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Dimensional’s 2017 Market Review

January 16, 2018 in Dimensional, Evidence-Based Investing, Investing, Year In Review by Sheri Iannetta Cupo

One Last Look at the 2017 Bond & Stock Markets Before we proceed full tilt into 2018, let’s take one last look at last year’s heady, mostly double-digit 2017 stock market returns, as shared in Dimensional Fund Advisor’s 2017 Market Review. How best to view the largely fair-weather market performances of late? Your investment experience is like a cross-continental trek. You get to define your desired destination – although, as in real...

Dimensional’s Quarterly Market Review (Q4 2017 & TY 2017)

January 10, 2018 in Dimensional, Evidence-Based Investing, Investing, Year In Review by Sheri Iannetta Cupo

Hunches, Headlines and Indicators - 2017 Market Performance It’s a wrap! 2017 market performance numbers are now available for the fourth quarter and the year. And, wow, what a year it was. The Wall Street Journal called it “The Year Everything Went Up.” In a Bloomberg column, Barry Ritholtz declared it “A Very Weird Year in Markets.” The New York Times reflected on how wrong most expert predictions were – as...

3 Things: Inspiration

January 2, 2018 in Mindful living, SAGE Reads by Sheri Iannetta Cupo

Happy New Year to our readers. I hope you all had a joyful holiday. Today’s 3 Things post features inspirational articles and images that caught my eye over the past week. Here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2018 for you and your families. Bill Gates inspires me with his thirst for knowledge and his focus on philanthropy...

Year-End Reflections on the New Tax Law

December 22, 2017 in Tax Management by Larry Annello

Here is a copy of a letter we sent to our SageBroadview clients: Year-End Reflections on the New Tax Law Dear SageBroadview Clients and Friends: We interrupt your busy holiday season with a reach-out on this week’s U.S. tax code overhaul. While the ink still dries on this sweeping new legislation, you may be wondering whether there are ways you can or should spring into action immediately, before year-end, to reposition yourself for...

3 Things: Gift Ideas

December 20, 2017 in SAGE Reads by Sheri Iannetta Cupo

Trying to find a gift for a young reader, or an older reader who loves children’s books? Check out this article for the illustrations alone. Simply gorgeous. The 7 Loveliest Children’s Books of 2017 (Brain Pickings) Profound and poetic illustrated celebrations of solitude, self-possession, friendship, and our place in the cosmos. Trying to find a gift for a science enthusiast? “…what all great science books accomplish, whether they do so from the...

Dimensional Fund Advisors: Home Bias and Global Diversification

December 20, 2017 in Dimensional, Evidence-Based Investing, Investing by Sheri Iannetta Cupo

DECEMBER 2017 Home Bias and Global Diversification By pursuing a globally diversified approach to investing, one doesn’t have to attempt to pick winners to achieve a rewarding investment experience. Read this week's Dimensional Article....

3 Things: Being Smart About Charitable Giving

December 13, 2017 in Charitable Giving, SAGE Reads, Tax Management by Sheri Iannetta Cupo

Being smart about charitable giving 1. As Barry Ritholz notes in this oldie but goodie -- “giving to charity is personally fulfilling and it helps those in need, but some charities are better than others in channeling donations to where they are most needed.” Find out how to do your homework before you give. Be Smart About Charity (Bloomberg View, 12/4/2014) + GiveWell is a nonprofit dedicated to finding outstanding giving opportunities through in-depth analysis. Thousands of hours...

Dimensional Fund Advisors: Catchphrase Investing

December 12, 2017 in Dimensional, Investing by Sheri Iannetta Cupo

NOVEMBER 2017 Catchphrase Investing The financial media is drawn to catchphrases, acronyms, and buzzwords that can be sold as the new thing. FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google) is the latest of these. But does this constitute an investment strategy? Read this week's Dimensional Article. ...

3 Things: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

December 5, 2017 in SAGE Reads, Tax Management by Sheri Iannetta Cupo

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 Senate Republicans passed their tax reform bill in the wee hours last Saturday morning. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters that the GOP tax bill would pay for itself. Independent analysis rejects this notion. Next step: turning two bills into one. When chambers pass different versions of a bill, conferees appointed from both the House and Senate meet to reconcile the bills they...

3 Things: Small Changes Add Up

November 28, 2017 in Economics, SAGE Reads by Sheri Iannetta Cupo

Small Changes Add Up Small changes, beginning today, can materially affect our future wealth; they can also dramatically impact our future selves. This article by Nick Maggiulli includes a powerful visualization of the cumulative effect on future wealth of saving 5% to 15% of our income each year. (Example assumed $50,000 in annual income with a 5% annual return.) Consider also how creating a habit that may not cost us...