Today, many Americans’ retirement dreams are dependent upon two crucial incomes: Social Security benefits and personal savings—in tax-qualified retirement accounts, in personal, taxable formats, or a combination of both. As of 2014, the Social Security OASI Trust Fund had over $2.6 trillion in reserves,1 while aggregate retirement assets approached $25 trillion in first quarter of […]
2 Superpowers Clients Believe We Possess (and 2 We Actually Do)
For thousands of years mankind has been obsessed with extraordinary abilities that, absent fictitious elements, are indeed extremely rare in this world. It is not just a modern-era, Western-only phenomenon—the Chinese culture has long had saints, gods and goddesses, and the like with unique, jaw-dropping abilities.1 This love for superpowers is ubiquitous and wished for […]
3 Ways to Improve Your Financial Literacy (and Security)
Take a look at the following graph. It shows how American households spend their income broken down into three broad income groups.1 While it is normal for spending to become less problematic the more income a household makes, close to a third of respondents in the $100,000+ income category still spend more than they make. […]
A Journey That Began a Dozen Years Ago
In the spring of 2004, having just graduated from college, this international student from Hong Kong, desperate to find employment in hopes of remaining in the country, was very fortunate to land a job that, to this date, still makes him feel humbled as there is so much more to learn and grow. A dozen […]
Mind Mapping Your Financial Life
Remember this graph from last quarter: the Summa Global Mind Map? It is a graphical illustration of our service model. This time, let us apply the process on what matters most – you. As you read this letter, it will become clear how easily your financial picture can be drawn and depicted using mind maps. […]
The Summa Global Mind Map
A career in financial services does not come with the glamour or respect that other professions do. There are countless TV dramas and movies praising professionals in the medical industry, law enforcement officers, educators, and even athletes. The most recent movie portraying our industry I have seen is The Wolf of Wall Street, a movie that […]