid rising Treasury yields and an unexpected downgrade to the U.S. government’s...
Read MoreAchieving Financial Freedom: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Financial Planning Process
The financial planning process, guided by the CFP Board standards, is a comprehensive journey that empowers clients to achieve their financial dreams and aspirations. By establishing a strong client-planner relationship, gathering crucial d
Read MoreFear and Fuel
The graphic "Fear and Fuel" serves as a poignant reminder of the dynamic balance between fear and ambition in financial planning. It illustrates how acknowledging and addressing fears while harnessing the power of fuel can lead to informed,
Read MoreMonday Market Insights July 31st 2023
In the markets: Stocks ended the week higher notable for the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s notching its 13th consecutive daily gain on Wednesday, which marked its longest winning streak since 1987. The...
Read MoreA Comprehensive Guide to the Financial Planning Process: Securing Your Future
In today's fast-paced and uncertain world, financial planning has become an essential tool for individuals and families seeking to secure their financial future. Whether you are a young professional just starting your career or a...
Read MoreThe Circle of Wisdom
The Circle of Wisdom: In the realm of financial planning, the intersection of knowledge and action forms the cornerstone of success. Understanding how to effectively navigate the complexities of personal finance requires not only...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights July 24th 2023
In the markets: Most of the major U.S. equity indexes finished the week in the green on hopes that the tight labor market and moderating inflation would help the economy avoid a ‘hard landing’. The Dow...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights July 17th 2023
In the markets: Stocks recorded a week of strong gains, as investors welcomed data showing a continued cooldown in inflation. The S&P 500 Index ended the week 6.50% below the all-time intraday high it established in...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights July 10th 2023
In the markets: Stocks closed lower in a generally quiet week with investors awaiting the release of second-quarter earnings reports. Growth stocks held up modestly better than value shares. The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreYour Values –> Your Spending
Why is it that our initial relationship with money is often a negative one? From an early age, we are taught to view money as something to be controlled and restricted. The prevailing mindset...
Read MoreUnraveling the Mystery: Why Do I Owe Taxes This Year?
Unraveling the Mystery: Why Do I Owe Taxes This Year? Welcome to our blog, your trusted source for demystifying the complexities of personal finance and taxation. In this edition, we tackle a common question that often leaves taxpayers...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights July 3rd 2023
In the markets: Positive growth and inflation surprises helped the major benchmarks round out a solid quarter on a high note, with the S&P 500 Index recording its best weekly gain since the end of March. The rally...
Read MoreUnlocking the Benefits: Understanding Tax Write-Offs
Welcome to our blog, your go-to resource for unraveling the mysteries of personal finance. In this edition, we shed light on the concept of tax write-offs and how they can significantly impact your financial well-being. Join us as we dive i
Read MoreMonday Market Insights June 26th 2023
In the markets: The major benchmarks closed lower in a holiday-shortened week. The Nasdaq Composite suffered its first weekly decline in two months, while the S&P 500 Index recorded its first drop in six weeks....
