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.

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An Appetite for Risk

Always remember, the expectations you have for your “returns” bucket are very different than that of your “reserves” bucket.  One bucket is stable and accessible, ...
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What’s Next?

A Billion Dollars & A Billion Miles   What do Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson have in common? They are founders and entrepreneurs; they ...
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Life’s Obstacles

Again, there will be some of these decisions that are crucial, the kind that could potentially make or break a financial plan, but they will ...
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All Time Lies

From Surfing to Streaming The world of channel surfing, TV guides, rushing to get home for the newest episode, and commercial breaks seem like a ...
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Benchmarking

This soft drink story is the perfect example of the collateral damage caused by misleading benchmarks.  Today we will talk about how benchmarking in investing can sometimes lead to similar woes.     
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The Sirens of Finance

Growing up, I loved the story of Jason and the Argonauts.  Something about the hero’s journey, and all the obstacles and opposition along the way, ...
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Sky Diving and Safaris

Our industry invests a lot of time, money, and resources to determine your personal risk tolerance. Why? Because the optimal investment plan (portfolio) is the ...
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Time is On Your Side

All Hands-on Deck   In 1997, Hands on a Hardbody was awarded the best documentary by the audience at the Los Angeles Film Festival. A documentary following the annual Hands on ...
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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.