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Pure Portfolios

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The traditional high-fee
advisor is a thing of the past.

It's time for a modern approach to wealth
management. We offer a low-fee, personalized
service for investing & planning.

Let Us Help You

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This is personal

Pure Portfolios is a fiduciary. Placing client interests
first isn’t a question; it is our standard.

If you’re tired of large profit-seeking investment managers, banks, brokers, and traditional financial advisors who don't prioritize you, you have come to the right place.

$269MM

Assets under management

275+

Households served nationwide

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Investment News
Investor's Business Daily

What we offer

We believe a well-rounded partnership doesn't start and end with portfolio management. Our financial plans are a collaborative reflection of your life’s work.

Investing

We use the latest technology to create a personalized strategy that will help manage risk, mitigate human bias, and boost tax-efficiency. We call it evidence-based investing.

Explore Investing Services

Planning

Money is emotional, but your planning decisions shouldn’t be. From estate planning to stock options, Social Security, health care, employer benefits, tax planning, and more, we will help you make data-backed money decisions.

Explore Planning Services

What are Pure Portfolios’ fees?

We believe the “all-in” cost of investment management
is too high. We are here to shake things up.

Our aim is to provide low-fee advice, delivered by humans. We do this by in-sourcing the investment management. We do not allocate client assets to expensive third-party managers, mutual funds, or hedge funds.

We believe an advisor’s fee structure should encourage transparency and accountability. For qualified investors, we align our management fees with investment performance, creating a clear line between our compensation and a client’s investment outcome.

Portfolio Fee Comparison

Approaching retirement

Chuck and Abigail didn't know how they were invested or how much risk they were taking. Not understanding their investments heading into retirement made them uncomfortable.

See How We Helped

Retired

Rocky and Diane didn't know the most tax-efficient way to take money out of their portfolios. They needed help deciding when to take Social Security.

See How We Helped

Wealth building

As Elliot moves his way up the corporate ladder, he wants to better understand his stock option compensation. He is looking to break away from a traditional, high-cost Wall Street advisor and receive less conflicted advice.

See How We Helped

Cut through the B.S.

Unfiltered commentary. Simple language.
Actionable steps.

From the latest market trends to planning tips, our weekly newsletter includes podcasts, writings, and educational videos that provide a clear-cut, unbiased outlook to help you make better money decisions.

Team Pure Portfolios Financial Advisors Portland Or Camas Wa Retirement Planning Investment Management

About Pure Portfolios

Tired of your conflicted, high-cost advisor? There is a better way.

We created an offering that fills the gap between the cookie-cutter service of a robo-advisor and the high-cost traditional advisor. If you want advice but don’t want to pay a premium, you’ve come to the right place.