Read MoreDemystifying Federal Withholdings: What You Need to Know
Welcome to our blog, where we unravel the complexities of personal finance and taxation. In this edition, we delve into the realm of federal withholdings. Understanding these intricacies can empower you to take control of your...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights June 19th 2023
In the markets: Favorable data on the inflation front appeared to have helped stocks continue the rally that began in late May. The benchmark S&P 500 index notched its longest stretch of daily gains since November...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights June 12th 2023
In the markets: Stocks closed modestly higher in a week of subdued trading ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting and rate announcement on Wednesday this week. Notably, the benchmark S&P 500 officially...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights June 5th 2023
In the markets: The major benchmarks ended the week with solid gains, with the S&P 500 index touching its highest intraday level since mid-August of 2022. The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite notched its sixth...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights May 29th 2023
In the markets: The major benchmarks ended the week mixed as investors watched carefully for signs of progress in negotiations over raising the federal debt ceiling. The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite led the way...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights May 22nd 2023
In the markets: Stocks recorded solid gains for the week, with the benchmark S&P 500 Index breaching the 4,200 level in intraday trading for the first time since late August. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights May 15th 2023
In the markets: The major indexes finished the week mixed as the flow of first-quarter earnings reports neared its end. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite outperformed, while the narrowly focused Dow Jones...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights May 8th 2023
In the markets: Despite a strong rally on Friday, it was a difficult week for U.S. markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 424 points last week finishing at 33,674—a decline of -1.2%. The...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights May 1st 2023
In the markets: Stocks recorded mixed returns as attention focused on the season’s busiest week of quarterly earnings reports. About 35% of S&P 500 Index companies, which together represent 44% of its market...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights April 24th 2023
In the markets: The major benchmarks ended the week mixed as trading volumes were especially light early in the week as investors awaited more earnings news. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ticked down -0.2%...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights April 1 7th 2023
In the markets: The major benchmarks ended the week higher, as investors weighed evidence of slowing growth against signs that inflation pressures were receding a bit more than expected. Materials and...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights April 10th 2023
In the markets: The major equity benchmarks finished predominantly to the downside during the holiday-shortened week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 211 points to 33,485, a gain of 0.6%, while the...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights April 3rd 2023
In the markets: The major equity indexes posted solid gains in a relatively quiet week for economic data releases and financial news. Small-caps outperformed large-caps, and value stocks advanced modestly more than...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights March 27th 2023
In the markets: The major U.S. stock indexes finished the week to the upside as recession worries and stress in the banking sector ebbed a bit. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 376 points last week...
Read MoreReal Financial Advice | Your Life | Markets
Real financial advice only exists at the intersection of what’s going on in your life and what’s going on in the markets and the economy. I can’t believe how often I hear:...
Read MoreWading Through Financial Stability Risks: An Action Plan
The Federal Reserve (Fed) has a history of raising short-term interest rates until something “breaks.” Considering the Fed has raised rates from a near-zero level to 4.75% (upper bound) over the course of only one year, it...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights March 20th 2023
In the markets: U.S. Markets: The major U.S. indexes finished the week mixed reflecting the stresses in the banking sector, worries over an impending recession, and hopes that the Federal Reserve would now be forced to moderate...
Read MoreStress in Banking System
Coming into the week, it was all about Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell’s congressional testimony and the February jobs report. Instead, we got a shockingly fast collapse of a financial institution with over $200 billion in assets,
Read MoreMonday Market Insights March 13th 2023
In the markets: U.S. Markets: U.S. stocks pulled back sharply over the week, after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told congressional committees that he and his fellow policymakers still had work to do in cooling inflation...
Read MoreNo Landing = No Sense
Suggesting an economy makes “no landing” makes no sense. Analogies eventually break down, especially this one. Economic activity does not stop like an airplane eventually does, but rather the economy will settle into a...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights March 6th 2023
In the markets: UU.S. stocks closed higher and recovered some lost ground following their worst weekly decline in two months. Energy and materials shares were especially strong, while utilities lagged. ...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights February 27th 2023
In the markets: U.S. equity markets suffered their biggest decline in over two months as inflation remained entrenched and positive growth numbers meant the Federal Reserve still had work to do. At its close...
Read MoreDebt Ceiling Primer | Weekly Market Commentary | February 27, 2023
Debt Ceiling Primer | Weekly Market Commentary | February 27, 2023LPL Research discusses the debt ceiling and the possibility of Congress raising it later than expected.
