Article
The age of the finfluencer: Who should you listen to when everyone’s talking?
April 29, 2025
With the rise of social media “finfluencers,” more people are seeking financial advice online. Yet this advice can be hard to parse. Some may be quite helpful, while some may be flat-out wrong. This article helps readers understand the risks online advice may pose, how it can lead down a path toward confirmation bias and what they can do to protect their money.
Categories: Article, Behavioral finance, Client-focused, General audience
Credit freeze quick take
March 27, 2025
We spend so much of our lives online that it’s easy to forget that our interactions may leave us vulnerable to fraud. This quick take offers clients a primer on credit freezes, a powerful tool they can use to protect themselves.
Categories: Article, Client-focused, General audience, Security
Disruptive forces: Thriving in a world that won’t sit still
March 14, 2025
The market and the economy are frequently buffeted by forces great and small, including the latest round of tariffs. This article looks at what history can tell us about these events, and how a diversified portfolio is already designed to address them.
Categories: Article, Breaking news, Client-focused, General audience
Client question: How can I give my kids a head start on investing?
February 28, 2025
This piece explores what clients may do to help give the kids in their lives a leg up for their financial future. It touches on 529 plans, custodial accounts and custodial Roth IRAs. It closes with a suggestion that clients may use opening an account as an opportunity to teach kids about financial responsibility. Consider personalizing this article by mentioning how and why you’ve opened accounts for the kids in your life. Or perhaps touch on experiences you’ve had teaching kids about investing.
Categories: Article, Client-focused, Financial planning, General audience
Tax considerations for 2024: What you need to know before filing
February 14, 2025
With tax time upon us, this piece reminds readers what they need to know to maximize their returns and avoid penalties when they file their 2024 taxes. It also looks ahead to the tax laws set to sunset at the end of 2025.
Categories: Article, Client-focused, General audience, Tax planning
Counterintuitive money advice: Investing against the grain
February 3, 2025
When it comes to money, making smart decisions isn’t always easy. In fact, there are a lot of times where the intuitive move isn’t always the best one. This piece explores counterintuitive strategies that can help clients make sound financial choices.
Categories: Article, Client-focused, Financial planning, General audience
Money scripts—part 2: How to manage the script
December 19, 2024
The first part in this two-part series introduced the idea of money scripts—our unconscious rules and beliefs about money that can have a big impact on the financial decisions we make. In part two, we examine how clients can better identify and manage their own scripts. Consider pairing this article with “Healing What Hurts: The Essential Role of a Financial Therapist” from the 2022 content library archive.
Categories: Article, Behavioral finance, Client-focused, General audience, Money scripts, Multipart series
Your 2024 year-end planning guide
December 9, 2024
Share this piece with clients and prospects to offer financial best practices for the end of 2024. This year's tips include putting stuck cash to work, updates on retirement account rules, maximizing gifts to charity with a QCD and a reminder to take time to rest and recharge.
Categories: Article, Client-focused, Financial planning, General audience, Prospect-focused
Money scripts—part 1: The stories we tell ourselves in order to live, save and spend
November 26, 2024
Our unconscious rules and beliefs about money—also known as “money scripts”—can have a big impact on the financial decisions we make. The first part in this two-part series introduces the idea of money scripts, so clients can start to identify where they may have an impact on their lives. Part two will examine how clients can better identify and manage their own scripts.
Categories: Article, Behavioral finance, General audience, Money scripts, Multipart series
Financial readiness: Preparing yourself before disaster strikes
October 28, 2024
The recent hurricanes are a reminder that disaster can strike when and where we least expect it. This piece acknowledges these storms and the toll natural disasters can take. It offers tried-and-true preventative measures that can help ensure clients are prepared for disaster financially.
Categories: Article, Client-focused, General audience
Client question: I’ve got a lump sum in cash, should I invest it right away?
September 23, 2024
In this new series, we address common client questions, starting with how to invest a lump sum of cash. We examine the merits of investing all at once or little by little with dollar-cost averaging.
Categories: Article, Client-focused, Financial planning, General audience, Wealth management
Lump-sum investing and dollar-cost averaging: A 2-part series (UPDATED 09-2024)
September 23, 2024
UPDATED FROM 2020: Part 1 describes why lump-sum investing is generally expected to deliver higher end returns. Part 2 covers why other issues may sometimes make dollar-cost averaging the preferred strategy anyway.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Multipart series, Updated content
What we talk about when we talk about volatility: Magnitude vs percentage
August 29, 2024
The news media often describes market volatility in ways that are attention-grabbing. Unfortunately, this can trigger fear and behaviors that don’t always work in investors’ favor. This article helps readers understand how the media presents volatility, preparing them to parse sensational headlines and avoid making decisions that could negatively impact their long-term goals.
Categories: Article, Client-focused, Economics, Financial planning, General audience
What does it take to take on risk?
August 23, 2024
Figuring out a client’s risk tolerance is an important building block for any investment plan. This piece serves as a conversation starter to help clients understand their willingness to take on risk—including financial and behavioral factors—so they’re better positioned to meet their goals and manage their financial and emotional health.
Categories: Article, Client-focused, Financial planning, Risk management, Wealth management
Compound returns quick take
July 29, 2024
This piece serves as a quick primer on compounding returns and explores the levers investors may pull to make the most of this powerful tool, including saving early and putting more money to work inside tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
Categories: Article, Client-focused, Financial planning, General audience, Quick reference, Wealth management
Equity compensation: Big opportunities, but beware the risks
June 27, 2024
Equity can be an important part of a new employee’s compensation package or a way for employers to show their appreciation for a job well done. While equity compensation can lead to a nice financial payout, it is not without risk. This article explores the basics of equity compensation, understanding potential downsides—including concentration risk—and how to solve for that risk.
Categories: Article, Client-focused, Evidence-based investing, Financial planning, General audience, Risk management
Young investor’s guide to building a financial future
June 17, 2024
This piece combines into a single article our two-part series exploring the steps young clients may take as they begin investing for the first time. In it, we discuss the importance of avoiding high-interest credit card debt, embracing long-term investing and making the most of tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. We also cover the value of diversification, strategies to avoid speculative behaviors such as market timing and stock picking, and building a plan based on individual goals.
Categories: Article, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Wealth management, Young investor's guide
Young investor’s guide to building a financial future—part 2: Investing for your goals
June 17, 2024
Part 2 of a two-part series exploring the steps young clients may take as they begin investing for the first time. In the second and final article of this series, we cover the value of diversification, strategies to avoid speculative behaviors such as market timing and stock picking, and building a plan based on individual goals. The article is a follow-up to part 1, in which we discuss the importance of avoiding high-interest credit card debt, embracing long-term investing and making the most of tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs.
Categories: Article, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Wealth management, Young investor's guide
Young investor’s guide to building a financial future—part 1: Where do you start?
May 30, 2024
Part 1 of a two-part series exploring the steps young clients may take as they begin investing for the first time. This first article discusses the importance of avoiding high-interest credit card debt, embracing long-term investing and making the most of tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. In part 2, we’ll cover the value of diversification, strategies to avoid speculative behaviors such as market timing and stock picking, and building a plan based on individual goals.
Categories: Article, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Wealth management, Young investor's guide
Making best use of your behavioral biases
May 2, 2024
Many pieces about behavioral biases explore ways in which they harm investors. This piece looks at ways to harness some of them to improve on investors' financial well-being. This piece also references, and pairs well with the recently updated report and series, the "ABCs of Behavioral Biases."
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, General audience, Retirement planning
The ABCs of behavioral biases (UPDATED 04-2024)
April 22, 2024
UPDATED FROM SEPT. 2019: This collection of materials includes: (1) a 6,000-word white paper, (2) the same materials broken into a seven-part drip series and (3) a PowerPoint presentation on "The ABCs of Behavioral Biases." From anchoring to FOMO, from hindsight to tracking-error regret, this series covers the most common financial behavioral biases that lead investors astray.
