Evidence-based investing insights, financial planning strategies, and market commentary from Peter Lazaroff.https://peterlazaroff.com/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/should-you-invest-in-gold/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/should-you-invest-in-gold/Gold gets a lot of attention when markets are shaky. Whether it belongs in your portfolio is a different question.Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/the-power-of-compounding/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/the-power-of-compounding/Compounding is the quiet force behind almost every great long-term result. The trick is giving it enough time to work.Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/5-essential-estate-planning-documents/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/5-essential-estate-planning-documents/Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. A few key documents protect you and the people you care about.Tue, 19 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/2023-tax-numbers-at-a-glance/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/2023-tax-numbers-at-a-glance/Tax season for 2022 has officially started. However, while you’re reviewing and closing out your taxes for last year, it...Mon, 13 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/give-to-charity-without-giving-up-your-tax-deduction-using-a-donor-advised-fund/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/give-to-charity-without-giving-up-your-tax-deduction-using-a-donor-advised-fund/If you’re missing the deduction you used to receive for charitable giving, a donor-advised fund could be the answer...Tue, 29 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/what-you-need-to-understand-about-bonds-2/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/what-you-need-to-understand-about-bonds-2/Understanding how bonds work is important because it can help you feel more confident in this part of your portfolio and...Fri, 27 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/10-simple-tips-for-better-investing/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/10-simple-tips-for-better-investing/Good investing isn’t complicated. There are common mistakes to avoid and good habits smart investors should build. Here ...Mon, 21 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/why-super-smart-people-can-still-be-mediocre-at-money-management/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/why-super-smart-people-can-still-be-mediocre-at-money-management/I’ve spent my entire career advising a wide range of successful people. Most of them are extremely intelligent but they aren’t always rational. And that can have a negative impact on their financial decisions.Mon, 07 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/why-expert-predictions-are-bs/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/why-expert-predictions-are-bs/Professional experts know there’s no demand for accountability. They prey on the fact that people just want a story that helps make sense of the world around them. Here’s why “expert predictions” are bullsh*t.Mon, 21 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/diversification-doesnt-feel-good-heres-why/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/diversification-doesnt-feel-good-heres-why/The challenge with good diversification is it doesn’t feel good when it’s working. Keep these two things in mind if there is a part of your portfolio you hate.Fri, 11 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/4-reasons-investors-should-worry-about-market-volatility/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/4-reasons-investors-should-worry-about-market-volatility/Even though drawdowns are completely normal, you might be feeling a bit uneasy. Some people should be more concerned than others, especially if any of the following four are true.Mon, 24 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/forecasting-the-market-the-2022-outlook-survey/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/forecasting-the-market-the-2022-outlook-survey/Forecasting market related events with consistent accuracy is nearly impossible, but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining. Try your chance at predicting the market for a chance to win a $500 Amazon gift card and bragging rights.Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/11-cant-miss-newsletters/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/11-cant-miss-newsletters/Most newsletters in my inbox are deleted, but these are the exceptions I rarely ever miss.Mon, 08 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/how-to-invest-better-rebalance-your-portfolio-the-right-way/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/how-to-invest-better-rebalance-your-portfolio-the-right-way/To earn higher returns, experience less volatility, and minimize losses, you must learn to rebalance your portfolio the right way.Mon, 13 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/lifestyle-creep/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/lifestyle-creep/Lifestyle creep happens when your spending rises with your income and you adjust to a more expensive way of living. Once you get used to one or any of these upgrades, eliminating them is very hard to do.Mon, 26 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/my-new-podcast-the-long-term-investor-is-live/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/my-new-podcast-the-long-term-investor-is-live/After years of deliberation, I finally launched a podcast. I’m excited to introduce The Long Term Investor, a financial podcast designed to distill complex topics into easily digestible lessons and make you a better investor.Mon, 19 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/estate-planning/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/estate-planning/Developing and executing an estate plan is rarely at the top of anyone’s to-do list, but it’s one of the most important pieces of anyone’s financial plan. Here’s how to tackle this topic and what you need to do to get your own plan in order.Tue, 29 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/where-to-save-for-retirement/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/where-to-save-for-retirement/One of the trickier decisions of saving for retirement is determining which accounts to prioritize with your savings. Follow these guidelines to get the most out of your retirement savings.Mon, 21 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-type-of-mortgage/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-type-of-mortgage/Like homes, mortgages come in many sizes and types. Your home is the largest purchase you’ll make so it’s crucial you understand your options and choose the right type of mortgage.Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/earn-more-on-your-cash-try-lending-to-a-family-member/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/earn-more-on-your-cash-try-lending-to-a-family-member/If interest rates are low, you have to be strategic to earn more on your cash. But before you open your wallet, understand the risks and rewards.Mon, 07 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/5-steps-to-manage-money-from-sudden-wealth/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/5-steps-to-manage-money-from-sudden-wealth/An unexpected windfall of cash creates unique opportunities and complexities to your finances. Learn five ways to thoughtfully manage sudden wealth so you keep the cash you have inherited.Tue, 01 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/no-you-probably-dont-need-permanent-life-insurance/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/no-you-probably-dont-need-permanent-life-insurance/Nearly everyone needs life insurance, but permanent life insurance is rarely the right answer. Here’s what you need to know and how to find the right coverage for yourself (without overpaying).Mon, 24 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/what-to-know-before-you-buy-your-first-house/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/what-to-know-before-you-buy-your-first-house/Math usually indicates the idea of a starter home as an “investment” is more myth than reality. If you are looking to buy your first house, here are four things you should know first.Mon, 17 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/how-to-buy-and-sell-a-house-at-the-same-time/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/how-to-buy-and-sell-a-house-at-the-same-time/If you need to buy and sell a house at the same time, the transition is complex. Learn how to streamline the process, what to look for, and what to avoid.Mon, 10 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://peterlazaroff.com/blog/reverse-budgeting-the-budget-that-actually-work/https://peterlazaroff.com/blog/reverse-budgeting-the-budget-that-actually-work/Creating a budget and sticking to it is difficult for most people because the process is time consuming and restrictive. Traditional budgeting forces you to make every decision as if you live in a spreadsheet. But guess what? You don’t live in a spreadsheet.Mon, 03 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT