Mutual Funds
Lessons from the 2008 financial crisis
Lessons from the 2008 financial crisis In September 2008, the brokerage firm Lehman Brothers collapsed due to risky trading in poorly designed securities. This kicked off one of the more dramatic financial crises in American history and what is now referred to as the Great Recession. The 10th anniversary of this event is a natural…
Read MoreWith interest rates low, should I buy dividend paying stocks instead of bonds?
With interest rates low, should I buy dividend paying stocks instead of bonds? No. Dividend-paying stocks are stocks not bonds and cannot be counted on to provide the stability good quality bond holdings have provided. Dividend paying stocks are every bit as risky as the rest of the stock market. Why? Dividend-paying stocks are a minority…
Read MorePreparation is key to financial success
Preparation is key If you have ever attended a closely-matched sporting contest and witnessed a buzzer-beating shot in basketball, an extra inning baseball game, or a shootout in a championship soccer match, it is an experience you are unlikely to forget. In fact, if you take a minute to reflect on it, you will likely…
Read MoreThe effect of speculation on financial security
Invest, don’t speculate. We have made that admonition more than a few times over the years and it is usually followed with information or insights on investing. But today, we want to talk about speculation and more importantly, what effect speculation has on one’s financial security. “Invest, don’t speculate” is a simple mantra yet…
Read MoreWhat will the market do now?
With two one-day declines of 1,000+ points in the Dow Jones Industrial Average recently, the media is full of people asking and answering the question, “What will the market do now?” It is an intriguing question, but for true investors, it is not a question that requires an accurate answer. What will the market do…
Read MoreHow to prepare for the next financial storm
With hurricane Irma in the rear-view mirror, it is once again clear there is value in being prepared for rough times. And since we’ve experienced hurricanes many times before, we know what to expect and how to prepare. A week before the storm, we start to pay close attention to the “cone of uncertainty”…
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