Even some of the greatest technology-led revolutions, or allegedly technology-led, really were only made possible because of trends already present.

A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is - it is what consumers tell each other it is.

Even the once simple home mortgage now has so many flavors and styles and variations that it is difficult for people to make a decision.

Thirty to 40 years ago, most financial decisions were fairly simple.

Mutual funds were created to make investing easy, so consumers wouldn't have to be burdened with picking individual stocks.

Today more people believe in UFOs than believe that Social Security will take care of their retirement.

People don't place their trust in government or company pension plans; they have to be self-reliant.