Insights on markets, emergent trends, history, innovation, risk management, global economics, strategy, policy, and other topics that catch our attention. Inspired by ongoing research, conversations and events. Written and edited by Osbon Capital Management and published every Thursday morning.
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How You Can Put Solutions Into Your 2017 Resolutions
Savings are so important to your financial goal. How many times have you started the year by resolving to put more money into savings and investments? If it’s more than once, it’s safe to say the resolution didn’t work. With New Year’s resolutions you may maintain your resolve for a few months, but if old habits take over, it’s back to the drawing board the following year. It doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s what we suggest to get out of the resolution loop.
Financial Festivus
It just wouldn’t be late December without Festivus, the holiday for the rest of us. This wonderful fake celebration became part of American lore in 1997 when Seinfeld’s Frank Costanza described its bare aluminum pole, Feats of Strength, and the special dinner devoted to the Airing of Grievances. While we wish you nothing but the happiest holiday season, let’s talk Financial Festivus for a moment.
To Choose Or Not To Choose
Do you have a big decision that you’ve been putting off? You’re not alone. Many investors want to choose between options A, B and C, but end up choosing D, as in Do Nothing. Inertia can be a big roadblock to creating a portfolio and financial plan that match your needs. Here are a few situations we run into with clients that may help you extricate yourself from inertia’s sticky grip.
Should You Have An Investment MRI?
Healthcare went through a revolution when MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) became commercially available in the ‘80s, courtesy of GE. X-rays could show bones, but MRIs could show soft tissue all around the bones, and even everything inside the skull. Doctors went from looking at skeletons to looking at whole bodies.
Similarly, we take an investment MRI approach to portfolio analysis, looking past the basics of stocks, bonds, alternatives and cash. Our MRI reveals what is actually happening, why, and how. Here is what we look for:
What’s My Investment Timeline?
Investing can be broken into three primary colors: rewards, risk and time. The connection between risk and reward is well known, but today we’re going to focus on the third component, time. Time has a big impact on what you can expect of your investments – probably more than you think. Let’s take a look at a series of investment timelines and what you can expect from each.
What Are You Thankful For?
It’s a beautiful custom in many families to go around the Thanksgiving dinner table and name one thing we are thankful for. The hardest part is usually naming just one! With Thanksgiving here again, let’s take a minute to reflect on the financial version of this question – How does money make you thankful?
The Week Ahead
Now that the presidential election is in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward and think ahead. What decisions, if any, should you consider in days and weeks that follow? By nature, personal and investment decisions are closely connected, so markets can provide some useful guidance. It’s OK to do a little personal projection. Let’s take a closer look at the post-election guideposts for investment decisions.
Be Skeptical Of These Popular Investment Phrases
This week we are happy to offer you a healthy dose of skepticism. We see product pitches, commercials, term sheets that friends, prospects and clients send to us, and all kinds of twists on the same investment pitches. Some of these advertisements have some value; most are just storytelling. Here are some buzz words to watch out for.
What You Get When You Are A Client
Perhaps you already have a robust and healthy investment advisory relationship. Perhaps you don’t and wonder how you could get one. In any case, it’s a good idea to reflect on and review what exactly you are getting from your advisor. Here are examples of what you should expect.
