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.”

John Reagan has been with our team 3 years in June. When he first approached us about opportunities at Hill, we were quickly convinced he was the perfect fit. And, his offer to work for free in the first two years really caught our attention. His passion and work ethic are unmatched, and we’re lucky to have him on the team. (Needless to say, his formal job offer included a salary from day one.)

In celebration of his time here, let’s take a brief look back at his light bulb moment. Watch as he discusses his first read of our favorite piece from Michael Lewis.