Blog

When people choose to eat healthier or lose weight, they know that they have to change their behaviors. That’s easier said than done, which is why weight loss programs and restrictive diets are popular. They provide a system for controlling portions, managing nutrition, and staying accountable.

7/18/2017

The Department of Labor (DOL) Fiduciary Rule has garnered much media attention since it was first proposed several years ago. While the media has scrambled to understand the Rule and pen compelling articles and blog posts, an equal amount of confusion has developed. While this letter is not the appropriate source for a detailed look at the ruling that took hold on June 9, 2017 (and is still in a comment period that may change the Rule), we point out the primary concern regarding the issues.

04/09/2017

Dear Clients and Friends,

Many conversations in the first quarter rotated between the bleak New England weather, the current state of politics, and the abundance of news, fake or otherwise.

01/23/2017

Dear Clients & Friends,

As we look back on a year filled with surprises (from its opening days onward), it’s natural to wonder what to expect in 2017.

10/10/2016

Dear Clients and Friends,

The fourth quarter seemed to arrive even faster than usual this year. Perhaps it was the summer’s relative market calm. Despite the never-ending newsfeeds, global markets mostly worked through the white noise. We even celebrated a few milestones.

07/11/2016

Dear Clients and Friends,

There is an interesting phenomenon playing out in the financial press, in the form of a missing word that speaks volumes about human nature. The word is: “referendum.”

04/19/2016

Dear Clients and Friends,

Once a year, we make mention of Warren Buffett’s annual letter to shareholders due to our shared belief systems regarding disciplined investing. While his most recent letter to shareholders provides plain-spoken insights in his trademark feisty and witty way, we’ve decided to revisit his 1994 letter because of its relevance today.

01/26/2016

Dear Clients and Friends,

Happy New Year from all at Monument. We wish you all the best for a happy and healthy 2016. We are writing to summarize the economic highlights of 2015 and offer our thoughts as to what the highlights may (or may not) tell us about future equity and bond market returns. Also, we are delighted to announce that we have been recognized as 2016 Five Star Wealth Managers* which will be highlighted in an upcoming issue of Boston magazine.

10/13/2015

There is a joke circulating online that, if you commit a crime and you need to hide the evidence, you can stash it on page two of a Google search. At least 90% of the time, nobody looks there. In fact, about half of our clicks are bestowed on the first two hits we see.

7/14/2015

“Because I said so.” These were the watchwords when we were young. Then we grew up, and our days of blind obedience were replaced by the expression: “If I only knew then what I know now.”

For those of us who find ourselves saying the aforementioned expression, here’s a summer mind-bender for you. You are ahead of the game; at least in terms of your long-term investment strategy, you are ahead of the game. You do know now that which you will still want to know in the future.