I find investor psychology fascinating. Often, I have witnessed situations where the investor is his/her worst enemy. Many investors are unaware of the impact of investor psychology on the decision making process. Unfortunately, many financial decisions are made out of either fear or greed--neither lends itself to prudent and evidenced-based investing decisions. This is nothing [...]
I am writing in response to questions I routinely receive form clients regarding the Morning Star Rating system of Funds. I want to discuss Morningstar 5 Star Rating System. Please consider the following: Equity Index Funds by nature will never receive a Five Star rating because the Star Rating System is looking at past performance and [...]
Three weeks ago, Picasso's "Les Femmes d’Alger" sold for $179.4 million, the highest price paid for any single piece of art, at any auction, ever. Of course, the vast majority of art investors will never see their art investments fetch anything near that sort of price. However, art can be a great investment if it [...]
Does Diversification mean that some part of my portfolio will not perform well? It sure does! Asset Class Diversification is one of the central components of both modern portfolio theory and a well-designed portfolio. Everyone agrees that a prudent investor should not “put all of his eggs in one basket.” Modern Portfolio Theory teaches us [...]
Fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) have become very popular investments in the last several years for investors seeking steady retirement income. But be aware that they are complex, and can vary in quality and security. Before considering these investments, you should consult with your financial advisor. Below are some guidelines to help you better understand fixed [...]
In the recent past, when people needed cash for emergencies, they typically tapped the equity in their homes via a home equity loan or home equity line of credit. Since the Great Recession, retirement accounts have replaced the home-equity loan as the predominant source of cash. They have become America’s new piggy bank. However, there [...]
I recently saw an article on InvestmentNews.com that quoted Nobel Laureate and notable behaviorist, Daniel Kahnemann. Kahnemann is a psychologist whose work on the psychology of judgment and decision-making, as well as behavioral economics, challenges the assumption of human rationality in modern economic theory. He is widely considered one of the most influential economists in [...]
If you missed our workshop last month, "Gearing Up for the Next Crash," watch Mark Matson give the workshop below to a large audience. Warning! The message may surprise and inspire you.
Mark Matson's Main Street Money recently posted on Facebook: "You have to be able to endure down markets to be a successful investor. You have to be able to endure stress and anxiety out in the world of uncertainty. You have to be able to focus on the next 20 years, not the next 20 [...]
Photo courtesy of Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/motleypixel/ Often, clients ask me what the difference is between Vanguard and Dimensional. This article offers some very clear and powerful distinctions for you to consider. Read More
