by Randy Chalmers on July 19, 2024.
This is a summary of the article “3 Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for the 2024 Election” by Samantha Lamas. During election years, individuals are particularly susceptible to cognitive biases, driven by the high stakes involved in potential outcomes. Uncertainty dominates, overwhelming rational thought processes. As the 2024 election approaches, it’s crucial to recognize and...
by Randy Chalmers on February 14, 2024.
Have you ever bought a stock “just because everyone else was”? Felt pressured to invest in a trendy new technology, even if you didn’t fully understand it? Welcome to the wild world of herd behavior in behavioral finance! Simply put, herd behavior is our tendency to mimic the actions of others, especially when faced with...
by Randy Chalmers on November 10, 2023.
Have you ever felt that investing can have you feeling excited, worried, angry, sad, and some other emotion all at once? You’re not alone, nor are you abnormal! Behavioral finance is an area of study that examines the impact of emotion, cognitive biases, and other psychological factors on financial decision-making and hence on financial markets....
by Randy Chalmers on August 18, 2023.
Let’s tackle a topic that has been on many investors’ minds in the last few years, and has prompted more than just a few blog postings. Being worried during market downturns is understandable and NORMAL; but I want to emphasize the importance of viewing investing as a long-term endeavor, and how to avoid (and why...
by Randy Chalmers on August 11, 2023.
We’ve blogged about responsible credit card usage, calculations used to determine minimum payments, and other points on credit cards. This week we’ll discuss some common “tips” you may receive from friends and family about credit cards. Myth #1 Paying the minimum balance is ok Sure, paying the minimum due is acceptable and it’s actually welcomed...
by Randy Chalmers on August 4, 2023.
Life will throw curveballs at you when least expected. As you’re faced with emergencies, your 401(k) might seem like a quick fix or even your only option. It is necessary to consider the downsides before you act. I’ll explain why tapping into your retirement savings early might not be the wisest move and suggests other...
by Randy Chalmers on July 14, 2023.
Do you know what percentage of income your mortgage payment is? Your car loan? Do you set debt targets? Debt targets are not a new concept, however, in my opinion, they are not discussed nearly enough with individuals of all stages of life. When you bought your first house did you aim for your mortgage...
by Randy Chalmers on July 7, 2023.
You’re saving just the right amount in order for your family to afford the necessities plus a little extra in retirement. We all dream of retirement sitting on our porch with our favorite beverage as the sun is going down, but what about the day leading up to that peaceful evening? Have you included your...
by Randy Chalmers on June 2, 2023.
I know I’m not alone in this, and occasionally you and your family are sitting around talking (and dreaming) about what you would do if you won the lottery. As the purchases get discussed, the topic arises of how you would take the money, in a lump sum, or as an annual payment over the...
by Randy Chalmers on May 19, 2023.
Everyone has met someone who had a friend who “made a fortune on XYZ stock on a hot tip”, but much like expecting to win the lottery, expecting to cash in on a hot tip probably won’t happen for you, me, or even someone you know. Seemingly everything we do in today’s world is at...