Thoughts On Money Archives

THOUGHTS ON MONEY [T.O.M.] is a place to find simple truths on money. Everything from budgeting to investing to decision making. A great place to come for answers to your own personal financial questions or to spark thought on how to improve your financial life. Enjoy an easy to read, application focused commentary.

Who’s the Boss?

I will lay out a handful of examples to further explore this idea of how outside factors and influences can often dictate our decisions.

Knowledge is Power

Your personal finance journey needs just that: a shepherd. One who knows you, who is well acquainted with your aspirations, who is operating in your ...

Declaration of Financial Independence

Today, we dive into financial independence. What is it? Is it worth it? What challenges might we face, and what are some practical ways to ...

A Feature, Not a Bug

Today, we learn the lessons on monarch butterflies and screen doors, in order to share an important lesson with investors about volatility.

Who’s On Your Team?

It is important to remember that a large part of why you partner with someone is so that you can hold each other accountable.

What Goes Up Must Come Down?

It’s important when talking finance that we never reference a single figure or data point in isolation in order to make a claim.

The Platypus

Today, we will discuss the platypus, Kelly Clarkson, black swans, and investing.

Records are Made to Be Broken

When markets are near or at all-time highs, they can spark a certain level of anxiety among investors.

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About the Authors

Trevor Cummings

Private Wealth Advisor, Partner

Trevor is a Partner and Director of our Private Wealth Advisor Group.

As the author of TOM [Thoughts On Money], Trevor endeavors to write and speak about financial concepts and principles in a kind of “straight” talk demeanor and posture.

He received his Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Biola University and his MBA from California State University, Fullerton.

Blaine Carver, CFP®, CKA®

Private Wealth Advisor

Desiring to be a financial advisor since high school, Blaine has continued this passion by stewarding client capital for over a decade. A patient educator, he enjoys aligning clients’ financial resources with their values, particularly through creative charitable gifting strategies.

Blaine holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Seattle Pacific University, where he also led the soccer team as captain.