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Information about what is really driving markets, without the jargon.
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Our newsletter, blog and video podcast are designed to help you better understand trends in markets and wealth management.
Our market analysis discusses the reality of the current market environment, identifies key drivers to watch, and provides a sense of how your portfolio is positioned. All while trying to avoid over-generalized investment jargon.
Our blog posts are short articles focused on ways to help grow your wealth. Topics include investment strategies, legislative updates, private investments, and financial planning considerations.
Strategic Growth Video Podcast
Our podcasts focus on ways you can be more intentional in growing your wealth, your business and your life.
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Recent Reports by Date
5 Themes for 2022 and Why We Hate Year-End Predictions
We hate year-end predictions. Maybe “hate” is the wrong word…it is far to kind. We absolutely despise the cringeworthy year-end predictions that accompany this time of year. (Feel free to imagine other colorful adjectives we may use to describe them.)…
Continue Reading… 5 Themes for 2022 and Why We Hate Year-End Predictions
Planning for 2022: The IRS has Increased Several Key Deductions, Exemptions and Contribution Limits
The spike in inflation we’ve seen this year has impacts beyond having to pay more for goods and services. The IRS uses consumer price inflation (CPI) to determine certain increases to exemptions and deductions for federal tax purposes. These are…
Houdini’s Hole
The Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas is a city treasure. It has an amazing variety of shows, and the list of notable performers is unmatched. It was built in 1915, and began mostly as a vaudeville house. Just a few…
It Came from Left Field
Last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, the market fell almost 1000 points. What was that all about? First off, let’s put this move in context. Volatility Spikes The VIX rose 54% on Friday. This was the fourth largest spike in…
Strategic Growth – Episode 3
In this episode, we discuss the market during the 1970’s, the best performing assets during the 1970’s, the 5 largest stocks in the S&P 500, compare US vs International Stocks, and review the S&P 500 P/E Ratio vs Treasury Yields.…
Charitable Giving and Donor-Advised Funds
The impulse to help others in need and to share good fortune is universal. It has never been solely the province of the very wealthy; charitable giving at all income levels, whether by donating time, money, or expertise, is a…
Strategic Growth – Episode 2
In this episode, we discuss small caps, the stock/bond ratio, various inflation metrics, and visit Enron 20 years later. https://youtu.be/JT9-XPYaDco
Safeguarding and Passing on Your Digital Assets
Google searches for “cryptocurrency” hit all-time highs in May. A survey from CNBC found that 1 in 10 people now invest in crypto. Of that group, 65% got in the crypto market within the past year.2 As crypto becomes a…
Continue Reading… Safeguarding and Passing on Your Digital Assets
The Secret Downsides of Diversification
Diversification is not the free lunch that many investment professionals claim.
The Federal Reserve Trading Scandal: Just the Tip of the Iceberg?
Are the trading scandals within the Fed just the tip of the iceberg? It may signal the start of lost trust in institution that is very important to markets.
Continue Reading… The Federal Reserve Trading Scandal: Just the Tip of the Iceberg?
The Wolf and the Crane
Aesop was a Greek storyteller who lived from 620-564 BCE. His stories were verbally passed down through time, and often included tales of animals and inanimate objects that could speak and solve problems. Many of Aesop’s Fables are commonplace even…
Donor Advised Funds: Tax Benefits, Growth and Control
Donor-advised funds can be an excellent way to get a tax deduction now, but provide charitable gifts over a longer period of time.
Continue Reading… Donor Advised Funds: Tax Benefits, Growth and Control
Investing in Alternatives: A Spotlight on Collectibles
Important considerations before making collectibles a part of your portfolio.
Continue Reading… Investing in Alternatives: A Spotlight on Collectibles
Strategic Growth – Episode 1
In this episode, we discuss the recent surge in COVID due to the Delta variant, compare this surge to the UK on when we may expect cases to begin to drop, look how previous surges in cases have effected both…
Be a Mercenary: 3 Ways to Improve Your Investment Process
Successful investing means that you must be on in the markets that make money. Here are 3 ways to improve your process.
Continue Reading… Be a Mercenary: 3 Ways to Improve Your Investment Process
Retirement Plan Choices for Small Businesses
Retirement plans can be confusing. Here are three options to consider that can provide a good benefit for both you and your employees.
Continue Reading… Retirement Plan Choices for Small Businesses
How to Treat Your Career Like a Sport
Treating your business or your career with the discipline and determination of an athlete can allow you to reach higher levels of success.
