At Hill Investment Group, we spend our days immersed in markets and evidence. We know most people don’t, and our clients rely on us to do that work for them.

Even the most financially literate investors can encounter misconceptions, often picked up from friends, social media, or the financial press. Many of these are rooted more in behavior and emotion than in evidence.

Here are a few we hear regularly, along with an evidence-based perspective on each.

It can be easy to think of dividends as “free money” from an investment, and some even choose funds solely for their dividend yield. The reality is that when a company pays a dividend, the value of its shares is reduced by the same amount. For example, if you hold a $20 share and it pays a $2 dividend, you now have $2 in cash and a share worth $18—the total value is unchanged.

Companies that reinvest profits into their business sometimes create more long-term growth than those that pay them out. At Hill, we view dividends as one element of total return and often as a way to rebalance portfolios in a tax-efficient manner.

For clients who rely on investments for retirement income, we may help design a withdrawal plan by selling shares. This approach allows:

• Investment decisions to be based on total return, not dividend yield alone.
• Greater flexibility to manage tax impact by choosing which holdings to sell.

This can be more tax-efficient than receiving dividends automatically, which are taxable whether you need the income or not.

No one enjoys seeing an investment go down. But in certain cases, realizing a loss can provide a tax benefit while keeping your long-term plan intact.

For example, tax-loss harvesting involves selling an investment that has declined, capturing the loss to reduce taxes today (or in future years), and reinvesting in a similar security to maintain your portfolio’s strategy.

This doesn’t remove the reality of market downturns, but it can turn them into opportunities for tax management. While individual investors may not do this on their own, professional advisors often monitor for these opportunities as part of portfolio management.

Because U.S. companies are most familiar, many investors lean heavily toward them—sometimes without realizing it. Yet the U.S. represents only about half of the global market, which means there is significant opportunity beyond our borders.

Diversifying globally can help manage risk and position a portfolio to benefit from growth wherever it occurs. History has shown that different markets lead at different times. For example, U.S. stocks lagged from 2000 to 2010 while international markets performed better. In other periods, U.S. stocks have led. Since no one can predict which region will outperform next, broad diversification helps reduce reliance on a single market.

Investing comes with complexity, and misconceptions are common. Our role is to help clients cut through the noise and make evidence-based decisions that support a long-term plan.

If you know someone who might be interested in learning more about this approach, we’re glad to share educational resources or have an introductory conversation. They can reach us at askanadvisor@hillinvestmentgroup.com.

Coming back from maternity leave after welcoming our daughter this spring has reminded me of what our work at Hill is really about: helping clients use their money as a tool to build lives rich in meaning, not just numbers.

Whether you’re navigating new parenthood, approaching retirement, or somewhere in between, the core questions often remain the same: What matters most? And how can your money support that?

Here are a few reflections that have stayed with me through this milestone.

Time Is Our Most Limited Asset

This season has made it clear: time is precious. As the saying goes, the days are long, but the weeks are short. At Hill, we encourage clients to think of time like any other resource, i.e., something to be used intentionally.

Having a baby sharpened my awareness of how valuable time with all generations can be. We’ve prioritized visits and calls with our parents and grandparents, including Merrill. One visual we often share is Tim Urban’s “Your Life in Weeks,” which maps the average lifespan as a grid of boxes, each one a week. Sam Harris captures the feeling well: “It always is later than you think.”

Experiences That Leave a Lasting Impact

One book that’s prompted meaningful reflection is Die With Zero, which invites readers to think intentionally about how they use time, money, and attention. One key idea is the “memory dividend,” that experiences created now continue to bring joy over time.

During our first family trip with Merrill, we bought matching tracksuits for three generations (thankfully not pictured on the cover of this post!). The laughter that moment created has become part of our family story, which is something we’ll carry forward.

When you “eventize” small moments, making them playful, meaningful, or tradition-worthy, you create experiences that stay with you long after the money is spent.

Freedom Through Planning

Taking the Long View isn’t about deferring joy. It’s about aligning today’s choices with your long-term values. For our family, that included investing in a high-quality caregiver–not only to support our daughter’s development, but to give both Walter and me the capacity to continue doing meaningful work. This single decision had ripple effects across our financial plan and peace of mind.

In our experience, thoughtful planning doesn’t restrict you. Instead it creates more space for the things that matter.

The Time to Act Is Now

Watching our daughter grow has been a reminder that certain windows of opportunity are fleeting. Whether it’s a trip you’ve been considering, a gift you’ve meant to give, or simply time with someone you care about, the moment to act may be now.

At Hill, we aim to help you simplify, clarify, and align your financial life so it supports the life you want to live. With a new rhythm, a deeper commitment to this work, and a fresh perspective, I’m more convinced than ever: the best investments are the ones that help us be present, generous, and fully alive.

At Hill Investment Group, we’ve found that when a few clients ask similar questions, many more are likely thinking the same thing. To better serve you, we’re introducing our “Hey Hill” series—addressing common client questions and sharing our perspective.

To submit a question for a future post, email us at service@hillinvestmentgroup.com.

Online scams are becoming more sophisticated, and anyone can be a target. Scammers are constantly developing new ways to access personal and financial information, whether it’s a fake email or a suspicious phone call.

We’re sharing examples of common fraud tactics we and others in the industry have observed, along with simple steps you can take to protect yourself and others.

Phishing Emails, Texts, or Letters

These are among the most common scams, and you likely encounter them daily. They’re often disguised as messages from banks, delivery services, or companies you recognize. The goal is to get you to click a link or share sensitive information.

What to watch for:

• Misspelled sender addresses or strange-looking links
  
• Urgent language (e.g., “24-hour notice” or “Immediate action required”)
  
• Requests for passwords, authentication codes, or personal data
  

What you can do:

• Don’t click suspicious links—hover and verify before clicking
  
• Contact the company directly through a known phone number or website
  
• When in doubt, delete the message
  

Impersonation Scams

Scammers may pose as government agencies (IRS, FBI, Sheriff’s Office), financial professionals, or even friends and family members in distress.

Common examples include:

• Claims that you owe money or face legal consequences unless you send funds immediately
  
• Urgent, secretive requests for access to your personal devices or accounts
  
• Promises of cryptocurrency “bonuses” or internet transfers via platforms like PayPal or Zelle
  

What you can do:

• Hang up and independently verify by calling an official number
  
• Don’t share personal information unless you initiated the contact
  
• Use two-factor authentication wherever possible
  
• Be skeptical—even caller ID can be faked
  
• Remember: government agencies will never request payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards
  

Staying Vigilant

Scammers rely on confusion and speed. If something feels off, pause and verify.

At Hill Investment Group, we take data security seriously. Our team undergoes regular training, and we maintain internal protocols to reduce cybersecurity risks. We also partner with a large custodian that maintains dedicated fraud prevention and monitoring teams.

If you’re unsure whether something is legitimate—or if you just need a second opinion—don’t hesitate to reach out to us or a trusted family member. We’re here to support your financial well-being and help you stay secure in an increasingly digital world.

Disclosures:
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. Hill Investment Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Always consult with your professional advisors before making decisions related to your personal security or financial situation.