Investment fees are often a mystery in the financial services industry, and we’re proud to take a different approach by reporting our advisory fees to clients on a quarterly invoice. It’s a welcome surprise to those converting from the traditional brokerage environment for the first time.

This recent article from Investment News details a lawsuit that alleges one family’s accounts were subjected to excessive trading that generated $40 million in fees. Some firms may never have any interest in fee transparency, but educated investors must know that they can find it elsewhere.

This excellent piece from The New York Times takes a look at the hidden costs of daredevil investing. It sums up in one simple phrase that you’ve heard from us for the last decade: Take the long view. Investors often miss the fact that meddling with their investments leaves cash on the table. They’re better off focusing “relentlessly on the far horizon, sticking with a simple and cheap plan for getting there.”

Jonathan Clements is one of our favorite journalists because of his common-sense approach and his focus on what is best for investors. Creating awareness is one way to combat the lies mentioned by Clements in his recent WSJ piece. The other is having an advisor on your side. Click here to read more.