Blog Behavioral Finance
On Happiness, Meaning and Psychological Richness Written by: Hal Hershfield, Ph.D. How Do You Define Leading a ‘Good’ Life? As we look forward to this new year, we want to look at a fresh way to approach resolution-making. I suspect that what lies under the hood of many New Year’s resolutions is partly a desire…
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The relationship between happiness and money is complicated. Just consider this sampling of the myriad studies that explore the link between the dollars we earn and the happiness we feel. A study from the 1970s by Philip Brickman, Dan Coates and Ronnie Janoff-Bulman for the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology even found that lottery…
Read More2020 election Election scenario planning plays a role in macroeconomic analysis and financial planning, particularly in recent years as tax policies have changed and governments have increasingly intervened in the financial markets during times of crisis. We focus primarily on a few of the market and economic impacts of the election. But our evaluation is…
Read MoreWhen thinking about income in retirement, many investors embrace the adage “never tap growth or touch the principal.” However, generating an acceptable income solely from interest and dividends requires a sizeable portfolio, and isn’t practical, realistic or necessary for many investors. Interest and dividends only: In this approach, you rely on investment income only, without…
Read MoreNot Your Grandma’s Dow A quick online search for “Dow rallies 500 points” yields a cascade of news stories with similar titles, as does a similar search for “Dow drops 500 points.” These types of headlines may make little sense to some investors, given that a “point” for the Dow and what it means to…
Read MoreThe 2016 Summer Olympic Games conclude this week in Brazil. Whether or not the athletes walked away with a medal, just getting to the Olympics takes years of hard work and something that’s been called the “Olympic Mind Set”. This mindset includes embracing healthy living, seeking success, and believing in themselves. It also includes a…
Read MoreThere are infinite life changes that can help you save money, but here are a few of the easiest. These fifteen tips and tricks will help keep your wallet fat and happy. 1. Learn to Make Starbucks at Home Whether you learned the habit in college, from parents, or at the office, a warm morning…
Read MoreMost people would love to have a do-over when it comes to how they have handled their money. A recent survey by Money-Rates cited by Personal Finance Cheat Sheet examined the average person’s financial regrets and fears. By making a conscious commitment to change financial habits and attitudes, it’s possible to overcome obstacles that get…
Read MoreWhen it comes to Millennials—Americans ages 18 to 29—and their money, most have a sinking feeling that investing in the stock market is like boarding the Titanic. According to a recent Bankrate.com study cited by a recent The Street article, younger people prefer cash or cash equivalent investments. How can a young person get over…
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Election Season v. The Stock Market
Election season can be a challenging time for investors to maintain a long-term perspective, given the strong emotions often evoked by politics. Campaign rhetoric tends to amplify negative and divisive issues. In particular, this election is unprecedented in modern times — marked by the combination of a deadly pandemic, a severe economic recession, widespread civil…
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