As we sit with you for periodic meetings, we feel continually grateful for your trust and confidence. 2022 has been a challenging year for the markets and has tested our collective patience. We receive excellent questions about the best way to handle the market declines that are a normal part of being an investor. Often, the answers sound similar: “Focus on what you can control. Maintain a long-term commitment to your investment program. Diversification and a systematic approach still make sense.”

The failure of bonds to provide a meaningful cushion against losses during 2022 is one frustrating element. We believe the outlook for that area continues to improve, especially as interest rate adjustments lead to higher income for bond investors.

Every month, we hold our “Monthly Focus Meeting.” We use that time to make sure that our processes and services are functioning at the high level that we (and you) expect. Continuous improvement is one of our core values, and we welcome your feedback if there are things that you think we can do better.

• This post makes an excellent case that the United States is under-policed and over-imprisoned. It’s a very interesting and important area of study.

• The Office, the classic tv show, has an episode that almost no one wants to rewatch. Here is a little history of “Scott’s Tots.”

• Ford has raised the price of its very popular, all-electric, F-150 Lightning. Considering the supply and demand issues at play, it was a smart choice.

• Arizona’s pet trainers have found a popular niche: Snake-Safety Classes.