--- title: Mark Zaifman|Money Matters Blog | investing (2) description: investing | Articles on Investing, Retirement Planning, Cash Flow Planning and Tax Planning (2) --- [![Spiritus Financial Logo](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spiritusfinancial-2016/Image/Spiritus_Financial_logo.png?width=238&name=Spiritus_Financial_logo.png "Spiritus Financial Logo")](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/) [707-534-9478](tel:707-534-9478) ![spiritus-financial-water-ripples-banner.png](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spiritusfinancial-2016/Image/spiritus-financial-water-ripples-banner.png?width=933&name=spiritus-financial-water-ripples-banner.png "spiritus-financial-water-ripples-banner.png") # MONEY matters Mark Zaifman's thoughts on money, global economic trends and politics ##### [Bond Funds and the Prospect of Rising Interest Rates](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bond-funds-and-the-prospect-of-rising-interest-rates) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Wed, Jul 29, 2015 @ 01:21 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hubfs/black_dice.png) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bond-funds-and-the-prospect-of-rising-interest-rates) Since the stock market crash of 2008-2009, interest rates, especially the 10-year Treasury, have stayed historically low. Last quarter, the 10-year Treasury saw its largest rise since the end of 2013, halting a streak of five consecutive quarters of falling yields. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bond-funds-and-the-prospect-of-rising-interest-rates) ** [bond funds](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/bond-funds), [investing](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing) ##### [Your Investment Strategy-Never Confuse Risk Tolerance with Risk Capacity](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/your-investment-strategy-never-confuse-risk-tolerance-with-risk-capacity) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Fri, Jul 03, 2015 @ 11:12 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hubfs/risk_scrabble.png) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/your-investment-strategy-never-confuse-risk-tolerance-with-risk-capacity)   [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/your-investment-strategy-never-confuse-risk-tolerance-with-risk-capacity) ** [investing](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing), [stock market](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/stock-market) ##### [Vanguard's John Bogle on including International Stocks in Your Portfolio](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/vanguards-john-bogle-on-including-international-stocks-in-your-portfolio) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Thu, Feb 05, 2015 @ 12:07 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/hub/65514/file-2454223759.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/vanguards-john-bogle-on-including-international-stocks-in-your-portfolio) Should you include international stocks in your investment portfolio? If yes, how much? If no, why not? [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/vanguards-john-bogle-on-including-international-stocks-in-your-portfolio) ** [investing](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing), [stock market](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/stock-market), [John Bogle](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/john-bogle) ##### [5 Reasons Stock Market Volatility Makes You a Smart Long-Term Investor](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/208158/5-Reasons-Stock-Market-Volatility-Makes-You-a-Smart-Long-Term-Investor) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Mon, Oct 20, 2014 @ 05:57 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-1913944091-png/images/stock_market.png) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/208158/5-Reasons-Stock-Market-Volatility-Makes-You-a-Smart-Long-Term-Investor) If recent stock market volatility has you wanting to hide under the covers, you’re not alone. The 2009 stock market crash was a traumatic experience for investors as many watched their life savings plummet dramatically in a relatively short period of time. And now, with the recent volatility, memories of those scary days still haunt many an investor that rightfully so, remains traumatized from that roller coaster ride from hell back in 2009. The thought that runs through many a mind in times of high volatility and high anxiety like we’re currently experiencing;*** is this going to be a repeat of 2009?*** [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/208158/5-Reasons-Stock-Market-Volatility-Makes-You-a-Smart-Long-Term-Investor) ** [investing](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing), [stock market](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/stock-market), [registered investment advisor](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/registered-investment-advisor) ##### [Vanguard Shows How Investment Advisors Can Add Up to 3% in Returns](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/205933/Vanguard-Shows-How-Investment-Advisors-Can-Add-Up-to-3-in-Returns) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Tue, Apr 15, 2014 @ 11:49 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-667822583-jpg/images/arrow_neon.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/205933/Vanguard-Shows-How-Investment-Advisors-Can-Add-Up-to-3-in-Returns) ****How much of a boost in net returns can financial advisors add to client portfolios? Well according to Vanguard, maybe **as much as 3%**. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/205933/Vanguard-Shows-How-Investment-Advisors-Can-Add-Up-to-3-in-Returns) ** [investing](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing), [registered investment advisor](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/registered-investment-advisor), [Vanguard](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/vanguard) ##### [Vanguard’s John Bogle Thinks Indexing Has Gone ‘Too Far’](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/173027/Vanguard-s-John-Bogle-Thinks-Indexing-Has-Gone-Too-Far) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Fri, Dec 13, 2013 @ 05:39 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-393652117-jpg/images/boglehead_logo1.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/173027/Vanguard-s-John-Bogle-Thinks-Indexing-Has-Gone-Too-Far) John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard, recently conducted an extensive interview with a financial insider publication called Money Management Executive. In this no holds barred interview, [**Bogle shares his opinions and wisdom**](http://www.mmexecutive.com/news/Vanguard-Bogle-Index-Funds-Have-Gone-Too-Far-246148-1.html) on index funds, ETF’s and alternative investments and how they are being used and marketed to the public. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/173027/Vanguard-s-John-Bogle-Thinks-Indexing-Has-Gone-Too-Far) ** [investing](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing), [index funds](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/index-funds), [John Bogle](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/john-bogle) ##### [3 Investing Mistakes to Avoid in 2014](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/153155/3-Investing-Mistakes-to-Avoid-in-2014) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Fri, Nov 29, 2013 @ 08:24 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-391129133-jpg/images/bogleheadsorg.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/153155/3-Investing-Mistakes-to-Avoid-in-2014) [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/153155/3-Investing-Mistakes-to-Avoid-in-2014) ** [risk management](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/risk-management), [investing](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing), [John Bogle](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/john-bogle) ##### [5 Questions You Should Ask Your Financial Advisor](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/139843/5-Questions-You-Should-Ask-Your-Financial-Advisor) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Thu, Nov 14, 2013 @ 09:01 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-381157730-jpg/images/aif_logo.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/139843/5-Questions-You-Should-Ask-Your-Financial-Advisor) The following definition of ‘fiduciary’ is taken from the Center for Fiduciary Studies, [**fi360 website**](http://www.fi360.com/): [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/139843/5-Questions-You-Should-Ask-Your-Financial-Advisor) ** [investing](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing), [fiduciary](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/fiduciary), [financial adviser](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-adviser) ##### [Honey Who Shrunk Our Bond Funds?](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/117071/Honey-Who-Shrunk-Our-Bond-Funds) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Thu, Jul 11, 2013 @ 02:08 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-224153450-jpg/images/tiny_people_cropped.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/117071/Honey-Who-Shrunk-Our-Bond-Funds) [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/117071/Honey-Who-Shrunk-Our-Bond-Funds) ** [bond funds](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/bond-funds), [investing](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing), [the economy](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/the-economy) ##### [2 Alternative Strategies to Diversify Your Investment Portfolio](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/115954/2-Alternative-Strategies-to-Diversify-Your-Investment-Portfolio) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Wed, May 29, 2013 @ 12:28 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-51900512-jpg/images/prosper.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/115954/2-Alternative-Strategies-to-Diversify-Your-Investment-Portfolio) If you are looking to diversify your investment portfolio, (and you should be) here are two alternative investment strategies worth considering. But first, full disclosure: We have absolutely no affiliation to the firms mentioned below and receive zero compensation or any compensation, financial or non-financial from these firms. At times, we will recommend and acquire these investments to add to our investment management clients’ portfolios.  **Both investments come with risk of loss, so you need to do your due diligence before investing.** ### **Propser & Lending Club** Peer-to-peer lending has been popular in Europe for many years and it’s finally getting its due attention here in the states. The two leading companies in this space are **[Prosper](http://www.prosper.com)** and [**Lending Club**](http://www.lendingclub.com).  By creating a virtual platform bringing together borrowers and lenders **aka-peer to peer**- outside the conventional banking system, peer to peer lending is surely going to become more and more popular as word spreads.  [**NPR recently did a story on this new concept**](http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/05/10/182651552/peers-find-less-pressure-borrowing-from-each-other) that you can read or listen to. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners of Prosper at a recent breakfast meeting in San Francisco. His vision, strategy and track record left little doubt in my mind that this is an alternative investment that needs to be seriously considered. Prosper for example offers 1, 3 and 5 year notes for investors with varying interest rate returns depending on the borrower’s credit score and overall risk profile. Monthly interest payments can be reinvested or deposited electronically into your checking account. Lower risk seasoned returns at Prosper currently average **5.41%** with higher risk notes earning **14.12%** and higher. Investments in personal loans from qualified borrowers can be as little as $25. For fixed income investors seeking higher income, this could play a role in your portfolio. Being able to invest across different credit grades and estimated yields provides the diversity you need. Perhaps it was my 3 years of experience working at Fair Isaac, home of the FICO credit score, that has me believing in this alternative investment so highly, yet peer-to-peer lending/investing in my humble opinion is the next big thing in the investing world. Check it out, make sure you fully understand the risks involved and see if it has a place in your portfolio. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/115954/2-Alternative-Strategies-to-Diversify-Your-Investment-Portfolio) ** [risk management](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/risk-management), [investing](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing), [stock market](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/stock-market), [index funds](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/index-funds) [Previous](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing/page/1) [All posts](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/all) [Next](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing/page/3) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Recent Topics - [retirement planning (103)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/retirement-planning) - [investing (93)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing) - [book recommendation (54)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/book-recommendation) - [relationship with money (39)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money) - [risk management (39)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/risk-management) - [fee-only financial planning (38)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/fee-only-financial-planning) - [save money (38)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/save-money) - [financial planning (36)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-planning) © 2026 Spiritus Financial Planning. 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