Blog

24 Jan 2014 Self-Inflicted Investment Risks

Posted at 13:49h in The Friday Brief by Sam Bass Jr.

In the last couple of Briefs we discussed Monte Carlo and how it can help a wise investor navigate the uncertainties that market swings create when they coincide with both large and small investment cash flows. We saw that wealth and lifestyle could be significantly impacted.

16 Jan 2014 Does Monte Carlo-Based Financial Planning Really Work? Part 2

Posted at 20:40h in Briefs about our Process, The Friday Brief by Sam Bass Jr.

Last week we looked at Monte Carlo as part of our larger planning process. This week we'll zero-in on probability analysis, known as Monte Carlo specifically to explain how it works and more importantly, why you should care. Whether you are technical or very non-technical, this Brief is for you. Monte Carlo (MC)...

10 Jan 2014 Does Monte Carlo-Based Financial Planning Really Work?

Posted at 14:45h in Briefs about our Process, The Friday Brief by Sam Bass Jr.

A few days ago after wrapping up a productive planning meeting, my client asked me a question in total earnest. He had come to our meeting with concerns that new information he brought would wreck his plan. We made the changes he needed to make and we reviewed...

27 Dec 2013 How to Make Better Resolutions

Posted at 12:15h in The Friday Brief by Sam Bass Jr.

Here we are once again – 'out with the old and in with the new.' We know it as a time when the gyms, sidewalks, and trails fill beyond capacity with eager new exercisers, walkers, and cyclists. Sales of tobacco, liquor, and wine plummet. Our tables are crowded with fruits and vegetables and the fatty meats and sugary desserts have become scarce.

20 Dec 2013 Some Good News This Week

Posted at 15:23h in The Friday Brief by Sam Bass Jr.

With their third swing at the plate the Commerce Department has increased their estimate of third quarter economic growth from 3.6 to 4.1%. The new estimate showed the gross domestic product, the broadest measure of all goods and services produced in the economy, expanding at the fastest pace since the fourth quarter of 2011 and the second-fastest since the recovery began in mid-2009, according to the WSJ.

13 Dec 2013 2014 – A Look Ahead

Posted at 14:51h in The Friday Brief by Sam Bass Jr.

Flying back from Rwanda earlier this week gave me hours (33 to be exact) of time to reflect on many things. When I completed notes from my meetings in Kigali, I spent some time looking ahead to next year and what we as investors might expect. While I'm usually optimistic, the logical conclusion seems to be pointing considerably more negative than positive. Odds are for a slow-down, maybe even the 'R' word.

05 Dec 2013 What the Fed Might Do Next Year

Posted at 23:59h in The Friday Brief by Sam Bass Jr.

Everyone on the planet who invests money is wondering if Ben Bernanke and his Federal Reserve cohorts have another off-script trick up their sleeves to wean the US capital markets and the economy from their $85 billion monthly deluges of free cash. One thing is certain - it has to end eventually, but when and how are sizing up to the biggest unknown in 2014.

22 Nov 2013 The Weekend Reader

Posted at 17:04h in Blogs by Geoff Hall, CFP®, RICP®

Welcome to the Beacon Weekend Reader: Our weekly compilation of interesting articles and videos designed to keep you informed and engaged in the areas of economics, personal finance and life. We hope you enjoy this week's edition. Please send us your thoughts on this week's articles and suggestions...

15 Nov 2013 The Weekend Reader

Posted at 16:31h in The Friday Brief by Geoff Hall, CFP®, RICP®

15 Nov 2013 “We’re Going Down”

Posted at 11:30h in The Friday Brief by Sam Bass Jr.

With limited information we make the best decisions we can, and for most people, most of the time, these decisions are based primarily on emotions. We do it because life is busy and we often have little time to gather sufficient facts to make more logical, and most often better, decisions.