Why Mutual Funds Often Benefit Banks More Than You

Mutual funds are marketed as safe and simple. But in reality, they often accompany hidden costs and conflicts of interest. We recently reviewed a portfolio managed by another institution. The Management Expense Ratio (“MER”), which is the total cost of owning a mutual fund and is embedded in its price, was much higher than its […]

Don’t Let Scammers Call the Shots

Someone once said that if Al Capone had turned his talents toward legitimate enterprise, he could have been the CEO of General Motors. Today’s fraudsters are no different—highly organized, intelligent, and using sophisticated tools. Unfortunately, they’re applying those skills to deception, not innovation. My Close Call Recently, I received a phone call that appeared to […]

Don’t Just Pass the Buck—Protect It from Being Squandered

Did you know that a staggering 90% of inherited wealth is gone by the third generation? A friend recently shared that he had inherited $500,000 just before the pandemic. His mother never spoke to him about money and he was surprised there was an estate to divide. Unfortunately, because he was so unprepared, the money […]