Read MoreMonday Market Insights February 20th 2023
In the markets: The major U.S. indexes ended the week mixed as investors weighed some positive economic and earnings reports against worries that inflation may be taking an unfavorable turn. Fears that the...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights February 13th 2023
In the markets: The major U.S. market indexes ended the week lower amid a relatively light week of economic reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average pulled back just 57 points to 33,869, a decline of -0.2%...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights February 6th 2023
In the markets: Most of the major U.S. stock market benchmarks extended their winning streaks into February, helped by some upside surprises in economic data and fourth-quarter earnings reports. The S&P 500...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights January 30th 2023
In the markets: U.S. stocks resumed their winning streak, as investors appeared to welcome economic data that supported hopes of a “soft landing”. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose over 600...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights January 23rd 2023
In the markets: The major U.S. indexes finished the week mixed as recession fears appeared to weigh on sentiment. The narrowly focused Dow Jones Industrial Average performed worst and gave back a portion of...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights January 16th 2023
In the markets: U.S. stocks recorded a second consecutive week of gains as investors weighed key inflation data and the start of the quarterly earnings reporting season. The NASDAQ Composite and...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights January 9th 2023
In the markets: An encouraging U.S. jobs report sparked a rally on Friday that helped 2023 begin on a positive note. All of the major indexes finished the week in the green. The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights January 2nd 2023
In the markets: The major U.S. indexes ended the week lower in a second week of light holiday trading. Consumer staples and materials shares fell the most, while the consumer discretionary sector remained...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights December 26th 2022
In the markets: The major U.S. indexes finished the week mixed in a generally quiet week of holiday season trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 283 points to finish the week at 33,204—an...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights December 19th 2022
In the markets: U.S. stocks pulled back for a second week as fears intensified over rising interest rates. Nearly every sector within the index reported sharp losses with the exception of energy shares. ...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights December 12th 2022
In the markets: U.S. stocks gave back much of their previous two weeks’ gains, as some surprisingly strong economic data dampened hopes that the Federal Reserve might be able to slow or cease its program of...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights December 5th 2022
In the markets: The major U.S. equity indexes ended the week higher, supported by the possibility that the Federal Reserve may slow its pace of interest rate hikes. Growth stocks outperformed their value...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights November 28th 2022
In the markets: The major U.S. stock indexes managed gains during the holiday-shortened week, with the benchmark S&P 500 index finishing above the 4000 level for the first time in two months. The Dow Jones...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights November 21st 2022
In the markets: Most of the major U.S. indexes gave back a portion of last week’s strong gains and closed modestly lower. Growth stocks lagged value-oriented shares and the energy sector underperformed...
Read MoreLife & Money: Next Smallest Step
Reem Kassis, has an amazing story that can teach us a lot about getting things done. Reem grew up in Jerusalem, came to the United States, got an undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania, got a job as a consultant for...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights November 14th 2022
In the markets: The major U.S. indexes recorded strong gains this week as investors celebrated cooler inflation data suggesting the Federal Reserve may slow the pace of interest rate hikes. The benchmark S&P...
Read MoreLife & Money: Talk About Money Try Again
Once upon a time, I sent an email to my newsletter subscribers with a simple question: Is it hard for you to talk about money with your spouse or partner? Most people said yes, but the response I got that really hurt was...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights November 7th 2022
In the markets: Stocks fell after the Federal Reserve dashed market hopes for an impending “pivot” in monetary policy—a slowing or pause in rate hikes. The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite...
Read MoreLife & Money: I Think I See a Pattern
We’re so good at recognizing patterns that we often see them where they don’t even exist. One of my favorite examples of this is some research done by David J. Leinweber at Caltech. Apparently, he figured out how to predict...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights October 31st 2022
In the markets: Major U.S. stock benchmarks managed a second consecutive week of across-the-board gains as investors reacted to a busy calendar of third-quarter earnings reports. The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreLife & Money: Fear and Greed
Most of us make the same mistake with our money over and over: we buy high out of greed and sell low out of fear. Just look at mutual funds. At the top of the market, we can’t buy fast enough. At the bottom, we can’t sell...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights October 24th 2022
In the markets: U.S. stocks regained upward momentum as investors reacted to better-than-expected earnings reports from some prominent companies and hints that the Federal Reserve may moderate its pace of interest...
Read MoreLife & Money: Incremental Change
Real change doesn’t happen all at once. Real change is incremental. I experienced this firsthand when I used to ride road bikes with a semi-competitive group. I remember when I first joined the group, it felt like a big victory if...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights October 17th 2022
In the markets: All but one of the major U.S. indexes were lower this week, as third-quarter earnings reporting season began in earnest and investors weighed inflation data and their implications for Federal Reserve...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights October 10th 2022
In the markets: Stocks ended higher for the first time in four weeks but surrendered most of their gains at the end of the week, when employment data suggested that the economy was not slowing enough to satisfy...