See The Pure Difference

Client experiences

This isn't a hobby. We obsess about client outcomes

Lisa Lisalinnenkohl
28/01/2023
I was referred to Pure Portfolios by a good friend. Boy was she right! What a find! Toby and Erin have been such a pleasure to work with. Onboarding was effortless. They took their time getting to know me and my financial situation. They came back with concrete yet personalized recommendations that fit me. They listened! I have a whole new way of looking at my finances and investments! I feel like they have my back. Oh and their Sunday podcasts and newsletters are interesting and full of very useful information! So excited to be working with Toby and Erin!
Arlene Gallagher
19/12/2022
Toby is my financial adviser and he is doing a great job. Julie is the best always helpful and knowledgeable. I would recommend Pure Portfolios for all your financial investments, thank you so much for always helping me and doing what is best for my accounts. Merry Christmas!
Ryan Harris
17/08/2022
I look forward to reading the Pure blog every Sunday, it is always insightful, has great market information and investment advice. The content is always relevant to the current market conditions and I learn something new from the blog each week. If you haven't subscribed to Pure Portfolio's blog yet, you are missing out, it is a must read.
Eric Stauffer
21/04/2022
The Pure blog is one of the only sites I read every week. The analysis is data-driven, which helps to remove the emotions out of the constant chaos you see on TV. Highly recommended for anyone that wants to tune out the noise and get real info. If you like drama, watch CNBC.
Lisa Gollihar
12/04/2022
We just had a video meeting with Nik and Erin at Pure Portfolios. They truly have a heart to help people be successful in saving for their retirement years. Their office is always responsive in a timely way, and are always glad to discuss any individual concerns. Other advisors only meet once every 1-2 years but Nik is in contact with us on a quarterly basis and also in between times. He posts helpful commentary in a blog every week, and has started having podcasts to go over topics of interest to investors. They are transparent about fees and help clients assess their risk tolerance and financial goals when setting up accounts. There are no secrets and no hidden surprises. They value each client and it shows. I highly recommend giving them a call.
Nathan Holstein
06/08/2020
Great honest team! Nik does an amazing job to understand our financial goals before laying out an investment roadmap. If you are looking for someone to help manage your money and set you up for the future, I recommend getting in contact with Nik!
Sheryl Westfall Dawson
04/10/2019
I've known both Nik and David for a long time. Both are experienced professionals who will keep your best interests in mind.
Patrick James
13/09/2019
I am a retired Family Medicine physician and my wife is an RN. Today we had a meeting to review our 'financials' with Nik and David. If you really think you know and understand this very complex world of IRAs', 401Ks, 403Bs, ETFs, mutual funds, asset allocation, etc etc_think again! If you truly want to access a team of super professionals, A+++, friendly, forthright, uber smart,(Nik writes a financial blog)_down to earth, helpful, hopeful, and genuinely caring individuals with super good fees_ do yourself a Favor and call Nik or David and get the ball rolling. You will be very glad you did. I recommend PP as the TOP in the financial advisors' world- PJ
victoria leary
18/06/2019
I find that Nik and David explain things so I can understand, which I really appreciate. I’m a little phobic about financial matters, yet I really enjoy talking with them. I’m so glad my friends recommended them to me!
Adam Erickson
10/06/2019
My wife and I have been working with Pure Portfolios since late 2016 and its been one of the best financial decisions we've made. Nik and his team are incredibly accommodating, make time for any and all questions we have not just in the beginning, but regularly for checkins and anything else we need. Pure set out to disrupt the industry and my experience is they are doing just that in a positive way!
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Consolidate your investments with a portfolio that mirrors the way you feel about risk

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Construct a financial plan that can withstand life's surprises

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Sunday Coffee Reads

Interest Charges 4516075 1280

Starting Yield and Future Bond Returns

“Remember how excited people were about bonds when rates were under 1%? You see how bearish people are about bonds...
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Hot 2024 Presidential Election Talk

“If you mix your politics with your investment decisions, you’re making a big mistake.” – Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Benjamin...
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Past Performance and Investment Decisions

“My investment plan was built with the assumption that I would experience a number of both bull and bear markets...
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August 2023 Market Commentary

“You should follow price. Quit trying to be an expert, follow prices and follow trend.” – Jerry Parker, Chesapeake Capital...
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The Big Short’s, Big Short

“Everything I do in investing is just very different.” – Michael Burry, famous investor featured in “The Big Short” Michael...
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The Plight of the Dividend Investor

“If company management can’t think of anything else to do with their money, they should pay dividends. If they have...
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Is the Market Detached from Reality?

“Wealth isn’t primarily determined by investment performance, but by investor behavior.” – Nick Murray, finance author & speaker The U.S....
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The Loneliest Trade

“If it’s obvious, it’s obviously wrong.” – Stanley Druckenmiller, former founder of Duquesne Capital Most investors know about the sterling...
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July 2023 Market Commentary

“One lesson I learned is to make fewer decisions. Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing.” – Lou Simpson,...
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Angry G3712b7d14 1280

The Retirement Propaganda War

“I’ve found that investors who rely on crystal balls frequently wind up with crushed glass.” – Martin Zweig, famous investor...
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Investment Gab6bd5cd6 1280

Juicy Money Market Yields Won’t Last

“The Fed’s ability to raise and lower short-term interest rates is its primary control over the economy.” – Alex Berenson,...
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Money Gd1c3c79ca 1280

Hey Retirees, the 4% Rule is Back

“At the end of the day, it’s not a normal condition to have interest rates at zero.” – Lloyd Blankfein,...
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June 2023 Market Commentary

“The idea that a bell rings to signal when to get in or out of the market is simply not...
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When a Bear Becomes a Bull

“When investors get negative on the market and put 50% in cash, many times it’s just about when the market...
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Can AI Pick Investments?

“Some people call this artificial intelligence, but the reality is this technology will enhance us. So instead of artificial intelligence,...
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Mega Cap Fueled Rally

“The market is being driven by the performance of only 7 stocks!” – Everyone Yes, it’s true. The S&P 500’s...
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May 2023 Market Commentary

“Timing crashes is impossible. If you require a forecast for your investment thesis to do well, then you’re doing it...
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How Much Cash is Too Much?

