Gimme Some Truth
Be sure to check out our latest “Gimme Some Truth” podcast! This week, we focus on some of the “alternative facts” we hear from clients. You can find us on iTunes or SoundCloud, and be sure to subscribe!
Conventional Wisdom
Over Memorial Day weekend it was only appropriate that I put my grilling skills to the test with some strip steaks. Conventional wisdom is a common occurrence, especially in cooking. However, I decided to take a less conventional route this year. It’s a technique called “reverse searing”. I started the steaks on indirect heat and finished them on the heat side of the grill quickly to get the nice sear marks. It does not require a large resting period, ensures more even cooking, and allows for an easier way to monitor temperature. It is simply a better way to cook a steak, albeit not typical.
Conventional wisdom also is common in investing. Most people tend to trust their pre-existing beliefs and hold to them tightly. There are many examples we all can probably think of when we used to believe something that we once did, and in many cases, what we now think of is a fact was directly opposite of a viewpoint we held.
In investing, here are just a few beliefs that are commonly held that we may need to reconsider:
Gold is a protection against inflation. Or deflation.
(Or maybe it’s just a shiny little fear bar? )
Value investing is widely accepted as being preferable to growth.
The numbers over the last 15 years show us that there is little difference in rate of return. Even Warren Buffett himself, the value investing king, has bought technology stocks over the past few years.
Stock splits give you more shares but do not change the value of your shares and therefore there is no advantage to buying splitting companies.
Here’s one that even got the financial advisors……the data says otherwise. (Maybe we need to look into this one even further!)
Moving Forward
It’s important that every investor (and grillmaster) continues to reconsider their previously held positions. Eventually, you may find a better way that you never knew existed, or come to an alternative conclusion. You should also seek out professionals that have intellectual curiosities in order to help you solve problems over your lifetime. Whether it be a landscaper, estate planning attorney, or financial advisor, questioning conventional wisdom is an important attribute to possess.
(My next step is learning how to sous vide…..wish me luck!)
– Clint