By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Wednesday, 20 September 2017
This article from Dimensional Fund Advisors explores an old adage about whether or not monkeys throwing darts at a stock chart can really build a portfolio with higher returns than the average active money manager. According to this article, the answer is mixed. It really depends on the chart being used by the monkeys for target practice. Additionally, the sustainability of the monkey’s portfolio is largely dependent on patience, prudence and a deep understanding of underlying expenses. It certainly gives pause for thought. We hope you enjoy!
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Monday, 19 June 2017
Behavioral biases directly challenge an investor’s ability to make consistent, rational and logical investment decisions when faced with distractions. These distractions come from the media, uncertainty and volatility in the markets, or pressure to buy and sell from friends, relatives, financial “gurus” and other less than reliable sources for investment advice. Being able to identify distractions and put them in context can help investors see beyond their own human nature and act with more discipline when it comes to their portfolio choices.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Tuesday, 16 May 2017
We had no idea that global headlines would be full of stories about on-line threats just days before we published a blog on enhancing cybersecurity! In fact, the ink “dried” on our newest post a few days before the most recent tech scare hit the news. Although the solutions in the following article are not 100% “hacker-proof”, they will offer the best protection from threats like ransomware, malware and identity theft. We hope our blog will help improve your online security.
The first personal computer introduced about 40 years ago filled an entire room, and has now shrunk to the size of something that fits in our back pocket. Just as technology has improved over time, so have the security protocols that are required to help protect us from digital theft. These security protocols that have been written by experts to help protect our critical and private data.
In an increasingly digital and technological world it can be overwhelming to grasp what the best practices are when it comes to ensuring that our data is safe and secure. The best place to begin is to understand where and how data breaches can occur, and then determine the best options to defend yourself from these types of threats.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Friday, 17 February 2017
You probably have an emergency kit in the trunk of your car or in the storage space in your SUV. Jumper cables, flares and other tools come in handy if you get in an accident or are stranded on the road.
If you’re an exceptionally cautious person, you may also have an emergency kit in your home. Batteries, flashlights, bottled water and other essentials can be lifesavers in case you lose electricity or other vital services for several days.
But what if you face a financial emergency? If an unplanned event alters your financial situation—if you or your spouse lose a job, or an adult child moves back into your home—how would you manage with less income or more household expenses? What if you or someone in your family suffers a critical illness or debilitating injury? Are you and other family members ready to manage someone else’s financial affairs?
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Friday, 03 February 2017
One of our responsibilities as an investment advisor is to help you put market news in its proper perspective, especially when the media is reporting global market corrections in the wake of political events.
If you're reading or watching the popular press, you're seeing a lot of storm and fury having to do with the new presidency, Brexit, rising interest rates, and general uncertainty of what is to come. As the popular media scrambles to explain the unexplainable – what is happening with the markets right now, what may happen in the future and how long it's going to last – we thought we'd share a headline of our own:
"The stock market is a giant distraction to the business of investing."
So said Vanguard founder John Bogle in his 2007 classic, "The Little Book of Common Sense Investing."
These are timeless words to invest by, as is Bogle's deeper explanation of them:
