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 Even the best money managers and analysts can't predict the markets with certainty, making it less likely that average investors can do the same.

No two rollover disasters unfold the same way, but these four rollover problems tend to crop up the most.

1. High Fees Chip Away at Your Savings

In recent years it would be difficult to read any financial newspaper or website without seeing headlines about “alternative investments”. This term is rarely defined by media accounts but seems to encompass hedge funds, private equity, infrastructure investments, as well as real estate.

When Clients first come in to meet with us and after we have them tell us their complete life story (warts and all), we ask them about relationships they have with other consultants – financial, legal, and even accounting. Many of our clients have had multiple consultants, none of which knew their entire picture. This tells us they never really trusted any one person.

If you listen to any of the world’s leading investors they will tell you that nothing is more important to long-term investment success than a clear investment philosophy. More important than a sound investment strategy? Yes, they will tell you, because strategy, while important, is nothing more than a manifestation of an investment philosophy.

Have you made up your mind on just about everything, even before you know what it is? For instance, when you meet someone, is your opinion of the person formed from the first impression? Or, when you hear a political argument from the other side, is your mind opened or closed? Are you able to concede the “good points” the other side make, or do you dismiss the whole argument?

In my opinion, it is impossible to predict future stock market returns. Investment models can produce hypothetical returns but they can’t account for future events. So, in my opinion, investors who manage their investments based on market performance or what they perceive as opportunities for better returns have very little control over the outcome.