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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A Win For The Good Guys

The good guys are you. This win comes courtesy of the US Department of Labor (DOL) who made it official last week. Anyone advising individuals on their retirement accounts must “act like a fiduciary.” What does that mean? Fiduciary is the highest standard in investment management. It means you must put the interests of the person you represent first in all situations. Sounds obvious, but it hasn’t been. We’ve embraced the fiduciary standard since Day One of Osbon Capital in 2005. Many firms can operate without it. This DOL ruling is a big step forward. Here’s why.

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Suppress My Taxes. Please!

April 15th is coming again this year, right on schedule but not necessarily welcomed. How can you take some of the dread out of Tax Day? Here are some ways to improve the tax picture for the investment side of your ledger. They’re simple, but not always easy to execute properly. Read on…

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Does Your Behavior Pay You?

If you were offered tens of thousands of dollars for being patient, bored or nerdy, would you take it? It turns out the financial markets will pay you handsomely for certain rather unspectacular behaviors. But you’ll be charged significant penalties for other behaviors and attitudes, such as FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). It’s up to you – pay or penalty. Which will it be?

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The 7 C’s of My Money Strategy

Spring cleaning is here, taxes are coming due, the seasons are finally changing. Now is as good a time as any to dive in and review your strategy. Remember the adage, “proper planning prevents poor performance”? Here are seven C’s I use that will help you prepare for the good performance.

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Your Money Or Your Life

If you think about the most successful people you know, you’ll probably find that it’s not just one extremely developed talent that enables that success, but a balance of two different — maybe very different — characteristics. Think of the scientist with entrepreneurial spirit, or the specialized doctor with exceptional bedside manner. It’s this best of both worlds scenario that turns very good to extremely great. When you look at your life and investments, the same kind of balance should be your goal.

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Why Don’t I Invest The Way I Should? 8 Reasons

Reader alert: Don’t worry about the title. This is a no-shame, no-blame, no-guilt article. Read on without worry.

If you are not completely satisfied with your investment progress and suspect it can be better, you’re probably right. Here are the 8 most common investor hurdles we see. And they are all completely curable!

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Why Warren Buffett is Optimistic About Your Kids

Warren Buffett’s Annual Shareholder letter is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated, widely read business news report. It came out online last Saturday morning, all 124 pages, and it is fascinating reading since Warren is both a good writer and the world’s third richest person. What stood out most to me was his comment on the economic future of children in America. Many parents wonder and worry if their kids will be better off than they are. Warren says ‘absolutely yes’. Here’s why in his own words.

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Buffett vs. Hedge Fund Wager: Year 8

Every year at this time we update the results of a friendly one million dollar wager made in 2008 by Warren Buffett. He took the modest S&P 500 index versus five hedge funds handpicked by prominent NY money manager Protégé Partners. It’s a ten-year bet. With just two years left on the clock, who’s looking good and who’s looking for…

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Is It Time To Buy? Five Reasons

It’s been a year to remember for the stock market. And it’s only mid-February. The Dow Industrials have been up or down more than one percent in 20 of the first 30 trading days of the year. As we discussed last week (Is It Time To Sell?), the market’s volatility has many investors wondering what, if anything, to do. How do…

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