Always a teacher, my father loved uncovering hidden trends in the economy, in consumer behavior, and in marketing research, and then sharing them with others. He loved reading articles in newspapers, cutting them out, making notes all over the margins, and then turning those findings into essays on how individuals approach money. I would share articles and summaries from academic journals with him, and (after grading them) he would relate their scientific findings to …
Building a business is challenging work, made easier by having trusted colleagues by your side. I’m so thrilled to share that two awesome folks are joining the Data Points’ team this week. Danielle Reid, vice president of business development, will be responsible for sales and partnerships, and Craig Dawson, vice president of product management, will be responsible for creating cool, scientific products that bring value to our clients. Welcome, Danielle and Craig! …
Do you see patterns in your spending, saving, and investing behaviors that mirror those of your parents? Or, have you changed because, perhaps, their behaviors didn’t provide the best illustration of how to successfully manage finances? What types of parental experiences are positively related to a child’s future net worth? What sets of experiences would lead to someone accumulating more than his peers, regardless of income, age, and what what gifted to him? In examining …
A recent article in The Boston Globe highlights the issues Bostonians are considering related to purchasing homes in affluent areas. The piece recites a financial-planning principle: “A bit of perspective: In many parts of the country, the rule of thumb is that housing costs should occupy a third of one’s income. Here, that standard frequently doesn’t apply.” Because of rising real estate prices and a desire to keep up with the Joneses, many Boston …
In the introduction to The Millionaire Next Door, a question is asked in the voice of the reader: How come I am not wealthy? The authors state: Many people ask this question of themselves all the time. Often they are hard-working, well-educated, high-income people. Why, then, are so few affluent? As I am rereading The Millionaire Next Door, as many of you are, I’m reminded of the reason the work of defining wealth in …