This month, you’ll notice our survey question invites you to reflect on what financial decision you’re most proud of. It’s a great opportunity to pause and acknowledge the milestones—big or small—that bring you closer to your goals. As I thought about this question, one decision immediately came to mind.

As I write this, my family and I are on the cusp of a new chapter. Our daughter (a junior in high school), born just two years after we started Hill Investment Group, is now preparing for college. We recently took our first college tour together—a moment that felt both surreal and gratifying.

What makes this milestone even more meaningful is the financial foundation we laid for her education. Like many of you, we started a 529 college savings plan shortly after she was born—when she received her Social Security number, to be exact. At the time, saving for college felt abstract, almost odd. She was still an infant, and college seemed a lifetime away. But we made the decision to start, set a clear goal of having two years of college funded by the time she graduates from high school, and stuck with it. Today, that plan has grown with the power of markets, and it will help cover a significant portion of her next phase. 

This journey reinforces something we talk about often at Hill Investment Group: the power of the long view. A clear goal, consistent contributions, and the discipline to stay the course—even when the market tempts you to second-guess—are at the core of successful investing. It’s the same philosophy we apply to everything we do for our clients.

And just like you, I’m a client too. I’ve felt the sacrifices that come with prioritizing savings, along with the satisfaction of watching a plan work over time. As we look ahead to this exciting next chapter for our daughter, I feel proud—not just of the financial growth but of the steady, intentional path we’ve taken. We believed in the data and evidence that our initial decision was founded upon, and that belief, coupled with disciplined behavior, has allowed us to achieve our goal.

So, as the year winds down and you reflect on your own financial decisions, I encourage you to think about what you’re most proud of. What goals have you set? What steps have you taken to achieve them? And most importantly, how can we help you take the long view toward whatever comes next?

Here’s to steady progress and celebrating milestones—big and small.

Happy Holidays!

This testimonial is provided by a current client who received no compensation for their statement. Their experience reflects their personal results, which may not be representative of all clients. Investing involves risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results.

How 3 Simple Questions Help Us Serve You Better

At Hill Investment Group, it’s about more than just managing money—it’s about adding value to your life. That’s why we recently started asking three important questions at every client review meeting:

1. What’s the most valuable thing we do for you?
2. Is there anything we could be doing that we’re not?
3. If someone needed our help, would you be comfortable introducing us?

These questions keep us focused on what matters most: your peace of mind, trust, and the lasting impact we can make together. We’ve been inspired by your answers, which often go beyond financial goals, showing us that trust, security, and partnership are what really count.

We had our own thoughts about the typical responses to the first question. Perhaps they would reflect the core elements of our service—evidence-based investment management, financial planning, or our Longview Analysis. While those certainly do come up, we’ve been deeply moved by how our clients describe the value we bring in their own words. From “I love not having to make decisions in this part of my life” to “I just don’t worry about money anymore,” the feedback has gone beyond the tangible aspects of our work. It’s given us a fresh perspective on what matters most to our clients.

The second question, “Is there anything we could be doing that we’re not?” has opened doors to opportunities for improvement. This question pushes us to listen more closely and serve more effectively. The responses have challenged us to think about the evolving needs of our clients and how we can better support them in ways we hadn’t considered.

Lastly, asking whether clients feel comfortable introducing us to others has been incredibly valuable. It’s a reminder that the trust we build doesn’t end with the clients we serve—it extends to their networks, too. When someone says, “Yes, I’d happily introduce you,” it’s a testament to the strength of our relationship and the impact we’ve had. It’s a reflection of the confidence our clients feel in us, and that’s something we deeply appreciate and never take for granted.

These three questions have become an essential part of our process, helping us stay connected to what’s most important: understanding our clients’ needs, adapting our services, and earning the trust that leads to long-term partnerships.

As we continue to ask you these questions in the months ahead, we’re excited to see where the answers take us now and in the long view.

Every four years, the United States gets consumed by the frenzy of presidential elections. It’s everywhere: TV, social media, and the minds of investors. Whether you’re on Main Street or Wall Street, the speculation about how the market will react to the latest poll or debate is impossible to escape. But there’s a simple truth that often gets lost in the noise—which political party is in office has little effect on the stock market.

For all the headlines and heated debates, historical data tells a clear story: a 60/40 portfolio has delivered average annual returns of around 8%, regardless of which party holds the White House. On top of that, election years are no different from non-election years. Although stock markets can show volatility during election years, and that can be uncomfortable, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Market returns during election years have also historically averaged 8%.

One of the most important lessons for long-term investors is that reacting to short-term political news is rarely a good idea. Trying to time the market based on election outcomes can lead to costly mistakes. Studies consistently show that missing just a few of the market’s best days—many of which often come after periods of volatility—can dramatically reduce your long-term returns.

For example, take this headline from Bloomberg back in 2022 predicting a 100% chance of a US Recession within a year.

For those keeping score the S&P 500 is up 61% as of 9/30/24 since that article came out.

Instead, the better course of action is often to stay invested. The stock market is priced at positive expected returns. In other words, over the long run, stocks are expected to grow in value. The market’s historical average return of 8% reflects this.

If you stay invested through election cycles, avoiding the temptation to sell or make drastic changes based on who wins or loses, you’re more likely to capture those long-term returns.

Whether it’s a blue wave, a red surge, or a contested result, research shows none of it changes the fundamental rules of investing. Stick to your plan, and let time—and the market’s resilience—work in your favor. Presidential elections come and go, but the market’s ability to deliver positive long-term returns remains.

Hill Investment Group is a registered investment adviser. Registration of an Investment Advisor does not imply any level of skill or training.  This information is educational and does not intend to make an offer for the sale of any specific securities, investments, or strategies.  Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future performance. Consult with a qualified financial adviser before implementing any investment or financial planning strategy.