2015 Year in Review: Stormy Seas for Wealth Building Investors

As the name implies (with the subtlety of a sledge hammer), evidence-based investing means viewing capital markets from the perspective of a professor of finance. We use the science of investing as our guide to building wealth.

Building wealth, DFA, Dimensional Fund Advisors, InvestmentsGreg BrownFebruary 2, 2016building wealth, evidence-based investing, investing, Investments, market overview, year in reviewComment

Your 2016 Smart Money Plan for Your 40s: 12 Tips to Get You on the Right Track

Tackle one step each month. Before you know it you’ll be owning your finances and in control of your money.

Building wealth, Finance, Personal Finance, RetirementGreg BrownJanuary 4, 2016money, money tips, retirement, Smart Money, Smart Money MovesComment

Can you predict a good time to buy and sell stocks?

Buying and selling stocks would be much easier if only there were an investment indicator that was dependable. One indicator in particular has lured many investors into its seemingly sound logic.

Building wealth, DFA, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Investment PlanGreg BrownNovember 9, 2015evidence-based investing, investment philosophy, investment strategy, stocksComment

Dimensional Fund Advisors Culture Gets an "A" Grade from Morningstar

A demonstrated track record for responsible money management is certainly not the only reason to consider one fund company over another. But, to us, it’s a better indicator than any stars of past performance.

DFA, Dimensional Fund Advisors, InvestmentsGreg BrownOctober 13, 2015evidence-based investing, investment philosophy, investment strategy Comments

How to Create a Simple Investment Plan with an Index Card

Let’s face it, investing is filled with lots of jargon and complexity. There is so much information out there that you can be overwhelmed by it all. Let’s simplify the process.

Building wealth, Investment Plan, InvestmentsGreg BrownSeptember 22, 2015building wealth, investment plan, Investments, simplicity Comment

Market Turmoil and the Importance of a Sound Investment Philosophy

To put the current manic behavior of the market in perspective, it helps to look at history as a guide.

Building wealth, Choosing a financial a..., DFA, Dimensional Fund Advisors, InvestmentsGreg BrownAugust 26, 2015Behavioral Finance, evidence-based investing, investment philosophy, investment strategy, passive investingComment

Lessons from the Greek Crisis About Building Wealth

As we have advised during any number of past economic crises, the best position for a long-term investor looking to build wealth is to let efficient markets do their work.

Building wealth, DFA, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Investments, Psychology of FinanceGreg BrownJuly 28, 2015building wealth, dfa, dimensional fund advisors, evidence-based investing, Financial Crisis, Financial MarketsComment

9 Reasons Why Investors Are Loving Vanguard and DFA Funds

Let’s take a close look at 9 durable characteristics that help differentiate Dimensional Fund Advisors and Vanguard from the crowd.

Building wealth, DFA, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Finance, InvestmentsGreg BrownJune 16, 2015dfa, dimensional, evidence-based investing, passive investing Comments

The Ultimate Guide to Getting More from Your 401k Plan

Let’s get down to it; 13 tips you really, really should think about when it comes to your 401k account.

401k, Building wealth, Personal FinanceGreg BrownMay 19, 2015401 k, 401 k plans, Personal finance, retirementComment

Expert Tips on Building Wealth for Forty Somethings

Here are a dozen ideas to help you build wealth smarter—straight from the best experts in finance.

Building wealth, Investments, Personal Finance, RetirementGreg BrownApril 15, 2015building wealth, expert advice, john bogle, money tips Comments

15 Money Tips To Make Your 40s Financially Awesome

Right. You are 40, nearly 40 or (noooo!!) over 40. Suddenly you realize that yes, you might be a grown up.

Family, Investments, Personal Finance, RetirementGreg BrownMarch 31, 201540s, budgeting, finance apps, investing, money tips, Personal finance Comments

Asset Allocation, Recency and Second Guesses

Do your circumstances warrant an allocation to commodities? Read more to find out if commodities are right for you.

Finance, InvestmentsGreg BrownMarch 3, 2015allocation, commodities, economy, evidence-based investing, investing, investment allocation, passive investing, simplicity, stock marketComment

Do You Manage Your Money Like a Player or a Coach?

Be the coach when you manage your money so you can win one for your future wealth.

Finance, Personal FinanceGreg BrownFebruary 17, 2015Behavioral Finance, finance, investing, Investments, investors, money habits, money management, stock market, wealthComment

Is the Grass Greener for U.S. Large Stocks?

If there were a contest for the most frequent of Frequently Asked Questions we’ve been hearing lately, this one would be the easy winner: “Why is my globally diversified portfolio underperforming a simple allocation to the S&P 500 Index?”

Finance, InvestmentsGreg BrownFebruary 10, 2015Diversification, diversify, economy, eugene fama, evidence-based investing, investing, large stock, market overview, nobel prize, stock marketComment

The Fiduciary Standard: No Ifs, Ands or Suitable Buts

Right after you ensure that your advisor is fee-only, the next question to ask is whether he or she will be in a fiduciary relationship with you – proudly, absolutely, and in writing.

Choosing a financial a..., FinanceGreg BrownFebruary 2, 2015fee-only, fiduciary, fiduciary standard

2014 Year in Review: Staying On Course in Turbulent Markets

As Dimensional’s David Booth has said: “Where people get killed is getting in and out of investments. They get halfway into something, lose confidence, and then try something else. It’s important to have a philosophy.”

Finance, InvestmentsGreg BrownJanuary 20, 2015evidence-based investing, investing, investment, market overview, stock market, year in review

A Word (or a Few) About What a Fee Only Financial Planner is

When it comes to the success or failure of any given investment strategy, managing your financial fees matters – a lot. How do you make sure that you’re getting more than your money’s worth for the advice you’re purchasing?

Choosing a financial a..., Finance, Personal FinanceGreg BrownJanuary 13, 2015fee only financial advisor, fiduciary responsibility

Once Upon a Time in the Stock Market...

We tend to be led off-course from our happily ever after outcomes by fantastical “folklore” that we continue to tell ourselves long after the evidence has informed us otherwise.

Finance, Investments, Psychology of FinanceGreg BrownJanuary 6, 2015Behavioral Finance, evidence-based investing, stock market

Take Your Investment Approach and Lump It

Congratulations, you’ve received a chunk of change! Maybe it’s an inheritance, a signing bonus, or similar windfall – or maybe you’ve been sitting on a stash of cash for a while. What do you do next?