Tag Archives: investments

The “Secret” Morningstar

Posted on January 13, 2019 by investsense

I love Morningstar. It is my primary research source. I enjoy the posts of their columnists. But unlike most investors who use Morningstar, I basically ignore their legendary “star” system. Morningstar itself has told investors that their star system is … Continue reading →

Posted in Active Management Value Ratio, AMVR, Asset Protection, Closet Index Funds, Common Sense, Consumer Protection, Fiduciary, Fiduciary Standard, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investor Protection, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are Your 401(k) Plan’s Mutual Funds Legally Prudent?

Posted on October 10, 2018 by investsense

“You get what you don’t pay for.” – John Bogle Full Disclosure and Total Transparency: I am an attorney. More specifically, I am a wealth preservation attorney and a plaintiff’s securities/ERISA attorney. I primarily offer forensic litigation and consulting services … Continue reading →

Posted in Active Management Value Ratio, AMVR, Closet Index Funds, Consumer Protection, Consumer Rights, ERISA, Fiduciary, Fiduciary Standard, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Active Management Value Ratio™ 3.0: Investment Returns and Wealth Preservation for Investors and Fiduciaries

Posted on January 17, 2018 by investsense

Studies have consistently shown that people are more likely to understand and retain information that is conveyed visually rather than verbally or in print. I regularly receive requests for copies of the Powerpoint slides. So for those of you that … Continue reading →

Posted in Closet Index Funds, Consumer Protection, DOL fiduciary rule, ERISA, Fiduciary, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Retirement Plan Participants, Uncategorized, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wealth Preservation and Retirement Accounts

Posted on July 14, 2017 by investsense

When I tell people that I am a wealth preservation attorney, they often respond by saying that they do not have enough money to need such services. Then I ask them whether they have a 401(k) account, an IRA or … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Interests, Closet Index Funds, Consumer Protection, Estate Planning, Integrated Estate Planning, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, IRA, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Uncategorized, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Investor Revolution: A “Best Interests” Checklist for Investors and Fiduciaries

Posted on May 28, 2017 by investsense

The DOL recently announced that it will not seek to delay the effective date of the department’s new fiduciary law. Beginning June 9, 2017, anyone providing advice to pension plans and plan participants will be deemed to be a fiduciary, … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Interests, Closet Index Funds, Common Sense, Consumer Protection, Consumer Rights, DOL fiduciary rule, ERISA, Fiduciary, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Controlling the Controllable: Factoring Investment Costs Into the Prudence/Suitability Equation

Posted on May 10, 2017 by investsense

Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. – Aldous Huxley In an earlier post, I discussed the benefits of controlling the controllable aspects of investing. Investors cannot control the performance of the markets. Investment fiduciaries are not … Continue reading →

Posted in Asset Protection, Closet Index Funds, Fiduciary, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, IRA, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

3 Key (But Often Overlooked) Mutual Fund Return Statistics

Posted on March 4, 2017 by investsense

Anyone who knows me knows that the minute I see a “Top” or “Best” list with regards to financial advisers or investments, I immediately want to do a detailed forensic analysis to substantiate or disprove such claims. As a plaintiff’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Absolute Returns, Asset Protection, Closet Index Funds, Common Sense, Consumer Protection, ERISA, Fiduciary, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investor Protection, IRA, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Investor Self-Protection Guide 2019

Posted on February 18, 2017 by investsense

As a securities/ERISA attorney, Certified Financial Planner® professional and an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor®, I am interested in providing the public with quality financial advice and helping to address the ongoing problem of financial abuse and fraud. One of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Asset Protection, Closet Index Funds, Common Sense, Consumer Protection, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, IRA, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Variable Annuities, Variable Annuity Abuse, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Fees and Expenses Affect Your Investment Portfolio

Posted on February 16, 2017 by investsense

Informative piece from the Securities and Exchange Commission discussing an issue I’ve discussed on other posts and white pages on this blog. https://www.sec.gov/investor/alerts/ib_fees_expenses.pdf    

Posted in Common Sense, Consumer Protection, Investment Advice, Investment Portfolios, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Evidence Based Investor

Posted on February 10, 2017 by investsense

Two excellent posts for investors to consider from my British colleague, Robin Powell, of “The Evidence Based Investor” web site.

Posted in Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Portfolios, IRA, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment