No Non-Cents Blog

Investing used to require a fair amount of effort. You might have called a broker, filled out paperwork, mailed a check, and then waited patiently for something to happen. Today, you can open an investment account from your couch, transfer money, buy a fractional share of a company, and check how it’s doing before your DoorDash order arrives. For younger generations, investing has never been more accessible. As we recognized International Youth Day on August 12, it’s worth lo

When the Market Gets Moody: Financial Lessons from Recent Market Volatility Or, "Why Checking Your Portfolio 17 Times a Day Isn't a Great Investment Strategy." Let's be honest. If you've been investing for more than five minutes, you've probably had one of those mornings where you log into your investment account, stare at the screen for a few seconds, and think, "Well...that wasn't there yesterday." It's usually followed by checking CNBC, checking your pulse, and wondering i

For the past few years, cash has been having a moment. After spending more than a decade earning roughly the same amount as a participation trophy, savings accounts and money market funds suddenly became attractive again. Banks started advertising rates above 4%, financial headlines proclaimed that "cash is king," and investors everywhere rediscovered the joy of seeing interest payments show up without enduring the emotional rollercoaster of the stock market. Honestly, who ca

Most people underestimate what consistency can do. Investing doesn’t usually create wealth overnight — it builds gradually, quietly, and then suddenly. Kind of like gray hair, lower back pain, or realizing your favorite songs are now considered “classic hits.” So what actually happens if you invest $1,000 every month for 30 years? The answer is surprisingly powerful. The Math Behind Consistency If you invest $1,000 per month for 30 years, you would contribute: 1000 \times 12

Periods of geopolitical tension tend to feel different while you’re living through them. The headlines are more urgent. The risks feel less theoretical. The temptation to “do something” increases. The recent conflict involving Iran is a good example. Markets reacted quickly—oil prices moved higher, equities pulled back, and volatility increased across asset classes. And yet, as conditions stabilized and uncertainty began to ease, markets adjusted. This pattern is not new. In