My Comments: There are millions of us who worry almost every day about the state of our finances. And most of us have few clues how to react when we read or hear stuff that seems to be alarming. The default state for us, therefore, and especially with what happened in 2008-09 so close to …
Continue reading Is A Welcome Surprise Coming For Mortgage Rates?
My Comments: Tapering is the term used to describe efforts by the Federal Reserve to slow down the monthly purchase of bonds. They have made these purchases for many months to help prop up the economy and keep interest rates low. It’s an important question for you if you have money in the markets because …
My Comments: The price of gasoline in this country has a huge influence on whether the economy grows or shrinks. (It is NEVER static.) We’ve all heard that with access to incredible reserves of natural gas, we as a nation are going to become a net exporter of fuel over the next decade or so. …
Continue reading Why North American Oil Prices Are Set For A Big Drop
My Comments: By the time you read this, the State of the Union Address earlier may render these thoughts useless. On the other hand, our government, bound as it is by the language of the Constitution, is supposed to work in our collective best interest. And that still leaves a lot of room for biased …
Continue reading Tax Code Changes to Close the Widening Income Gap
My Comments: At some point last year I ran across this and found it interesting. So I saved it for when I needed something to talk about. And today is one of those days! Dull, rainy and cold! It’s another example of what at one point appears to be something locked in stone but over …
Continue reading This Is Exactly How Fast the Windows Monopoly Is Being Destroyed
My Comments: Am not really sure what this means but anytime I see a positive outcome that may be the result of the PPACA, I pay attention. That’s because I want the PPACA to work, and work well. It’s past time to really identify its flaws and get people to fix them to the benefit …
My Comments: In an attempt to be positive on this wet and gloomy Tuesday, I will say with some certainty that the Social Security System will NEVER go bankrupt. It’s too easy to make the necessary changes to assure this will not happen. My children and grandchildren will receive a benefit based on their age …
Continue reading Push Is On To Increase Social Security Retirement Age
My Comments: The following is an arcane topic that will bore some of you and cause you to find something else to read. That’s OK. But for those of you interested in what might happen to your Social Security income, you might find it interesting. Economic fundamentals tells you that, over time, a balance has …
Continue reading Chained CPI Could Cut Social Security Benefits
January 3, 2014 • Robert Laura One of the many things I appreciate about this profession is the constant and ongoing challenge associated with traditional retirement planning statistics and percentages. Whether it’s the 4 percent rule being argued, new research on the pros and cons of active versus passive investing, or a new study on …
Continue reading These Retirement Stats Paint A Troubling Picture
My Comments: For many advisors, estate planning will take a back seat as the combined exemption (husband and wife) now exceeds $10.5M. That eliminates a lot of folks who nevertheless have substantial wealth. But there are still questions that should not be ignored. Here’s a quick summary that will put all this in perspective for …
Continue reading 10 Estate Planning Tax Facts You Need to Know
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