What is smart investing? In a nutshell: take cutting-edge financial science and apply it to real world investing. The best mutual fund companies that apply this intelligent, evidence-based strategy are Dimensional Fund Advisors and Vanguard. While many people have heard of Vanguard, Dimensional Fund Advisors ("Dimensional" or "DFA" for short) tends to fly under the radar for most investors. Maybe it’s the firm’s laser-like focus and steadfast approach to applying academic research into the … [Read more...]
2018 Year in Review: Market Volatility Happens
If there’s one thing Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) is unlikely to ever be accused of, it’s having a flair for the dramatic. Then again, that’s why we find their objective insights so appealing, such as this lead-in to their recently released 2018 Market Review: After logging strong returns in 2017, global equity markets delivered negative returns in US dollar terms in 2018. – Dimensional Fund Advisors 2018 Market Review In under 20 words, DFA offers us a marvelously compact context for … [Read more...]
Feeling Scared About Ford Layoffs? Implement These 5 Strategies Now.
Recently, there’s been plenty of rumblings about potential layoffs at Ford. As someone who was born and raised in Michigan, I know all too well that the instability of the auto industry can make or break the residents of this state. Jim Hackett, Ford’s CEO, has come forward to announce a $25.5 billion restructuring of the company in an effort to cut costs, and to remain competitive in an economy when auto sales are down. It doesn’t help that recent trade tariffs on metals and other required … [Read more...]
Cryptocurrency and Your Money: Should You Bite the Bitcoin Bullet?
Tickle Me Elmo, Troll dolls, Pokemon Go, Fidget Spinners. What do these things have in common? They were fads that caused an uproar then died away just as quickly. Many times we can spot a passing trend a mile away, but sometimes--especially with kids--it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and give in. When that happens, we can usually just laugh it off. It probably didn’t cost us much and we can get over the 10+ fidget spinners in various colors littered around the house (speaking … [Read more...]
2017 Year in Review: A Surprisingly Robust Year in the Stock Market
With 2017 in the rearview mirror, we’re pleased to reflect on – and share with you – a newly released Dimensional Fund Advisors 2017 Market Review. Overall, the view is quite pleasant for most global and domestic returns alike, even though few financial forecasters were predicting this sort of slam dunk at the outset of the year. If you think back to last January, there were plenty of reasons to wonder about the next 12 months – what with Brexit uncertainties, U.S. election upsets, … [Read more...]
Does Someone You Know Need Our Help?
If you aren’t aware of the roller coaster the market has been on these past few years, you’re probably living under a rock. And since talk of the markets often makes us want to go find said rock and tune out the news, why not get a little help? Even if you read Market Watch on the daily and are the most patient of investors (which, let’s be real, very few of us fall into these categories), you may be questioning the strength of your investment plan. So that’s the technical market stuff, … [Read more...]
10 Smart Money Moves to Make Before the Ball Drops
Let’s talk New Year’s Resolutions. So many of us seem to have a love/hate relationship with them. Every year, we create these lofty goals, only to push them to the back of our minds by April (okay fine, February). When you watched the New Year’s Eve countdown last December and raised your glass to 2017, did you make a resolution to put your money and finances first this year? Finance-related resolutions are the third most popular New Year’s resolution, coming in right after self-improvement … [Read more...]
How to Maximize Your Charitable Giving with Donor-Advised Funds
‘Tis the season for phone calls from charities, Santas at the grocery store, and solicitors at the door. None of these things are inherently bad, but are they the best way to donate your money? Just like anything else with your finances, the more intentional you are, the better. Is there a magical way for you to maximize your generosity? Enter Donor-Advised Funds A lot of financial products are as confusing as hell, so don’t go Googling “donor-advised funds.” Instead, here’s what you need … [Read more...]
Is Disaster On Your Mind? How to Bulletproof Your Money and Finances
These past few months have been a doozy. Hurricanes, wildfires, a mass shooting, political chaos, international uncertainty (aka North Korea getting feisty and who knows what the heck is up with Russia). Do you feel like you’re just waiting for the next shoe to drop? Or maybe your life has been shaken up on a personal level. Are you going through a divorce, a death of a family member, or another major upheaval that has serious repercussions? As individuals living our day-to-day lives, we … [Read more...]
Five Pitfalls of Real Estate Investing You Should Know
There’s always been some kind of starry-eyed dream around the idea of making a big payoff in real estate investing. I’d say about half my clients have floated a real estate idea in one form or another to me over the years. I think it’s because of the “cocktail party” effect (or “BBQ effect,” if you aren’t the cocktail party type. I’m not). The stories are juicy. They are hard to ignore: “Yeah, my buddy Jim made $500,000 on an apartment complex in Austin. He’s asking me if I want in on his … [Read more...]
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