The first step to a better investment experience talked about Understanding Market Pricing and used the story of making a pencil by Leonard E. Reed in 1958. Understanding how market pricing works is critical to Step 2 - Don’t Try to Outguess the Market. Trying to outguess the market by finding mispriced securities really goes against the grain in terms of understanding how markets works - or how securities are priced. Instead of using a pencil to help us understand, let’s use a jar of jellybeans.

When it comes to investing, things can get complicated very quickly. But it doesn't need to be that way. This is the first in a series of blog posts called "10 Steps to a Better Investment Experience" which offers ten ways to improve your experience with investing. Step #1 is Understand Market Pricing and one of the best ways to understand market pricing is a take a closer look at how a pencil is made. In 1958, Leonard E. Reed published an essay about the combination of miracles needed to create a pencil. We can relate that to the work of Eugene Fama called the Efficient Market Hypothesis. Fama wrote that professional investors trying to beat the market through stock picking always had a poor record. Why is that? Well, that’s where the pencil comes in.

As a Registered Investment Advisor, BetterWealth has a duty to diligently protect our clients’ privacy and guard against identity theft. We are committed to keeping your information secure. While we take many internal measures to protect your information, there are also measures you can take to help protect yourself and your financial accounts. There are really three levels of security working on your side: our measures, your custodian’s efforts, and regulations set for the industry. Here’s a quick look at each:

Imagine a magician transforming data into a road map to rich treasures. But this isn’t buried treasure. It’s wealth that you’ll create through hard work, discipline, and healthy money habits, along with smart investing. Here are some steps to take so that you know you’re on the right path to building that wealth.

The first step to better financial management and budgeting is to take a hard look at your monthly expenses. Here are six tools that can help you get started.

A financial advisor can create a plan tailored to your personal financial needs while helping you stay disciplined so that you can reach your goals – and avoid getting caught up in the performance trap.