My Comments: Do you know what’s going to happen? Me neither. Here are two very opposing opinions of what the markets will do in the coming days. If it makes you afraid, you are not alone. My only bright spot is a program that grew by over 50% in 2008. Will it do it again? …
Category: Investment Planning
Secondary Market Annuities (SMA)
My Thoughts: Last month I posted about having stock positions in your retirement portfolio and how much was appropriate. This post is about another option where there are no stocks at all, only a promise by an insurance company to return all your money to you, over time, at a guaranteed rate of interest. Typically, …
Earnings Don’t Support A Continued Rally In U.S. Stocks
My Comments: Many ordinary investors, people who one way or another have retirement money invested in the markets, are worried. And they should be. I’m worried about my money. The tide is going to turn, and it’s probably not going to be a pretty sight. There are things you can do to protect yourself, but …
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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. …
The Global Liquidity Trap Turns More Treacherous
My Comments: Global liquidity or lack of it, is a prescription for investment success, or lack of it. If your retirement funds are threatened, then this might mean something to you. It’s not something to obsess over but it’s something I watch out for and hopefully find some remedies. Some of our presidential candidates will …
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Prepare For A ‘Rockier Road Ahead’
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 …
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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The Fed’s Rate Hike – What it Means
My Comments: In the past months and years I’ve featured the comments of Scott Minerd, the Chairman of Investment and CIO of Guggenheim Partners. This organization is not big, relatively speaking, as they ONLY have about $250 billion under management. (I could live very well on a tiny fraction of what that amount earns every …
Why Things Could Soon Get Ugly For Stock Investors
My Comments: Another voice predicting woe and gloom. I’ve tried to protect myself and my clients but there are no guarantees. By Scott Barlow on Wednesday, Dec. 09, 2015 We’re about to find out what happens when a market rally built on a foundation of cheap borrowing rates is faced with the end of a …
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A Wicked Wind Will Blow In 2016
My Comments: Are you wondering about your investments going forward? This will give you pause. Dec. 4, 2015 by Bret Jensen The market had a huge rally to end the week and clawed back Thursday's large losses. The trigger for the rise was a better than expected November Jobs Report that also had an upward …
Helping Define Your Financial Future 