Over the last few weeks, I’ve written about several cognitive biases. Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts we all use, but if we’re not careful, they can lead us astray. This is undoubtedly the case when… Read More
Cognitive Biases Part 2: Anchoring and Recency Bias
In my previous post, I began writing about cognitive biases. There are a number of cognitive biases that come into play in investing. The first one we examined in the post here was confirmation bias…. Read More
Confirmation Bias: A Shortcut in the Wrong Direction
Years ago, one of the first courses I took in college was introduction to cognition, or the science of human thought. A key concept that stuck with me long after the course, was the idea… Read More
Market Movements: Shifting Focus from the Unknowable
Early on in my career, clients would ask where I thought the market was headed, and I felt obliged to answer these questions on market movements. Valuations were high, I would explain, or I might… Read More
The Thrift Savings Plan vs. 401(k) Plans
The Thrift Savings Plan, or TSP, is the Federal government’s version of a 401(k) plan and if your goal is better understanding the TSP, we have written an overview of the plan . Is the TSP a 401k?… Read More
The New Deduction Limitation and Georgia HEART and GOAL Programs
One of the most controversial aspects of the new tax law is the limitation on the deduction for state and local taxes. The limit was set at $10,000, and as a result, many affluent taxpayers… Read More
Deciding Whether or Not to Take the Buyout — Points to Consider
One of the time-honored traditions in Corporate America is the buyout. Cutting labor costs is one way to keep Wall Street analysts onboard when profitability drops or growth slows and depending on how much you… Read More
Putting Together A Personal Financial Calendar: Month-by-Month Recommendations
If there is one date – one financial deadline – nearly everyone knows, it is April 15th. Through November of last year, the IRS had processed over 150 million returns for 2016, meaning that the… Read More
3 Charitable Options to Reduce Your Taxes
Updated January 2020 to reflect the SECURE Act changes Charitable decisions typically aren’t solely driven by a desire for a tax break. Most of us make philanthropic contributions because there are causes or institutions that… Read More
Enough is Enough: How to Plan for Sustainable Spending
Several years ago, my wife and I sat down to work on a budget. Our goal wasn’t to reduce spending so much as it was to plan our spending. We had recently purchased a house… Read More