Earlier this month, with the IPO of SpaceX, the world witnessed the creation of the world’s first known trillionaire.

How does that number look to you?

How does it make you feel?

Humans have real feelings and emotions, especially when it comes to money and wealth. We naturally compare ourselves to others. It’s human nature. As the saying goes, “It’s all relative.”

But that’s precisely the challenge.

If a billion dollars once seemed unimaginable, what are we supposed to do with a trillion? More importantly, what happens when we compare ourselves to someone who possesses it?

The truth is that comparison has no finish line. If wealth alone created contentment, a millionaire would envy no one. Yet we know that’s not how humans work.

Over more than 25 years in the wealth advisory profession, I’ve noticed something interesting, particularly among our clients at Hill Investment Group.

When people first meet with us, they often have a number in mind.
“I want to have $X.”

It’s understandable. Having a financial target can provide motivation and direction.
But something often changes over time.

As clients learn and embrace our evidence-based investment philosophy, gain confidence in their financial plan, and begin taking the long view, their goals frequently evolve beyond simply reaching a number.

Why?

Because they increasingly believe they can achieve their financial goals if they remain disciplined and stay the course. The constant worry begins to fade. The daily noise matters less. Confidence gradually replaces uncertainty.

And when that happens, something powerful occurs.

People begin thinking less about accumulating wealth and more about what that wealth can make possible.

They think about experiences.

They think about family.

They think about legacy.

They think about causes they care about.

They think about opportunities they never allowed themselves to consider before.

Ironically, many people discover that once they stop obsessing over a number, they begin focusing on the people, experiences, and opportunities that number was meant to support in the first place.

It’s a little like climbing a mountain with an experienced guide. Instead of worrying about every step, every turn, and every obstacle along the path, you’re able to lift your eyes and appreciate the view.

How does that perspective make you feel?

Not just about hearing about a trillionaire, but about your own future.

If you’re already a client, you may recognize this shift. The conversation gradually moves from “How much is enough?” to “What do I want to do with the life I’ve built?”

That’s an exciting transition.

It’s future-oriented.

And in many ways, that’s when financial success becomes less about what you’ve accumulated and more about the life, relationships, and opportunities it makes possible.

If you’re not yet a client, we’d welcome the opportunity to help you explore what financial peace of mind might look like for you and your family. Whether through our monthly newsletter, a copy of Odds On, or a simple conversation, we’re here whenever you’re ready.

One of our outstanding 2026 Summer Interns, Sebastian Peritore, collaborated with Nell Schiffer to write this article. 

A recent piece in the WSJ makes the case that investors’ priorities can be misaligned when picking which investment funds to place their money in. Captivated by chasing returns, investors often lose sight of the most consequential factors.

When choosing an investment fund, most investors focus on returns.

That’s understandable. Performance numbers are easy to find, easy to compare, and often dominate marketing materials.

But by focusing too heavily on returns, investors can overlook a factor that may have an even greater impact on long-term wealth: taxes.

Avoiding a Common Mistake

Not all investment funds are created equal.

Decades of research show that investors who try to pick winning stocks or time the market face long odds. While some managers outperform for short periods, taxes and fees often erode those gains over time.

As a result, many investors have embraced low-cost index funds that allow them to participate in market returns without relying on forecasts or stock-picking skill.

That’s a meaningful step forward. But choosing an index fund is only part of the equation.

What Many Investors Overlook

Most investors compare funds based on historical returns and expense ratios. Both matter.

What many investors fail to consider is how much of those returns they actually keep after taxes.

Most mutual funds highlight pre-tax performance, while the tax consequences of owning the fund receive far less attention. Yet research cited in a recent Wall Street Journal article suggests that taxes can reduce an investor’s accumulated wealth by nearly one-third over time.

In other words, investors may spend considerable effort searching for a slightly higher return while overlooking a factor that can have a far greater impact on their long-term results.

Keeping More of What You Earn

Successful investing requires more than pursuing returns. It requires keeping as much of those returns as possible.

That’s why we believe investors should evaluate returns, costs, and tax efficiency together rather than in isolation.

At Hill, we look for opportunities to combine evidence-based investing with thoughtful innovation to help clients keep more of what they earn.

One example is the Longview Advantage Fixed Income ETF (NASDAQ: LVIG). LVIG is a fixed-income ETF structured as a fund of funds and designed to reduce some of the tax friction that income distributions can create in taxable accounts.

The Long View

The most successful investors don’t simply focus on what they earn. They focus on what they keep.

Over a lifetime of investing, even small differences can compound into meaningful outcomes. A seemingly minor drag on performance, repeated year after year, can have a significant impact on long-term wealth.

That’s why taxes deserve a seat at the investment table alongside returns and fees.

Investors who avoid overlooking tax implications put themselves in a stronger position to preserve more of their wealth and stay focused on what matters most: taking the long view®.

At Hill Investment Group, much of what we do is centered around helping clients prepare, not just for markets, but for life.

Some planning is exciting. Some is practical. Some is the kind you hope never becomes urgent.

A Power of Attorney falls into that last category.

A Power of Attorney, often called a POA, is a legal document that allows you to name someone you trust to act on your behalf during your lifetime if you are unable to do so yourself.

It may not feel especially meaningful when everything is going smoothly. But in a difficult moment, it can be one of the most helpful planning tools your family has.

The purpose is simple: to give the right person the ability to help in the way you intended.

That might mean helping pay bills, manage accounts, coordinate with your advisory team, request distributions, or keep important financial work moving while your family focuses on what matters most.

This kind of planning is not really about paperwork.

It is about care.

It is about reducing confusion, easing the burden on the people you love, and creating clarity before life gets complicated.

There are different types of Power of Attorney documents, and the right version depends on your situation, your state, and the guidance of your estate attorney. A durable Power of Attorney is often especially important because it can remain in effect if you become incapacitated.

It is also important to know that a Power of Attorney only applies while you are living. At death, authority shifts according to your estate plan.

If you already have a Power of Attorney, it is worth making sure it is current, properly executed, and understood by the people who may need to use it. If you do not have one, this may be a good conversation to start with an estate planning attorney.

We are happy to help you think through how these pieces fit into your broader financial life and, if helpful, connect you with someone from our trusted network.

A little planning now can make a hard moment easier later.

As always, we’re here to help you take the long view.

If you’d like to talk more about this, please reach out to us and schedule time to talk.