History LessonsA fundamental principle of financial economics is the idea that risk and return are inextricably linked. However, when it comes to...
Positive Expected Returns“What’s the stock market going to do?” If you have read our past newsletters, you know that we are not market prognosticators. It is...
Estate Planning: Why It's ImportantThe main purpose of estate planning is to exert some control over the distribution of your assets after your death. One of the most...
Dimensional Funds vs. ETFsAs a fee-only, independent investment advisory firm, we are free to choose any available investment option for our clients. For the past...
Cryptocurrencies & the Blockchain RevolutionBy now, you have undoubtedly heard of cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Not surprisingly, we have received inquiries about...
Market ComplacencySince 2012, the stock market has demonstrated below average volatility and positive returns, potentially lulling investors into a false...
Time Value of MoneyThe time value of money is the concept that a dollar today is worth more than a dollar next month, next year, or ten years from now. This...
Socially Responsible InvestingSocially responsible investing refers to an investment strategy that considers the potential impact of your investments on society in additi
No Load InsuranceWhat's the answer? "Buy more life insurance!" What's the question? "Doesn't matter...the answer is always the same" This standard joke...
Why Invest in Stocks?Why do we invest in stocks? Stocks are risky. Why not just buy U.S. treasury bonds and get a guaranteed rate of return backed by the full...
Social Security (Part 1)An often overlooked component of retirement planning is how best to utilize your Social Security benefits. Some financial advisors...
How to Build Your Roth Assets: Part 2We recommend building your retirement assets by contributing to three separate “buckets” of money: 1) traditional retirement accounts; 2)...
How to Build Your Roth Assets: Part 1We recommend building your retirement assets by contributing to three separate “buckets” of money: 1) traditional retirement accounts; 2)...
The Randomness of Asset Class ReturnsAcademic research has shown that there is little predictability in asset class performance from one year to the next. To illustrate this...
Individual Bonds: Are They Really Better Than Bond Funds?In constructing our client portfolios, we rely primarily on DFA funds, for both equity and fixed income securities. While most of our...
Advisor’s AlphaVanguard recently published a white paper on “advisor’s alpha,” in which they discuss and attempt to quantify the value an investment...
How Much to SaveTwo of the most common questions people ask about retirement planning are, “How much should I save?” and “Am I on track with my...
A Scientific ApproachShearwater Capital was founded 14 years ago on a simple premise: offer an investment approach based on the best available evidence from...
Pay Yourself FirstShearwater Capital was founded in 1999. During the past 14 years, we’ve had an opportunity to observe which factors have contributed the...
BucketsThe main goal for most investors is to save for a comfortable retirement. While each individual’s retirement planning strategy should be...