Categories: ABCs of behavioral biases, Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Evidence-based investing, General audience, PowerPoint presentation, Updated content, White paper
Financial quick takes: Financial goals—your tickets to ride
March 27, 2024
This "quick take" piece reviews why it's important for investors to have well-crafted personal financial goals driving their overall investment strategies and selections, and how to establish and maintain relevant goals over time.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based investing, Financial planning, General audience, Quick reference
Protecting women’s wealth
March 16, 2024
This article describes some of the hurdles women face in protecting their wealth, including longevity and earning challenges, as well as ways to build greater financial stability through targeted financial planning.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Estate planning, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Prospect-focused, Wealth management
Bringing order to your investment universe: A 3-part series
February 20, 2024
This three-part series walks readers through how to transition from a chaotic collection of assets and accounts into a well-structured investment portfolio. Each part explores the separate planning pieces involved in minimizing the taxable impact of a desired transition while successfully moving toward a more orderly investment portfolio, and it encourages investors to hire an experienced financial planner to assist them. This series is also available in white paper format for use as a separate prospecting resource.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Bringing order to investing, Client experience, Evidence-based investing, Expenses, Family wealth, General audience, Tax planning
Evidence-based investment insights series: 14 parts (UPDATED 2024)
January 16, 2024
UPDATED FROM 2019: This is a series of 14 shorter pieces for explaining evidence-based investment principles in a step-by-step approach. Use the series for drip marketing via e-newsletter, emails, mailings or as video script to introduce your investment approach to prospective clients or to review key benefits with existing clients. Collection will download as a zip file containing 14 Word documents. A compiled 26-page white paper and eight-page report also are available for separate download.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Evidence-based insights, Evidence-based investing, Fixed income, General audience, Sustainable investing, Updated content
4 financial best practices for year-end 2023
November 15, 2023
Share this piece with clients and prospects to offer four financial best practices for year-end 2023. This year's tips cover managing cash reserves, maintaining one's investment portfolio, tax strategies and time management.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Evidence-based investing, Financial planning, General audience, Listicle, Tax planning, Wealth management
Financial quick takes: Compared to what?
October 26, 2023
This piece describes the apples-to-oranges comparisons investors tend to make between their well-built, globally diversified investment portfolio versus fleeting hot hands and/or "the market." Readers are encouraged to instead consider fund management and costs in selecting appropriate holdings for their unique portfolio and invites them to reach out to you for assistance.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Quick reference
Financial quick takes: Wisdom of crowds vs. popular delusions
September 25, 2023
Are markets wise, as James Surowiecki suggests in "The Wisdom of Crowds"? Or are they delusional, as described in Charles Mackay's "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds"? This quick take summarizes why they can be either or both, and how that shapes your investment recommendations. By creating and sticking with a low-cost, globally diversified portfolio, investors can capitalize on group wisdom and avoid group mania.
Categories: Article, Behavioral finance, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Quick reference
Financial quick takes: Making mistakes
September 5, 2023
A quick-take piece emphasizing the difference between avoidable investment mistakes versus random market misfortune. By eliminating avoidable mistakes, investors can also lower, but not entirely eliminate the possibility of experiencing negative investment outcomes.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Quick reference
A balanced look at stock buybacks—Part 3: Risks amid the rewards
August 4, 2023
Part 3 of a three-part series exploring how and why stock buybacks can help investors, hurt them or be a neutral event, depending on the particulars. Part 1 described how stock buybacks generally work and emphasized the importance of investing in a globally diversified portfolio, rather than chasing or fleeing particular stock buyback opportunities. Part 2 covered how companies may use stock buybacks to strike a balance between sustaining current and future shareholder value. In part 3, we cover how the power of stock buybacks can become weaponized in the wrong hands, and why the government is keeping its eye on them.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Politics, Stock buybacks, Tax planning
A balanced look at stock buybacks—Part 2: Sustaining current & future value
July 31, 2023
Part 2 of a three-part series exploring how and why stock buybacks can help investors, hurt them or be a neutral event, depending on the particulars. Part 1 described how stock buybacks generally work and emphasized the importance of investing in a globally diversified portfolio, rather than chasing or fleeing particular stock buyback opportunities. In part 2, we cover how companies may use stock buybacks to strike a balance between sustaining current and future shareholder value. In part 3, we'll cover how the power of stock buybacks can become weaponized in the wrong hands, and why the government is keeping its eye on them.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Stock buybacks
A balanced look at stock buybacks—Part 1: How do stock buybacks work?
July 31, 2023
Part 1 of a three-part series exploring how and why stock buybacks can help investors, hurt them or be a neutral event, depending on the particulars. Part 1 describes how stock buybacks generally work and emphasizes the importance of investing in a globally diversified portfolio, rather than chasing or fleeing particular stock buyback opportunities. In part 2, we'll cover how companies may use stock buybacks to strike a balance between sustaining current and future shareholder value. In part 3, we'll cover how the power of stock buybacks can become weaponized in the wrong hands, and why the government is keeping its eye on them.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Stock buybacks, Tax planning
Dividend Stocks – Part 2: Dividend Stocks vs. Total Return Investing
June 28, 2023
Building a concentrated position in dividend stocks may appeal to some investors as a way to withdraw income from their investment portfolio. In Part 1 of a two-part series, we explored how dividend stocks really work, and why stocking up on them is not our preferred technique for creating a dependable cash flow in retirement. In this Part 2, we cover why we instead prefer a total return approach to building wealth and generating efficient cash flow as needed.
Categories: Article, Dividend stocks, Evidence-based investing, Fixed income, General audience, Retirement planning
Dividend Stocks – Part 1: How Dividend Stocks Work
June 28, 2023
Building a concentrated position in dividend stocks may appeal to some investors as a way to withdraw income from their investment portfolio. In this Part 1 of a two-part series, we explore how dividend stocks really work, and why stocking up on them is not our preferred technique for creating a dependable cash flow in retirement. In Part 2, we'll cover why we instead prefer a total return approach to building wealth and generating efficient cash flow as needed.
Categories: Article, Dividend stocks, Evidence-based investing, Fixed income, General audience, Retirement planning
Unsung Money Mentors: Personal Financial Columnist Sylvia Porter
May 30, 2023
In a recent piece, "Who Is 'the Media'?" we offered our broad take on “the media,” and how to identify islands of investment insights across the oceans of daily news. In this follow-up, we focus on America’s first personal financial columnist Sylvia Porter (1913–1991), and the impact she made on the global financial press. This piece is also part of our continuing series on Unsung Money Mentors.
Categories: Article, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Evidence-based investing, Financial planning, General audience, Unsung money mentors
What Is the Media?
April 27, 2023
While we often take aim at "the media," not all news is harmful. By understanding the different types of media coverage, and their roles in our decision-making processes, investors can better differentiate quality news from harmful distraction.
Categories: Article, Breaking news, General audience, Scary market insights
Is Social Security Going Bust?
March 26, 2023
An analysis of what is projected for Social Security, some of the fixes Congress is exploring to replenish its reserves, and why taking Social Security early just to avoid potential cuts in benefit, is only shifting financial risks rather than eliminating them.
Categories: Article, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Politics, Report, Retirement planning
Unsung Money Mentors: The Legacy Dan Wheeler Left Us
February 28, 2023
In the first of what may become a series of unsung money mentors, we reflect on the legacy the recently passed Dan Wheeler left for the independent, fee-only advisor community in general, and evidence-based investment advisors in particular. The piece covers his influence on the advisor community before and after he joined Dimensional Fund Advisors.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Unsung money mentors
4 Ways to Apply the 80/20 Rule to Your Financial Pursuits
February 5, 2023
The "80/20 rule" suggests 80% of an outcome is often the result of just 20% of the effort you put into it. In that spirit, this piece offers 4 financial best practices where the 80/20 rule applies. These include staying invested across varied markets, emphasizing asset allocation over stock-picking, having a basic financial plan to guide the way, and freezing your credit report to minimize financial fraud.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based investing, Financial planning, General audience, Listicle, Security, Technology
What’s in the SECURE 2.0 Act?
January 3, 2023
A five-page overview of key provisions in the newly enacted SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, including updates that impact: (1) savers/investors, (2) employers/plan sponsors, (3) current spending (such as emergency expenses), (4) Roth accounts, (5) RMD requirements, and (6) charitable giving.
Categories: Article, Breaking news, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Report, Retirement planning, Tax planning
When Should You Take Your Social Security?
December 9, 2022
This 3-page piece summarizes some of the most common factors that may influence whether to start taking Social Security sooner or later, and emphasizes planning based on manageable factors, rather than hopes or fears that are beyond our control.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Listicle, Retirement planning
Six Financial Best Practices for Year-End 2022
November 11, 2022
Share this piece with clients and prospects to offer six financial best practices for year-end 2022. This year's tips cover cash flow management, tax planning, healthcare coverage, and general financial planning in the context of 2022 events, including higher interest rates, inflation, and market volatility.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Economics, Estate planning, Family wealth, Financial planning, Fixed income, General audience, Listicle, Philanthropy/giving, Retirement planning, Risk management, Tax planning, Wealth management
Back to the Investment Basics: Part 5 — Patience and Personal Persistence
October 12, 2022
This part 5 is the last installment in our multipart Investment Basics series, and covers two more essentials: being patient and ensuring personal financial goals drive the decision-making. Earlier parts explored the history of investing; how important it is to save (so you have money to invest); how to invest efficiently in broad markets; and why to avoid chasing or fleeing rising or falling prices.
Categories: Article, Back to the basics, Behavioral finance, Evidence-based investing, Financial planning, General audience, Scary market insights
Back to the Investment Basics: Part 4 — The Price You Pay Matters
September 27, 2022
This part 4 in our multipart Investment Basics series covers how stock prices are set. Earlier parts explored the history of investing; how important it is to save (so you have money to invest); and how to invest efficiently in broad markets. Next up (and to wrap), we'll cover investor resolve, and setting personal financial goals.
Categories: Article, Back to the basics, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Scary market insights
Back to the Investment Basics: Part 3 — Our Marvelous Markets
September 16, 2022
Part 3 of a multipart series reminds investors to consider current market events in proper historical context (part 1), while depending on investment basics to move past today's challenges and future unknowns. In part 2, we covered the importance of saving. In this part 3, we cover market returns. In upcoming parts, we'll cover three more investment basics: market pricing, investor resolve, and personal financial goals.
Categories: Article, Back to the basics, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Scary market insights
Back to the Investment Basics: Part 2 — First Save, Then Invest
September 6, 2022
Part 2 of a multipart series reminds investors to consider current market events in proper historical context (in part 1), while depending on investment basics to move past today's challenges and future unknowns. In this part 2, we covered the importance of saving. In upcoming parts, we'll cover four more investment basics: market returns, market pricing, investor resolve, and personal financial goals.
Categories: Article, Back to the basics, Behavioral finance, General audience, Scary market insights
Back to the Investment Basics: Part 1 — Remembering Summers Past Free Sample (Click on title to download)
August 29, 2022
Part 1 of a multipart series reminds investors to consider current market events in proper historical context, while depending on investment basics to move past today's challenges and future unknowns. In upcoming parts, we'll cover five investment basics: saving, market returns, market pricing, investor resolve, and personal financial goals.
Categories: Article, Back to the basics, Behavioral finance, Breaking news, Economics, Evidence-based investing, Free samples, General audience, Politics
Market-Timing Traps and Temptations
August 3, 2022
This commentary points to the surprisingly strong July 2022 returns (after awful returns during the first half of the year) to remind investors why market-timing remains ill-advised. As always, markets don't set prices based on whether news is good or bad, but whether it's better or worse than expected.
Categories: Article, Breaking news, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Scary market insights
Our Take On Direct Indexing (UPDATED)
July 30, 2022
UPDATED FROM DECEMBER 2021: With the elimination of trading costs and the ability to purchase partial shares, more providers have been offering direct indexing to smaller accounts for relatively modest fees. But just because investors can engage in direct indexing, should they? It depends on the circumstances. This three-part report defines direct indexing, reviews its downsides, and describes its potential useful applications.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Report, Sustainable investing, Tax planning, Updated content, White paper
Six Ways a Recession Resembles a Bad Mood
June 14, 2022
This piece helps your clients and prospective clients put current market and recessionary concerns in perspective by describing six ways a recession resembles a bad mood. For example, they're both difficult to define, best seen in retrospect, and part of life. Besides describing what recessions are and how they work, a main message is that investors can't control the world around them, but they can control how they react to it. And you, as their advisor can assist with that.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Economics, Financial planning, General audience, Listicle, Report, Scary market insights
Investing in I Bonds
May 4, 2022
An overview of what I Bonds are, why currently high interest rates might make them an appealing place to store cash reserves and/or emergency funds, caveats to consider, and how you can help clients incorporate them into their greater investment portfolio.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client-focused, Evidence-based investing, Tax planning
Interest Rates, Inflation & Investing, Part 3
April 1, 2022
Part 3 in a 3-part series covering current concerns about interest rates (part 1), inflation (part 2), and what these influences mean to investors (in this part 3).
Categories: Alternative investments, Article, Breaking news, Economics, Evidence-based investing, Fixed income, General audience, Interest, inflation & investing, Politics, Report, Retirement planning
Interest Rates, Inflation & Investing, Part 2
March 24, 2022
Part 2 in a 3-part series covering current concerns about interest rates (part 1), inflation (in this part 2) and what these influences mean to investors (part 3).
Categories: Article, Breaking news, Economics, General audience, Interest, inflation & investing, Politics, Report
Interest Rates, Inflation & Investing, Part 1
March 16, 2022
Part 1 in a 3-part series covering current concerns about interest rates (in this part 1), inflation (part 2) and what these influences mean to investors (part 3).
Categories: Article, Breaking news, Economics, Fixed income, General audience, Interest, inflation & investing, Politics, Report
Healing What Hurts: The Essential Role of a Financial Therapist
February 16, 2022
This 3-page report describes the value a financial therapist can add to someone’s wealth management team when their own or a family member’s mental health may be interfering with their financial well-being. Points include when and how financial therapy can help, and how to identify an appropriate fit (including how your firm can assist in the selection).
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Estate planning, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Report, Wealth management
Evidence-Based Investing in Brief
December 16, 2021
"What is evidence-based investing?" This 3-page piece provides a relatively brief, yet substantive response to this essential FAQ. It starts with a two-sentence working definition, and then covers evidence-based investing's roots, reasoning and practical application.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Report
Six Financial Best Practices for Year-End 2021
November 7, 2021
Share this piece with clients and prospects to offer six financial best practices for year-end 2021. This year's tips cover investment discipline, budgeting, tax-planning, charitable giving, and estate planning considerations in the context of 2021 events. It also optionally references the newly released "Tax Planning in Turbulent Times" report for additional insights.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Estate planning, Evidence-based investing, Family wealth, General audience, Listicle, Philanthropy/giving, Retirement planning, Tax planning
Investment Costs, Part 2: Custodian/Brokerage Costs
September 27, 2021
Part 2 of a 2-part series covering investment costs. Part 1 focuses on fund management fees. Part 2 looks at custodian/brokerage (trading) costs, as well as how a fiduciary, fee-only advisor can help families identify and reduce excessive costs.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Expenses, General audience, Investment costs, Prospect-focused, Report
Investment Costs, Part 1: Fund Management Fees
September 27, 2021
Part 1 of a 2-part series covering investment costs. Part 1 focuses on fund management fees. Part 2 looks at custodian/brokerage (trading) costs, as well as how a fiduciary, fee-only advisor can help families identify and reduce excessive costs.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Expenses, General audience, Investment costs, Prospect-focused, Report
Tax Planning Part 3: Tax-Wise Financial Planning
August 31, 2021
Part 3 of a 3-part series on tax-planning. Part 1 defined "the tools of the tax-planning trade," i.e., tax breaks for saving toward life goals such as retirement, healthcare, education, emergency spending, charitable giving, and wealth transfer. Part 2 explored reducing families' lifetime tax bills through tax-wise investment techniques. Part 3 explores integrating all of the above into broad financial planning.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Estate planning, Evidence-based investing, Family wealth, General audience, Philanthropy/giving, Retirement planning, Tax planning, Tax planning tools & techniques, Wealth management
Tax Planning Part 2: Tax-Wise Investment Techniques
August 12, 2021
Part 2 of a 3-part series on tax-planning. Part 1 defined "the tools of the tax-planning trade," i.e., tax breaks for saving toward life goals such as retirement, healthcare, education, emergency spending, charitable giving, and wealth transfer. Part 2 explores reducing families' lifetime tax bills through tax-wise investment techniques. Part 3 will explore integrating all of the above into broad financial planning techniques.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Estate planning, Evidence-based investing, Family wealth, General audience, Philanthropy/giving, Retirement planning, Tax planning, Tax planning tools & techniques
Tax Planning Part 1: Tools of the Trade
July 27, 2021
Part 1 of a 3-part series on tax-planning. Part 1 defines "the tools of the tax-planning trade," i.e., tax breaks for saving toward life goals such as retirement, healthcare, education, emergency spending, charitable giving, and wealth transfer. Part 2 explores reducing families' lifetime tax bills through tax-wise investment techniques. Part 3 will explore integrating all of the above into broad financial planning techniques.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Estate planning, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Philanthropy/giving, Retirement planning, Tax planning, Tax planning tools & techniques
Inflation Part 2: What We Can Do About It
June 24, 2021
Part 2 of a 2-part series on inflation. Part 1 defined inflation, put current events in greater context, and described the difference between "good" and "bad" inflation. This Part 2 explores why forecasts for inflation remain as fuzzy as ever, and how investors can best prepare for whatever may happen next.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Breaking news, Economics, General audience, Inflation, Scary market insights
Inflation Part 1: What We Know
June 15, 2021
Part 1 of a 2-part series on inflation. Part 1 defines inflation, puts current events in greater context, and describes the difference between "good" and "bad" inflation. Part 2 explores why forecasts for inflation remain as fuzzy as ever, and how investors can best prepare for whatever may happen next.
Categories: Article, Breaking news, Economics, General audience, Inflation, Scary market insights
Protecting What’s Yours (After You Pass) Part 2
May 17, 2021
Share this two-part piece on estate planning basics with clients and prospects. Part 1 is 464 words, and reminds readers how important it is to have a basic will or trust. This part 2, at 1,413 words, offers step-by-step guidance on creating and maintaining an effective estate plan. Both pieces pair well with a 2019 Library piece, "Protecting What's Yours (While You're Alive)."
Categories: Article, Estate planning, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Philanthropy/giving, Protecting what's yours, Tax planning, Wealth management
Protecting What’s Yours (After You Pass) Part 1
April 29, 2021
Share this two-part piece on estate planning basics with clients and prospects. Part 1 is 464 words, and reminds readers how important it is to have a basic will or trust. Part 2 (coming soon) will offer step-by-step guidance on creating and maintaining an effective estate plan. Both pieces pair well with a 2019 Library piece, "Protecting What's Yours (While You're Alive)."
Categories: Article, Estate planning, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Philanthropy/giving, Protecting what's yours, Tax planning, Wealth management
Understanding The 2021 Recovery Rebate Stimulus Payments
March 12, 2021
An 864-word overview summarizing how the newly passed American Recovery Act of 2021 Recovery Rebate Stimulus Payments work: Who will receive them, how much they can expect to receive (if anything), and the three ways they may qualify for full or partial payments based on their 2019, 2020, and/or 2021 AGI.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Breaking news, Client-focused, Family wealth, Tax planning
SPACS, NFTs, and Other Jungle Creatures
March 11, 2021
Use this 1,117-word report to describe some of the latest trading trends to clients and prospects, put the activity in the context of similar historical runs, and explain why long-term investors should avoid the excitement of short-term speculation.
Categories: Alternative investments, Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Report, Technology
GameStop Client Reach-Out
February 1, 2021
Share this 855-word piece with clients and prospects to offer a synopsis (to date) of the unfolding marketing volatility generated by GameStop and similar short-sold stocks, and to remind them of the essential differences between long-term investing versus short-term trading.
Categories: Article, Breaking news, Evidence-based investing, General audience, General letter/email
An Evidence-Based Approach to ESG Investing: Part 1 (UPDATED)
December 21, 2020
UPDATED FROM JUNE-JULY 2017: This 930-word document is part 1 of a 2-part series, providing an UPDATED informational overview of ESG investing in the context of evidence-based investment strategies. Part 1 introduces a few key terms and summarizes how ESG investment priorities may vary depending on individual goals. Use this series to respond to client and prospect questions about ESG investing.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based ESG investing, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Philanthropy/giving, Report, Sustainable investing, Updated content
An Evidence-Based Approach to ESG Investing: Part 2 (UPDATED)
December 21, 2020
UPDATED FROM JUNE-JULY 2017: This 1,400-word document is part 2 of a 2-part series, providing an UPDATED informational overview of ESG investing in the context of evidence-based investment strategies. Part 2 explores how to quantify “doing good,” and explores the challenges and opportunities ESG investors face today. Use this series to respond to client and prospect questions about ESG investing.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based ESG investing, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Philanthropy/giving, Report, Sustainable investing, Updated content
Six Financial Best Practices for Year-End 2020
November 29, 2020
Share this 818-word piece with clients and prospects to offer six financial best practices for year-end 2020. This year's selection is based on some of the changes that took place in 2020, including charitable giving tax breaks, general tax-planning opportunities, altered lifestyle planning considerations, and more.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Financial best practice lists, Financial planning, General audience, General letter/email, Listicle, Philanthropy/giving, Risk management, Tax planning
Lump-Sum Investing vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging — Part 2: Actual Outcomes
September 28, 2020
This 650-word document is part two of a two-part series comparing lump-sum investing to dollar-cost averaging. This first part describes why lump-sum investing is generally expected to deliver higher end returns. In part two, we cover why other issues may sometimes make dollar-cost averaging the preferred strategy anyway.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Evidence-based investing, General audience
Lump-Sum Investing vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging — Part 1: Raw Returns
September 21, 2020
This 610-word document is part one of a two-part series comparing lump-sum investing to dollar-cost averaging. This first part describes why lump-sum investing is generally expected to deliver higher end returns. In part two, we'll cover why other issues may sometimes make dollar-cost averaging the preferred strategy anyway.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Evidence-based investing, General audience
What Is Fiduciary Investment Advice, and Why Does It Matter?
July 31, 2020
Fully independent, fee-only RIA firms can share this 1,500-word report with clients and prospective clients to differentiate comprehensive fiduciary client relationships, vs. "incidental" investment recommendations under Regulation Best Interest (as of June 30, 2020). Pairs well with the separate, August 2020 Library piece, “Finding Your Fiduciary Financial Advisor.”
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Evidence-based investing, Finding a fiduciary advisor, General audience, Report, Wealth management
Eight “Best/Worst” Wealth Strategies During the Coronavirus Free Sample (Click on title to download)
June 28, 2020
Share this 833-word document with clients and prospects to cover eight of the most and least effective ways for they can spend their time and energy shoring up their financial well-being in the time of the coronavirus.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Alternative investments, Article, Evidence-based investing, Financial planning, Free samples, General audience, Listicle, Wealth management
How To Be Positively Skeptical | Part 4: Check the Facts Before You Act
May 17, 2020
Use this third, 898-word installment of a 4-part series to help clients and prospects strengthen their ability to differentiate solid evidence from bogus claims, especially during the coronavirus crisis. Parts 1-3 described why it's important to be positively skeptical, how our emotions interfere with our reasoning, and what should guide our due diligence. Part 4 describes some of the practical steps involved and wraps with a call to action.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Breaking news, Evidence-based investing, General audience, How to be positively skeptical, Politics
How To Be Positively Skeptical | Part 3: How Do You Do Your Due Diligence?
May 17, 2020
Use this third, 673-word installment of a 4-part series to help clients and prospects strengthen their ability to differentiate solid evidence from bogus claims, especially during the coronavirus crisis. Parts 1 and 2 described why it's important to be positively skeptical, and how our emotions interfere with our reasoning. Part 3 provides five “do’s” and “don’ts” to guide our due diligence, and Part 4 will offer some of the practical steps involved.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Breaking news, Evidence-based investing, General audience, How to be positively skeptical, Politics
How To Be Positively Skeptical | Part 2: Understanding Your Emotions
April 29, 2020
Use this second, 844-word installment of a 4-part series to help clients and prospects strengthen their ability to differentiate solid evidence from bogus claims, especially during the coronavirus crisis. Part 1 described why the ability to be "positively skeptical" is important. This part 2 covers how to recognize when emotions are interfering with reason (and what to do about it). Parts 3 & 4 will help readers hone in on their fact-checking skills.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Breaking news, Evidence-based investing, Financial planning, General audience, How to be positively skeptical, Technology
A Retirement Plan Sponsor Reach-Out
March 25, 2020
Use this 757-word piece to reach out to retirement plan sponsor clients during the coronavirus crisis. Let them know you're available as always, update them on retirement plan regulatory issues you're keeping an eye on, and summarize best financial practices for themselves and their plan participants.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, General letter/email, Retirement plan sponsor, Retirement planning, Scary market insights
Taking a New View on Coronavirus
March 13, 2020
Share this 727-word piece as another timely outreach to your clients (or for general audiences with some edits), to help them remain resolute during current COVID-19-fueled crises. The piece acknowledges the current risks being realized, while pointing out that these same risks are likely to generate important insights for seeding future expected social resilience and market growth.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Breaking news, Client-focused, Economics, Evidence-based investing, Scary market insights
10 Things To Do Right Now While Markets Are Tanking (UPDATED)
February 28, 2020
UPDATED FROM MARCH 2018: Use this 1,238-word handout with clients or prospects, to remind them during the current coronavirus-generated crisis of 10 judicious actions to take during scary markets, along with 10 insightful quotes from respected subject matter experts.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Breaking news, Economics, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Listicle, Scary market insights, Tax planning, Updated content
How To Be Positively Skeptical | Part 1: The Benefits of Having a Doubt
February 27, 2020
Use this first, 600-word installment of a 4-part series to help clients and prospects strengthen their ability to differentiate solid evidence from bogus claims. Part 1 describes why the ability to be "positively skeptical" is important. Parts 2 - 4 will cover how to recognize when emotions are interfering with reason, and how to hone one's fact-checking skills.
Categories: Article, Behavioral finance, Evidence-based investing, General audience, How to be positively skeptical, Politics, Security, Technology
You, Your Investments, and the Coronavirus (UPDATED)
February 24, 2020
UPDATED 2/24: Use this 677-word client reach-out to remind your clients why they should avoid reacting to breaking news about novel coronavirus, at least as far as their investment portfolio is concerned. With minor modifications, the piece can also be used for general/prospecting purposes.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Breaking news, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Scary market insights, Updated content
Three Upside-Down Investment Insights
January 21, 2020
Share this 732-word piece with clients and/or prospects to cover three important, but counterintuitive investment insights: (1) market volatility is the norm, not the exception; (2) market volatility is a "frenemy" to investors; and (3) effective diversification means you'll always be holding some disappointing asset classes.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Listicle
You, Your Retirement, and the SECURE Act – GENERAL Audience
December 24, 2019
Use this 1,300-word document to provide a GENERAL AUDIENCE with an overview of what to expect from the newly enacted U.S. SECURE Act -- emphasizing how you might assist them in applying the changes according to their best interests. Refer to separate piece tailored for CLIENT use.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Estate planning, Financial planning, General audience, Retirement planning, Tax planning
You, Your Retirement, and the SECURE Act – CLIENT Audience
December 24, 2019
Use this 1,300-word document to provide CLIENTS with an overview of what to expect from the newly enacted U.S. SECURE Act -- emphasizing how you will be assisting them in applying the changes according to their best interests. Refer to separate piece revised for GENERAL AUDIENCE use.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client-focused, Estate planning, Financial planning, Politics, Retirement planning, Tax planning
Six Financial Best Practices for 2020
December 8, 2019
Share this 869-word piece with clients and prospects to offer six financial best practices for 2020. This year's selection is based on some of the changes that took place in 2019, including TCJA tax tips, zero-commission stock and ETF trading, and more.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Economics, Evidence-based investing, Financial best practice lists, General audience, Listicle, Philanthropy/giving, Security, Wealth management
Why Safe Harbors Can Be Risky Business
November 21, 2019
Use this 922-word article to remind clients and explain to prospective clients how to balance managing short-term market volatility risks with the long-term risk of inflation. It’s also risky to overweight a portfolio in "safe harbor" investments, and/or flee to the sidelines during turbulent times, just in a different way.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Evidence-based investing, Fixed income, General audience, Scary market insights
16 Things You Can Do To Prepare for the Next Recession
October 18, 2019
16 things investors can do to truly strengthen their financial well-being, instead of engaging in market-timing in reaction to a potential recession. Share this 783-word overview with clients and prospects.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Expenses, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Listicle, Retirement planning, Scary market insights, Wealth management
FAFSA Application Advice for College-Bound Kids
September 6, 2019
This 482-word message alerts parents and their college-bound children that there's no time to waste when submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application as soon as October 1 arrives. It describes how FAFSA works, and why time is of the essence.
Categories: Article, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience
What Is Monte Carlo Analysis?
