Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards, observed Soren Kirkegaard, 19th Century Danish philosopher. Therefore, we must examine at least briefly what occurred during 2018 in the worldwide financial markets. As noted in prior columns, probabilities were high that it would produce a stock market [...]
My entire life I heard “money can’t buy happiness”. I think the statement should be “money can’t buy contentment, satisfaction, peace of mind, love, or any of those other wonderful, non-tangibles that are important for a healthy life. But, I do believe money can buy amazing memories sprinkled with happiness [...]
A core belief I have when attempting to understand and explain human behavior is that we are all basically driven by the fear of not being enough, and the fear of not having enough. I’ve discussed many times how one’s fear of not being enough can often lead people [...]
Were the mid-term election results good for the market? Warren Buffett once said, “if you mix politics and investing you’re making a big mistake.” But with last week’s midterm elections and the subsequent market reaction, I can’t help by comment a little. Anyone who knows me knows I am a [...]
About a month ago I wrote a column about how some financial product marketers use fear to sell their products. While I chose to focus that article on the dangers of signing up for a reverse mortgage, there are other financial products I would also advise people to avoid in [...]
About a week ago I had the opportunity to attend the 2018 Toast to our Towns Gala, hosted by the Truman Heartland Community Foundation. The event serves as an opportunity to honor people and organizations who have dedicated themselves to serving Eastern Jackson County. It really is a celebration of [...]
Considering recent headlines of new all-time highs in the stock market, it’s easy for us to forget that this month we mark the 10 year anniversary of the worst stock market crash since 1929. That event served as a serious reminder to us all that the market can and does [...]
What does it mean to you if someone suggests you keep it simple? I have learned and am still learning the importance of this principle for both life itself and for our finances. Just yesterday, we were discussing financial alternatives with a client. It became quickly obvious that if we [...]
Einstein referred to the law of compound interest as the 8th wonder of the world. It truly is a remarkable thing. You’d think, as someone who works in the investment world, it would become an ordinary subject for me, but I get fired up every time I think about it. I’m [...]
Over this past weekend, whenever I heard anyone in the media talk about Labor Day, it was consistently described as a day to celebrate the fact that you don’t have to go to work. It was almost portrayed as a one-day reprieve from the grueling punishment that is your job. [...]
