Blog
We believe in taking our knowledge about investing and financial planning, and using it to educate our clients and our community. However, the best advice is is highly personal and it reflects your specific circumstances --which this blog cannot do. Thus, please don't consider this blog "investment advice" or "financial planning"... It's for educational purposes only.
Sensibilities About Bitcoin / Investing at All Time Highs
Recently I saw a Twitter post from a financial advisor that said "If your financial advisor isn't recommending a 1-5% allocation to Bitcoin, why haven't you fired them?"... When this kind of sensationalism starts becoming more...
Read More2020 Year in Review
On March 23 of 2020 I wrote the following (link to blog): Let's pretend for a minute that it's the year 2025... You’re looking back at the CoronaCrash of 2020, the massive losses it dealt to your portfolio and how you reacted as...
Read MoreElection, Big Stocks, TD/Schwab Merger
Good afternoon! This week it felt fitting to offer just a little reminder about election-related investment decisions, as well as outline some of the dangers of chasing the performance of BIG stocks, and, finally, discuss the pending...
Read MoreThree Things: Investing Basics, A Widening Rift, and Emerging Markets
Hi Adam, Good afternoon! Before I get into these few topics, I'll note that we're seeing a little bit of a pullback from a market rally that's lasted several months. I hope you're hanging in there; volatility is never fun but it's...
Read MoreThree Things: Ross Perot, Voltaire, New Hire
Greetings! It's been a busy few weeks and there are some exciting to new developments with the firm. I'm looking forward to sharing those with you later in this email and also in the weeks to come. ... Over the last couple weeks I've...
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Three Things: Trillion Dollar Stocks
Hi everyone, I hope your summer is going well. We just wrapped up July and Phoenix set a record for "Hottest Month on Record"... Some records are fun to break, others are not. This one isn't. Speaking of hot, there are a few stocks...
Read MoreThree Things: Predictions, Value/Growth, Hairdresser
Hope you're enjoying your summer, it's crazy to think we're almost halfway through (which, in Phoenix, is a good thing). The three things this week covers prediction (which I talk about a lot), growth and value stocks (which I also...
Read MoreThree Things: Int'l, Big Stocks, Optimism
Hi Adam, The market in 2020 gives me A LOT of potential topics to address, sometimes it's hard to choose. This week, I narrowed them down to these Three Things to consider.... 1) International vs. US Stocks 2) Big Companies and Market...
Read MoreThree Things: The New Recession, The Jockey & Horse, and Useless Forecasting
I hope everyone is having a great week. Here are a few things I'd like to highlight this week: Thing #1: The New Recession It's official, we're in a recession. Thanks Coronavirus.... Investors may be tempted to ditch equities and go...
Read MoreThree Things: State of the World, Market Rally, 100 Clients
Hi Adam, Three Things is back. I took some time off from the weekly "Three Things" format because, frankly, the market was so crazy earlier this year that a weekly newsletter on a variety of topics just didn't cut it. Instead, I tried...
Read MoreDivergence in the Stock Market
We've seen a nice rebound from the March 23rd lows in the stock market, which has offered some reprieve from an unprecedented onslaught of bad news. Meanwhile, the nasty unemployment figures and damage to economy is becoming more...
Read MoreMutual Funday
Data is a powerful thing. When tasked with scanning the universe to select an investment strategy for clients, there are a lot of choices and the data is crucial to rely upon. In this blog I'm going to outline some FACTS about mutual...
Read MoreLogical Investing
Over the last 2 months I've spent a lot of time contextualizing the crash we've all endured, how markets tend to behave in situations like this, and why we should be confident going forward....I have addressed why we shouldn't panic...
Read MoreOstriches, Austin Powers, & Bond Coupons
Before I get into this blog, let me first remind you of the following: The events that transpire in a single week in 2020 will not be the deciding factor in the success or failure of your financial plan. ...Now that that's out of the...
Read MoreThe Year 2025
Let's pretend for a minute that it's the year 2025... You’re looking back at the CoronaCrash of 2020, the massive losses it dealt to your portfolio and how you reacted as an investor. Just as we reflect on prior crashes, our...
Read MoreCrashes: Predictably Unprecedented
As you know, the last 3 weeks have seen some of the most prolific declines in the history of the stock market. Your portfolio has been hit, my portfolio has been hit (my invested portfolio is built with the same funds I recommend),...
Read MoreAnother Coronavirus Post (email)
In the past few weeks, I’ve done a few “double takes” at my computer or my phone, as we’ve watched major swings in stock prices and movements in the bond and crude oil markets. And on top of the financial...
Read MoreMarket Update & Coronavirus Reponse
The world is watching with concern the spread of the new coronavirus. The uncertainty is being felt around the globe, and it is unsettling on a human level as well as from the perspective of how markets respond. The article below...
Read MoreSome Data to Help You With Volatility
Volatility is back in a BIG way and last week we saw the most precipitous decline in over a decade. While the Coronavirus is a unique catalyst, these kinds of declines are normal market behavior... I know what you're thinking,...
Read MoreA Tale of Two Decades: Lessons for Long-Term Investors
PDF Download: A Tale of Two Decades (Dimensional)
Read MoreThree Things: Fund Ratings, Long Term Care, Wrap Fees
Here are a few recent thoughts on three particular subjects: The "Best" Fund Companies (Morningstar) Some Thoughts on Long Term Care Insurance Advisor Fee Structures and Comments About Wrap Fees Enjoy! Adam Harding, CFP / Smartvestor...
