Caleb writes in this week with a SPICY question. The answer surprised me. It might surprise you too. Jesse – I work for a small company that does not currently offer a 401(k) match. Do the numbers still suggest I should utilize it? Caleb What Are We Comparing? We need a point of comparison. If […]

You need to understand your willingness, need, and ability to take portfolio risks. It’s an idea that straddles the line between personal preference and objective truth. Let’s break down each of the three constituents, then put it all together with an example. Need Your need to take risks relates to the amount of objective investment […]

Friend of the blog Matt sent in a great question this week: Hi Jesse – do you have any recommendations when it comes to life insurance? I know Term is the way to go, but that’s about all I got… I scanned your blog posts and didn’t see anything too specific with it but if […]

If you told and asked the average American, “The former President and current presidential candidate was shot in the ear on Saturday in an attempt on his life. What will the stock market do on Monday?“ Doug Mills, The New York Times I doubt many people would answer, “Ehhh – basically nothing. The market won’t care.”  […]

It’s breakfast time, you’re hungry, and I’m offering you two options: A healthy, adult hen Two dozen eggs Your first thought is probably: “Seriously? It’s just breakfast. I don’t want a live chicken running around my house.” Forget that thought for now. If you’re like me, your mind next asks, “If I do choose the […]

Imagine you’re a gardener. You spend a weekend building a few raised beds, planting sunflowers and corn, etc. It’s a nice little hobby. Your first summer gardening ends up successful and fulfilling. You come back for Year 2 with vigor! You want to expand. You spend a month preparing your beds and double the size […]

Who knew a lack of proper estate planning would throw the entire realm into war? That’s the lesson I garner from HBO’s House of the Dragon. If you’re unfamiliar (as I was) with the series, here’s an uber-quick primer to catch you up. [SPOILER ALERT!] It takes place in the same universe as Game of […]

I spent 6 years in college studying mechanical engineering, and then 7 years working at an aerospace contractor where my colleagues and I designed, built, tested, and launched satellite-based telescope systems. One of the features of all engineering design is the concept of “factors of safety.” Simply put, factors of safety are margins built into […]

Friend of the blog DT wrote in and said: In regards to your recent “When to Take Social Security” article, you left something out. You can take Social Security early (say, age 62), then invest that money, and your investment will end up better than if you had waited on Social Security until age 67 […]

I’m now 30 months into my new career, and I’m loving every single day. As a lifelong learner, I find the nuanced topics of financial planning and investment management to be a limitless sandbox, or perhaps more like an underground cave system. Where’s the bottom?! Nobody knows! Despite that complexity, my colleagues and I help […]