Articles

The United States has three sectors of the economy suffering under regulatory red tape: financial services, energy and now health care. I’m certain the financial services regulations have caused more harm than good.

Save your money for what you are truly passionate about.

In 2010 I published a column entitled “Now’s Still the Time to Buy a House.” Investing is like chess in slow motion. It is important to review your moves to see how they turned out. Sometimes they don’t turn out well. Our prediction about real estate, however, was brilliant.

The old saying is true: Money can’t buy happiness. Families earning $25,000 a year overspend trying to keep up with those making $50,000, who in turn attempt to live like those making $100,000. For many families the lure of consumerism wins out over qualities like foresight and patience that saving requires.

Someone asked me what disclosures I would require for financial advisors. I’ve written these principles in a yes-or-no format and reworded the questions. “Yes” is the best answer and “no” means you should seek more information or not consider that advisor at all. Although answering affirmatively to all 10 questions would be my first screen in selecting a financial advisor, it still does not guarantee the person has the competence necessary to offer comprehensive wealth management.

Setting a target asset allocation is the most critical part of investment management.

Many people believe a dollar saved on their taxes is not worth the same as a dollar of their salary or a dollar of gain in the stock market. They are correct. A dollar saved on your taxes is actually worth more.

David Marotta discusses the importance of teaching your children how to handle money, reasons parents sometimes find it difficult to talk about money, and why it is important to start your children’s financial education early.

Unfortunately, our society tends to pass feel-good legislation aimed at making people feel safer without actually making them safer.

Some first-time workers are not worth minimum wage. But without being hired, they can’t learn job-related skills.

A humorous Google search for Charlottesville financial planning.

Finding countries where you can plant your investments in fertile soil may be one of the most important asset allocation decisions you make for the next several years.

David Marotta and David Swanson discuss a minimum wage.

Surprisingly, studies show that onetime windfalls can actually impoverish you. They make you feel rich, which inevitably leads to overspending. But wealth is what you save, not what you spend.

To build real wealth, you need specific wealth management tools.Most families have less than half of the accounts they really need, and young newlyweds often only have a checking account.