My Thoughts: If this were my original work, the ttle would more likely be “My Best Guess for the Markets in 2014.” The emphasis is on guess and it only exists because as a so called expert, I’m supposed to know. Only I don’t. I think I know what I’m having for supper tonight because …
Continue reading Forecasting the Year Ahead, and Preparing to Be Wrong
My Comments: How many of you actually made a list of New Year’s Resolutions? I used to make them, but it became pointless. Very little conformed to reality and few were accomplished. So no list of resolutions for me this year. But it is helpful to be somewhat organized, and if you live a middle-class …
My Comments: Years ago, it was simply a matter of waiting to reach 65, showing up at the Social Security office and then waiting for a check to appear in the mail. Today, that idea is quaint and naive. As the baby boomers reach age 62 and beyond, it’s become a chore to figure out …
Continue reading Restricted Application for Social Security Benefits
My Comments: Who knew? If I'd known this before, would I have planned any differently? Maybe. By Dan Kadlec Dec. 12, 2013 With a savings crisis so deep that more than half of American adults are unsure they could scrape together $2,000 within a month for an emergency, it may seem tone deaf to worry …
My Comments: Recently, I have developed an “expertise” in Social Security matters. I wish I'd had this knowledge when I reached what is known in the system as Full Retirement Age or FRA. For me, this was when I was 65 and 8 months old. I signed up and I’ve been getting checks every month …
I’m sure you agree that we live in a world of political correctness. Sometimes that’s a good thing and many times it just gets in the way of common sense. Right now, I have to tell you I am NOT licensed or qualified to dispense tax advice. But as a financial planner, for which I …
My Comments: Yestersday my post declared that the cost of what we call Long Term Care will go up for women in 2014. This is because there are more and more people reaching the age where bad things start to happen. The law of supply and demand says that when the demand increases, more people …
My Comments: This has always proved to be a difficult conversation with clients. When they are relatively young, the topic is far away unless they have a parent with issues. And then the money has to be reserved for their care. And when you reach my age, there is still a strong denial that you …
Continue reading Long Term Care Insurance Rates for Women Will Go up in 2014
The idea of simply signing up for Social Security checks once you reach at 62 used to be a good idea. Not anymore. For each of us, there are 92 possible months to sign up. How do you know which one is best. And once you sign up, there is no turning back. I’ve recently …
Continue reading 6 Things About Social Security You Should Know
My Thoughts: Employment numbers are higher than normal, though coming down slowly, and the argument made by those who oppose this idea is that it will cause more unemployment. Some marginal workers will lose their jobs, but the ability of those who do not and instead receive higher wages will spur consumption. That will have …
Continue reading A Higher Minimum Wage is the Tonic America Needs
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