My Comments: Investing money for the faint of heart is at best, a guessing game. Too much in ‘safe’ bonds and you get hammered when interest rates rise. Too little in ‘risky’ stocks at the bottom of a market trough and you get hammered when the next upturn happens. As explained here, the ups and …
Category: Financial Planning
How To Retire Despite Low Interest Rates
My Comments: Don’t expect interest rates to increase anytime soon. Decisions by the Fed will influence the prevailing level of interest rates but in the background is the everpresent supply and demand curve. This simply states that the price being paid (interest rate) is a function of how much there is available compared to the …
You Can’t Keep Your Money Safe And Grow It At The Same Time
My Comments: The market continues it’s turmoil and there is no end in sight. Yet. Clients and people with whom I talk have two major fears. The first fear is outliving their money and the second is, with interest rates at historic lows, how do they earn enough for it to be meaningful. Life has …
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These Little-Known Tax Deductions Can Save You Thousands
My Comments: No, I am not an accountant and I cannot tell you how to file your tax return. I can, however, put ideas in front of you that you may not know about. Remember, none of us have an obligation to pay more in taxes each year that is absolutely necessary. It’s just that …
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When Collectors Call, Demand Proof of Your Debt
My Comments: A conversation with a client this morning revealed that she is getting annoying letters and calls from a Homeowner Association affiliated with a timeshare property she used to own in another state. It’s not her debt and she has sufficient documentation to support her claim that the property was sold to someone else. …
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Starting to Invest in 2016? Here’s What You Need to Know
My Comments: After 43 years as a financial planner and investment company owner, I can say with certainty that the future outcome for your money is a combination of luck, discipline, timing and knowledge. I have no clue how we’ll do in 2016 but this is at least a start. By Jason Hall Published January …
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Investing In Our Families
My Comments: When I saw this, I was surprised. When you have family wealth of many billions, you don’t expect to see a nuanced economic commentary. It’s refreshing to see someone clearly at the very top of the economic pile, writing in recognition of those near the bottom. Of course, it helps that if those …
Middle Class Shrinks to Half of US Homes
My Comments: Amid all the hubbub about The Donald, ISIS and Christmas, this report has gone mostly unnoticed, but it has huge implications for our children and grandchildren. Since 1946 and the ending of WW2, American society has grown more prosperous and economically successful than any society on the planet. If you measure success by …
A Reverse Mortgage To Protect Your Retirement Income
My Comments: Confused? Skeptical? A normal response. But as someone with 40 years of experience as a financial planner, a reverse mortgage can be a significant tool to promote financial freedom as we live out our retirement years. Nov 11, 2015, by Robert Powell Advisers have long looked down on reverse mortgages: Only the most …
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And Now Trucking Is Suddenly Slowing Down
My Comments: Keep in mind the economy and stock and bond markets performance are not necessarily correlated. But there are sure indications the economy, and therefore employment numbers, are going to change. Income inequality will likely get worse. All of this is to help you prepare so your head does not explode. Oct. 28, 2015 …
Helping Define Your Financial Future 