The Disability Risk
For 28 years, I have practiced as a Registered Investment Advisor, a fiduciary under securities law. When I started 44 years ago, it was not possible to serve the middle class by fees. We had no computers and Charles Schwab had not yet put together his concept of a supermarket [...]
Why time feels faster as we age, and what it means for your retirement
When I was a kid, time always seemed to move at a snail’s pace, except in the weeks before Christmas when it did not seem to move at all. The older I get, however, the more I realize the future arrives faster than I think it will. In psychology and [...]
What Rising Oil Prices could mean for your Retirement Portfolio
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the historical impact major international conflicts can have on the stock market. My argument was that the recent military actions in Iran did not necessarily mean that an imminent market collapse was likely. With that said, the market has certainly been expressing [...]
Investing in People’s Republic of China
In our investment practice, I avoid buying stock and mutual funds of Communist Chinese companies. There are several reasons for my decision and I will discuss these today. First, despite quite broad agreement on accounting standards in the US, Europe, Asia, and the rest of the developed economies, China continues [...]
Geopolitical Conflicts and What Market History Tells Us About Their Impact
This past weekend, the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian political and military targets, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with several senior Iranian officials. In response, Tehran retaliated with missile strikes against U.S. and Israeli targets across the region. Predictably, these [...]
Experience is the hardest teacher
There’s a saying that every saint has a past. It resonates when reflecting on professional growth especially in investing, where theory often collides with emotion. Wisdom can be taught, but it carries a different weight once it’s lived. Most people trust guidance more when it’s shaped by experience rather than [...]
A New Way to Save for Kids? Understanding Trump Accounts
I’m not sure how many of you noticed, but during this year’s Super Bowl an advertisement aired promoting the newly created Trump Accounts, a provision included in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed into law on July 4, 2025. The most widely publicized feature of these accounts is the [...]
The Long Term Care risk women can’t afford to ignore
This week, I want to focus specifically on the role long-term care insurance can play for women. That isn’t to diminish its importance for anyone concerned about future caregiving costs, but because the data clearly shows women face a disproportionately higher risk when it comes to long-term care needs. According [...]
“I’ll do it later” – Famous last words in personal finance
I have two young boys, and if there is one phrase I get more tired of hearing than any other, it’s “I’ll do it later.” Part of why I dislike this phrase is that it sounds like a reasonable justification for delaying a task that isn’t urgent, when in reality [...]
Silver’s shiny moment: Opportunity, Demand, and the Risk of a Bubble
Silver has quickly become one of the most talked about assets in the financial markets. Prices have surged to levels not seen in many years, drawing attention from investors searching for protection, opportunity, or both. While silver’s recent rally is supported by real and compelling factors, history reminds us that [...]