Gen One Legacy

Under the right conditions, money does grow on trees. You heard that right.   And to be clear, money can only grow on trees when it grows from a family tree.   How so?   Well, when each successive generation in a family tree works together, they can produce a varying measure of wealth that benefits each family member and their broader community.   And so, what's the catch?   Well, the catch i...

Economic and market forecasts are often wrong, but they're still useful. Indeed, looking back on the past year, most market prognosticators and economists got the year's forecasts wrong.   That's because last year was supposed to be the year that the US economy fell into a recession, which led markets to bet that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates by the end of 2023.   And...

Do you know what you were put on this earth to accomplish? Or are you grinding away in a vocation that seems to be producing little fruit?   Certainly, these sorts of profound questions are ones that philosophers have debated for millennia.   And so, when considering one's life's work, it's easy to think about it in the context of significant achievements by notable individuals who...

You've likely heard that 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by February. And some studies have even shown that less than 10% of individuals will have achieved their New Year's goals by year-end.   So then, what's the point, right?   Why do so many of us go through the trouble of setting goals if there's a low chance of achieving our desired outcomes in the end?   Well, it&...

With Christmas just days away, some of you may be scrambling to find that last perfect gift for your family this year.  Well, before you head out the door for one last purchase, might I suggest the gift of knowledge this year?   You see, if you're planning to leave behind any measure of wealth to your loved ones after you pass, then giving the gift of knowledge is crucial to this end.   And w...

A solid investment strategy seems to work until something comes out of left field to knock it off track.  You know, as the former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson is known to have said that, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."   And in the investing work, we sometimes call these big, unexpected market and economic events "Black Swans."   So, why should you ca...

The holidays are all about giving back, right? You've heard it, I've heard, and frankly, by now, most of us feel like we've done our part after spending what feels like plenty on family this holiday season.   We've answered charity drives and slipped an extra twenty in that little red bucket set just outside the big box store.   What more can be done, right?   Well, if you&apos...

The end of the year is upon us, and with it comes one last chance to get your financial ducks in a row before it ends up costing you.  You see, while many of us are focused on trimming trees, making last-minute gift purchases, and planning holiday parties, the truth is that all of us likely have that one item on our financial to-do list that we've been meaning to get to all year long.   And w...

Today, we're going to talk about the practice of gratitude.  Now, as many of us gather this week to express our thankfulness for everything that's happened in our lives this year, there's no better time than the present to focus on our practice of gratitude.   Now, while thankfulness and gratitude share many commonalities, gratitude is often a deeper and more enduring sentiment.   ...

At what point is an emergency fund no longer necessary for your financial situation?  Never, right?   Because common sense tells us that everyone needs an emergency saving fund.   Indeed, you've likely heard how crucial it is to have money set aside as your first step in building a solid financial plan.   But the fact is that for some, an emergency fund in the traditional sense tends to make...

So, you want to give money, but not sure where to start? Well, I don’t blame you. Giving is hard because, according to some of the data out there, there are well over one million registered non-profits globally. Even so, if you're like me, the holidays serve as a reminder about how crucial it is to focus on giving rather than receiving. So then, with all the choices available to you, who exac...

Lately, it feels like we're staring into an abyss that makes even the most seasoned investors want to get out of the markets. It feels like there's a lot that's going wrong with the world right now, and many things are quickly coming to a head.  That's because, among many developments, the Middle East has once again become a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions.   Now, conflict...

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "leaving a legacy?" Well, when it comes to money, you might think about the ins-and-outs of estate plans, right?  Well, the truth is that that's just one side of the big picture.   You see, too often, many of us get caught up in thinking about WHAT our money can do after we're gone instead of HOW our the one we care about might actual...

Being a prudent speculator is like trying to "act natural", or being "clearly confused", or listening to the "deafening silence". They're all things that typically don't go together. Even so, it is possible to become a prudent speculator if you approach it the right way. And why would you want to be a speculative investor? Certainly, don't we all know t...

What is the biggest career mistake that many high earning individuals make? They stay in a job far past its expiration date. And why is moving on from a bad job so hard to do?   Because leaving means change.   And let's face it, few of us like change.   Especially when it means giving up on all the time and effort you've poured into a situation or simply anticipating the uncomfortable fe...

It's that time of the year again, and apple picking and pumpkin patches not only usher in traditional fall routines, they also signal that it's time for an annual review of potential tax losses you can harvest from your investment portfolio.   And you know, just as farmers come together to bring in the fall harvest before winter kicks in, prudent investors should take the time to review...

So, you’ve finally made it big in your career, or your startup has finally taken off.  What should you do with your money now? Well, whatever you do, it's crucial to be mindful of the advice you take.  You see, all you need to do is log in to any social media website, and you're likely to find accounts that claim to have wealth "secrets" available only to the rich and famous. B...

Benefits Enrollment is just around the corner. Do you have what you need to make critical choices at this vital time of the year?  Now, while benefits elections might seem like a routine administrative task, the decisions you make during this crucial election period could significantly impact your finances for years to come. But for many of you out there, open enrollment might feel like a maze of...

What's the one investment that can double, triple, or even ten-x your wealth and keep producing a steady stream of income no matter what life throws your way?  It's human capital.  Indeed, investing in yourself is the single most valuable component of wealth building. And yet, it often doesn't get the attention it deserves. And, so, what exactly is human capital? Well, you can think...

All it takes is just one stock to go to the moon, and that's it, you're set for life, right? Well, if it were only that simple. You see, concentrated investing, or keeping your eggs in one basket, seems to work until it doesn't.   Now, make no mistake, concentrated investing isn't all that bad. In fact, notable investor Warren Buffett is known to have made lots of money decade...

Evidence suggests that this year's risk asset rally is likely primed for a pullback.   So now, why now?   Why the glum news after the S&P 500 index posted one of its strongest year-to-date gains in a while?   Well, it's essential to remember that most market activity is underpinned by a narrative or a story that influences price swings either higher or lower.   And this year's r...

If you have people who depend on you, then you need life insurance. That’s all you need to know, right? Well, if it were only that simple.  That’s because knowing that you need insurance is a first step, then comes the work of figuring out how much you need to cover estate expenses, debts, living expenses, college savings, and future financial goals. To be sure, buying life insurance can be one of...

Let’s face it, no one likes paying Uncle Sam more than his fair share. But what if there was a way to take advantage of financial planning techniques to not only grow your savings, but also help protect your family and transfer wealth tax-free?  Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s more possible than you think. And as a highly driven individual, you likely have multiple streams of income...

What comes to your mind when you think of the word, “risk?” Maybe when you hear the word “risk”, you think of the word danger, or the potential for of an undesirable outcome to your health, wealth or time.  Or maybe when you hear the word, “risk”, you think of all the possibilities associated with potential outsized financial gains as you put some of your money on the line for a solid investment. ...

Asset protection, securely transferring wealth, and keeping your family's finances on track no matter what life throws at you. Who doesn't want that, right? Well, these outcomes were top of mind for Craig, a devoted husband, a father of two, and a tech professional. Now, having built a successful career and arriving at a solid place in life financially, Craig grew increasingly concerned...