“S&P Could jump another 5% this year, Goldman says. Expect volatility first.” “S&P, Dow, Nasdaq end lower, oil jumps 5% as Middle East conflict stokes supply concerns.” “The Dow drops 200 points as inflation fears are back.” “U.S. port strike ends but clearing long ship queues will take time.”  “Stocks rally after monster jobs report beat, Dow up 200 points.”  “U.S. hiring accelerated in September, blowing past expectations.” These are ALL headlines I saw online within just the last 24 hours. And they are all from “reputable” news sources, all reporting “facts” about the economy. So, what is the takeaway? […]

It’s amazing how human connection can cure and satisfy so many of our needs. We’re hardwired to be with others, to search out our tribe. We need that feeling that we are all here together, working towards a common goal, trying to make a difference. In fact, research from Harvard found that strong relationships are the key to living longer and happier lives, with huge physical and mental benefits that magnify as we age. I hosted another episode of our new podcast, One Path to Wealth yesterday. We were on-location in Paso Robles with two of my dear friends and clients, […]

“Daddy, I’m scared and can’t sleep,” my son said at my bedside as he came into my room and woke me. “What’s going on, buddy?” I said. “Do you need me to take you back to your room?” “Yes, please,” he replied timidly. As I walked him to his room and then me back to my room and got back into my bed, I couldn’t sleep. His waking and coming into my room to get me triggered a memory. I was about his age and my parents had been divorced for six years or so. On one of my father’s evenings with us, […]

Ever feel stuck?  Bored?  Complacent? I have – and do often. I’ve been at the same thing for so long that sometimes it feels like I know all the answers…and even the questions before they’re asked. The ONLY way to solve this is to change it up. Be more. Try something new. Get outside of our comfort zone. Become something different. Just be different, better! Last week, we launched our first ever podcast. This is what my attempt at new beginnings looks like. It’s a completely new format for me, a new medium to share my philosophies and experience. To share my life […]

On average, Americans with a financial advisor retire two years earlier than without one. They also have twice as much money saved!¹ But, more importantly, the lift that people experience is more than just financial, it’s emotional, too. People report that when working with a financial professional, they feel less stressed and have less anxiety, as well as more confidence that they will meet their financial goals.  This has been well documented in a number of studies and articles across the industry. So, what does all this really mean? People need people. The guidance, personal attention, and hand holding that comes […]

Saturday, I woke up with incredible abdominal pain. I’ve never had pain like that before, and certainly not there. So, as any curious person would be apt to do, I opened up the computer and Googled my symptoms. Within the blink of a microprocessor, I found out the diagnosis: I’M DYING! I have diverticulitis. A bowel obstruction. Cancer. Maybe I’m suffering from all of the above at once! After all, Google had described my symptoms and spit out a diagnosis to a T. Or perhaps I simply had an oblique pull. “That can’t be it,” I said to myself. Too simple. […]

Nothing beats personal interaction. Nothing beats being together. Being with other people, live and face to face. Not over the phone or zoom. Phones put away and just real meaningful time together. This week, I had the pleasure of seeing clients that I had never met in person. They live in Texas. We flew out and spent five hours together. Uninterrupted. Real, authentic conversation. Talking about all things them. Just listening and learning. Not much of a discussion around the markets or the world. Just simply being and talking about what is going on with them. Then, I flew to Chicago for a […]

Entitled. The dictionary defines it as “Believing oneself to be inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment.” I’m sitting in the airport yesterday on my way back to Arizona. I look around and see sandwich wrappers left on tables and napkins crunched up. All within just a few steps of a trash can. I can hear that inner voice in the head of the perpetrator,” No, no, no, someone ELSE will take care of this. After all, I’m superior!” Where did this come from, and how did this happen? When did we become a society of “Someone else will do that for me?” […]

Does anyone really believe that when Steve Jobs created the iPhone, he intended for them to be used the way they are being used today? Did Jobs want 10-year-old kids (and younger) having such easy access to the internet and everything on it? Don’t get me wrong, I’m a tech guy. I understand it and use it more than most. But our kids should simply not have this kind of access. Should our kids be able to see the horrors of war, assassination attempts, and other deeply concerning things online when their brains are not yet fully developed? Of course […]

Your clients become your best friends. “I need to take five minutes to talk business with you,” Tom said. “I’ve got this large amount of money coming in, as you know, in the next six months. We have talked about alternatives for this money, but I haven’t seen anything from you on it,” he continued. I listened intently. “Our relationship is a 9.5 out of 10. You are amazing. You introduced me to the flight service. The car leasing company. You have always delivered when I needed you on wires and done any analysis I have needed. But you know, JD, […]