Exposure Offers Clarity in the Risky World of Investing
Last week, a conversation with a friend reminded me how easily we can confuse actual risk with our own exposure to that risk. My friend travels a lot for work, and I asked him where he planned to go this...
In Assessing 2015 Goals, Be Wary of ‘Risk Creep’
The day after Christmas, a skier was caught in an avalanche near my home in Park City, Utah. Part of a foursome, the skier slid with the snow for about 500 feet before ending up buried to his neck. Luckily,...
Getting Over Cold Feet: The Case for Impulse Buying
I live in a part of the country where we take skiing pretty seriously. It’s common for people to ski a few times a week since there are three great resorts right in our town. Our family is no exception....
Add This to Your Busy Schedule: Time With Family and Friends
If I ask, “How are you today?” I already have a good idea what you’ll say. “Busy.” We’re all busy. It’s reached the point that many of us wear our busyness like a badge of honor. And what better way...
Before Setting New Goals, Evaluate the Previous Ones
Over the next few weeks, you’ll hear a lot about setting financial and other goals. I doubt I’ll be the first (or the last) to ask what goals you have in mind for 2015. Obviously, setting goals and wanting to...
Controlling Your Emotions When Deciding What’s Affordable
Many years ago, my wife and I went to dinner with another couple whom I’ll call Pam and Stan. I went to high school with Pam, and my wife had grown up knowing Stan. They were among the smartest and...
The Consistency of Inconsistency, and How to Adapt Your Financial Goals
When my children took their first steps, they were tentative. They were quick to grab the nearest object to keep their balance. However, it didn’t take long before they started acting like they were invincible. Seemingly overnight, my children went...
Don’t Give Till It Hurts
I love this time of year, except for one teeny, tiny thing: charitable giving guilt. You know exactly what I’m talking about. We’ve all walked past that red bucket without dropping in any money. We’ve all said “no” to those...
If Giving Feels So Good, Why Don’t We Do It?
In the Mormon Church, the first Sunday of each month is called Fast Sunday. As my kids have pointed out, however, it’s not because it goes by faster than any other Sunday. Quite the opposite, in fact. It’s called Fast...
Viewing Others Through a Prism of Money
Last year, a guy made headlines because he was caught using a lowly flip phone. In a world of gold iPhones and palm-size phablets, it does seem a little odd that someone would still use such a low-tech device. But...
