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Investing wisdom from an Octogenarian’s 50-Year Journey

by Dave Conley on January 26, 2024.

Welcome to the complex yet fascinating world of investing. Like you, I am an investor and over the past five decades, I've had the privilege of witnessing the intricacies of financial markets, making my fair share of mistakes, and, most importantly, learning from them. As you embark on your investing journey, I'm here to share with you the ABCs of investing, with a touch of wisdom gained through experience.

All The Feelings!

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....

What is in an Estate Plan?

by Dave Conley on August 25, 2023.

What is in a simple Estate Plan? If you’re like most people, with a few kids and a house, you only need a will. You can use an online service like www.freewill.com or www.mamabearlegalforms.com. The most common option is to meet with a local lawyer to help you discuss and setup the three documents needed...

Riding out the Inevitable Storms

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...

Estate Planning 101

by Dave Conley on August 11, 2023.

Estate planning is just a fancy legal-ish word for what you want to happen to your money and stuff when you die or become disabled.

Common Credit Card Misconceptions

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...

Think Twice Before Dipping into Your 401(k) for Emergencies

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...

Are You Setting Debt Targets?

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...

Funding Your Fun

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...

July 4th, 2023, is America unique in history?

by Dave Conley on July 3, 2023.

What is American Exceptionalism? There is no other country in the world that represents the blend of classical philosophy, Christianity, and even Enlightenment ideas in the way America did in the founding of the republic from 1776 to 1789. It was an exceptional (meaning uncommon) mixture of liberty, limited government, natural rights, and religious liberty...