Read MoreLife & Money: Process Versus Outcome
You can make a bad decision and have a good outcome… but that doesn’t make it a good decision.Let me give you an example: There was a guy in his early 20s who sold everything he owned, borrowed some money from friends and...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights October 3rd 2022
In the markets: Turmoil in financial markets in the United Kingdom and hotter-than-expected inflation numbers at home sent stocks to their third consecutive weekly decline. In addition, the yield on the...
Read MoreLife & Money: Expectations Reality
One of the craziest things we do as humans is take the recent past and project it indefinitely into the future. As the news cycle has sped up, this problem has only gotten worse. It used to feel like the “recent past” went...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights September 26th 2022
In the markets: Stocks recorded a second week of large losses after Federal Reserve policymakers revealed they expected official short-term interest rates to continue going sharply higher for longer than market...
Read MoreLife & Money: Your Future Self
One of the big problems with setting goals is that we’re really bad at imagining our future self.Remember what you imagined you’d be as an adult when you were a kid? I’m guessing there are some gaps between that dream...
Read MoreLife & Money: Scary Market Hugs
If you’re worried about the stock market, find someone to give you a hug. That’s right. A hug. It may come as a surprise, but that would actually do most of us some good. When the markets go down and the financial pornography...
Read MoreLife & Money: Try a Media Fast
What if, for one whole week, you did a media fast? You know… like, don’t consume any media at all. No screens, no devices, don’t even pick up a newspaper. No. Media. Period. Is one week too long? Then scratch that….
Read MoreMonday Market Insights September 6th 2022
August was a difficult month for U.S. stocks as all the major benchmarks finished the month in the red. Confidence among the nation’s consumers rose for the first time in four months predominantly due to falling prices at the gas pump.
Read MoreLife & Money: Normal Volatility
Imagine it’s a very still day, and you’re in a boat on the ocean. There’s no wind. No swell. The water is as flat as a mirror. The calm goes on just long enough for you to start to feel like it’s normal. When a small...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights August 29th 2022
The big US Market headline last week was the Fed's short and blunt message "Reducing inflation is likely to require a sustained period of below-trend growth". The markets took a dive on Friday in response. We also talk about international
Read MoreLife & Money: Places To Hide
There’s something you’ve been working on. Something you’ve always dreamed of. It’s the business you’re going to launch. The novel in final edits. The podcast you’re about to release. And it’s so...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights August 22nd 2022
This week in the markets we discuss US stocks decrease, international markets mixed results, existing home weak sales reports, homebuilders confidence pull back, new home construction decrease, retailer sales, and Fed minutes.
Read MoreLife & Money: Noise Info Wisdom
Do me a favor.Try to remember a time when you read or heard something about money in the news, you acted on it, and then, with the benefit of hindsight, you were glad you did.This could include any number of things: the latest IPO,...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights August 15th 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: U.S. stocks rallied after data showed signs that inflation had started to slow, supporting the view that the rise in the consumer prices may have peaked. Federal Reserve officials reiterated that the...
Read MoreLife & Money: How Much They Make
You know what’s worse than judging a book by its cover?Judging a book by its cover… and then making financial decisions based on what you guess the book might tell you.And yet, we do this all the time. Not with books, but...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights August 8th 2022
In the markets: The major U.S. equity benchmarks ended the week mixed after a much stronger-than-expected jobs report revived investor concerns that the Federal Reserve will maintain its aggressive pace of interest rate...
Read MoreLife & Money: Rear View Mirror
Investing based on past performance is like driving while looking in the rear view mirror. It. Will. Cause. Accidents. Now, I know we’ve all heard the disclaimer repeated on every single investment advertisement: “Past...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights August 1st 2022
In the markets:U.S. Markets:U.S. stock benchmarks posted solid gains, despite another hike in interest rates and data showing the economy contracted for a second quarter. A “bad news is good news” dynamic seems to be...
