Successful long-term investing is a function of persistence and patience, not timing. A well-diversified portfolio can withstand market cycles and deliver solid, long-term returns without subjecting the investor to the risk and stress of accurately choosing entry and exit points.

Why—in the face of such overwhelming evidence to the contrary—do investors and managers continue to believe they can ‘outperform’ markets? Two words: Fees and Overconfidence. The latter suggests investors are living in a fairy tale world where everyone is strong, good-looking and an above-average stock picker. But two of the world’s most sophisticated institutions are waking up to the fact active management has failed them. Shouldn’t you?

Healthcare is one of the biggest expenses a person faces in retirement.  Medicare is a government sponsored health plan for people ages 65 and older which helps meet these ever-growing costs.  Getting the most from this important benefit requires familiarizing yourself with the program and keeping up with the inevitable changes that will occur.

 In our view, the primary role of bonds is to provide safety and capital preservation when they are needed most—during the inevitable periods of stock market distress.  Despite legitimate and growing concern over our country’s financial condition, recent examples continue to illustrate the role U.S. Treasuries play as the ballast of a well-diversified portfolio.

Non-U.S. stocks currently account for more than half the global market.  Despite this fact, investors still commit relatively small portions of their portfolios to investments abroad.  In this essay we discuss the appeal to investing overseas and address the question of how much exposure is needed to reap the benefits of international diversification.