“You make most of your money in a bear market, you just don’t realize it at the time.” – Shelby...
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Falling Inflation and Stock Returns

“The complaints about how sticky inflation has been nearly matches the claims that it was transitory back in 2021.” –...
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The U.S. Debt Ceiling

“I think it’s ridiculous – it’s always resolved, not that it’s a 100% chance, but I think it gets resolved.”...
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Market Expectations are Everything

“The past wasn’t as good as you remember. The present isn’t as bad as you think. The future will be...
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April 2023 Market Commentary

“If you want to call it a bear market, it looks as savage as a koala. If you want to...
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The Demise of King Dollar

“People talk about this concept like foreign countries can just choose not to do business with the U.S. Dollar. Sure,...
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Back to Back Calendar Year Losses for Stocks

“In my experience, most people who are lucky enough to sell something before it goes down get so busy patting...
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The Market is Quietly Stacking Up Wins

“It’s just that most people see what they want to see. We pride ourselves on living in reality.” – J.C....
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March 2023 Market Commentary

“History provides crucial insight regarding market crisis; they are inevitable, painful, and ultimately surmountable.” – Shelby M.C. Davis, philanthropist and...
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Bond Returns Following Difficult Years

“It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein Bonds could use...
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Not a Typical Bank Failure

“This isn’t just one stupid bank making bad decisions. This is a real economic problem where the clients at Silicon...
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1e9876 59f84d1bf4464f33a13f91f238b99f53 Mv2

The Biggest Heist No One is Talking About

“Banks do not create money for the public good. They are businesses owned by shareholders. Their purpose is to make...
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1e9876 64a39a82b7aa49c2ae0607548a580b5f Mv2

February 2023 Market Commentary

“The main purpose of the stock market is to make fools of as many people as possible.” – Bernard Baruch,...
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1e9876 5a2ecabaa78f4908bdf438009c0783c2 Mv2

Retirees: More is the Enemy of Enough

“Don’t risk what you have and need for what you don’t have and don’t need.” – Warren Buffett There’s a...
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Assets Blog

Assets That Could Hold Up During a Recession

“Fear, greed and hope have destroyed more portfolio value than any recession or depression we have ever been through.” –...
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Six Investing Lessons from 2022

“I have civilized my own subjects; I have conquered other nations; yet I have not been able to civilize or...
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January Feedback

January 2023 Market Commentary

“In investing, what is comfortable is rarely profitable.” – Robert Arnott, Research Affiliates Pure Portfolios’ Chief Investment Officer, Nik Schuurmans,...
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1e9876 476a2a5c3532473b8d46c34051c3ee7a Mv2

U.S. Debt Ceiling Fiasco: Big Risk or Big Nothing?

“Playing political football with a vote to raise the nation’s debt ceiling has become as predictable as a Twitter rant...
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The Perception of Risk

Quick question, which below stock market graph would you deem more risky? Graph A or B? Graph A Source: Koyfin,...
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Investment Themes by Decade

“Owning US tech was the trade of the last decade. Look forwards not backwards. That trade is over. What will...
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December 2022 Market Commentary

“With every investment we become richer or wiser, never both.” – Bill Duhamel, investor   Pure Portfolios’ Chief Investment Officer,...
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Santa Claus Rally, Fact or Fiction?

“The real rally could come not from Santa Claus, but from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who will decide how...
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Tis the Season for Wall Street Forecasting Pt. VI

“There are two kinds of forecasters: those who don’t know, and those who don’t know they don’t know.” – John...
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November 2022 Market Commentary

“As crisis is comprised of danger and opportunity, those who sense change in the early stages will tend to have...
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Top 5 Pure Portfolios’ Blogs: Turkey Edition

“Thanksgiving is a joyous invitation to shower the world with love and gratitude.” – Amy Leigh Mercree We take a...
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Avoiding the Extremes

“You should obsess over risks that do permanent damage & care little about risks that do temporary harm, but the...
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Mid-Terms and Markets

“Historically, investors overestimate the impact of political parties, Presidents, and legislation. Even if one was to correctly forecast a political...
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When the Fed Pivots

“History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.” – Mark Twain There have been 85 cycles where the Fed...
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October 2022 Market Commentary

“If everyone is thinking alike, somebody isn’t thinking.” – General Patton   Pure Portfolios’ Chief Investment Officer, Nik Schuurmans, talks...
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Silver Linings in a Dismal Year

“It’s not just good news that causes bear markets to end, but better-than-expected news that is simply less bad.” –...
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Surprised by Surprises

“The correct lesson to learn from surprises is that the world is surprising.” – Morgan Housel, The Collaborative Fund Unprecedented....
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Year of the 180

“Most investors tend to project near-term trends – both favorable and adverse indefinitely into the future.” – Seth Klarman, famous...
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September 2022 Market Commentary

“My first boss told us, what’s obvious is obviously wrong. It’s already reflected in security prices. The world changes. And...
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The Market Could Be Wrong About Inflation

“I don’t mind going back to daylight savings time. With inflation, the hour will be the only thing I’ve saved...
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Fighting the Urge to Throw in the Towel

“If a topic makes someone feel emotional, they will rarely be interested in the data. This is why emotions can...
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Where to Find Investment Income

“Big banks, highly leveraged casinos, do whatever they can to keep the cost of their gambling as cheap as possible.”...
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August 2022 Video Commentary

Pure Portfolios’ Chief Investment Officer, Nik Schuurmans, talks the Fed’s Jackson Hole meeting, yield curve, strength of the U.S. dollar,...
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Intra-Year Market Declines

“The last leg of a bull market always ends in hysteria; the last leg of a bear market always ends...
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Calling Market Inflection Points

“You make most of your money in a bear market, you just don’t realize it at the time.” – Shelby...
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The Biggest Risk to Retirees Revisited

“The most important part of a plan is planning on your plan not going according to plan.” – Morgan Housel,...
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July 2022 Market Commentary

“It would be silly to expect every bear market to turn into the Great Depression. It would be equally wrong...
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Signs of a Market Bottom

“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” – Mark Twain I post my blog every week on LinkedIn. Last...
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Compass Gcea435f42 1280

Which Asset Class Has it Right?

“Majority opinion can give any market movement considerable momentum that keeps it going in the same direction. Majority opinion is...
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Soap Bubble G0c8f21d0e 1280

Recession Obsession

“When y’all think they going to announce that we going into a recession?” – Cardi B, famous hip hop artist...
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Dices Over Newspaper Gc8e2bea37 1280

June 2022 Market Commentary

Pure Portfolios’ Chief Investment Officer, Nik Schuurmans, talks bear markets, bond yields, prospects of a recession, and much more.  ...
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Man Gec393192f 1280

Bear Market Blues, How Much Worse Can it Get?

“The last leg of a bull market always ends in hysteria; the last leg of a bear market always ends...
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Coins G42540f749 1280

Just How Bad is Inflation?

The inflation report on 6/10/22 caused shockwaves across financial markets. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) print surprised on the upside,...
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Sniffing Around for Investment Opportunities

“Cash shouldn’t be looked at as a burden or drag on your portfolio. It should be viewed as a weapon...
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Hd Wallpaper Gfe1b6e03d 1280

May 2022 Market Commentary

Pure Portfolios’ Chief Investment Officer, Nik Schuurmans, talks factor performance, global markets, the Fed’s balancing act, and cracks in U.S....
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Investment Royalty to Punching Bag

“Cathie Wood’s stubborn reluctance to accept reality is starting to look less and less like an investment advisor and more...
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Fighting the Market-Timing Urge

“If a topic makes someone feel emotional, they will rarely be interested in the data. This is why emotions can...
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Market Sell-Off: The Good & Bad

“Everything feels unprecedented when you haven’t engaged with history.” – Kelly Hayes, author The daily flow of negative headlines, market...
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Capture

Sell in May and Enjoy the Day?

“In real-time, every crisis feels like the worst thing ever. In hindsight, every crisis is an obvious buying opportunity.” –...
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April 2022 Market Commentary

Trying to make sense of the economy and markets?   We’ve got your back. Pure Portfolios’ Chief Investment Officer talks...
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News Stock Market Inflation Sweet Spot

What Does Peak Inflation Look Like?

“Every administration thought they had power to end inflation but they really didn’t. I think now you can see that...
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Does it Still Make Sense to Own Bonds?

