To Inform:  I (Ryan) recently graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University where I studied financial planning. While our program was focused primarily on the technical side, we also spent some time on the social and relational aspects of financial planning. As part of the program we read a book by Mitch Anthony called “The New […]

To Inform: Last night we held our annual Oktoberfest Portfolios and Pints event. Friends filled the big room upstairs at the Hofbräuhaus as Alex and I drew questions out of a hat, and I deflected as many complicated questions as I could for Alex to answer. Topics we discussed ranged from economic indicators (side note: […]

To Inform: Last week, Alex Durbin and I attended the CFA (Chartered Financial Society) Society of Columbus’ Fall kick-off dinner. It was a gathering of investment professionals throughout Central Ohio representing state pension systems, large insurance companies, banks, and wealth managers. Tom Jalics, CFA, Chief Investment Strategist at Fifth Third Bank, entertained the audience with […]

To Inform: “Cash is Trash” – Ray Dalio, 2018, 2020, 2022 I always chuckle when investment gurus make definitive statements, usually at the top of a market trend. The quote above was tried out thrice by Ray Dalio, famous founder of the hedge fund shop Bridgewater. Dalio is no fool but in all those instances, […]

To Inform: It’s been a few months since we’ve done this, but I think now is another good time to dust off the mailbag and answer a few questions we are hearing from clients. Hopefully this encourages you to think of any questions you may have and send them our way. Without any further ado, […]

To Inform:  How do I teach my kids and grandkids about money? This question embodies one of the classic challenges that faces any parent or grandparent. A survey of high school students revealed that about 88% of what they know about finances comes from their parents. Interestingly though, these lessons did not arise from formal […]

To Inform:  I recently read a research report which looked at longer-term trends in the financial markets. The report struck me because the trends are not necessarily in-line with recent market leadership, but if the trends assert themselves in the years ahead, it would have meaningful implications for portfolio construction. First is the value of […]

To Inform: Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River in 49 BC, ultimately cementing his role as Dictator Perpetuo of the Roman Republic. Some sources say that before crossing Caesar said alea iacta est (“the die is cast”). Many are wondering with the ratings agency Fitch’s downgrade of US government debt this week if the US […]

To Inform: We’ve been hearing a lot of questions and concerns about real estate from clients and friends. It may have something to do with some of the headlines in the media. The crux of the concern is reflected in these recent magazine covers:   With so many office buildings in major cities sitting with […]

To Inform: 41 years ago, when the UK punk rock band The Clash released their most famous single, 30-year fixed mortgage rates here stateside were 16.7%. While current mortgage rates are not remotely close to those of 1982, many would-be movers are still echoing the line so artfully sung by Mick Jones. In that angsty […]