Read MoreLife & Money: The Entrepreneurship Myth
Let me tell you a little story about an entrepreneur named Bob.Bob’s Grandpa started a cookie company. There were a few times where the business almost failed and a few breaks (which Grandpa always said were pure luck), but...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights June 25th 2022
In the markets: Equity markets carried over their momentum from the end of last week as investors welcomed signs of fading inflationary pressures and decent corporate earnings. Small-cap stocks and the...
Read MoreLife & Money: Speculating Versus Investing
There’s a difference between speculating and investing, and it pays to know what the difference is.Speculating is exciting, full of breathtaking ups and downs. If you chart it over time, it looks like a heartbeat. Probably an...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights July 18th 2022
First off: If it made up the majority of the Labor Department’s “CPI basket”, the rate of inflation would currently be…zero. We’re talking about the ever-reliable $1.50 Costco hot dog combo,...
Read MoreLife & Money: Alpine-Style Life
When people think of mountain climbing, they tend to think of Mount Everest, armies of Sherpas, an insane amount of equipment in a jam-packed basecamp, miles of rope anchored to the mountainside, etc. For a very long time, many people...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights July 11th 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: U.S. equities erased much the previous week’s losses on optimism that the Federal Reserve will be able to slow inflation without tipping the economy into recession. The gains pulled the...
Read MoreLife & Money: Buy Hope
The following is a message from the Center for Personal Finance Disease Control about a particularly dangerous virus called Pretend Investor Disease (PID).PID is an especially malignant disease that, if left untreated, can suck your...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights July 4th 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: The major U.S. indexes surrendered a portion of the previous week’s strong gains, as worries grew that the Federal Reserve’s fight against inflation would push the economy into recession. ...
Read MoreLife & Money: The Magic Certainty Button
There’s no such thing as a Magic Certainty Button. Sorry to burst your bubble. There is no spreadsheet that can guarantee you will be fine. There is no amount of money that can guarantee you’ll always have enough. Uncertainty...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights June 27th 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: Signs that inflation may be moderating amid slowing growth fueled stocks to a sharp rally this week, lifting the benchmark S&P 500 back out of bear market territory. Nearly every sector in the index...
Read MoreLife & Money: Marginal Utility and Diminishing Return
We don’t know when to stop. At least, I sure don’t. Sometimes, on the way home from work, I’ll swing by the grocery store, buy a pint of ice cream, and eat it. That’s right. The whole thing. Yes, I know....
Read MoreMonday Market Insights June 20th 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: The Federal Reserve’s most aggressive rate hike since 1994 raised fears of a recession and sent stocks sharply lower for a second consecutive week. The benchmark S&P 500 index recorded its...
Read MoreLife & Money: Strike Creativity
I can’t tell you how many times people have asked me, “what’s the number one thing I can do to be more creative?” My answer is always the same…
Read MoreLife & Money: Days or Decades
What I’m about to tell you is going to sound crazy, but bear with me. Because it’s definitely true.Ready? Here it is…We get to decide what we focus on.Hold on… let me repeat that in case you missed it.We. Get....
Read MoreMonday Market Insights June 6th 2022
In the markets: U.S. stocks surrendered a portion of the previous week’s strong gains as investors continued to question whether the Federal Reserve would be able to rein in inflation without causing a recession. All...
Read MoreLife & Money: The Only Goal That Matters
We are really bad at knowing what we actually want. In fact, we learn what we want by watching other people. First, by seeing what our parents, siblings, and peers want, followed, eventually, by what people on social media...
Read MoreLife & Money: Loss Aversion
We love to win, but not as much as we hate to lose. For example, pretend that a few years ago, you hired an advisor and built a diversified, low-cost portfolio based on your values and goals. But you still have a dirty little...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights May 23rd 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: Wall Street continued its losing streak as fears grew that inflation was causing consumers to pull back on spending, setting the stage for an imminent recession. At its lows on Friday, the S&P 500...
Read MoreLife & Money: Security Is a Feeling, Not a Number
Here’s a paradox: 1. I know people who have more money than they will ever need, but are totally insecure. 2. I know people who have almost nothing, but are totally secure. The conclusion this forces me to draw is that if...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights May 16th 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: Despite an end-of-week rally, the major U.S. equity benchmarks recorded another week of losses. It marked the sixth consecutive weekly decline for the both the S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq Composite,...
