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.

Ten-Dollar Finance Words

Finance jargon often sounds sophisticated, but this piece breaks down pricey investment words, exposing what they really mean and why clarity.
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The Next Bear Market

Markets feel easy until they don't. Today, let's dive into why a 20% decline is inevitable and how investors should react to this.
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If You Could Ask Just One Question

If you could ask only one due diligence question, this piece shows how incentives, credibility, and skin in the game matter more than theory.
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Room for Life

Why the best financial plans aren’t perfect on paper. A thoughtful look at uncertainty, flexibility, and building plans that survive reality.
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Was Jesus a Socialist?

Today, let's examine whether the economic ethics reflected in the teachings of Jesus meaningfully support the case for socialism.
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What Kind of Spending Makes Us Happy?

What kind of spending makes us happy? Explore how values‑based spending, experiences, and generosity create lasting satisfaction with money.
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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.

Brett Bonecutter

Private Wealth Advisor

Brett’s career spans real estate, mortgage, and alternative investments, culminating in a wealth advisory practice at TBG. His faith-based, worldview-centric philosophy aligns closely with David Bahnsen’s thought leadership.

He earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies, an M.B.A., and CFP® education from Pepperdine and is licensed as a real estate and mortgage broker in California.