David S. Chang, Author at The Art of Thinking SMART

An Adviser Can Improve Returns

April 10, 2013
David S. Chang

When people find out I am a financial adviser, usually the first question I am asked is what I believe the next best investment is or how my performance has been in the past. Getting a good return on your investment is important, but there are more important reasons to hire a financial adviser. There […]

April 3, 2013
David S. Chang

A middle-income family will spend roughly $250,000 to raise a child. For higher earners, it shoots up to $500,000! This is a large investment for anyone, but as any parent will tell you, an important one. A recent survey showed that 75 percent of parents believe their kids are “a little spoiled.” It is easy […]

March 25, 2013
David S. Chang

Heat a bowl of water and lemon slices in your microwave for 30 seconds to a minute, then wipe out the microwave. Stains will be easier to remove and old food odors will be neutralized without using harsh chemicals.

March 20, 2013
David S. Chang

The average taxpayer spends 23 hours on their tax return, and 80 percent of them will hire a professional or use tax software – even though 64 percent of them will not owe any taxes. Taxes are becoming more and more complicated, increasing the chances of making mistakes on a tax return. There are more […]

March 18, 2013
David S. Chang

Ants and leaf cutters can wreak havoc on a new garden. Instead of reaching for a chemical spray, try using a DIY green alternative. Combine 1 part of borax, 2 parts of flour, and 1/2 part of icing sugar, then add water and mix them into soft dough. Leave small bits around areas frequented by […]

March 13, 2013
David S. Chang

With taxes due April 15, it’s important to do tax returns properly, especially if you do it yourself. Tax planning is a very important part of the financial planning process. If you understand credits and deductions, you can save potentially thousands of dollars. If you own a home, you could qualify for great tax breaks. […]

March 11, 2013
David S. Chang

Face it, we all have had bad bosses or seen what a bad boss looks like. Nothing can destroy company morale and culture as a bad boss, it’s contagious. For those of you that have watched the cult-classic Office Space, a bad boss can be a micromanager that only cares about pointless tasks, or a […]

March 6, 2013
David S. Chang

Recent studies show that Americans are busier today than they have ever been, working longer than anyone else in the industrialized world. With so much to do and so little time, here are some tips to help you be more efficient, productive and most importantly, maximize your time to live your life to its fullest. […]

February 27, 2013
David S. Chang

For years, people planning for retirement have used the 4 percent rule of thumb to determine if there is enough money saved to retire. To use the rule, you take the total value of your retirement accounts and calculate 4 percent of it. That amount is how much you can withdraw the first year and […]

February 26, 2013
David S. Chang

Get Your Hot Water Faster Most people run their showers for a few minutes to let the water warm up. This accounts for hundreds of gallons of wasted water (and wasted energy) each year. By situating your hot water heater closer to your bathroom or other points of use, you can save energy and get […]