Read MoreYes and No series: Risk - Investments / 7 steps to figuring out your risk
One of my wife's least favorite answers that I give her is yes and no. She says it either has to be either yes or it has to be no. As I go on to explain my answer it is either yes for this reason or no for that reason. In the financial...
Read MoreLife & Money: Repeat Until Happy
It’s crazy how fast a want can turn into a need. I noticed this once when I saw an ad for a new iPhone. I remember thinking, “Wow, that’s cool, but I already have one.” And then, within what felt like a matter...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights May 9th 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: Most of the major U.S. benchmark equity indexes suffered a fifth consecutive week of losses as interest rates and inflation worries continued to weigh on sentiment. The selling briefly pushed the...
Read MoreLife & Money: Risk Is What's Left Over
We are really good at managing risk by looking backward and preparing ourselves to handle a situation we’ve already seen. But we’re not very good at managing risk by looking forward and preparing ourselves for something we...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights May 2nd 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: The major U.S. market indexes endured a fourth consecutive week of losses as fears of slowing growth were compounded by disappointing earnings from some market heavyweights like Amazon. The benchmark...
Read MoreLife & Money: Goal = Guess
You know what I feel when somebody tells me to list my financial goals? I feel a weight on my shoulders. Tension in my neck. This emotion bubbling up in me, saying, “I don’t know!” Guess what: If you felt that too,...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights April 25th 2022
In the markets: The major U.S. equity indexes ended the week lower with particularly steep losses on Friday. The Russell 1000 Growth Index stocks gave up more ground than their Value counterparts, while the large...
Read MoreLife & Money: Getting Ahead
Everybody talks about getting ahead. What I want to know is… ahead of what? Of who? And why? To what end? Because, it turns out, “getting ahead” is not only super vague, it’s also just not a great goal. The...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights April 18th 2022
In the markets: The major U.S. indexes ended the week mixed in the first week of major corporate earnings reports for 2022. Value stocks continued to outperform their growth counterparts, while small-caps outpaced...
Read MoreLife & Money: The Cost of Holding On
There’s a famous Zen parable that I love, captured nicely by Jon Muth’s book, Zen Shorts: Two traveling monks reached a town where there was a young woman waiting to step out of her sedan chair. The rains had made deep...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights April 11th 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: The major U.S. indexes finished the week lower with small caps and growth stocks lagging considerably. Sector performance varied widely within the S&P 500 Index, with the typically defensive consumer...
Read MoreLife & Money: The Lessons Vault
One day, I imagined that I had a vault where I kept the most valuable lessons I’ve ever learned. I opened the vault and was surprised to find that everything in there had been hard at the time. Often, deeply painful. I saw...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights April 4th 2022
In the markets: The major U.S. indexes ended the week mixed, with stock prices fluctuating over the week in apparent response to the evolving situation in the war in Ukraine. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ticked...
Read MoreLife & Money: Less Wrong Tomorrow
Real Financial Planning is not about being right today, it’s about being less wrong tomorrow. Airline pilots know this. For years, every time I met one, I would ask two questions. The first was, “Do you prepare a flight...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights March 28th 2022
In the markets: The major U.S. benchmarks ended the week mostly higher, with the large cap S&P 500 index hitting its highest level since February 10. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3% to close at 34,861,...
Read MoreLife & Money: Crush It, Rest
If you really want to crush it, you need to rest. Seems obvious, but for me, it’s a very painful lesson I am still trying to learn. You know the gig: up at five in the morning, daily workouts, paleo, bulletproof, gluten-free,...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights March 21st 2022
In the markets: U.S. stocks moved sharply higher for the week, ending a two-week losing streak and reclaiming much of the ground lost over the past month. Gains were spread across the major indexes, with the...
Read MoreLife & Money: Money = Feelings
Talking about money is like grabbing an electric fence you didn’t know was electric.In other words, shocking. And not very pleasant.We’ve been taught, if we were taught anything about money, that it’s about...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights March 14th 2022
In the markets: The major U.S. equity benchmarks moved lower for a second week in extremely volatile trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 671 points finishing the week at 32,944, a decline of -2%...
