Tableaux Wealth Insights
Guidance, views, and commentary to help you make better financial decisions.
Still Don’t Understand Cryptocurrency? Start Here.
Millions of investors own crypto. Many millions of others don’t see the point. What’s the appeal? Should it appeal to me? Is it a bona fide currency? These questions, and what I’ll say about them, are two sides of the same coin.
Avoid This Headache for Your Executor
If you own stock in the form of physical certificates or through direct registration, you may be passing along a major headache to the executor of your estate, and to other professionals and family members. Here’s how to make things easier for them.
The Tableaux Grab Bag, June 2026
Acquired podcast, the private letters of Harry Truman, and David Epstein’s latest book, Inside the Box.
You’re Probably Already Invested in AI
I occasionally hear from clients who don’t want to invest in AI. I get the concern. But the U.S. stock market is deeply integrated with artificial intelligence. At this point, avoiding AI in a diversified portfolio is nearly impossible—and inadvisable.
Were Your IRA Contributions Deducted?
Think your accountant automatically knows whether you’ve made an IRA contribution? Think again. Unless you tell your accountant that you’ve made an IRA contribution, your deduction may simply never get taken on your tax return.
Two Simple 401(k) Lessons for Recent College Grads
Here's my message to new college grads: Contribute to a retirement plan, and invest aggressively. Your investment growth will feel painfully slow at first. But compounding accelerates dramatically as balances build…
Still Don’t Understand Cryptocurrency? Start Here.
In part two of this explainer on cryptocurrency, we explain how crypto works by comparing a simple transaction—buying a book at the local bookstore—using traditional money and using crypto.
Leaning into the Hard Conversations: Why Financial Planning Should Include Your Beneficiaries
Effective estate planning does not just cleanly dispose of assets. It can provide context and peace of mind and set appropriate expectations for all involved. The case for involving your children and other beneficiaries in financial planning boils down transparency and efficiency.
The Tableaux Grab Bag, May 2026
This month, we’ve been listening to “The Ezra Klein Show” and the “Conversations with Tyler” podcast.
Charitable Thoughts: Practical Advice if You’re Planning to Give
Thinking about donating stock? Art? Want your name on the building—or would you rather give anonymously? Some very practical insights on charitable giving, from a panel of experts hosted by Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida.
Advisor, Planner, Wealth Manager—What’s the Difference?
I repeatedly hear one question from clients: “What’s the difference between all the titles in the wealth management industry?” There are financial planners, advisers and wealth managers. What are they?
Still Don’t Understand Cryptocurrency? Start Here.
Part One: What Is Money?
A lot of people I talk to don’t really understand what cryptocurrency is. I don’t blame them—most explanations are too technical. Instead, I’d like you to think about crypto as a shift toward a new kind of money.
The Hidden Risks of Playing it Safe
Many people think they’re avoiding risk by keeping their money in safe CDs. In reality, they are exposing themselves to a new set of risks.
On Cars and Finance
According to a recent forecast from J.D. Power, nearly one in three car buyers are underwater on their trade-ins. That means they owe more on the loan than the car is worth at the time they want to sell or trade it in. It’s a much more common problem than it used to be. And the reason is not mysterious.
Painting a Fuller Picture of Risk
While it can be helpful to an advisor to know how you’d rate your risk tolerance on a scale of 1 to 10, this simplistic question merely scratches the surface of the very large and deep subject of investment risk. A good conversation with your advisor about risk can truly open the door to a deeper understanding of what motivates, scares, or gratifies you.
Fear and Opportunity
What I’m hearing from investors is a lot of fear. This is totally justifiable. It’s the perfect time to remember the words of legendary investor Warren Buffett: “Be greedy when others are fearful.”
First-Quarter 2026 Review
Global stock markets have been ugly since the start of the war in Iran. One of the major reasons for the market downturn in the first quarter is what we call a “growth scare”…
Financial Planning and AI
I've just returned from a financial advisor conference whose central theme was artificial intelligence. This is how I now believe AI may reshape financial planning for retirement savers.
Outsource or DIY?
We all face countless decisions about whether to pay someone to do something for us. For example, as tax season is upon us, do we choose to file our own taxes or hire a professional to take care of it? The decision is about more than just our ability.
Paint by Numbers: AI Optimism for the Rest of Us
Will AI wreak havoc on our economy and on humanity? Or is Silicon Valley’s unbridled optimism for AI justified? We take a more measured view—with visuals.