When I started learning about the world of investments, I fully expected investing to be a problem that could be “solved” with analytics and rationality. The "dot-com" bubble of the late 90s, made it clear to me that there was something else going on. Those events led me to behavioral finance.
President Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) into law on July 4, 2025. The new law is massive, with over 600 sections in its 900+ pages. Planning gets more complex with the additional tax provisions and complicated phase-outs. The law rolls out in two waves: changes that hit your 2025 taxes (the return you’ll file in early 2026) and other shifts that start in 2026. This post is a "highlights tour" of the parts of OBBB that most households will notice.
Tariffs have become a lightning rod for political and economic debate. From trade negotiations to campaign promises, tariffs represent a policy tool with passionate advocates and critics. Let’s examine both sides of this issue and, more importantly, what it means for your investments.
With the recent wildfires and other natural disasters making headlines, homeowners’ insurance is top of mind for many. Ensuring your home and belongings are adequately protected with the right insurance coverage is crucial. However, many homeowners make mistakes that can lead to insufficient coverage or unexpected expenses. Here are some of the common pitfalls and how you might avoid them.
Early in my financial planning career, a few of my clients had negative experiences that impacted my recommendations for years. I've recently changed my mind about controlling credit reporting access.
Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s right-hand man, passed away last November at the age of 99, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire for generations. Known for his wit and unyielding adherence to principle, Munger was a brilliant investor whose influence shaped the strategy and success of Berkshire Hathaway (and me).
Whenever we transition into a new year, a slew of gurus come out of hiding to proudly share their projections for the upcoming 12 months. Although a good part of financial planning and investment management involves making some projections, I try not to join these gurus each year for two main reasons.
For more than 15 years, I’ve taught sessions in the local “It’s Your Money” program. As I recently taught their “Equity and Fixed Income Investing” course, I shared one of my favorite visuals about the perils of jumping in/out of the markets. There are several important takeaways.
Through the middle of this year, just seven stocks have driven 75% of this year's stock market performance. These stocks include Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. Some are calling these stocks “The Magnificent Seven.” There are nice parallels between the classic Western movie and what we might expect from these specific stocks in real life.
TD Ameritrade officially announced that your accounts at TD Ameritrade will be moving to Schwab. I've been monitoring the merger process for the last couple of years. I'm watching things carefully, but I'm confident the "trip" will be short and easy.
Looking back through my older writing, I found an article I wrote in 2017. The article had an official-sounding title, “International Investing – What Investors Need To Know.” The article made the case for investing in stocks outside the US. How do I look at these markets now?
For the last two months, I’ve been using ChatGPT in a wide variety of my daily tasks as a financial advisor, and I've found the tool to have real benefits. In this post, I share more than 40 sample prompts that financial advisors might find helpful.