Read MoreLife & Money: Blind Spots
We all have blind spots, and by definition, you can’t see your own. Let me give you an example. One time, I was having a conversation with a friend of mine. Let’s call him Dave. Dave was a retired investment banker who...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights March 7th 2022
In the markets: U.S. stocks ended lower after a volatile week, as investors continued to assess the crisis in Ukraine. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 444 points to close at 33,615, a decline of -1.3%...
Read MoreLife & Money: Algorithms Versus Real Life
Humans don’t fit into an algorithm. This is particularly true when we’re talking about humans and their money. “Humans + Money” is a messy little cocktail that economists refer to as a complex adaptive system....
Read MoreMonday Market Insights February 28th 2022
In the markets: The major U.S. indexes finished the week mostly higher after a holiday-shortened week of historic volatility. On Thursday, the Nasdaq Composite Index had an intraday swing of 6.8%, the largest...
Read MoreLife & Money: Micro-Actions
When tackling big, audacious goals, you don’t need big, audacious actions. All you need is the contagious magic of micro-actions. Let me give you an example. When I travel, I often don’t feel like exercising, even though I...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights February 21st 2022
In the markets: The large-cap benchmarks experienced their second consecutive week of declines as worries over conflict in the Ukraine and high inflation continued to weigh on investor sentiment. The Dow...
Read MoreLife & Money: Budgeting = Awareness
You want to achieve enlightenment? The key is not in down dogs and green smoothies. The key is budgeting. I know that sounds crazy. But take it from Thich Nhat Hanh, “Budgeting leads to enlightenment.” I’m just...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights February 14th 2022
In the markets: Another volatile week in the U.S. markets; the large-cap indexes ended the week lower, but the S&P Midcap 400 and small-cap Russell 2000 recorded modest gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...
Read MoreLife & Money: Other People's Burdens
Treat everyone you run into as if they’re going through something heavy. Because if you do, you’ll probably be right. I remember thinking about this in the airport when I found out the mother of one of my best friends had...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights February 7th 2022
In the markets: U.S. equity markets remained volatile but recorded overall gains for the second consecutive week. Breaking with its pattern of value outperforming growth since November, growth and value...
Read MoreLife & Money: Product Process Plan
Trying to pick the best investment before you've come up with a financial plan is like trying to decide whether to take a plane, train, or automobile on a trip before you've decided where you want to go. It makes as much sense as a...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights January 31st 2022
In the markets: Strong gains going into Friday’s market close lifted the large-cap benchmarks higher for the week, but not before most of the major indexes had moved temporarily into...
Read MoreLife & Money: Bigger Than Yours
We are obsessed with comparing ourselves to others. This is pointless behavior, of course. How other people are doing has nothing to do with how you are doing. But it’s what we do. Don’t believe me? Consider this:...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights January 24th 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: Rising interest rates and concerns over slowing economic growth pushed the benchmark S&P 500 index to its biggest decline in more than 14 months. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell for a...
Read MoreLife & Money: Behavior Gap
There’s a difference between investment returns and investor returns… and only one of them matters. If a mutual fund yields 10% a year for 10 years, that is the investment return. Now, let’s talk about investor...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights January 17th 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: The major U.S. indexes recorded their second consecutive week of losses to start the year and the technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite its third. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell -320 points...
Read MoreLife & Money: Focus
We only have so much time, energy, and attention. So how do we decide where to place our focus? To figure out the answer to that question, I like to ask myself two additional questions: Does it matter? And can I control it? Unless the...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights January 10th 2022
In the markets: U.S. Markets: U.S. stocks continued pulling away from their record highs as significantly higher interest rates took a toll on growth and technology stocks. The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite shed over...
Read MoreLife & Money: Why
There’s a very important question we all need to ask ourselves from time to time. Say it with me… Why? Why do we invest how we do? Why do we spend what we spend? Why do we save so much (or so little)? After all, the moment...
Read MoreMonday Market Insights January 3rd 2022
In the markets: Most of the major U.S. indexes recorded gains for the week, as a “Santa Claus rally” lifted the S&P 500 index to record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 388 points in...
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