Financially Speaking Blog
Wasting Away
February 17, 2012
Remember around 1980 when money market funds earned as much at 17% per year? Compared to the paltry rates we see today, the interest rates of the late 70s and 80s seem fantastic. We yearn for the chance to get higher rates on bank CDs and...Many Ways To Slice The Pie
January 18, 2012
The fees charged by mutual funds and the commission to sell them matters. It matters because the higher the fee, the lower your return; and the lower the return, the less wealth accumulation for investors. Right now, there are over 26,000...Separation of Church and Investment Advice
December 23, 2011
Recently my nephew asked me to review his rollover IRA statement and immediately I recognized the investment company. A few months ago, an attorney had me review a file for possible litigation. After over 50 cases of litigation or arbitration,...Fighting the Mind and the Chinese Fortune Cookie
December 2, 2011
Behavioral finance looks at why investors reflect biases in their decisions and focus on emotional choices, loss aversion, return chasing behaviors, overconfidence and wishful thinking. Even incentives and education fail to get investors to do...Say What You Do; Do What You Say
November 15, 2011
Behavioral economics, a body of research and knowledge developed over the past two decades, has helped financial advisors understand the investment behavior of clients. Advisors are now better equipped to understand the reaction people have to...