August 23, 2019
This 1,000-word article in our "What Is ...?" series describes how investors can benefit from a Monte Carlo Analysis, includes caveats on best use, and provides a basic illustration on how it works. An accompanying Monte Carlo Sample pdf file provides the assumptions used in the illustration.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Financial planning, General audience, Retirement planning, The "What Is ...?" series
You, Your Financial Well-Being and the Federal Reserve (UPDATED)
August 1, 2019
UPDATED FROM MARCH 2018: This 1,200-word piece puts the U.S. Federal Reserve's ongoing federal funds rate changes (especially the Aug. 1 2019 rate decrease) into sound, financial-planning context. Use this piece to inform prospects or clients about how the Fed operates, as well as what your role is in helping them manage debt, save, invest, and spend wisely through various interest rate climates and regardless of what lies ahead.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Economics, Evidence-based investing, Fixed income, General audience, Updated content
Protecting What’s Yours (While You’re Alive)
July 25, 2019
Use this 1,300-word article in its entirety or broken into three parts to cover three tools an individual can employ to protect their health and wealth care interests while they are alive: (1) the financial power of attorney, (2) the trusted contact, and (3) the healthcare advance directive (including a living will and healthcare power of attorney). Includes a summary, when each applies, common scenarios and additional tips for each.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Estate planning, Family wealth, Financial planning, General audience, Protecting what's yours, Report, Wealth management
The Viability of the Value Premium (Multi-Part Series)
June 16, 2019
This multi-part series segments the full-length 1,765-word report on the viability of the value premium into five shorter, quick-read pieces. It covers the origins of the value premium, historical precedents, additional evidence that the value premium likely remains viable, and the role global diversification plays in managing risks and expected returns. The five parts are bundled into a single zip file for simplified download.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Scary market insights, Viability of value investing
Good Advice (UPDATED)
May 27, 2019
UPDATED FROM 2016: This 605-word piece reminds your clients and informs prospective clients that the best-interest advice you offer goes well beyond stock-picking tips. It reinforces why a good financial adviser remains relevant even as low-cost funds, automated investing and simplified financial planning are on the rise.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Evidence-based investing, Financial planning, General audience, Updated content, Wealth management
What Is Asset Location? (UPDATED)
May 27, 2019
UPDATED FROM 2013: This 710-word article is part of our ongoing "What Is ...?" series. It defines asset LOCATION, differentiates it from asset ALLOCATION, and provides an overview of both its benefits and challenges. Share this piece with clients or prospects as an article, post, or video script, or for similar purposes.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Tax planning, The "What Is ...?" series, Updated content
What Is Liquidity?
May 14, 2019
This 768-word article is part of our ongoing "What Is ...?" series. It defines liquidity, offers some approachable examples of how it works, and considers it within the context of an overall investment portfolio. Share this piece with clients or prospects as an article, post, or video script, or for similar purposes.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based investing, Financial planning, General audience, Real estate investing, The "What Is ...?" series, Wealth management
Money Management Lingo
March 27, 2019
This 860-word document provides a beginner's guide intro to some of the most common terminology advisors tend to use when introducing prospective and new clients to money management services. For example, it differentiates assets, funds, accounts and custodians -- explaining which roles each play. (Note: Non-U.S. advisors might want to swap out some of the examples with illustrations of their own -- such as referencing your country's tax-advantaged accounts rather than U.S.-based IRAs.)
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Financial planning, General audience, Real estate investing, Tax planning, The "What Is ...?" series
What Is Asset Allocation?
February 13, 2019
This approximately 750-word piece provides a working definition of asset allocation, to share with clients, prospects and others. It's the latest addition to an accumulating "What Is ...?" series, defining frequently used terminology for those who may not "just know" what it means.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, The "What Is ...?" series
Six Financial Best Practices for 2019
December 17, 2018
Six financial best practices encouraging investors to ignore market volatility and take practical steps toward enhancing their financial well-being. Use this piece as is to share with prospective clients, or modify it slightly for client use. This piece represents the second in an annual series, potentially pairing well with "Ten Financial Best Practices to Jump-Start Your New Year," published in December 2017.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Estate planning, Financial best practice lists, Financial planning, Listicle, Prospect-focused, Scary market insights, Security, Wealth management
Five Financial Adages for Thriving in Volatile Markets
November 19, 2018
This big, meaty, 2,000-word report takes a close look at why so many investors fail to adhere to five widely accepted financial adages (e.g., "buy low, sell high"), ESPECIALLY DURING VOLATILE/DOWN MARKETS. Use this report with clients or prospects -- either as-is, or as a drip communication or video series, sharing one adage at a time, over time.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Client experience, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Report, Scary market insights
Protecting Your Child from Identity Theft (US Version) Free Sample (Click on title to download)
September 24, 2018
Use this 600-word piece to alert clients and prospects to the growing threat of child identity theft: what it is, why it's happening, how parents can spot and prevent it, and what to do if it happens.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Free samples, General audience, Security, Technology
Protecting Your Child from Identity Theft (Canadian Version) Free Sample (Click on title to download)
September 24, 2018
Use this 600-word piece to alert clients and prospects to the growing threat of child identity theft: what it is, why it's happening, how parents can spot and prevent it, and what to do if it happens.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Free samples, General audience, Security, Technology
What Is the Yield Curve? (Article)
August 24, 2018
This 900-word "What Is?" article translates a tricky investment concept -- the yield curve -- to help clients and prospects alike appreciate the role it plays in their fixed income investing. (Look for the separate, Excel spreadsheet also available in the Content-Sharing Library if you need to directly access the Yield Curve diagrams displayed in this piece.)
Categories: Article, Economics, Evidence-based investing, Fixed income, General audience, Report, The "What Is ...?" series
Food for Thought: “Reducing the Risk of Black Swans” Book Review
August 6, 2018
This 1,250-word book review of Larry Swedroe's and Kevin Grogan's book, "Reducing the Risk of Black Swans," will be useful for advisors who are introducing some of the newer factors and alternative investment strategies into their evidence-based investment portfolios. Share it with clients or prospects, along with the book itself, or use it as a summary for in-house reference.
Categories: Alternative investments, Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Report
What Is Correlation (and Why Would You Care)?
May 30, 2018
This 1,000-word "What Is?" article translates a tricky investment term -- correlation -- to help clients and prospects alike appreciate the role it plays in portfolio construction.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, The "What Is ...?" series
A Focus on Fixed Income (UPDATED)
April 27, 2018
UPDATED FROM SEPTEMBER 2015: This 1,275-word article covers the essential roles fixed income should play in an investor's portfolio, along with some of the basics on how fixed income differs from equity investing. It also reinforces the important role an objective advisor can play in building and managing fixed income investments. Use the piece for e-newsletters, e-mails, handouts and mailings, or to create video script for prospective or existing clients.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Evidence-based investing, Fixed income, General audience, Report, Updated content
Charitable Giving Under the TCJA: An Overview of Sensible Strategies
April 25, 2018
Use this 975-word overview to share four practical ways charitably inclined investors can still receive tax breaks on their charitable giving under the new U.S. Tax Cuts and Job Acts rules. This material can also be paired with the separate, February 2018 Content-Sharing Library piece focusing on Donor Advised Funds (DAFs).
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, General audience, Philanthropy/giving, Tax planning
10 Things To Do Right Now While Markets Are (Not Really) Tanking
March 21, 2018
Use this 1,250-word handout with clients or prospects, to serve as a "safety drill" during calm markets, to help them prepare for staying the course during market downturns. The piece offers 10 judicious actions to take during bear markets, along with 10 insightful quotes from respected subject matter experts. You also can encourage readers to revisit the piece (or use it with a brief intro) the next time markets actually are tanking.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Breaking news, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Scary market insights, Tax planning
The Vital Role of Rebalancing (UPDATED)
January 26, 2018
UPDATED FROM JUNE 2013: Use this 960-word document with clients or prospects to explain how your firm adds value by employing rebalancing as part of an evidence-based strategy. Properly implemented, rebalancing offers a disciplined, cost-effective approach to buying low and selling high and staying on track toward one's personal financial goals.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Updated content
Half of a Whole: When You Lose Your Spouse Free Sample (Click on title to download)
July 21, 2017
This 900-word piece can be used as an article, email or video script to share with clients and prospective clients. It encourages those experiencing grief to hold off on making financial decisions that can wait, and offers supportive guidance to consider. It also encourages couples to complete their estate and advance planning if they've not yet done so.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Estate planning, Free samples, General audience, Wealth management
Content from “What Is Evidence-Based Investing?”
June 22, 2017
Available exclusively to Content-Sharing Library subscribers, this Word document provides the same talking points used in our recently released "What Is Evidence-Based Investing?" infographic/poster for use in other materials.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, The "What Is ...?" series, What is evidence-based investing?
