Blog - Page 2 of 16 - von Borstel & Associates

15 Jun

Obituary

Obituary This last week, I’ve sat through several funerals or celebrations of life. It is interesting what people get up and say about their parents, friends, or acquaintances. I was thinking, sitting through yesterday’s event, what will they say about

16 May

24,901

By Craig Smith, CFP®, CFA®, CKA®
In Blog

24,901 I think I’m just hardwired for activities that can be accomplished by being intentional, and plodding, over long periods of time. 26.2 miles – 2008 Portland Marathon. 968 miles – 2007 Oregon/Washington Pacific Crest Trail. 211 miles – 2014

16 Apr

The Plane

The “Plane” Do you remember the first time you were on a plane? Maybe you never have been, but that would be rare. When I grew up, there weren’t many people who had been on a plane. Today, it is

16 Mar

The Cost of Capital and The Price of Time

By Craig Smith, CFP®, CFA®, CKA®
In Blog

The Cost of Capital and the Price of Time We’ve all heard the phrase “time is money”. But what exactly is the “price of time”? How do we calculate or quantify how much time is worth? When we invest, what

16 Feb

Confidence

Confidence! Confidence is often our best friend in competition, sports, or being a businessman. When can confidence be a problem? When we’re investing! If our confidence in investing is centered on markets, this is troublesome. We will surely lose if

16 Jan

New Years Resolution

By Craig Smith, CFP®, CFA®, CKA®
In Blog

New Years Resolution One of the “classics” in investing literature is Charles Ellis’ Winning the Loser’s Game. I happened to reread it recently, and what follows has heavy inspiration from the themes in his book. As the calendar has recently

16 Dec

Let’s Enjoy the Holiday Season

Let’s enjoy the holiday season! Many people can only find joy by giving. Of course, some people think that the only joy they can find is from receiving! I believe joy comes from confidence. Confidence in our plan. Confidence in

17 Nov

Of Adam Smith, Pyrrhic Victories, and your “Why?”

By Craig Smith, CFP®, CFA®, CKA®
In Blog

Of Adam Smith, Pyrrhic Victories, and your “Why?” You are probably familiar with Adam Smith, often called the Father of Economics. Most people associate him with his book The Wealth of Nations which was published in 1776 and remains widely

17 Oct

It is the Season

It is the Season – To worry about things, we cannot control, nor that may even have much effect on our day-to-day life! The political season is just starting. Everybody knows who they hate and mistrust; no matter what they

15 Sep

Staying Found

By Craig Smith, CFP®, CFA®, CKA®
In Blog

Staying Found Years ago, Melinda and I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Ashland, OR to Manning Park, British Columbia. We learned a lot about ourselves during the roughly 900 trail-mile trip, celebrated our first wedding anniversary sleeping on