My Comments: I’m not fond of debt. But over the years, I’ve certainly had my share. But that is personal debt which is very different from institutional debt. My dynamics are finite ( I will die some day ) and defined by micro-economic rules; institutional debt is not necessarily finite and if you are speaking …
Category: Financial Planning
What Are the Odds the IRS Will Audit Your Tax Return? And What Should You Do If It Does?
My Comments: There is a significant difference between avoiding taxes and evading taxes. Not less an authority figure than a former Supreme Court justice expressed that “…there is no obligation to pay more in taxes than absolutely necessary”. But evading taxes will perhaps land you in jail. That being said, the IRS is NOT going …
The Death of NeoLiberalism
My Comments: The more things change, the more they stay the same. You’ve heard that before. Is it also true that the more things stay the same, the more things change? It’s said that the world you live in as a teenager largely determines who you will be throughout your life. And since the world …
How To Prepare A Will
My Comments: 1. I am NOT an attorney, so you cannot take this post seriously without also knowing I’m not empowered to provide legal advice. 2. There are often real problems when people die with stuff without specific directions about what to do with the stuff (see the recent death of Prince!). 3. A friend …
10 Things You Must Know About Social Security
My Comments: Next month I start a new job; teaching folks about Social Security. Actually, it’s a function of my need to keep busy and an apparent ability to share 40 years of experience as a financial planner with people who need to know about this very important financial element of their lives. This article, …
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5 Ways To Avoid Retirement Rip-offs
My Comments: These five ways are not foolproof, but will at least give you pause for thought. In a couple of months, I’m starting a series of free workshops sponsored by the American Financial Education Alliance whose mission is to promote financial literacy across the United States. Check out their website if you are curious. …
How Retirement Advice Is About to Change
My Comments: Retirement planning is one of the principal tasks of my practice. In fact, I will soon start teaching a new course sponsored by the American Financial Education Alliance (AFEA) to promote financial literacy. I’ve created a Chapter of AFEA here in Alachua County with my target audience people between the age of 55 …
Can I File and Suspend My Social Security Benefits?
My Comments: This is a hot topic. No one likes to leave money laying on the table. Given the chance you will live longer than expected and don’t have the financial reserves you thought you might have, taking advantage of everything possible from the Social Security system is critical for many of us. By Dan …
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Parents and Inheritance
My Comments: For many years, the financial industry has been telling those of us who work with clients that as the baby boomers age, trillions of dollars are going to flow to the next generation. The objective has been for us to help those people make good decisions. Or at least that’s what they would …
Is Your House A Good Investment?
My Comments: My first house was in 1967 (I think). Since then I've had five more, all in the same town, with the current one a significant “downsizing” from #5. Of the first 5, only #2 was a good investment from a financial perspective. If your definition of “good” is wider, then all of them …
Helping Define Your Financial Future 