There is much more to bond mutual funds than meets the eye. Building a diversified mutual fund portfolio will often require the addition of some type of bond mutual fund. To what degree depends on your risk tolerance, investment objective, and time horizon (how long you intend to be invested). Bonds are typically viewed as […]
Investing success relies more on patience and discipline than return on investment. It can also require pain and sacrifice. Yet, many focus so intently on potential returns and trying to predict the future. Instead, focus on what you can control. The biggest risk to investing success is bad investor behavior, not the investment. If you are suffering […]
Successful long term retirement investing is often as simple as focusing on what we can control. This sounds easy, but all too often we become distracted by things outside of our control. We are bombarded with information and most of it is just noise. We would be well served to learn how to turn down this […]
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 20,068.51 which is an all time closing high. For those that like round numbers, this is a big deal. After all, Dow 20,000 seems like a much bigger number than 19,912 (which also happens to be yesterday’s closing price). To put this in perspective, today’s closing level on […]
What a year it has been! As we say goodbye to 2016, here’s a look back at some of the most popular posts on The Astute Advisor blog. Hopefully you find some of these articles helpful. I love reading your comments and feedback. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach me via email […]
When I launched The Astute Advisor personal finance site, I was excited to reach a much broader audience. But I’ve always believed that the blog shouldn’t be my voice alone. I’m convinced my readers will benefit by hearing from other financial professionals too. Here are some articles that are worth a read. Enjoy. Review Your 401(k) […]
The financial world can be complicated and there is always more to learn. Not only is there a staggering amount of information, but the laws and regulations change regularly. Over the years, I’ve had thousands of conversations and email exchanges on various personal finance matters. I’ve included some of the misconceptions I’ve heard along the way. Beware of […]
Diversification is an important principle that prudent investors and advisors adhere to. It is best explained by the expression “don’t keep all of your eggs in one basket.” If XYZ stock is the basket you put all your eggs into and it goes haywire, all your eggs are gone. And that isn’t good. Diversifying requires an investment […]
Investing decisions can be hard with all of the noise out there. As a financial advisor, I’ve seen the damage caused when people aren’t informed about their money. It is NEVER advisable to bury your head in the sand and everyone should strive to learn more. By asking questions and seeking information, we learn and grow. Knowledge […]
If you’re a public school teacher in California, there’s a lot to consider when saving for retirement. Teachers have more choices than employees in the private sector and the options can be confusing. In addition to some of the nuances involved with CalSTRS and Social Security, many teachers are eligible for 403(b) and 457 plans. […]
