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Craig L. Israelsen, Published in the AAII Journal in November 2019 (Updated in January 2020 with full-year 2019 performance)             As found in the Merriam Webster dictionary the term “benchmark” has the following definitions: a mark on a permanent object indicating elevation and serving a reference in topographic surveys and tidal observations. Continue reading Benchmarking: The Art of the Science

With the start of 2020, now is an ideal time for investors to review their forward-looking investment objectives, understanding these objectives are affected by short- and long-term needs and changing requirements. This fact sheet provided by the CFA Institute will help you work with your financial adviser to determine how to best meet your financial Continue reading Defining Your Investment Objectives

    Saving is a key principle. People who make a habit of saving regularly, even saving small amounts, are well on their way to success.  It’s important to open a bank or credit union account so it will be simple and easy for you to save regularly.   Then, use your savings to plan for life Continue reading Save and Invest…

      As the close of 2019 quickly approaches, investor’s should start thinking ahead, reviewing and taking advantage of tax saving strategies. Here are three important tips that will help investor’s manage tax consequences, while helping to better manage their investment portfolio(s). Continue reading 2019 Year-End Tax Planning Tips for Investors

  Highlights: > Investors have a natural bias to invest domestically. > Exposure to international stocks can improve portfolio performance over the long term. > How best to invest internationally is a subject of considerable debate. Continue reading The Inherent Value of Global Diversification

Diversification is for folks who don’t know the future—which is all of us. Think of it this way, if you knew the future perfectly would you ever diversify your portfolio? Of course not. You would simply pick the single ticker that was destined to produce the highest return.   End of story. Continue reading The Purpose of Diversification: A Review of the Past 49 Years

    Stock prices fluctuate for a myriad of reasons.  Understanding a number of the possible causes for price fluctuations will help investors make better portfolio management decisions. Continue reading Stock Prices Fluctuate for a Myriad of Reasons

  As we’re now past the halfway point of 2019, we pass along this reminder that now might be an ideal time to review your portfolio and identify if any rebalancing changes may be necessary to reach long-term goals. Here’s a multi-step guideline that you will find helpful to accomplish this important portfolio management task. Continue reading Mid Year Rebalancing Tips

Craig L. Israelsen   It’s that time again…for a performance review of key market indexes.  In addition, we’ll examine the performance of a broadly diversified 12-index portfolio model.  The indexes in this analysis represent the following broad asset classes:  US equities, non-US equities, real estate, resources/commodities, US bonds, non-US bonds, and cash.  Continue reading When Boring is Good

There are several strategies that can be used to generate retirement income. One of those is the bucket theory of investing, which basically requires investors to contribute to three different buckets. There are variations to this bucket strategy of investing, so we encourage investors to find the right three-bucket approach for their specific needs.  Read Continue reading Using a Bucket Strategy for Retirement Income Planning