What Do You Want?
Tragically, we humans are, to put it bluntly, awful at wanting the things that will create the most meaning and satisfaction in our lives.
Gifting with a Purpose: Practical Strategies to Positively Impact Your Next Generation
Because saving money early and often can be difficult, consider how you might help those closest to you to do more of it. Here are some scenarios and ideas.
The Two Most Important Questions to Answer When Choosing a Financial Advisor
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
In working with over a hundred prospective clients in the past five and a half years, I’ve found that these are the two most important questions you need to ask yourself...
Can You Ever Have Enough?
Category: Financial Planning » Retirement Planning
There is always more stuff to do or buy. There are always more “what if’s” for which to account. It’s a rare creature who has found contentment in what they already have, a person who no longer searches for the next thing or feels empty because of what they do not have.
What Does It Mean to Be an Investor? – Part One
For a minute, I want to think broadly about the question, “What does it mean to be an investor?”
Are You Checking Your Accounts Every Day? Stop it.
Does it help or harm the average long-term investor to peek at their own accounts or pay attention to the market every day?
What Does It Mean to Be an Investor? – Part Two
As you peek into the future – hopefully one with greater discretionary time and money – do you envision yourself increasing or decreasing your investment in the well-being of the people close to you and the world in general? Do you see yourself sticking close to the mess of the world or investing in ways that escape it?
Are You in the Bear Market Buyer’s Club?
For the person who is currently contributing to a portfolio and does not need to take distributions anytime soon, this is a gift. That’s right, a bear market is a gift to those investors. If you are contributing to an investment account right now, you are already in the Bear Market Buyer’s Club.
What to Do When the Market Is in a Bad Mood
When the going is good, we’re not all that concerned with asking or answering the question. It is when the going gets tough, like right now, that we find ourselves more interested in asking. So, “What should we do?”
Stuff I’ve Learned
Category: Financial Planning
Random, interesting stuff (at least to me!) I’ve learned since joining Foster Group.
Stop Doing That!
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
We all need people in our lives who have the courage to let us know when we've done something we shouldn't. It's equally wise to have an Advisor who can speak truth to you when it comes to your finances.
What to Do with Your College Expenses Refund Check
If you are receiving a refund of money already spent from a 529 plan, here are some important considerations.
Opportunity Valley
Category: Financial Planning
The Power of Answering Two Key Questions
Category: Foster Group
How can answering two key questions potentially change your perspective on retirement?
Money Can’t Buy Happiness, or Can It
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
The book Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn & Michael Norton has changed the way I think and feel about spending. It’s based on academic research that identifies ways that spending can increase our joy, something I didn’t think possible before reading this book!
Perhaps It’s Not About What You Want From Life, But What Life Wants From You
Category: Foster Group
I just finished reading Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Among the many meaningful things he wrote, here is one that stood out.