Weekly Whiteboards

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 your...

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 also be working hard for...

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 impact on the...

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. For others, it’s a...

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, geopolitical...

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 a major...

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 Callan and me personally—we believe...

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) is an uncommon occurrence. By way of...

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 this forum to address how potential...

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 recent weeks...

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 (the...

For the most avid readers of our Weekly Whiteboard you will note that last week we provided context on the election’s impact on the investment markets in the near-term. That is to say, aside from an...

This could come as a surprise to many of you, but we have a presidential election coming up! And, while there may be policy implications (at the State and Federal level) that result from the outcome...

I am often asked about the concept of setting aside funds for a variety of reasons and with a whole host of goals and objectives. Often, the reasons fall into two primary categories: expected but...

DISCLAIMER – This week’s Weekly Whiteboard takes a slight detour from our usual investment and financial planning focus. Instead, we’re exploring a critical trend that’s reshaping...

The attached article is relatively lengthy – I am not going to sugar coat it. With that confession out of the way, I can also say that the author (David Kelly, Chief Global Strategist for J.P. Morgan)...

It looks like it’s time to dust off the ol’ crystal ball and get to work! And, if you’re reading this, it means our compliance team hasn’t worn me down yet. But in all seriousness, this message...

This article is meant to get people thinking about something more important, more long-term, and more fulfilling than investment management. Okay, I almost wrote that with a straight face—nothing is...

This installment of the “Weekly Whiteboard” might just cover the most exciting (dare I say—sexiest) topic yet… insurance! Okay, maybe not that exciting, but it’s...

In a recent article titled “Jamie Dimon believes U.S. debt is the ‘most predictable crisis’ in history—and experts say it could cost Americans their homes, spending power, and national...

Much of the work we do at East Franklin Capital is to help clients make decisions that lead to financial success and a fulfilling, well-funded retirement—with enough left over to make a lasting...

I recently read an article titled “Rethinking Risk in Retirement Planning” by Justin Fitzpatrick, published in October 2021, that really resonated with me. I wanted to share some of my key...