It’s All About Expectations

Known for her love of cycling, I always enjoy hearing about Ellevest Chief Investment Officer Dr. Sylvia Kwan’s travels.

So as we enter peak holiday travel season, I especially appreciate her monthly market insights (linked below), reflecting on her recent experience riding across Taiwan — and why the stress of travel goes way down when you know what to expect. And wouldn’t you know it, the same thing applies to investing.

FWIW: I don’t think we highlight Dr. Kwan (as we like to say around these parts) enough, mostly because she’s so self-effacing. For those of you who aren’t familiar with her, she is a member of the founding team of Ellevest; and bringing her on was one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made. Fun fact: She has a PhD. From Stanford. On top of a BS from Brown in computer science and applied math. She also holds both Chartered Financial Analyst® and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst® designations. Nbd.

Dr. Kwan is the anti-freaker-outer — calm, fact-based, unflappable. So she’s basically THE person you want as your personal investment manager. (Nothing against your Uncle Ted’s “guy.”)

PS: Speaking of expectations … ours were exceeded when we learned that Ellevest has been named by InvestmentNews as one of the fastest-growing fee-only registered investment advisors in the country, with assets under management of $1 billion or more. (Anyone who still thinks women are a niche market, think again.)

Gearing up to change your money habits?

You’re in good company. Many women use the new year as a marker to take control of their money. Pick up one or two of these low-lift habits so you know you’re doing the right thing.