Fear is a powerful force. At its core, it’s a survival mechanism—our mind’s way of protecting us from perceived danger. But in the modern world, especially in investing, fear often…

I am going to open with a disclaimer. The topic of National Debt and Deficit is far too complex – and, frankly, enigmatic – for a short post like this one. But,…

This is a more “narrow” Weekly Whiteboard than usual, but the application is broad enough, that I am sending it out to you all. As we move deeper into the…

When it comes to managing wealth, investment performance often takes center stage. But in reality, investment management is just one outcome of something much more comprehensive—financial planning. For us, investing…

As an investment advisor, I’m often asked about risk, returns, market cycles, and asset allocation. But quietly humming beneath all these questions is a deeper, more timeless tension—one that has…

I’ll dive right in by saying – this is not going to be a “stay the course” email. With that said, I generally think reactionary investing is prone to poor…

It’s that time of year again—March Madness!  Oh, and, time to gather information for your tax professional (or TurboTax for the DIYers in the crowd).  Tax “season” marks the time…

Staying calm in a volatile market is easy—just move to a deserted tropical island, bring a good book (or ten), pack plenty of sunscreen and food, and don’t return until…

There is an expression that goes “sometimes the best defense is a good offense”.  I submit to you… maybe sometimes the best offense is a good defense – at least, if you are…

Let’s face it—life is unpredictable.  Okay, that may seem obvious, even trite, but it is still a truth as it relates to investing. Companies fail, markets crash, politicians bicker, and…

In the world of investment advisors (some might say an alternative universe), there are two types: those who work for you and those who technically work for you but might…

This week’s The Weekly Whiteboard is, not surprisingly, about tariffs and the impacts on our economy and the investment markets. I do want to make a distinction that the potential…

Knowing when to retire is a big decision—and let’s face it, a little intimidating. For some, retirement is the beginning of a lifelong dream of sipping margaritas on a beach.…

As we step into 2025, investors and managers alike are carefully weighing the scales of hope and skepticism in global equities. The past few years have brought us monetary tightening,…

Let’s face it, tax planning isn’t the most glamorous aspect of financial strategy. It doesn’t carry the thrill of producing positive portfolio returns in a down market or capitalizing on…

As we move into a new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been and, more importantly, where we want to go. At East Franklin Capital—and for…

The market has been on a tear this year—well, the largest companies at least. What the S&P 500 has achieved this year (up about 26% at the time of writing)…

Disclaimer – This is not an article about the pros and cons of tariffs or even whether tariffs are effective or ineffective. Rather, I wanted to take some space in…

For those long-time readers of The Weekly Whiteboard, this is not my first piece on inflation, and it certainly won't be our last, given the client questions and discussions over…

We often discuss gifting and charitable giving with our clients—a topic that is both positive and rewarding, yet sometimes challenging. Given that it frequently makes its way onto my whiteboard…