White-hot inflation. Rising interest rates. Tanking bond prices. The popular consensus is that investors should abandon their bond allocation. It’s...
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March 2022 Market Commentary

“The main purpose of the stock market is to make fools of as many people as possible.” – Bernard Baruch,...
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Stock Exchange G9e5b15126 1280

What’s the Bullish Case for Stocks?

“Tell someone that everything will be ok and they’ll shrug you off. Tell someone they’re in danger and they’ll hang...
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Mitigating Damage without Playing the Market Oracle

“Imagine thinking you could predict when you would sprain your ankle or get in a car crash. Instead, develop the...
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Financial Crisis Gfc74fd9db 1280

What Are the Odds of a U.S. Recession?

“Being scared of everything is a symptom of being addicted to comfort.” – Orange Book, @orangebook on Twitter Post World...
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February 2022 Market Commentary

What the heck is going on in financial markets? In the below month-end video recap, Pure Portfolios President & CIO...
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Checking Up on Pandemic Darlings

“What a year this week has been.” – unknown A handful of stocks couldn’t miss. The pandemic changed the way...
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How to Solve the Inflation Problem

“Anyway you calculate it, inflation is WAY above the Fed’s target because of high demand.” Cullen Roche, Discipline Funds The...
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Waiting for the “All-Clear” Investment Signal

“If you want to make the wrong decision, ask everyone.” – Naval Ravikant, author and investor I want to wait...
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How High Can Bond Yields Go?

“It’s not a normal condition to have interest rates at zero.” – Lloyd Blankfein, former Goldman Sachs CEO The Fed...
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Fear Gc9d566e72 1280

What Goes Up, Must Come Down

“All past market declines look like opportunities, all future market declines look like risks.” – Morgan Housel, author and investor...
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Throw Away the Old Playbook

“Much of the confusion about the current state of the economy has its origin in people trying to apply classic...
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Managing Market Volatility

“Volatility gets you in the gut. There’s no question that when prices are jumping around, you feel different from when...
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Pure Portfolios’ 2022 Client Letter

2022 was the year of the opposite. Every market trend and economic reality we’ve known to be true the last...
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Bull Gc0b908be4 1280

How Does this Bull Market Stack Up?

“Everyone is a genius in a bull market.” Mark Cuban, entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks. There’s no shortage...
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Pure Portfolios’ 2021 Client Letter

2021 marks the five-year anniversary of Pure Portfolios (see The Story of Pure Portfolios). We are grateful for the client...
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Pure Portfolios’ Best of 2021

“A fit body, a calm mind, a house full of love. These things cannot be bought — they must be...
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Pure Portfolios’ 2022 Reading List

“Reading a book isn’t a race – the better the book, the slower it should be absorbed.” – Naval Ravikant,...
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Globe 3984876 1280

Tis the Season for Wall Street Forecasting Pt. V

“I am skeptical about stock market forecasting by anybody, and particularly by bankers.” Benjamin Graham, famous investor Historical evidence shows...
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Smiley 2979107 1280

Sniffing All-Time Highs and Nobody is Happy

“We locked down the economy for 18 months, spent ~$14 trillion, and now my margarita costs 30% more.” – Cullen...
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What is the Right Stock Allocation for Retirees?

“The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.” – Abe Lemons, college basketball coach It’s a...
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Accountant 1238598 1280

How to Reduce Capital Gains in your Portfolio

“A fine is a tax for doing something wrong. A tax is a fine for doing something right.” Anonymous You...
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Not All Indexing is Good

“When trillions of dollars are managed by Wall Streeters charging high fees, it will usually be the managers who reap...
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Worried About Inflation? You Might Own These Assets

“Inflation sparks heated debates because everyone spends their money differently so there’s no single inflation rate — your inflation may...
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Concept 1868728 1280

When Was the Last Time you Changed your Mind?

“If I were tasked with building the ultimate human investor, being able to change one’s mind would be the number...
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Capitol 22546 1280 (1)

How Does a Fed Taper Affect Market Volatility?

“Our discussions of the economy may sometimes ring in the ears of the public with more certainty than is appropriate.”...
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Man 314481 1280

Is There Ever a Good Reason to Panic Sell?

“Far more money has been lost by investors trying to anticipate corrections, than lost in the corrections themselves.” Peter Lynch,...
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Is a Roth Conversion Right for You?

To convert or not to convert? Too often investors want to convert to a Roth IRA without fully understanding the...
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