Misperceptions About Market Corrections: Are You Prepared?
June 4, 2017
This 750-word document can be used in letter, email, article or video script format to help clients and prospects prepare for any future market corrections following the current long stint of relative calm. It encourages readers to ensure their portfolio meets their long-term goals and risk tolerances. Choose from two calls to action at the end, depending on whether you're sharing it with clients or prospects.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, Client-focused, Evidence-based investing, General audience, General letter/email, Prospect-focused, Scary market insights
An Index Overview | Part 4: Index Investing – Opportunities and Obstacles
March 21, 2017
This 1,200-word piece is part four of a four-part series covering indexes and index investing. Part 1 defined indexes in general. Part 2 took a closer look at what index points measure and some of their inherent characteristics. Part 3 explored some of the idiosyncrasies inherent to indexes. This final part 4 explores how indexes are used (and sometimes abused) in index fund investing. Use the series to discuss indexing as a drip series, in a combined report, or as video or podcast scripts.
Categories: An index overview, Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Report
An Index Overview | Part 3: Index Mechanics – Interesting Idiosyncrasies
March 8, 2017
This 1,060-word piece is part three of a four-part series covering indexes and index investing. Part 1 defined indexes in general. Part 2 took a closer look at what index points measure and some of their inherent characteristics. Part 3 explores some of the idiosyncrasies inherent to indexes. The final part 4 will explore how indexes are used (and sometimes abused) in index fund investing. Use the series to discuss indexing as a drip series, in a combined report, or as video or podcast scripts.
Categories: An index overview, Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Report
An Index Overview | Part 2: A Few Points About Index Points
February 23, 2017
This 780-word piece is part two of a four-part series covering indexes and index investing. Part 1 defined indexes in general. Part 2 takes a closer look at what index points measure and some of their inherent characteristics. Future parts will look at some of the strategies used to structure indexes, and how they are used (and sometimes abused) in index fund investing. Use the series to discuss indexing as a drip series, in a combined report, or as video or podcast scripts.
Categories: An index overview, Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Multipart series, Report
An Index Overview | Part 1: Indexes, Defined
February 12, 2017
This 800-word piece is part one of a four-part series covering indexes and index investing. Part 1 defines indexes in general, summarizes key uses (benchmarking and index fund investing), and explains why milestones like the "Dow 20,000" should not be used to engage in market-timing. Future parts will take a closer look at some of the strengths and weaknesses inherent to indexes and index fund investments. Use the series to discuss indexing as a drip series, in a combined report, or as video or podcast scripts.
Categories: An index overview, Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Multipart series, Report
Canadian Tax-Loss Harvesting: Opportunities and Obstacles
December 20, 2016
Modified for Canadian use, this 800-word handout can be used to inform clients about what tax-loss harvesting is, how it can be used (as well as when it may not be appropriate), and how it serves as another way you, as their adviser, seek to add value to their investing. With minor edits, it could also be used as a piece to share with prospective clients. (We published U.S. and Anglicised versions of this piece in October 2017).
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Client-focused, Expenses, Tax planning
Tax-Loss Harvesting: Opportunities and Obstacles
October 24, 2016
This 800-word handout can be used to inform clients about what tax-loss harvesting is, how it can be used (as well as when it may not be appropriate), and how it serves as another way you, as their adviser, seek to add value to their investing. With minor edits, it could also be used as a piece to share with prospective clients.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Client-focused, Expenses, Tax planning
Structured CDs — Buyer Beware!
September 26, 2016
This 650-word article describes how structured or market-based CDs aren't the same as traditional Certificates of Deposit, drawing from a recent Wall Street Journal critique of their costs and conflicts of interest. Share with clients or prospects who may be tempted by the "low risk, higher return" promises without considering the complexities involved.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based investing, Expenses, Fixed income, General audience
Presidents, Politics and Your Portfolio: Thinking Beyond Stage One
August 27, 2016
This 750-word article can be shared with clients or prospects who may wonder if there is something they should "do" with their investments as the November 8 U.S. presidential election date nears. It encourages them to stay true to their long-term investment strategies by thinking beyond the immediate news.
Categories: Article, Breaking news, Economics, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Politics, Scary market insights
Parenting Your Wealth in Uncertain Markets
August 12, 2016
This 1,000-word article compares good parenting skills to good wealth management, describing why patience is an investor's greatest virtue. Share with clients and prospects during this summer's unruly political climate or, with minor modifications, it can serve as a timeless piece to address any form of heightened uncertainty.
Categories: Article, Breaking news, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Politics, Scary market insights
Survivorship Bias and Other Tricks of the Trade
June 6, 2016
This 700-word article describes survivorship bias in performance analysis -- what it is, how common it is, and why an investor should care about it (as it can lead to overly optimistic return expectations). It wraps by pointing out how evidence-based advisors like you help investors separate biased data from solid results and invites them to be in touch with you to learn more. Use it to reach out to prospects and inform current clients.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience
Our Mixed Up, Messed Up Relationship with Investment Risk
May 11, 2016
As we swing into another summer of global events (such as the Cdn. Fort McMurray wildfire, UK Brexit and US elections), this article presents ways that investors tend to overestimate, underestimate, misunderstand and mistreat investment risks (both return-generating market risks as well as avoidable concentrated ones). Use this 1,000-word piece to explain investment risks to prospects and clients alike. Break each section into a series for video scripts or other uses.
Categories: Article, Behavioral finance, Breaking news, Economics, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Scary market insights
Good Advice
February 11, 2016
This 675-word piece reminds your clients and informs prospective clients that the best-interest advice you have to offer goes well beyond what is often thought of as "advice" (i.e., stock tips and little more). It reinforces why a good financial adviser remains relevant even as low-cost funds, automated investing and simplified financial planning is on the rise, and especially during the turbulent market times we are currently experiencing. As such, this piece can be used as a timely response to current market volatility or as a timeless article for all market climes.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Breaking news, Client experience, General audience, Scary market insights, Wealth management
Three Key Investment Strategies Hidden in Plain Sight: #3 — INTERNATIONAL VERSION — Controlling Costs
September 25, 2015
This 1,375-word piece represents part three of a series covering three essential evidence-based investment strategies: market participation ("being there"), managing market risk (diversification) and controlling costs. THIS UPDATED VERSION EXPLORES CONTROLLING COSTS WITH AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE AND ILLUSTRATIONS. It also emphasizes the benefits of having an evidence-based advisor to assist. Use the series for drip marketing via e-newsletter, e-mails, mailings or as video script for prospective or existing clients.
Categories: Article, Client experience, Evidence-based investing, Expenses, General audience, Three key strategies
Three Key Investment Strategies Hidden in Plain Sight: #3 — Controlling Costs
September 4, 2015
This 900-word piece represents part three of a series covering three essential evidence-based investment strategies: market participation ("being there"), managing market risk (diversification) and controlling costs. It also emphasizes the benefits of having an evidence-based advisor to assist. Use the series for drip marketing via e-newsletter, e-mails, mailings or as video script for prospective or existing clients.
Categories: Article, Client experience, Evidence-based investing, Expenses, General audience, Three key strategies
Three Key Investment Strategies Hidden in Plain Sight: #2 – Managing Market Risks
August 11, 2015
This 700-word piece represents part two of a series covering three essential evidence-based investment strategies: market participation ("being there"), managing market risk (diversification) and controlling costs. It also emphasizes the benefits of having an evidence-based advisor to assist. Use the series for drip marketing via e-newsletter, e-mails, mailings or as video script for prospective or existing clients.
