When asked what the greatest risk to investors is, I usually answer, “Themselves.” Whether it be greed, fear or impatience, humans are very creative at finding ways of sabotaging a good financial plan. Let me begin this discussion in my youth when I decided to join a high school debate team. My first assignment was…
DetailsOne form of financial fraud that is particularly painful to discuss is advisor fraud. What if the financial advisor you have trusted, turns out to be the one stealing from you? I regularly track the SARS (Suspicious Activity Report) issued by the banking industry through the Consumer Protection Bureau. A recent report found that 25%…
DetailsFlight instructors often remind new students that take-offs are optional, but landings are mandatory. This axiom reminds pilots to think carefully before they push that throttle forward to head down the runway. Once in the air, the most difficult part of flight is usually the landing. At any other time, the plane can be very…
DetailsI’ve never liked the way many analysts refer to market headwinds as if they are always negatives. Let me explain. I had the pleasure this summer of going on a sailing trip with two of my boys. We left Newport Harbor and sailed 27 miles to Catalina Island, where we spent a couple days exploring.…
DetailsMy home office has a program to help protect our company from fraud. They regularly send phony “scam” emails to all advisors, trying to trick them into falling for them. If we do, we joke about having to wear the “cone of shame” for our error. The effort has successfully trained us to question everything…
DetailsIn one of my very first economic classes the professor said, “U.S. government bonds are considered risk-free investments because of the governments’ unlimited taxing ability.” Even at my young age I considered that an arrogant statement, and one that if truly believed could lead to all kinds of political mischief. Congress is currently considering the…
DetailsThe new autopilot in my airplane is an amazing piece of technology. It can navigate a detailed flight plan with precision no human could replicate. Even when turned off, it quietly monitors the flight and intercedes if the airplane enters an unsafe attitude. If a pilot completely took their hands off the controls, as the…
DetailsMy brother-in-law John was a well-respected car salesman in our community. He was unique in his field as those who went to him knew they would be treated fairly. I went to him one day to buy a vehicle for our growing family. He asked what I was looking for and I laughed as I…
DetailsWealth is possessing assets of value. Money is merely a system for counting it. In my youth many kids said they planned to grow up to be millionaires but if those same kids, now adults, had a million dollars and nothing else, it would be tough for them to retire on it. I learned an…
DetailsToday I would like to change it up a bit and talk about surfing. I’ve only tried surfing once but find great enjoyment watching it from the shore. I admire the skills and determination of those surfers who spend their lives in search of the next epic ride. Once at the beach I watched a…
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