There is no perfect system or framework for investing, nor can any investor follow any system in a perfectly disciplined way. Goals-based investing, however, is a better approach than most in helping investors stick to their investment diet, reach their target and maintain their financial “weight” over time.
In the past 12 years, there have been two distinct economic and market environments. The first, a period of rampant borrowing, was fueled by a red-hot real estate market. The second, a period of deleveraging, saw a reversal of the debt buildup with household debt ratios declining through a combination of bank write-offs, debt repayment and income g...
If the big picture includes ensuring a retirement income stream and passing assets to loved ones, it’s crucial to understand the effects of income and estate tax laws. Integrated, long-term planning is important and should be done well in advance.
The US Federal Reserve is beginning to talk about diminishing its quantitative easing program if signs of a sustainable economic growth path emerge. This move, which means an eventual return to the yield of mortgage-backed securities and Treasury bonds being established by the market, has set off a reaction in the global stock, ...
While men continue to play a leadership role in their families when it comes to wealth management planning and decision-making, a growing number are inclined to discuss the family wealth and wealth transfer intentions with not only their spouses but also their heirs. Research indicates wealth-related decision-making is now a shared responsibility i...
While men continue to play a leadership role in their families when it comes to wealth management planning and decision-making, a growing number are inclined to discuss the family wealth and wealth transfer intentions with not only their spouses but also their heirs. Research indicates wealth-related decision-making is now a shared responsibility i...
A software consultant to financial services firms provides some food for thought about the extensive use of custom built Excel-based applications. The article touches on reasons why the use of Excel may be hurting your advisory firm or family office, reasons to review your existing Excel applications in use and whether you should consider other opt...
In his latest research study, Dennis Jaffe and research contributors from Family Business Network, Family Office Exchange, and Stetson University’s Family Enterprise Center interviewed 38 families that have managed to overcome the adage “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.” The report discusses the...
This article provides pointers to younger generation family members about how to build the confidence necessary to make decisions involving being more independent from the family such as deciding whether it's time to move out of the family home, to go to college, or to move into a residence of their own.
This article discusses the different roles an investment consultant plays in providing services to your foundation:Investment Partner Fidicuary Advisor Educator Administrator, andPhilanthropic SupporterA checklist of questions to ask a prospective investment consultant is provided.
As part of the "10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With Your Foundation" series, four approaches to impact investing are discussed:Community InvestingSocially Responsible InvestingProgram-Related InvestingSocial Venture Capital Investing
Secondary investments in private equity can be an attractive addition to primary private equity investments. They offer broad diversification across vintage years, industries, geographies, managers and investment strategies. Generally, capital is deployed faster than with primary commitments, reducing the time that commitments are held in reserve, ...
The authors discuss the Risk Parity approach to investing - equalizing risk by allocating funds to a wider range of categories such as stocks, government bonds, credit-related securities and inflation hedges (including real assets, commodities, real estate and inflation-protected bonds) while maximizing gains through financial leveraging. The...
This article explores the questions and options that should be examined in designing an optimal investment program for a Generation Skipping Trust (GST). The GST is treated as a separate client from the donor to ensure the investment policy is appropriate for its specific needs. Review questions include:What is the Trust’s Perspect...
Because wealth often creates shared assets, joint decisions are required. And not infrequently, the children of wealth may not be as financially motivated as were earlier generations. In this white paper, the authors discuss strategies to establish governance practices to help families preserve both wealth and family harmony – and creat...