Categories: Article, Client experience, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Three key strategies
Three Key Investment Strategies Hidden in Plain Sight: #1 – Being There
July 26, 2015
This 800-word piece represents part one of a series covering three essential evidence-based investment strategies: market participation ("being there"), managing market risk (diversification) and controlling costs. It also emphasizes the benefits of having an evidence-based advisor to assist. Use the series for drip marketing via e-newsletter, e-mails, mailings or as video script for prospective or existing clients.
Categories: Article, Behavioral finance, Client experience, Evidence-based investing, General audience, Three key strategies
More Evidence on the Evidence: An Historical Overview of Capital Market Theory
June 27, 2015
This 1,400-word piece complements the recently released "Evidence on the Evidence" piece, which explored how to differentiate academic evidence from less substantive work. This follow-up offers a timeline of the most important academic findings, from MPT to the Three-Factor Model and into the future. It highlights the role you play as an adviser, helping your clients incorporate meaningful evidence into their ongoing investment discipline. Use this pair of pieces to inform clients or prospects about the benefits of evidence-based investing.
Categories: Article, Evidence on the evidence, Evidence-based investing, General audience
The Evidence on the Evidence: How Do You Know What (and Whom) to Heed?
June 10, 2015
This 1,000-word piece explores key differences between robust, peer-reviewed academic evidence and the less substantive information that tends to grab the bigger headlines. It also describes how you, as an evidence-based adviser, help your clients become better investors by understanding why the difference matters. Use the series to inform clients or prospects about the importance of evidence-based investing. This piece pairs well with the complementary article, "More Evidence on the Evidence," which offers an historical overview of landmark studies from MPT to the Three-Factor Model and beyond.
Categories: Article, Evidence on the evidence, Evidence-based investing, General audience
Timeless Tips on Tax-Wise Investing: Part II
May 17, 2015
This 700-word piece represents part two of a two-part series on tax-wise investing, covering year-round, tax-efficient habits investors can adopt for themselves, their tax-managed funds, their portfolio construction (asset location) and their financial team -- overseen by their tax-savvy wealth manager. Use the series to inform clients or prospects about the principles of tax-wise investing and the critical role you play as their tax-wise adviser.
Categories: Article, Expenses, General audience, Tax planning
Timeless Tips on Tax-Wise Investing: Part I
May 10, 2015
This 965-word piece represents part one of a two-part series on tax-wise investing, covering year-round, tax-efficient habits investors can adopt for themselves, their tax-managed funds, their portfolio construction (asset location) and their financial team -- overseen by their tax-savvy wealth manager. Use the series to inform clients or prospects about the principles of tax-wise investing and the critical role you play as their tax-wise adviser.
Categories: Article, Expenses, General audience, Tax planning
Evidence-Based Investing vs. Indexing: Making a Good Thing Even Better
February 7, 2014
This 1,000-word article describes advantages of evidence-based investment management over index fund investing (i.e., investing as applied by Dimensional Fund Advisors and similar fund managers). It positions passive/index fund investing as a good improvement over active management, with evidence-based investing as an even better approach. It does not mention Dimensional or any other fund manager in particular, instead covering broad principles. Use this piece as a brochure or article to introduce your investment strategy to prospective clients or to review key benefits with existing clients.
Categories: Article, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Evidence-based investing, General audience
Our Investment Strategy Overview
December 16, 2013
This 1,400-word article provides a clear overview of our passive/evidence-based investment strategy. It differentiates your investment approach from that taken by most financial providers, without getting overly technical. It emphasizes the benefits and importance of (1) having a strategy to begin with, (2) having the right kind of strategy, and (3) accompanying it with fiduciary advice. Use this piece as a brochure or article to introduce your investment strategy to prospective clients or to review key benefits with existing clients. It also could provide solid talking points for your investment strategy website page (although I wouldn't recommend using the entire piece as a website page -- it's too long for that).
Categories: Article, Client experience, Evidence-based investing, General audience
A NEW Tradition: Family Wealth Planning Conversations
December 13, 2013
This 530-word article invites families to take a fresh look at their family wealth conversations, while encouraging them to think of your firm as a resource to assist them with this and other family wealth management needs. Use this piece as a newsletter article, or it could be readily converted into a direct mailing to clients or prospects.
Categories: Article, General audience, Wealth management
Professor Fama’s Nobel Prize and You
October 14, 2013
This 570-word article celebrates Professor Eugene Fama's receipt of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Economics, and how Fama's work contributes to your clients' personal investment experiences. It also explains how you, as their advisor, add value by translating sometimes conflicting academic evidence (such as Fama’s/Shiller's respective work) into practical application toward achieving individual end goals. Use the piece as a direct client communication or modify/customize for wider use.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client-focused, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Evidence-based investing
UPDATED: Market Mania and Investor Resolve
October 11, 2013
We've updated this piece from an earlier version, created during the last period of steep market decline in June. This updated 800-word version provides calming, historic context and reminders of essential investment tenets for clients who may be second-guessing the current risk levels in their portfolio in light of the government shutdown and related events.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Breaking news, General audience, Scary market insights
Think Twice Before Sinking Your Wealth Into an IPO
September 23, 2013
This 830-word article describes why investors should avoid investing in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) such as Facebook or, more recently (as of Sept. 2013), Twitter's proposed IPO. The article provides evidence on three reasons an investor is best off avoiding purchasing IPOs (or individual stocks in general): (1) stock-picking is a poor strategy to begin with, compared to MPT-based portfolio construction (citing a 2012 Markowitz interview), (2) individual investors tend to fare poorly in the IPO zero-sum loss game, and (3) IPOs have a track record for underperformance.
Categories: Article, Evidence-based investing, General audience
Avoiding Tracking-Error Regret
August 13, 2013
This 630-word article defines tracking-error regret in approachable terms, and describes that one of your key roles as an advisor is to help your clients recognize and avoid succumbing to it. It defines tracking-error regret that occurs when an investor’s carefully designed portfolio underperforms its common benchmark. It offers a different (better) way to measure financial success — by focusing on personal goals and constructing the portfolio accordingly. It also offers a handy table that summarizes the key tenets of disciplined investing.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Behavioral finance, General audience
Making Sense of Fixed Income
July 18, 2013
The article briefly describes the current (July 2013) market, in which many investors are panicking and selling off their bond funds, and informs readers that you recommend against succumbing to that trend. It offers four “Guiding Rules” to explain a preferred strategy: (1) The importance of investing according to a personalized plan; (2) An overview of the role fixed income plays; (3) Possible actions that may be appropriate (such as portfolio analysis of non-managed assets, risk-tolerance assessment, and rebalancing opportunities); and (4) The critical importance of staying the course.
Categories: Article, Fixed income, General audience
“Go With the Flow” Investing
July 11, 2013
Introducing your investment experience as a point of distinction, this brief introduction compares investing to river rafting, in which it’s important to “go with the flow” rather than struggle upstream. You help your clients accomplish this through planning, education and application of evidence-based investment strategy, combined with portfolio management (including managing for risks, costs and hyperactive trading behaviors).
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, General audience
The Art of Asset Location
June 17, 2013
Remind your clients of this important way you earn your advisory fees, by providing them with: (1) a working definition of asset location, (2) an empirical assessment of the value it can bring, (3) several reasons why it’s best to work with a professional advisor to implement the strategy, and (4) understanding on how and why most investors are missing out on effective asset location … because they’re not working with you!
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Client experience, Evidence-based investing, General audience
Assessing Advisory Fees
June 5, 2013
Remind clients of the ways you earn your advisory fees, including: (1) Tangible Savings such as helping them stay the course, ensuring low-cost investing and ongoing tax management, (2) Subtle Rewards such as education, account management, wealth coordination and access to Dimensional funds, and (3) Immense Immeasurables, such as freeing their time to pursue their personal interests and ensuring smooth transitions when family money management roles shift.
Categories: Advisor role/value, Article, Expenses, General audience