2018 and older

September 6, 2016 There seems to be no such thing as sticker shock any more but I was surprised to find a private boarding school where annual tuition costs $71,000 for a 6th grade student. You might think this was one…

August 29, 2016 On a typical Monday morning to start the work week, I leave the solitude of my car and face the first human interaction of the day, the awkward elevator ride. Five of us enter the elevator and…

August 22, 2016 We have spoken in the past about the various family meetings we attend in our role as advisors to our family office clients. We continue to witness how invaluable these discussions are, and we encourage each of…

August 15, 2016 Lisa and I just returned from Cambridge University in the UK where for the last eight years we have enjoyed running “The Cambridge Program”. This year the Program was attended by 24 students from across the USA. As…

August 8, 2016 What return would you need to delay access to your money for twelve months? A recent study of older Americans found some surprising answers to this question. Participants were offered a choice between a fixed amount of…

August 1, 2016 Student debt is a frequent news topic and when speaking to friends and clients, I have found that there are many differing views and beliefs about the current system. With nearly 70% of bachelor’s degree recipients leaving…

July 25, 2016 Back on June 13th we cautioned investors about the uncertainties caused by the June Federal Reserve meeting, and the UK referendum on European Union membership. The news from the Federal Reserve was pleasantly dull, and more of the…

July 2016 This time last year we were writing about the remarkable calm in financial markets while anticipating the inevitable return of increased volatility. While higher volatility is uncomfortable it also provides opportunity. At the close of the second quarter…

July 18, 2016 Everyone loves a good murder mystery. Some ill-fated person inevitably meets an untimely demise, usually in dubious circumstances. Then the sleuth arrives to solve the mystery using his or her superior powers of observation and deduction. Before we…

July 11, 2016 I grew up on the North Shore of Chicago and have also lived in Boston, New York, and London. I love great cities that function and attract the young and creative. When I lived in Chicago I lived through…