Read MoreThree Things: Kobe, Not Your Money, Note to Yourself
This blog has been cathartic for me in many ways; it feels like a way to reinforce what we do and why we do it, while working in some fun, interesting, or entertaining things along the way... I started writing this yesterday and when...
Read MoreThree Things: Decade in Review, Bail, and Bowling
As we're moving on in 2020, we're continuing to blaze forward with an appreciation for studying history and how markets and economies have been affected by human decision making. This version of Three Things covers my firm's Decade in...
Read MoreInvesting in an Election Year
It’s a Presidential Election Year in the US once again. For those who need a brief civics refresher, every four years there is a Presidential Election, while every two years the full US House of Representatives and one-third of...
Read MoreDecade in Review
Close your eyes and pretend that it's early January 2010 and you are reading a review of the financial markets. Investors have been on a roller coaster over the past three years, living through the stress of the global financial...
Read MoreThree Things: SECURE Act Edition
Ok folks, we're one week into 2020 and I hope everyone is happy, healthy, and optimistic about the future. In an effort to focus on year-end client needs (notably, Roth IRA conversions and establishing retirement accounts), I took...
Read MoreThree Things: Talking About Money, Perspectives on Wealth, & Valueless Statements (12/02/19)
Seasons Greetings! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I took last week off from blogging and instead decided to focus on pumpkin pie and football. I have some things I'd like to share with you: a guide for how to talk about money,...
Read MoreThree Things: Progress, Parables, and Politics (November 11, 2019)
Greetings! I can't believe there's only FIFTY days left in this year... Fifty days left in the decade, actually. Wow. I have some things I'd like to share with you this week: some thoughts on progress, a Buddhist Parable, and some...
Read MoreThree Things: November 4, 2019
Another week with more things to read and digest. Here are a few I wanted to share with you this week: Some Thoughts on Complexity, The "FAANG Factor", andYear-End Tax Tips. Enjoy! Adam Harding, CFP / Smartvestor Pro480-205-1743 If...
Read MoreThree SPOOKY Things: Halloween 2019
What's scarier than GHOULS, GOBLINS, WITCHES, and GHOSTS? Not much is scarier than these things, but I have a few suggestions (Three to be exact). Enjoy! Adam Harding, CFP / Smartvestor Pro480-205-1743 If this is your first time...
Read MoreThree Things: October 21, 2019
This week I read, watched, and listened even more than usual; I give the credit to my 2 month-old son's newfound ability to sleep through the night for 9-10 hours.... Needless to say, I'm a new man. What stood out to me this week was...
Read MoreThree Things: October 14, 2019
This week I was inspired by some quotes from Steve Jobs, an article about Ultra High Net Worth Investors, and an instagram video featuring Ray Dalio. Enjoy! Adam Harding, CFP / Smartvestor Pro If this is your first time receiving this...
Read MoreThree Things: October 7, 2019
This week I was inspired to share some perspective on Value vs. Growth Investing, an Instagram post, and an invitation to attend a webcast hosted by a Nobel Prize-Winning Economist later this month. Enjoy! Adam Harding, CFP /...
Read MoreThree Things: September 30, 2019
This week I was inspired to share some long-run stock market data, a morbid quote from a famous economist, and a child crying while playing a board game. Enjoy! Adam Harding, CFP / Smartvestor Pro If this is your first time receiving...
Read MoreThree Things: September 22, 2019
Thing #1: Chart & Video: Periodic Table of Investment Returns Source: Callan I keep a copy of this chart on my desk as a steady reminder of the wide dispersion in annual returns between asset classes from 1999-2018. When building an...
Read MoreThree Things: September 15, 2019
Another week, another Three Things email...Topics include: longevity risk, a Word of the Day, and some thoughts on life insurance as an investment. Thing #1: Article: The Investor's Survival Guide To A Long Life Seeking Alpha Great...
Read MoreThree Things: September 8, 2019
Here are the most recent Three Things that stood out to me this week: Global Diversification, Poetry (yea, poetry), and retirement distribution rates. Enjoy! Thing #1: Article: A Tale of Two Decades Dimensional Over the last several...
Read MoreThree Things: September 1, 2019
I hope you're enjoying the holiday weekend. I've just been laying low, getting accustomed to the sleeping patterns of a 13-day-old baby, and, of course, writing out some thoughts around Three Things that stood out this week. Enjoy!...
Read MoreThree Things: August 25, 2019
This is a pretty special version of my Three Things email series; I get to introduce you to my son. Enjoy! Thing #1: Clayton Jonathan Harding Mollie (my wife) and I welcomed our first child to the world on Monday August 19th at 6:40 am...
Read MoreThree Things: August 18, 2019
Thing #1: Video: Recent Market Volatility Dimensional Fund Advisors Over the last 40 years, when the U.S. yield curve inverted as it did this week, the stock market was up 66% of the time 1 year later and 33% of the time 3 years later....
Read MoreThree Things: August 11, 2019
As a wealth advisor to individuals like you, a business owner, an expectant father (baby boy due any day now!) and a full-time resident of the planet, I’m constantly reading, listening, and watching anything that I feel can add...
Read MoreTiming Isn't Everything
Image Cred: Kaboompics.com July 2019 Over the course of a summer, it’s not unusual for the stock market to be a topic of conversation at barbecues or other social gatherings. A neighbor or relative might ask about which...
Read MoreThe Randomness of Global Equity Returns
Averages are…(wait for it)… Averages.June 2019 Investment opportunities exist all around the globe. Across more than 40 countries, there are over 15,000 publicly traded companies.[1] If you listen to the news, however,...
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