We’re All Cats on a Hot Stove
Waiting for a correction in the stock market? It may have already happened.
Building Your Life Team
A time-tested piece of career advice is to find a mentor. But as the world gets more complex, simply having a good career mentor isn’t enough. You need a team. In today’s reality of multiple jobs, the ability and ease…
Are the Dog Days of Summer Over?
A calm summer for the markets was interrupted today with a large selloff. Is this just a blip, or is it the start of a bigger decline?
Managing an Inheritance
Inheriting wealth can be a burden and a blessing. Even if you have an inclination that a family member may remember you in their last will and testament, there are many facets to the process of inheritance that you may not…
The Fed is Stuck
Despite economic data showing massive improvement from the COVID recession and inflation running hot across all parts of the economy, the Fed continues to pump trillions of dollars into the financial system. Why? They know that if they stop, things…
The Cryptocurrency Conundrum
Recently, you may have seen a number of major cryptocurrencies fall thanks to a continuing sell-off that began in the past few weeks. In fact, over $250 billion was lost in the crypto market alone.1 It may be tempting to…
The First Wave of Inflation is Receding
Last month we wrote in our Insights report “The Coming Inflation Waves” that we should not expect inflation to come at us all at once. Instead, we should expect it to come in waves. Well, it looks like the first…
Eggs in How Many Baskets? Prioritizing Building Wealth While You Build Your Business
Many business owners put most of their capital back into the business. It’s possible to both grow your business while preparing yourself for the future.
Selling a Family Business: Preparing for a Transformational Event
It’s generally thought that there are several cycles that reflect where a business is in preparedness for a sale. These capture the economy, the market, and the mindset and planning of the business owners.From an economic standpoint, the liquidity cycle…
Continue Reading… Selling a Family Business: Preparing for a Transformational Event
Tax & Estate Strategies for Married LGBTQ+ Couples
The 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision streamlined tax and estate strategizing for married LGBTQ+ couples. If you are filing a joint tax return for this year or are considering updating your estate strategy, here are some important things to remember.…
Continue Reading… Tax & Estate Strategies for Married LGBTQ+ Couples
Gas Prices Signal both Post-COVID norm and Inflation
Gas prices hit a seven-year high over Memorial Day weekend. This signals both a post-COVID return to normal as well as building inflationary pressures.
Continue Reading… Gas Prices Signal both Post-COVID norm and Inflation
Why We Believe in Active Management
Creating an effective, all-weather portfolio cannot be achieved with passive investing or broadly diversified portfolio. Only active management can address all stages of the market cycle.
The Coming Inflation Waves
We shouldn’t expect inflation to immediately get out of control. Instead, it should come at us in waves.
Make Your Kids Money-Smart
Teaching your kids sound financial knowledge can help them make smart financial decisions now, and in the future.
Baseball’s $300+ Million Players
The San Diego Padres signed infielder Fernando Tatis, Jr., to a 14-year, $340 million contract roughly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers inked outfielder Mookie Betts to a 12-year, $365 million deal. That brings the total to 8 baseball…
Higher Taxes Likely on the Way
Changing legislation is an unavoidable part of investing. We’re still only a few months into the Biden administration, but there are already multiple major legislative agendas being presented by the president Biden that could affect many investors. One aspect of…
The Icarus Market
The myth of Icarus warned of the dangers of over-confidence. If we compared the markets to the flight of Icarus, how close are we to the sun? Close enough to melt our wings? “Well, I think we tried very hard…
Ain’t it Funny how Falling Feels like Flying
The GameStop saga represents an investment fervor that has gripped the media and markets over the past few weeks. What really happened, and what are the takeaways from yet another strange environment we find ourselves in? “Ain’t it funny how…
Continue Reading… Ain’t it Funny how Falling Feels like Flying
Twin Risks: Valuations and the Fed
Valuations and the Fed are two potential risks the market may face in 2021.
New Highs are Bullish
November was one of the strongest months in market history. Various markets across the globe are pushing to new all-time highs. When conditions are bullish, we should expect bullish outcomes. In this month’s report, we look at an important investing…
Gridlock is Good?
Markets across the globe surged today, despite election uncertainty. Just like in 2016, predictions about what would happen in the 2020 Presidential election were flat out wrong, as were market predictions for a market crash. It appears that gridlock, the…
Elections and Overconfidence
With less than a month to the election, we look at the dangers of overconfidence, analyze sector performance under tremendously different legislative environments, and discuss whether you should reduce risk prior to November 3rd. “It ain’t what you don’t know…