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 […]

To Inform: I had a dream the other night. I owned a DeLorean with a fully functioning flux capacitor and felt a strong urge to go back to 2013 and buy some real estate. In my dream, my wife asked me “what about interest rates?” I told her, “Honey, where we’re going there aren’t any […]

To Inform: I (Travis) have terrible eyesight. I started with bifocals in 2nd grade and if it weren’t for the contact lenses I have worn since I was a junior in high school, I wouldn’t be able to see anything in front of me. Last week I made my annual trip to the eye doctor […]

To Inform: Some of you may have attended TJG’s “Portfolio and Pints” hosted this week in our office. At the end of our presentation one guest asked an astute question about the “psychology” of the investor that is willing to look past some of the excesses in parts of today’s market and buy stocks given […]

To Inform: “Nothing is simpler than greatness; indeed, to be simple is to be great.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson. The concept of simplicity is one that we strive to help all of our clients achieve. One key way to simplify your financial life involves regularly reviewing and updating your beneficiary designations. Beneficiary designations done well […]

To Inform:  Every Friday morning at 11am, we hold what we call our ICAT meeting – Investment Communication & Advisor Team. Our entire advisor team gathers, and we typically spend the first 20-30 minutes talking about what is happening in markets and how portfolios are responding before doing a deep dive into financial planning topics. […]