Welcome to Wealth & Fulfillment
A compass for your journey into Behavioral Wealth
If you are new here, welcome.
We live in a money-centric culture that tells us a specific story: More money is always better. Net worth equals self-worth. If you are anxious, you just need to save a little more.
I spent 36 years as a wealth manager for ultra-high-net-worth families, and I learned a hard truth: Those stories are lies.
I saw clients with tens of millions of dollars who were paralyzed by fear. I saw families torn apart by inheritance battles. And, for the first half of my career, I was right there with them—chasing a definition of success that left me feeling empty.
This blog is the antidote.
Wealth & Fulfillment is dedicated to the emotional side of money—what I call Behavioral Wealth. It is about using your money as a tool to build a life of meaning, connection, and joy.
Whether you are struggling with the transition to retirement, worrying about your adult children, or just feeling a vague sense of “is this it?”, you are in the right place.
Here is the best place to start, based on what is on your mind right now.
1. If you feel like your net worth defines you…
Start here to reframe your relationship with money.
Half the Man I Used to Be: A story about a friend who believed divorce would make him “half the man,” and why your bank account has nothing to do with your manhood.
Time is Life: Why the billable hour is a trap, and why time, not money, is your scarcest resource.
Play a Different Game: How to switch from the game of “accumulation” (which you can never win) to the game of “fulfillment.”
2. If you are worrying about your children…
The intersection of love and money is messy. These posts will help you navigate it with grace.
Helping Adult Children: The die is cast. Your job is no longer to fix their problems, but to support their journey.
Your Kid’s Inheritance: Why “zero” might be the right amount to leave them, and how to know if they are prepared.
Parenting Isn’t a Popularity Contest: How to stand firm on your values, even when your children push back.
3. If retirement feels scary or empty…
You have the money to retire, but do you have the purpose?
Stumbling into Retirement: My personal story of the panic I felt after leaving my career, and how I found my footing.
Are You in Luxury Limbo?: Why five-star vacations and golf clubs eventually lose their luster, and what to do instead.
Why Retire? Because You’re Worth It: A pep talk for the transition. You have earned the right to live on your own terms.
4. If you are anxious about the world or the markets…
Calm the “anxious inner child” and focus on what you can control.
Thriving During Turbulent Times: My 3-step game plan for handling recessions and fear.
When Financial Fear Creeps In: How to distinguish between a Reality to Face (RTF) and a Problem to Solve (PTS).
One Final Thought
I am not a guru. I am a fellow traveler. I am still figuring this out, stumbling occasionally, and learning as I go.
If you are ready to change the conversation about money, I invite you to subscribe. Let’s build a more fulfilling life, together.
Until our next conversation,
David
If you love this, share it with your friends, foes, and even perfect strangers. Let’s change the way America thinks about money.
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X / Twitter | Bluesky