How do you know if your investment manager is doing a good job? (Especially when the markets are so volatile.) Before we answer that question, let’s remember what an investment manager is and isn’t. A good investment manager is not… 1. An Economic Alchemist. In ancient times, alchemists were individuals who claimed the ability to […]
What an Investment Manager Is (and Isn’t) Read More »
“I’m unhappy with my financial advisor,” a man told me. “Not only have I lost money, but I don’t feel like he knows I’m alive! Is it too much to expect that my advisor would take care of me and my money?” This man is surely not alone in his thinking. Maybe you feel the
The 3 Most Common Financial Advisor Mistakes Read More »
A man once said to me, “My friends are always talking about their financial plans, but the idea that I could create such a thing feels impossible. I’m terrible with money!” I told him, “I understand that feeling. But the truth is you could create a smart financial plan. It really is possible.” (That’s a
How to Do Anything You Can Do Read More »
Someone told me they have two primary emotions whenever they think about their financial situation: “It seems like I’m either frustrated or mad. Is that weird? Should money always make me so upset?” This admission reminds me of a book written more than 50 years ago by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross in which she discussed five distinct
Money Grief … and How to Leave It Behind Read More »
A client recently asked this question: I’ve got some money I’d like to leave to my grandkids. I want it to grow, but I’m not comfortable putting it at risk in the market. Meanwhile, safer investments like CDs seem like they’re barely keeping up with inflation. Do you have any suggestions? It’s a classic case
A Question About Safe Money Read More »
A client told me: “I grew up poor. I was the first in my family to attend college. Now I have a comfortable income. But because of my background, I tend to be cautious with my money. Sometimes I wonder if I’m too cautious.” Hearing that, I thought of an interview with Erin Botsford in
What Bad Financial Experiences Do To (or For) Us Read More »
In my line of work, I hear comments like this frequently: “Despite what some are saying, I don’t think our economic hard times are over. In fact, some are saying online that the ‘experts’ are hiding how big our problems really are. Some think the whole world is on the brink of bankruptcy. If that’s
On the Verge of Economic Collapse? Read More »
A subscriber wrote and asked: I’m retired and widowed. My two adult sons still depend on me to pay some of their bills—even though one of them has a job. (The other can’t seem to keep steady work.) I’m worried that when I’m gone, they are going to fight over my money, even though I
Adult Children Dependent on Parents Read More »
The week after Christmas is a strange hodge-podge of activity, isn’t it? We head for home, take down holiday decorations, and return gifts. We worry about how much we overspent…and resolve to “do better” in the coming year. I’m convinced the week after Christmas is the perfect time to review the year that’s been…and look
A Financially Perfect 2023? Read More »
Occasionally I get invited to speak to college students about life, money, and success. In fact, I’m scheduled to do that tomorrow. Here are the four reminders/suggestions I plan to share with them. Die well. Soon after you arrived on campus, you realized, “Not everybody thinks the way I do.” That’s actually a good thing.
Life Planning for College Students Read More »
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