To Inform: There is a tension in the investment world. Predictions can be valuable and are important exercises. Here, having an imagination can be a valuable tool. Anticipating where markets are heading requires one to think about a range of possible outcomes. Sometimes those outcomes seem murky, sometimes they seem crystal clear. But even when […]

To Inspire: Lisa and I drove up to Amish country yesterday (Sugarcreek, Ohio to be exact) to enjoy the beautiful countryside and do some shopping. Afterward I realized how refreshing it was for us to get away from the big city, travel on back country roads and enjoy the spectacular scenery: rolling hills, horse and cattle […]

To Inform: Every month our Chief Investment Officer, Alex Durbin, puts together a packet of charts with perspectives on markets and asset classes we call our Market Health Analysis (MHA). While Alex puts the ultimate document together, I try to help him out at the beginning of the month by putting charts I find interesting […]

To Inspire: As I’ve grown older, I’ve experienced both the joy of making new friends and the sadness of losing touch with others. People often say that drifting apart is just a part of growing up— you graduate, start a job, build a family and slowly, the friends you shared countless memories with become distant. […]

To Inform: One of the greatest country songs put to vinyl was a collaboration between Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson titled “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys.” My favorite line in the song is “He ain’t wrong, he’s just different.” There are some things about our philosophy here at TJG that […]

To Inspire: Earlier this month I shared some business leader training I’m doing in the area of encouragement. And while I feel like I am an encourager, I can always improve (one of our core values here is “excellence – we seek to make it better!”) – with my family, friends, clients, and those I […]

To Inform:  It’s hard to believe how quickly things are moving in Washington, D.C. As I type this, Travis Upton, CEO of The Joseph Group, is barreling down on the city in a tour bus, accompanying a gaggle of high school choir students. I can’t help but wonder if he also attempts a little bit […]

To Inspire: My mother always told me that the older you get, the faster time goes. As a young person, of course, I didn’t believe her, but now I fully understand how right she was. For example, how is it almost June already?! It turns out this is not just in our minds, there are […]

To Inform: Earlier this week I had a conversation with a friend and business owner for whom The Joseph Group serves as advisor to his company’s 401(k). Here is a summary of part of our conversation: Friend: “Travis, what did the market do today?” Travis: “Flat today, but this week the S&P 500 turned positive […]

To Inspire: Sometimes it’s my colleague, Michelle O’Brien, who uses our Wealth Notes column to share the benefits of being outside. But after recently reading an article on gardening, I’m going to grab that topic and share the benefits that those who garden receive. In full disclosure I’m not a gardener (though I do love […]