Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
We’ve recently heard from a number of clients who wondered whether they should pay off their mortgages. I tell them that there are a couple of ways to answer this question. One is what I…
How Much Should Investors Respond to a Growing Deficit?
When asked about growing deficit in the U.S., Ronald Reagan famously quipped, “I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself.” Investors are having a less sanguine response…
Tax Bill Changes Explained
After the 2016 election, many Americans wondered what the major overhaul to the US Tax Code would look like and what the tax bill changes would be. Rumors circulated that a bill would pass early…
‘Tis the Season for Thwarting Investment Cyberfraud
With the winter holidays coming up, you may be rushing through life’s tasks a bit. I know I am. You’re shopping, traveling and trying to get as much work done as possible in between holidays.…
3Q 2017 Quarterly Investment Letter
Ctrl+Alt+Del Regrets: Not for Me!
When asked what he would change if he had a chance to reboot his work life, Microsoft’s Bill Gates said he would change the restart command for Windows computers. Instead of requiring users to press…
Wise Investor Virtue #2: Courage
Last month, I began a series of blogs on what I consider to be the top five virtues of a wise investor. The first characteristic I discussed was curiosity. Today I’m discussing the second virtue:…
Why Avoiding Overconfidence is Critical to Investing
If you’ve ever played poker, you may have heard this: The worst mistake you can make when playing poker is to assume you are the smartest person in the room. Pokers experts say that overconfident…
Family Business: Bernard (Bud) D’Avella Shares Insights into the Success of Running a Family Business
I often refer to Bud D’Avella, Jr. as the family business “whisperer.” With more than four decades of helping families transcend an entire range of difficulties, he has a unique ability to go into even…
A New Era of Sustainable Investing: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
I’ve been thinking a lot about Costa Rica and Iceland these days — and not because of the stark contrast in their climates. These two countries, which are literally almost polar opposites, actually have a common tie…
New Jersey State Tax Issues Still Limit Successful Business Growth
New Jersey lawmakers surprised everyone in late 2016 when, as part of the state gas-tax bill, they also agreed to phase out and repeal New Jersey’s onerous estate tax. The abolishment of this New Jersey…
