by Dave Conley on November 14, 2025.
If you’re getting close to retirement—or just recently entered it—here’s a simple question: Do you have a written financial plan for your retirement? Transamerica did a survey of baby boomers and found that their top two retirement fears are both financial. The good news? Those fears can often be addressed with a clear, written retirement...
by Andrew Rabon on October 31, 2025.
When it comes to investing, stories can be powerful. A good story can make people excited, confident, or even a little fearful — and those emotions can move the market just as much as company performance does. When that happens, people start buying or selling based on headlines and hype rather than what a company is actually worth.
by Andrew Rabon on October 24, 2025.
Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra once said, “Baseball is 90% mental; the other half is physical.” The same can be said about money and investing — 90% of it is behavior, and the other “half” is knowledge.
by Andrew Rabon on October 17, 2025.
This past Sunday, October 12th, marked the third anniversary of the current bull market. Since its start in 2022, the market has surged 89%, well above historical averages. It’s the 27th bull market since 1872 and the 14th since 1950, and while past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, history suggests markets with this kind of...
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 Dave Conley on February 9, 2024.
As a seasoned financial planner with over three decades of experience in the industry, I've witnessed countless instances where investing common sense has clashed with our natural instincts. It's a fascinating paradox...
by Dave Conley on February 2, 2024.
Let me start by stating one can gain investment know how (knowledge) by reading books listening to podcasts, and studying investment materials. In the same way one can learn to walk a tightrope by practicing in the backyard on a rope 6 inches off the ground. You can become very good at navigating that tightrope in the backyard. When the tightrope is strung between two buildings 300 foot off the ground that "experience" isn't as valuable.
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.
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...